Work Text:
Jane, Vaughn and Scotty get thrown back onto the pavement by a ghost who’s reenacting Poltergeist.
Only Vaughn doesn't wake up.
So Jane and Scotty drag him to the van and drive away from the ghost as fast as possible. They take Vaughn to a hospital, do some tests that come back clear, and when he finally wakes up he's missing a few months of memory. Specifically, the fact that he can see ghosts. The last thing he remembers was Scotty going to fix the lights right before they found the amulet.
Jane and Scotty share a look when Vaughn says the date.
Vaughn's released hours later, and they take him to a diner to explain the situation and to get something to eat. Jane and Scotty sharing awkward looks between them while Vaughn asks "What?", knowing something's up.
"I'm sure I'll get my memory back eventually," Vaughn tells them as they're driving to the diner, "It's only a few months. What could I possibly have missed in a few months."
Jane and Scotty share another look.
They get to the diner, order food, and get ready to tell Vaughn he can see ghosts.
"We have something we need to tell you," Jane starts, pulling the amulet out of her pocket and putting it down in the middle of the table.
"Yeah," Scotty says.
Vaughn looks between the two, “What?” he briefly glances at the amulet before flicking his eyes back up to his band mates, “What is that?"
Scotty and Jane share a brief glance, before diving right in.
They told Dennis - Who still maybe doesn't - But kind of does - Believe them.
They can tell a slightly amnesic Vaughn.
Who's still looking at them expectantly.
"We can see ghosts," Scotty says.
Vaughn gives a dry laugh, thinking they're joking, but then realizes they're not, "Ghosts?"
"Yeah. We - Scotty - Found an amulet - " Jane starts.
"Vaughn was the one who was like, 'Oh! I went to Catholic school! I can read Latin!'" Scotty says, mocking Vaughn.
Vaughn looks at Scotty and shoots back, "You can’t blame me for something I don’t remember…”
Scotty turns to Jane, waiting for her to agree with him.
Jane rolls her eyes, “Okay, yeah, he was.”
“Yeah!” Scotty says, triumphantly.
Vaughn rolls is eyes too.
"The Amulet of Sauren - “ Jane says, “We activated the amulet - Got hit by this bright light - And after that, we could see ghosts. And this Pilgrim - Who was the previous possessor - Explained that we have to help the ghosts move on - For the rest of our lives.”
Vaughn's staring at his two band mates, "We can see ghosts and we have to help them for the rest of our lives?" His voice getting louder with each word.
"Yeah," Scotty and Jane say at the same time.
"Are you guys messing with me?" Vaughn asks.
"No. We're not messing with you, dude." Scotty says.
Before Vaughn can say anything else, he sees a guy, sans head on his shoulders, walk by. Instead, the guy is carrying his head in his arms. Vaughn watches him go, while Scotty and Jane usher Vaughn to stop staring. The ghost doesn't see them seeing him, and he keeps walking. Vaughn notices that none of the other diner residents are even looking at the guy, and Jane and Scotty definitely couldn’t have pulled that off. Vaughn turns back to Scotty and Jane, "Yeah okay, I believe you.”
“That was easy,” Jane says.
“That ghost was well timed,” Scotty says.
Their food comes and three band mates dig in.
"Did we tell Dennis?" Vaughn asks, taking a sip of coffee.
"We told him, but he maybe doesn't believe us." Jane says.
"He humours us." Scotty says.
"Of course,” Vaughn mutters, "Why's the van gray?"
"That's from the light when it hit the van,” Scotty says, "Turned it gray."
"Wonderful," Vaughn mutters.
They eat some more of their food.
Scotty and Jane explain that sunglasses are their friend. There's a ghost rumour mill and some ghosts know about them being the new possessors.
"Finally, we're famous," Vaughn says.
"That's what you said last time." Jane says.
"I did?" Vaughn says, trailing off.
They explain what ghosts can do and some of the situations they've found themselves in. And tell Vaughn some of their adventures they’ve had with ghosts.
Vaughn asks what the note said with the naked ghost.
Scotty and Jane together remember what Vaughn had relayed to them the first time.
"’If you feel like your life is hopeless, and not worth living anymore’ - “ Jane started.
“‘Get a second opinion.’” Scotty said.
Vaughn stares at Jane and Scott for a second and let’s that sink in, “Wow. That’s - Really good. I hope that gets passed on… Someone finds that note… Shares that quote of wisdom…” he then says, “And I hope I get my memory back.”
“Us too, buddy,” Scotty says.
Vaughn sighs.
-
It’s almost a week later, and they’d just helped a ghost move on when it happens.
Vaughn suddenly sways on the spot, his arm going to his head, “Whoa,” he says.
“Vaughn,” Jane says with concern.
“You okay?” Scotty asks, concern also in his voice.
Vaughn puts his arm down and takes a second, “Well, I got my memory back. I remember. Everything…”
“Yeah?” Jane comments.
“Awesome!” Scotty says.
“Yippee,” Vaughn mutters, but means it, “You guys handled telling me about ghosts so well,” he says sarcastically.
“Shut up,” Scotty says, chuckling.
“We’re glad you remember,” Jane says, smiling.
“Me too,” Vaughn says, “That sucked.”
Scotty goes in for a hug and Jane follows. And Vaughn hugs them back.