Monday

After dinner

Olivia, Bobby, Cassie, and Melanie stayed for the family meeting with Lydia.

"The time has come for me to tell about our vacation destination…"Lydia looked to Melanie. "drum roll please."

Melanie tapped on the table playfully.

"Winter Raven, Connecticut." Lydia announced, and the kids didn't seem to thrilled.

Bobby formed a odd look. "Where the hell is that ?"

"It's a Hic' Town" Melanie informed.

Cassie chuckled. "Cow Town...nice...ya'll can go, I'm stayin' here."

Bobby shot a look over to Cassie "Oh no, you're comin' too….I'm not sufferin' in some Hic Town without takin' you down with me."

"It can't be that bad…" Melanie intervened with a excited smile. "we can milk cows, it'll be fun."

"Please…" Lydia moaned sadly. "Look, Winter Raven is an important destination, I have a little history there that I would like to share with you guys"

Olivia gazes above her laptop screen "Mother, I am reading the Winter Raven, Connecticut website and there seems to be nothing there." then tilted the screen for her mother to look at. "The only history expected is utter boredom, mental despair, and how you managed it all without a lead to suicide. What on earth could you possibly show us there ?"

"Trust me." Lydia replied.

Olivia raised a brow, then returned the laptop screen to its upright position, and began typing.

"Don't forget, my vacation time doesn't start until Wednesday." Bobby informed. "Hey mom, since everybody else has errands, why you stop by headquarters so we can meet up for lunch...Whaddaya say ?"

"That sounds great Bobby…" Lydia smiled.

After the family meeting, Melanie helped Lydia wash the dishes as Olivia continued studying, while Bobby and Cassie snuggle up, watching T.V.

Melanie gazed over to Lydia with the most bright wide smile "Guess what, guess what….guess what !"

"What are you so excited about ?" Lydia giggled at her silliness.

"My daddy's taking me to the carnival in Time Square tomorrow." Melanie replied. "I'm going to meet up with you guys Wednesday morning to start our vacation before daddy flies off to Tokyo. I asked him to buy me a kimono, and he said yes…isn't that so awesome ?"

Lydia became curious to ask. "Melanie, why didn't you want to go to Tokyo ?"

"I love being with you guys, besides….Daddy never takes me on business trips, so I would've been all alone anyway" She replied, then a concerned sadness fell in her voice "Did you change your mind about me going with you guys ?"

"No, of course not, I want you to come…but why doesn't he ever take you ?"

Melanie smiled again. "Daddy says…." mocking a male voice to portray her dad "Children ruin business relationships." added by a swing of a finger. "No business, no money. No money means no getting things for my sweet little princess" she ended with a joyful smile, then spoke in her normal voice "Daddy is so smart."

Lydia showed a small smile, in not wanting to discourage Melanie, even though she though her father is a complete idiot. "Thank you for helping with the dishes."

"You're welcome Ms. Lydia." She smiled and went off for bed.

Tuesday

Lydia's POV

I leave the apartment to catch the subway. I like New York, but I hate riding the subway. Ah…the Metrorail, it routes straight to Ghostbuster Headquarters. While riding the train, I run into the usual crowd of weirdo's…I smacked a guys hand away from toughing my thigh, then some guy begged everyone including me for money, and to top it all off, some spike head lady flirted with me. Yep…I like New York, just not the subway; next time…I'm taking a cab.

Lydia arrived at the Ghostbusters HQ. She looked throughout the main lobby… it no one was there, but called out just to make sure. "Hello, hello….anyone here ?….Hello ?"

A female voice echoed in response from the basement "Ok…wait just a moment please, I'm coming up"

'It must be Janine.' Lydia thought.

The sound of footsteps grew as they climbed the stairs, and standing in the door frame is a blonde haired woman wearing a kaki colored ghostbuster uniform. She noticed Lydia

and walked over toward her with a smile, and extended hand to shake "How can I help you ?"

Lydia shook the blonde woman's hand while studying her features…Her uniform was ripped, including the name patch. There's dust and dry smudges of goo all over the uniform; but even with all that, she still looked dainty with her pink make-up, perfectly styled hair, and nicely manicured pink polished nails. "I'm here to meet Bobby for lunch today."

"Oh yeah..." The blonde's eyes widened. "he did mention something about that, you must be his mother." ended with a chuckle, then lead Lydia to a chair." Bobby left with Egon and Winston an hour ago to handle a class-nine, those type of ghost are usually very rough so they might be a while, please make yourself comfy."

Lydia sat on the chair waiting, then she noticed a bulletin board with pictures posted on it, and left from the chair to take a closer look…

one picture had a banner on the wall saying 'Congratulations Mr. Tully' and above the banner stood a short nerdy man wearing thick black glasses holding a certificate that read 'Certified Ghostbuster'.

The second picture was taken last Christmas, it's Slimer kissing Janine under the mistletoe.

The expression on Janine's face in the picture made Lydia giggle.

The third picture is a promotional poster of Olivia and Melanie modeling in ghostbuster uniforms.

Lydia thought how cute.

The fourth picture is Bobby wearing a 'Kiss the cook' apron, standing next to Winston and Peter.

The fifth and last picture is a group of the whole team.

Lydia returned to sit on the chair.

The blonde woman gave Lydia a bottled water. "I've seen pictures of you on Bobby's desk; and even now, when I look at you…." then lightly tapped the side of her head. " I can't help but to think that I know you from somewhere." and formed an odd look. "This is going to be a goofy question but…did you ever live or attend school in Winter Raven, Connecticut ?"

Lydia formed the same odd look. "I attended Ms. Shannon's School for Girls."

The blonde's eyes melted as she placed a hand over her heart "Oh. My. God..." said in disbelief, then pulled Lydia close to give a tight hug. "Lydia Deetz…I didn't recognize you at all."

Lydia was taken aback.

The blonde took notice of Lydia's look of shock and confusion. "You don't remember me do you ?"

"I'm sorry, I don't." Lydia replied

The blonde pointed a finger to the right side of her uniform, then tapped the empty spot where the name tag used to be."Oh yeah, it was scratched off. " she mumbled, then reached in the pocket and pulled out a folded name patch, and unfolded it for Lydia to read…. The tag read 'Brewster'.

Lydia thought for a moment…. and sure she remembers the last name Brewster, Claire Brewster. She was a rich spoiled blonde brat who always teased Lydia and her friends every single day. Claire was the dream girl to all the guys, and was raised in high society to wed men of great wealth and power….But the Brewster woman that stands before her now, doesn't appear to be that same girl... in fact, the Brewster Lydia knows should be making a movie somewhere, not here covered in a dried dusty slime uniform as a career Ghostbuster…impossible.

The blonde places her hands on her hips with an inpatient smirk. "I can't believe you don't remember a glamorous person such as me."

'It sounds like her.' Lydia thought.

The blonde answered Lydia's confused look. "I'm Claire Brewster."

Lydia's eyes widened from shock. "Claire Brewster ?" then pointed a finger. " You-you're…you're a Ghostbuster ?"

"That's right." Claire sang.

Lydia was taken aback in disbelief. "Im...impossible."

"Why is that ?…" Claire flipped her blonde locks in the air. " I've been a Ghostbuster for two years."

Lydia was about to answer until an alarm sounded throughout the station.

Claire looked over toward the bell and called out "Janine…like, Janine, are you there ?"

"Yeah, just got in." Janine replied, She rushed to her desk and opened the database on her computer. " Hey, there's a ghost sighting, a class nine at Trump Tower."

Claire turned to Lydia. "Come with me, I could use the extra set of hands."

Lydia was skeptical but curious….by doing this she could be closer to ghost again.

"Come on Deetz...live a little." Claire urged.

"Ok." Lydia agreed.

Claire pointed Lydia to a locker with a spare jumpsuit inside, then she ran outside.

The revving engine of the car roared from outside the station started, followed by sirens... Lydia couldn't see the car from where she stood, but it sounded like a different car and siren, way different from the classic Ecto 1 she grew to know. After Lydia put the suit on, she ran outside to Claire who waited in a Ghostbuster style Ferrari...it's painted white with a red stripe going across and the famous ghost buster symbol on the back.

Claire rolled down the passenger side window "Get in Deetz."

Lydia opened the passenger door and stepped inside; as soon as the door closed, they raced off in a flash of high speed. She watched Claire drive…she looks so concentrated and determined.

The car in front is driving slowly; Claire stuck her head out of the window, waving a fist at the driver ….what she said and how it was said, didn't sound to 'Claire-like', her voice sounding so harsh, like a real New York cabby. "MOVE OUT THE WAY YOU FREAKIN' MORON !"

Trump Tower

Claire parked inside the parking garage.

As they entered the building, the security guard handed them security swipe cards "Those passes will gain you access to anywhere in the building to get rid of that ghost, the Mr. Trump Corporation is giving you full trust." He escorted them to the elevator.

"Did all personnel evacuate the building ?" Claire asked.

"I hope so." The guard replied. "And just to let you know, the last sighting was reported on the thirty-fifth floor." Then he looked with concern as the elevator doors opened. "Are you sure you broads can handle this ?"

Claire assured the man with a smile. "You'll see…" then the elevator doors closed.

The 35th. Floor

Claire and Lydia arrived on the floor…There's thick wet slime plastered everywhere; all over the walls, doors, windows, and ceiling.

As they walked further down the corridor, Lydia felt a strange surge of energy course through her body as sounds of howling echoed in the distance….someone or something is suffering in great pain.

Claire grabbed the com radio from her utility belt. "Claire to Base…Can you read ? over."….. no response. She tried again. "Ray, Bobby, Winston, someone respond, over" She formed a annoyed look. "Like, I can't bel-lieve they still use such outdated communication." then she grabbed a cell phone from her pocket and dialed…..The phone picks up….

It's Janine. "You have reached the Ghostbusters…" but it's only a recording.

Claire hangs up, then looks to Lydia with a grin. "It looks like it's just you and me." then gives her a ghost trap and whispers "Stay close." As they approach the howling, she looks to Lydia. "Turn my pack on."

The sound of the pack always made Lydia nervous, she remembers listening to Bobby train Olivia on how to use the packs, and all the scientific stuff of 'Positron Rays' and 'Nuclear Extractions'….science was never Lydia's best subject.

"So…." Claire started from out the blue. "Olivia and Bobby huh… When did you have them ?"

"I was young." Lydia replied.

Claire raised a brow. "So you didn't leave because of me ?"

"No."

"That's what 'They' accused me of." Said Claire.

Lydia looked to her. "Who accused you ?"

"Bertha and Prudence." Claire answered.

"Do you speak to anyone from the school ?"

Claire held a thoughtful gaze. "I haven't seen Bertha since high school graduation. And Prudence, I met in France last year, and as for my 'In Group'….they haven't spoke to me since I started doing this."

"Why did you become a Ghostbuster ?" Lydia asked.

"All I know is…One day a ghost was in my penthouse. I called the Ghostbusters, and one of the guys got hurt, so I laid and opened a trap to catch the ghost, and since then...I invested more time with the team, and eventually became a Ghostbuster myself." then turned to Lydia with a smile. "Mr. Tully and your Bobby trained me."

Confrontation

Claire and Lydia turned the corner of the corridor, they looked at each other when approaching loud howling sounds that came from behind the Conference Room door.

To Lydia, the howling was familiar…It sounds like Mr. and Mrs. Maitland when she first met them. She'll never forget the look on their faces when they discovered not only could she see them, but able to communicate.

Being behind the conference door was a little nerve-wrecking. Lydia whispered to Claire "I don't know what to do, I never did this before."

Claire looked over, resting her hand on Lydia's shoulder "You'll be fine…all you have to do is lay the trap when I tell you, then push the puddle to open, and release to close." She held a finger to her lips as a sign of silence, and cautiously creaked open the door and went inside.

A odd looking blue glowing ghostly man is sitting on a floating table.

Claire crawled on the floor to take a closer look at the ghost.

To Lydia, the ghost, his features looked very familiar… "It's Fuzzo." she whispered to herself.

The mute brother of Scuzzo is Fuzzo the clown, floating around crying.

Claire whispers. "Get ready." She quietly withdraws a wand stick from the proton pack, then slowly raises from the ground, and clicks the beam stabilizer…

Fuzzo sees her.

"Hey Chuckles over here !" Claire blast a high voltage beam at him.

Fuzzo floats down to scare her, but Claire doesn't back down, and blast him in the face. He floated with stunned blindness as another beam from another direction hit's the side of his body.

A beam from a different direction, shot from the doorway, Lydia looked over to see Ray, Slimer and Peter standing in the door way.

Fuzzo wiped his eyes as Slimer releases a beam of ghostly energy… He dodges and released some of power his own.

It hits Slimer, but he shows no signs of pain; instead, he rushes over to punch Fuzzo in the face, knocking him against the wall.

"Come on, let's kick some clown ass !" Peter commanded.

Slimer nodded, then formed a course of ghostly energy, combining it with the beams from Ray's and Peter's proton wands. They released the combined power at Fuzzo, damaging him severely.

Lydia felt badly.

Claire shouted. "Quick Deetz, lay down the trap…slide it right under him !"

She did what instructed, in knowing the trap doesn't kill ghost, just holds them.

Claire shot a beam from her pack, holding Fuzzo steadily. "Good…now open the trap."

Lydia stomped her foot on the pedal to open the trap.

Peter, Claire, Slimer and, Ray lowered Fuzzo into the glowing suction of the trap.

"The clown's resisting…quick, increase the power flow !" Ray shouted.

Ray and Peter increased their proton wands energy to maximum power.

Fuzzo cried a high pitched scream right before getting sucked in.

"Ok Deetz, close the trap." said Claire.

Ray checked indicator on the trap box, and looked to the hero with a smile. "Good job Lydia."

Lydia never felt so guilty. She never understood why her son became so fascinated, so involved in trapping ghost, when he is half of one; but as she looked to Slimer, perhaps there's a little more to it, after all…he a full roaming vaper ghost, but he's a Ghostbuster too.

Return to Ghostbusters HQ

Lydia didn't realize how late it became.

Bobby sat with Janine and Egon drinking coffee. He noticed her and approached with

wide smile "Mom…" giving huge squeezing hug, "I heard what happened." then raised a brow. "Mom, a Ghostbuster…" shaking his head in disbelief "Well…I guess 'pigs can fly' after all."

Lydia remembered telling her son that. She shrugged her shoulders. "Pigs won't fly today Bob, I'm not a Ghost catcher, I was just there."

"That ghost made my hair friz." Claire huffed.

Ray held the smoky trap for all to see. "This goes in the records books…Bobby, your mom help trap a very nasty ghost."

"She was awesome !" cheered Peter.

Lydia held a small grin. "I have to say, that was very….educational." She watched as Ray walked past, holding the trap with Fuzzo inside.

Slimer winked as he floated pass Lydia, following Ray down the basement stairs.

Lydia wondered about Fuzzo, about why he was crying….Fuzzo wasn't very bright, but he's not the type to raid an office building; and where was his brother ?

"Mother…" Olivia called as she walked in the station.

She walked over to her daughter. "You didn't have come here Olivia…Bobby and I just would've taken the subway." knowing damn well she hates taking the subway.

"I think not mother, it's for that reason, I came here." Olivia replied then looked to Bobby as he approached his sister with a glass, offering a sip of wine. "Not now dear Brother, I am driving this evening…perhaps later."

Bobby nodded, and gave the glass to Janine. He whistled for the attention of his teammates, and waved them good bye.

Janine gave Bobby a kiss on the cheek. "Have a good time on your vacation Hon."

Just before leaving, Claire called. "Hey Deetz…" Lydia turned to her "don't be a stranger." and then blew a kiss to Bobby.

And so they left…the weird family of three.

Wednesday.

Lydia asked Olivia to drive, and to pick up Melanie, then the first half of the route to Winter Raven, Connecticut.

Bobby used his cell phone to call Melanie...she didn't answer. Then he called Mr. Frankford...no answer. "Nobody's pickin' up the line, not even the staff."

"Patience Bobby..." said Olivia while driving. "we will arrive soon."

"Melanie's probably rushing around to finish some last minute packin'." Cassie suggested.

Bobby gazed strongly out the window "Nah...that can't be it, Mel wouldn't just let a phone ring, something's wrong...I can feel it. I had this weird feeling since last night."

Olivia turned the corner onto the street…police lights flickered in the distance, it appeared to be near Melanie's house, but once there, they all were in shock as they rolled onto the driveway.

A Police Officer was covering the entire front entrance of the house with yellow caution tape, then he approached them. "Ok folks, this is a restricted area, clear out."

"What happened ? " Lydia asked the Officer." We came to pick up Melanie Frankford."

The Officer waved his pen "Oh yeah...the Butler did mention something about that, you must be the Deetz family." shook his head in sadness. "I'm sorry but this now this is restricted area, a little girl was murdered here last night."

"What ?" Bobby spat.

Olivia placed her hand on Bobby's shoulder trying to calm him. "Excuse me sir, would you kindly explain further detail ?"

"I'm sorry there's nothing else to say, the investigation just started." The Officer replied.

Olivia drove off the driveway, and down the street.

Bobby's face swelled with tears as he placed a hand over his heart "Melanie…she's…my God." sighed in deep remorse "I just spoke to her on the phone last night."

Olivia turned the corner of the street and parked the car, then held him, wiping away the tears.

He stepped outside the car for a moment, stepped back in, and looked to his sister "I-I…want to see 'er...South General Hospital is where she probably is….I need to see with my own eyes."

Olivia nodded and drove off.

South General Hospital

Olivia, Cassie, and Lydia have been sitting in the waiting area couch for over an hour, while Bobby paces frantically back and fourth. His face was full of the mixed emotions of anger, nervousness, sadness…his heart was broken, pacing around the room impatiently.

The nurse wouldn't allow anyone to see Melanie until she's identified by her father.

"Where the fuck is her Dad ?" Bobby spat in frustration, still frantically pacing the room.

Olivia looked to her younger brother. "Please calm yourself Bobby."

The Nurse walked in the room. "Excuse me sir…are you Mr. Deetz, Mr. Bobby Deetz ?"

"Yeah, that's me." Bobby replied.

The Nurse gave him an envelope. "This was faxed by Mr. Frankford." Bobby took the envelope from the nurse. "I spoke to him briefly over the phone. He said those documents grant you legal permission to identify Melanie's body on his behalf."

Bobby held a confused look. "On his behalf ?…" then a look of pure anger formed on his face "Where is he ?...Where's that bastard ?"

"Bobby." Olivia called in a calm stern voice.

Bobby turned his head, looking back to Olivia with a tearful face, then looked back to the nurse.

I'm not sure sir." The nurse replied. "However, he mentioned something about being on a plane."

Bobby opened the envelope and began reading the contents of the documents…then returned attention to the nurse. "Thank you Ma'am."

The nurse nodded, turned, and walked away.

Bobby leaned in defeat against the wall. "That bastard is still flying to Tokyo." slaps the papers against the wall in frustration "He scheduled Melanie's funeral for later today…To-day !….That son of a bitch."

Lydia formed a look of complete shock. "How's that possible ?"

"When you're a wealthy man like Mr. Frankford, all things are possible mother." Said Olivia.

Bobby looked to his sister. "Melanie is his daughter, and He won't even be there."

Olivia frowned. "Mr. Frankford's priority is money first, and his daughter is second...to him, Melanie is only a lawful obligation and nothing more. With that, he conceals guilt by lavishing her with endless gifts."

Cassie rose from the couch and hugged Bobby, rubbing his back trying to comfort him.

He stared at the ceiling with his face full of tears "That bastard, he's reaponsible…I know it." clinching a tight fist "When I find out what he did..."

Cassie covered his mouth. "Don't say it, save it for later."

"I agree." Said Olivia.

Bobby looked to his sister "Please go with me to Melanie's room, I-I…I don't think I can handle going in there alone."

Olivia stood from her seat and hugged him, then they left to go down the hall to Melanie's room...Bobby and Olivia's painful cry, echoed throughout the hallway as it touched a soft spot in all the nurses and staff.

Lydia cried too, Melanie was a special girl to her, a heart felt adopted daughter in her small family.

Cassie hugged Lydia. "How heartless, Mr. Frankford will burn for this."

"I hope so Cassie." Lydia agreed.

The Chapel.

The Chapel was big and beautiful; it has rainbow colored windows, stone craved statues, and hard wood cherry floors; you could still smell the fresh lemon polish that shined on the floor.

At the front of the chapel laid a little ray of sunshine inside a cherry wood casket….Melanie Frankford. Her hair was styled in curls like Shirley Temple; wearing a pink lacy dress, with a white sparkling pearl necklace, and matching ear rings, holding a bouquet of her most favorite choice of flowers…yellow tulips.

All the Ghostbusters attended….Ray, Winston, Egon, Dr. Venkman, Slimer, Janine, Mr. Tully, and Claire.

Some of the staff from the Frankford Estate...two maids, a butler, and the chief.

And some neighbors...an old couple, a woman who looked like a Stafford wife, and an odd man wearing a trench coat.

Bobby stood over Melanie's casket, whispering. "I'm gonna get that bastered...I'm goin' get loose on him, I swear it…I swear it…I know your Dad is responsible."

Olivia who stood by, heard him. " Bobby, It is not respectful to think nor say such things at this time…When it is appropriate, I promise you that Mr. Frankford will have our hands at his neck; but for now…it's time to a say peaceful good bye to our dear Melanie."

Bobby nodded.

No one from Melanie's immediate family showed, but they received the pleasure of listening to a recorded reading of Melanie's Urology by her father…Mr. Frankford.

The Priest shook his head in shame as the message played...

**message starts**

"Thank you everyone who decided to show at my daughter Melanie's birthday- I mean, funeral party…um...service. Melanie was a sweet loving child; she loved crayons, and...teddy bears, and...she loved everyone, heck, anyway…"

(cleared his throat)

"I hope you…"

(someone is whispering to him in the background)

"Yes, send the reports to my desk….you bargained for forty-million, it was suppose to be eighty-million you idiot...I'll get back to you later Douglass, I'm on the phone with a client."

(He spoke back into the recorder)

"Mr. Mar- ...Ma…Me…Melanie loved crayons, and most of all...she said something about loving the Deetz Family and the Ghostbusters. On behalf of the Starkland Corp- I mean...The Frankford Family, I thank you for being in Melanie's life, have a good day...bye."

**message ends**

It was like another day in the office to him; the unveiling about his daughter's life… the thoughts and feelings about his only daughter was so dull, uncaring, and brief; a five minute Urology.

"That son of a bitch." Bobby muttered. Lydia hugged him, wiping the tears from his face.

Cassie's been around death and ghost since birth, so funerals are new to her, but even she knew how heartless of Melanie's dad to compose such. She held Bobby's hand.

Ray cried, as Janine held him, and wiped tears from her face.

Winston formed a face of disgust, so did Slimer and Claire.

Mr. Tully placed a pink flower in Melanie's casket, Egon placed a yellow flower, and Dr. Venkman placed a violet flower.

Bobby walked to her casket once more... crying over the lost of his sisterly friend. "I promise Mel."

Olivia stood by him, whispering. "At his neck, will be a very firm grip, fear not dear Bobby...Melanie will be avenged."

After all that, the Deetz family returned to their apartment home.

Bobby, Cassie, and Olivia rested in her room, while Lydia rested in the living room.

Lydia thought heavily about all that happened today…about Melanie's father. She even tried to call him, and of course….no answer, how typical. She went into her bedroom to change clothes, then went back to nap on the couch….

In about an hour or two later, Lydia felt a shaking that somewhat shifted the room….a familiar breeze softly brushed against her face, and the scent of dry amber filled the air; only one thought entered…Netherworld...Netherworld !...She shot straight up from the couch, and ran down the hall, going into Olivia's bedroom….the kids were not there, but a strong energy and the scent of dry amber was definitely in the room. Lydia noticed a piece of paper laying on the middle of the floor.…it came from her diary; and written on the paper was the poem that would take her to the Netherworld…

"OH…MY…GOD !…" Lydia said in pure shock and disbelief. "THE KIDS WENT THE NETHERWORLD !"