Lock Skellington leaned against the wall, watching his father Jack work away. It was your typical Halloween Town day; everybody was working together on the holiday, trying to make it another success. Well, except for one person; himself. As he watched Jack now he could barely contain his fury. The old geezer was taking his time dying. At nearly 750 years of age, the man was beginning to show the effects of his age. Leaning heavily on his cane, he was no longer the agile skeleton he once used to be. He was the Pumpkin King, almighty ruler of Halloween. And it was time he stepped down from his throne, let a younger person deal with it. Of course, his sister Shock would be the one to inherit it. Eldest of the siblings, she had been named Jack's heir a long time ago, when Jack and his wife Sally had first adopted them. Before that he, Shock, and their brother Barrel had lived under the care of the town villain, Oogie Boogie. They had once had parents, yes--but then they had skipped town on them, abandoning them with this evil creature. Then came the day that Jack destroyed him once and for all, and they went to live with him. Jack and Sally had no children at the time, and so together they decided to legally adopt the three. This way, they could choose one of them to be the heir. And Halloween Town law stated that it had to be the oldest child--Shock. He often wished that it could be him getting the throne, though, to recieve all that power. Which was partly why he gelt such distaste for Jack, his legal guardian and father. Bitterness because he had never gotten to become the heir, anger because he wanted more then anything for it to be him. He could do such a good job as well...better then Shock could ever do.
"Lock, what are you doing just standing there?" Jack suddenly cut into his thoughts. "We need your help here."
"Sorry, old man. I was just....thinking."
"Yeah, when are you not? You remind me of myself at your age, and I don't like that. Now I suggest you get out of that daydream and lend a hand around here."
"Hey, don't get on my back. I do lots of stuff around this place."
"Is any of it good though? Moping around all day, watching as others do the work." He didn't recieve a reply. The aging King simply sighed, shaking his weary skull. "Listen, if you're not going to help, then please leave. My health can't put up with your attitude. You're nothing but a overgrown teenager."
A groan. "Yeah, whatever."
At that Jack walked away, leaning heavily upon his cane. Lock just muttered to himself as he headed over to where a mummy was creating new headstones.
"Come to help?" asked the mummy.
"Lucky me," came the reply. "So what do I do?"

Jack watched as Lock chipped away at his slab of rock with a chisel and hammer. He had noticed how hard to get along with he had become lately, and he had become quite worried. Things had never been this tense between them, and he still didn't know what had caused it.
"Darling, something seems to be troubling you," came a voice. "What is it?"
He looked to see his wife, Sally. With her long white hair and gently aged face, she looked just as beautiful she had 250 years ago when they had first met. Through all those years, however, he had not once stopped loving her.
"It's our eldest son," he replied sadly. "His change in attitude towards me has gotten me upset."
She touched his arm softly. "Now then, dear, you musn't trouble yourself like this. You're getting old, it's not good for you. You know what the doctor said."
"Still, It bothers me. What happened to the nice boy we raised? It saddens me."
"My sweetheart," Sally soothed. "Don't let it get to you. Regardless of what his problem is, you are still the Pumpkin King. It is your job to ensure the smooth development of Halloween."
"You're right," he said. "Forget him for now, I've got other things to worry about. I must find Shock, I need her assitance regarding the jack-o-lanterns."
"And I'm going to go home now. So long, dear."
"See you at dinnertime."
Each then went on their own way, to do their own thing. Meanwhile Lock continued to fume, his anger seething beneath the surface. All he wanted to do right now was return to his home, to see his wife Elizabeth. To hell with this! his mind screamed suddenly. Jack can find someone else to carve headstones, I'm leaving. With that he threw down his tools and stormed out of the building, slamming the door closed behind him.
The King just shook his head at this sad display. The lad was headed on a one-way train to self-destruction.

On her walk home, Sally happened to bump into her youngest son, Barrel, and his girlfriend Cora. He nodded to his mother upon seeing her, slowing down when they drew near each other. He and his partner had linked arms, grins upon their faces.
"Hello, mother," said Barrel. "And how are you today?"
"Just lovely, darling, thank-you. Where are you two off to?"
"We were just on our way to Town Hall to see if they needed our help," replied Cora.
"How thoughtful. I believe that they could manage to find a task for you."
"Wonderful," her son responded. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to know if Lock is down there, would you? I wanted to talk to him."
She nodded sadly. "He is, but I'd be careful around him. You know his attitude lately."
"I know, but I can handle him. Thank-you."
"Anytime, dear. So long you two."
"Bye mother."
"See you, Mrs. Skellington!" cried Cora as she and Barrel walked away. Sally headed off once again towards the manison. Cora seemed to be anice girl, and Barrel seemed happy with her. But then again, he did with every girl. He had never been able to find a steady partner; all the women he had ever dated either dumped him or cheated on him. The poor lad just didn't seem to have good luck with girls.
When she finally got to the home that she and Jack shared, she was surprised to find her daughter Kyrene waiting for her. She smiled upon seeing her mother, waving. "Hey mom. Just wondering if you had any extra worm's wart. I wanted to make Jacob's favourite type of soup for supper, but I seem to have run out."
The Queen just smiled. "Certainly, dear. Come on in."
"Thanks." They stepped inside the house, entering the kitchen. "Worm's wart...I know we've got some around here somewhere," Sally muttered to herself. "Where did it go I wonder...aha, here we are!" She pulled down a small jar. "Losing my menory in my old age," she smiled as she handed it off to her now-seated daughter. She took a seat of her own. "That should do it for ya," she told her. "If it's not, then I might have some more around here somewhere..."
"No, that's alright," she replied. "Thanks."
Sally eyed her child, reading her emotions. "Darling, something's troubling you. What is it?"
"Oh, there's nothing. Everything's fine."
"I don't believe you. I'm have four children; I know these things. Tell me what's troubling you."
She shrugged. "I don't know, it's just...." She began to twiddle her thumbs. "It's Jacob, I suppose," she said finally. "He's been acting strange lately, and I don't know why."
"Ah," Sally replied. "Yes, I understand that feeling very well. Your father was always putting me through that, especially before you were born. He doesn't like to discuss it much, but before you came a long he used to be extremely depressed. I'm talking extremely here. We told you before thjat we had a son before you were born, Ezra. He died in a horrible accident, and Jack was sorely upset bny that. He disapeered for about a week, until a a search party I had sent out found his body in the woods. He had attempted suicide. Luckily we were able to save him though."
"I didn't know that dad had done that," Kyrene breathed. "He isn't like it any more though?"
"No," she told her. "When you came, that empty place inside of him was repaired somewhat. Of course, he still had the occasional bad spell, but I'd always help him through it. And never again did he ever try to kill himself."
"So are you suggesting that Jacob might just be depressed?" her daughter asked.
"That might be it,' she replied. "Talk to him tonight. Ask him about it. He'll tell you how he feels."
A smile as she stood up. "Thanks, mother. You're the greatest."
"No problem, dear. Have a good day."

Lock burst through the door of his home angrily, collapsing into his favourite armchair. Elizabeth came out from the kitchen upon hearing the door slam, knowing the mood that her husband was most likely in. Short and petite, she was a severe contrast to his 6 feet 5 inches. With long blonde hair that was almost white and pale violet skin, she was a beautiful young woman. And by no means was Lock exactly ugly either; with short black hair and skin that had a reddish-tint to it, he had been quite popular among the girls in his teens. His outfit was indeed impressive; a black suit and matching cape, with white gloves upon his hands and a top hat upon his head. He liked the 'dramatic look', as he prefered to call it.
"What's wrong dear?" Elizabeth asked him sympathetically as she sat on the couch beside him.
"That miserable old coot again," he muttered. "One day...."
"Come now," she cut in. "I know you might have your differences but I don't think that he's really done much to you. Has he?"
"I know, it's just...arg! He enfuriates me! Have you ever known anyone who did that to you? Just drove you mad every time you saw him?"
"I'm sure I have."
He scratched his goatee as he thought. "You know, I often imagine that I'd be a lot happier if I had the throne instead of him. That privilege, however, is reserved for Shock. Lucky little devil."
She smiled encouragingly. "My darling, I feel such sadness and heartache for you when you're like this. I mainly worry for your relationship with Jack. You should try to get along with him better, really. I never got along well with my own father, and I'll always regret it. After he died, I immediately knew what a horrible thing I had done." She took his hand. "Just try, okay? I only want you to be happy, and at the rate you're going now you're going to end up feeling very sorrry for your actions."
He sighed. "I can try, Elizabeth. And I will. But my feelings will stay the same."
She just nodded in reply. "I know, Lock. I can only pray that they'll change. For your own sake."

Jack sat in his office, reviewing a set of blueprints for Halloween. This was his favourite place to be; it always had been. It had once been his private sanctuary, where he'd go only when he needed to be alone. It was covered with old pictures of family and friends, his parents and deceased relatives. Even some of his ghost dog Zero, who sat in the corner of the room in his little basket. But now it was just his office, wheree he did all of his paperwork and such. And what was more, these days he would actually let people come in.
He was concentrating quite hard when a knock came at the door. "Come in," he called. His daughter Shock poked her head inside. "Hey dad, can I come in for a sec? I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Sure, step on in and fire away."
She did, taking a seat across from him. "I'm worried about someone, about Lock. I'm sure you've noticed his attitude lately."
A sigh. "Yes, I have. I've already determined that it's because of me, though I don't know why." She raised an eyebrow."Are you sure?"
"Positive."
She nodded at the aging King. "If that's what you think then, I'll go with that. But this new outlook of his is really starting to drag on Halloween. He does alot of work around here, he's a very important asset to Halloween. I think we have to do something now before it gets too out of hand. Lose him and you risk turning Halloween into a disaster. Get what I mean?"
He nodded. "Yes, I do. Here, tell you what. Me and Sally were going to have a bit of a family get-together tonight anyways. While we're there, you can talk to your brother about it. If that doesn't work, then we'll have to do something else. Alright?"
She nodded. "Yeah, thanks." She turned to leave, pausing when she was just about out through the doors. "Hey, Jack?"
"Yes, Shock?"
"Love ya."
A smile. "I love you too, dear.

It was around 4:00 when Jacob returned home from Town Hall, tired and worn out. He entered the small house they shared silently, hanging his coat upon the caot rack. Kyrene smiled as he entered the living room, standing up and embracing him. She kissed him softly, brushing his shoulder-length brown hair from his eyes. "Have a good day?" she asked him.
He shrugged. "I don't know. It was decent."
A frown as she sat down. "Jacob, sit with me." He did so. "Darling, what's the matter? I've been noticing how upset you seem lately, and it's been bothering me. You seem depressed."
He appeared confused. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, positive. Please, what is it?"
He sighed, taking her hands into his own. "I don't know, I've just been kind of down lately. I can't explain it really. I've just been in a sad state of mind. Why?"
"Because it worries me," she told him. "Jacob, I love you a lot, you know that. I don't what to see you hurting. I miss seeing that handsome smile of yours. Come on, give me a small grin."
He couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh, you're so adorable, you know I can't help but break out into laughs." He paused, touching her cheek and gazing into her small black eyes. He was a bit older then her, but that didn't matter to either of them; they were in love, and that was all that mattered. He kissed her gently, and she sighed happily. "Thanks for asking, dearest," he told her. "It means a lot to me."
"Feeling any better?"
"Yes, actually. Just knowing it matter to you."
"That's great." A smile. "I love you, Jacob."
"You too, Kyrene."

It was about 5:00 when Shock got home, tired and worn out. "Jennifer, I'm back!" she called to her babysitter. The girl was 17 years old, but was also very mature and responsible. Shock trusted no other person with her daughter.
"Okay!" she called back politely. "I was just helping Alisa clean up her toys."
"How nice of you, dear." She headed to where they sat in the living room, just as the teenager was standing up. The child was sitting on the floor, her blond ringlets tumbling over her face as she played with a doll. She looked up suddenly, pleased to see her mother.
"Mommy, you're home!"
"Yes, isn't that great?" She turned towards the babysitter. "Thank-you once again."
"Not a problem, Ms. Skellington."
"Remember, tommorrow's payday."
"Oh, yeah. So long."
"Until then." Jennifer showed herself out, while Shock sat on the floor beside Alisa. She had been married once, to a man named Mark. Their relationship had been a rough one, however, and so they divorced. After that, she had gotten her last name changed back to her original one; Skellington. She didn't want to be reminded of the short time she had spent with that son of a bitch, with the exception of her beautiful little girl. She was the most important part of her life and had been for the past three years. And while Mark still flashed into her mind when she looked at Alisa, it didn't hurt as much. The child was perhaps one of the prettiest she had ever seen; with her pale skin and big black eyes, she truly was a living doll.
"Mommy, what's wrong?" asked Alisa suddenly.
"Oh, nothing sweetie. Just thinking."
" 'Bout what?"
"Lots of stuff. You, me, your father...."
"I don't remember him," said the tyke quietly.
"That's alright. You don't have to."
Silence for a moment. "Hey mommy, what's for supper?"
"Snake and spider stew."
"Yummy!"
A smile crossed the proud mother's face. "I like it too."
That was when the doorbell rang, the chimes ringing their happy tune as somebody waited patiently outside. "Oops, come on dear. Let's see who it is."
" 'Kay." They stood up together and held hands as they headed to the front entrance. "I wanna open it!" cried Alisa.
"Go to it then."
With a bit of struggle she managed to pull open the door, revealing a tall man wearing a handsome black suit. He removed his hat upon seeing the two.
"Um, I'm looking for Shock Skellington..."
"That's me, what can I do for you?"
He adjusted his tie, suddenly looking uneasy. "I'm sorry to barge in on your life like this but I just got here and wanted to see you. I couldn't stay away."
"What's your name?"
He cleared his throat. "Ira McVampson, madam."
She was stunned by this. "Really? Ira? Oh my goodness, my second boyfriend! I thought you had moved away a long time ago, while we were still dating!"
"I did, but I'm back now. To stay."
"Wonderful! Please, come in!"
"Thank-you." He stepped inside cautiously, allowing her to take his hat and place it on a coatrack.
"Come to the living room and sit down, take a load off your feet."
He smiled graciously. "That sounds wonderful. I've been going all day."
"Since when did you get a life?"
He groaned. "Since I moved. I tell you, a lot has happened since we last met."
"I know, same with me."
They now sat on the couch, while Alisa sat back on the floor to play with her dolls. "So who's the kid?"
"My daughter."
He blinked. "Really? Goodness, I should have known! Who's the father?"
Her face darkened. "I don't like to think about that. It's ancient history."
"Oh...I'm sorry -- did I offend you?"
A sigh. "No, it's just...well, I really did use to love him. I thought he was the one. That's when we split. I was 5 months pregnant. He didn't even come to see his daughter come into the world. Alisa has never met her father."
"That's her name?"
"Yeah, Alisa Rosalynn Skellington. I had both our names changed back to my maiden name after we split."
"That's rough, I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you."
A smile. "That's so like you, always kind and caring. It's not your fault though, so don't apologize. I can't possibly imagine life without my darling little girl. Enough about what I've been up to though - what about yourself?"
He shuddered. "I can barely remember half of it. Around two years after I moved away from Halloween Town, both my parents died in a car accident. So that left me all on my own then, with only the little bit of money I had and my dreams. From then on I just wandered everywhere, around the Holiday Worlds and even throughout the Human realm. I spent long periods in all sorts of different places, until people began to notice that I was a bit different. After a while I got tired of my travels and came back here. It's not like I didn't aquire a nice enough living, though. I managed to make a millionaire of myself, establishing various companies in the places I happened to settle. Then when I moved, I'd always have enough to start over."
"Travelling salesman, kind of?"
"Yeah, exactly. Travelling salesman. That's when I got tired of it though, about a week or so ago. Decided to come back here and start all over again."
"That's great. I'm so happy that you're here."
"So am I. So how's Jack been doing?"
"Oh, fine. He's getting old, though, and everyone's worried about his health. He's in great spirits though. Gotta give him credit for that."
He nodded. "And how's everyone else? Sally and your siblings?"
"Oh, great. Sally is as good as ever, simply adores little Alisa. Barrel's doing just fine with his latest girlfriend, and Lock is married."
"Wonderful! And your little sister Kyrene?"
"Oh, she's living with this guy named Jacob, they're really serious by now. I think he's going to pop the question to her soon."
"Really? Wow, that's different from the little infant I saw the last time I was here."
"I know. Unbelievable how quickly the years go by, eh?"
"It seems liike only yesterday that we were still an item," he said.
"Doesn't it?"
A nod. "Certainly does. Anyhow, Shock, I really can't stay for long, I have to go find a hotel to stay in until I can find a place."
"So soon? Here, you don't have to go at all, stay in one of my guest rooms."
"No, I couldn't," he insisted.
"Yes, you can," she replied. "Please, I insist. I don't get company much around here. And it's such a big house, too. I have to get a cleaning service to help me with it."
A chuckle. "Living the high life, eh?"
"Why not?"
"Exactly. If you have the oppurtunity, then take it." He stood up. "Well, I left my luggage outside so I'm going to go get it seeing as I'm staying for a bit. Just until I can get on my feet though."
"Sure, right. I'll be here with Alisa."
"Be only a sec." He disapeared, only to come back a moment later with a medium-sized suitcase. His only possessions in the world. "Where can I put this?"
"Oh, upstairs and into the first door on your right. Can't miss it."
"Thank-you, Shock." He hurried up the steps and found it right away, setting down his stuff. Nice room; Black bed with a canopy and matching dresser, plus lace curtains of the same colour. A charming little place. Nodding with satisfaction he headed back down the stairs, finding only Alisa in the lving room. Shock had probably popped away for a quick second. Sitting down beside the child, he watched her as she played with her dolls. What a gorgeous little child she was. Her beauty had come from only one person. After all these years, Shock was even more beautiful then he had remembered. At the young age of 15 they had started going out, before he had moved. He had always liked her, admired her. When they had started going out, he was quite surprised but pleased. Now she was the image of beauty. Tall and slim, she had huge green eyes and long silky black hair. Her skin, tinted slightly green as it had always been, was flawless. She was everything he had ever dreamed of in a woman, and more. Besides that, however, she had a great personality. Funny and charming, while at the same time could get her job done well and on time. So sweet and loving, too. He had always dreamed of being with her, through all his weary years of travel. Finally he had another chance with her.
"Hey Mister," said the child suddenly, "you wanna play?"
"Sure. What are you playing?"
"Dollies. Here, you be da prince and I'm the princess. The evil witch has caught me and you gotta save me."
"Okay, I can do that."
He played the game with her happily, acting the role of the fairy-tale prince charming who comes to the aid of his darling love. He actually found himself to be having fun, and didn't even notice Shock as she came in.
"Having fun, Ira?" she asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Wanna join?"
"That's okay, I've gotta be cooking something to bring to Jack and Sally's later on. I don't like making them do all the work."
He immediately jumped up. "Here, let me do it."
She was surprised by his offer. "Thank-you, but that's quite alright. I can handle it."
"Please????" he begged.
"Really, it's okay..."
"Aw, come on...."
She laughed. "Oh, alright. Do you know how to make snake and spider stew?"
"Of course, it's one of my favourites! Just let me handle everything."
Not used to this arrangement she did as he asked, following him out to the kitchen and sitting at the table. He nodded to her quickly before pulling the ingredients out one by one and setting them on the counter, then pulling out the utensils he'd need. He didn't even need a recipe as he began to make his creation, just tossed ewverything into a pot and stirred it before setting it on the stove to cook. It was only a few minutres by the time he was completed, sitting across from her at the table. He gave her a smile. "And now we wait," he said simply.
She gave him a smile. "Thank-you so much. I appreciate it."
"No problem."
"So did you ever get a chance during your travels to do your astronomy thing? I remember you telling me that you wanted to study the stars some day."
He shrugged. "Kind of. I did for a while, until I had to move again. But not really."
"Are you going to pick it up now that you're settling in?"
"Oh, most definately. It's still a great love of mine, always will be."
A nod. "How wonderful." She paused. "So, what would you say about going to see my dad later on this evening? I was going to take my daughter up to see her nanny and poppy, and I thought that Jack might like to meet you once again."
"Really? My, that would be wonderful, thank you."
"Mommy," came a small voice from the doorway. It was Alisa, who lept into her mothers arms while holding up her dolls. "Mommy," she repeated, "play with me."
"I'm sorry, darling, I was just speaking with our guest for a moment. His name is Ira."
"Iwa?" she marvelled.
"Yes. He's going to be visiting for a while."
"Why?"
"Because your mom is such a kind lady," he piped. The child giggled as he got up and headed over to the stove, stirring the brewing contents.
"You're just like you always were," sighed Shock. "Sweet."
He shrugged. "With around someone like you, it's unavoidable." She blushed slightly, her face growing red. He just laughed. "And as always, you just love the compliments. Of course, I like giving them out."
She pouted. "Now that's quite enough from you. Just cook that stew so we can get out of here."

It was around 7:00 when the door of the Skellington mansion rang. A crowd had already gathered here; Barrel and his girlfriend, Lock and his wife, Kyrene and her boyfriend. When the bell signalled another visitor, they all knew that it had to be Shock. Sally announced that she would get it and stood up, heading toward the front entrance. She pulled open the door.
"Darling," hello!" she cried to her daughter. "Come, you and Alisa step inside. Mmm, whatever you've got in that pot sure smells good."
"What about my guest?" Shock demanded, ignoring the compliment.
Sally glanced, only just noticing the male who stood by the child. "I'm sorry, dear, I didn't even see him. Please, step inside, all of you." She waited as they took off their shoes, tasking the dish.
"So, who is this fine man you've brought us this evening, darling?"
She grinned proudly. "Mother, this is Ira. Ira McVampson."
Sally cried out happily at that. "Ira! Wow, unbelieveable. How lovely to see you again, what are you doing back in Halloween?"
"I'm moving in," he replied. "I've been travelling the world my whole life and now I'm going to settle down."
"Wonderful! I'm just going to quickly put this in the kitchen and then we'll go see the others." They waited until Sally was done before they headed off. Ira took Shock's hand as they headed walked, Alisa walking besides her grandma.
In the living room they met the other seven, all sitting around and laughing merrily.
"Hey, Shock!" cried Barrel. "Who's the guy?"
She smiled. "You'll never believe. It's Ira McVampson."
He jumped up from his chair, the news cheering him. "What are you doing back here?" he cried as he slapped his old friend on the back. "It's been ages!"
A shrug. "Oh, around."
"Ira," came Lock's voice, "It's great to have you back." He turned, shaking hands with the now grown-up little boy he had once known.
"It's good to be back," he replied. Then he turned to another person, an unfamiliar one. However, he recognized her right away. "Ah, Kyrene. My dear little Kyrene. Come, rise from your chair so that Ira can hug you."
She did, embracing him warmly. "Hello, Ira. I can't quite remember you but Jack told me of what you did for me a long time ago, when I was still a baby. I was too small to remember, but I've been told that you helped save my life by journeying to the human world with my father, the mayor, and Shock. They tell me that you found the very rare plant that supposedly cured me. I guess I owe you, huh?"
He shrugged. "Nah, nobody owes me anything." He allowed her to sit down by her boyfriend Jacob, holding his arm tight.
"Ira," came another voice suddenly. He turned around to see an old skeleton, leaning heavily upon his cane as he approached the young man. "Ira, how good of you to come back."
"Mr. Skellington," he replied as he gave the father of his old girlfriend a hug. "It's been a while."
"It certainly has, eh?"
"Yeah. Much too long. I'm coming back though."
"For good?"
"Yeah, for good. I'm going to get a place and settle myself in nice and comfortable."
"Hey, how about we crack open one of those bottle of wine you've got his downstairs, Jack?" hinted Lock. "I think this calls this calls for a celebration!!!"
"That's a good idea," piped Shock. "How about Sally does that while I have a word with you, brother?"
He gave her a strange look. "What about?"
"Nothing important."
"So my wife can come, too?"
She glanced at Jack. He shook his head. "Sorry, bro," she replied. "I wanted to have a bit of a sibling chat. That okay?"
"Yeah, fine." He stood up and followed her into the kitchen, out of earshot. "Now, what's all this about?" he demanded.
"I wanted to speak with you regarding Jack," she told him.
"Ah geez, not this. Elizabeth already brought it up today, and now you?"
"It's important, Lock, now be quiet." He said nothing else. "Listen, we've all noticed your attitude towards Jack lately and we're all worried. For both you and him. He's very upset by it, and it's doing his health no good. The doctor fears that too much of the stress you've been putting him under will end up killing him. And it will, unless you change."
His face went blank, as if he had been slapped in the face. He hadn't known that he could have that much of an effect. The last thing he wanted was for Jack to die, no matter what he desired. "I...didn't know that," he replied honestly. "I had no idea...I really don't know what came over me, really. I can't quite explain it. But I am trying to change, I haven't once acted cruel toward him this evening."
"Yes, and it would be great if you could be like that from now on," she replied. "Please, be careful with him, alright? He means a lot to us all."
He took her hands into his own. "Of course. Anything. I'm sorry to put you all through this.
She smiled before nodding and walking away, heading towards the living room once more. He just sighed. He was seing the error in his greed. How typical of him, to think like this. To wish more for himself. Jack's demise was not what he wanted though, no matter how badly he wanted the throne. Not if it was going to be his> fault for killing the King. From now on, he resolved, I'm going to be different. No more wanting what I can't have. For Jack.

It was around 10:00 when Shock, Ira, and Alisa got home. The poor little girl had fallen asleep on Jack's lap, and Ira had carried her home. Shock showed him to the girl's room and he laid her into her bed, sneaking away silently.
He found Shock sitting on the sofa of the living room, deep in thought. He sat next to her, touching her hand softly. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing," she replied quickly as she stepped back into reality. "I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"You, really. I thought you were gone. Now you're back. And you know what else? I've dreamt of this day for so long, when we'd finally be back with each other again and would be able to live our lives together. I've missed you so much, you know. Now I don't know how to react." He touched her face softly, "Darling, I feel the exact same way. All I really want at this point is to get back together again and live our lives together." He kissed her softly upon the mouth, surprising her. He said nothing more, just continued to kiss her. His lips moved slowly down her face and towards her neck, reaching towards her shoulder. It was at that point that she pulled away. "What is it?" he asked.
"Don't you think that this is a bit...sudden? I mean, you only just got back." He appeared hurt by this. "Oh, Ira. I love you very much, and one day it will happen. We will both know when the time is right."
He nodded . "Yes, I understand." A smile. "If that's what my darling wants, then that's what she'll get."
"Thank-you, Ira."
"So I guess we're back where we left off?" he asked. "Dating again?"
"Yeah, I guess so. but you know what? I couldn't possibly be any happier right now."
"Me neither."
Silence for a moment. "I really do love you, you know. You mean more to me right now then my husband ever did. I can just feel how right we are for each other."
He smiled. "I've never really had anybody else whom I can say I had actual feelings for with the exception of you. I mean, yeah, I had lovers. Too many. I'd get with one girl and ditch her a few weeks later for the next. Always going I was. Then as soon as one of those girls began to mean something to me, I'd have to move again. Of course, how would I ever manage living like that? In the human world. How would I explain the fact that I aged so much more slowly then everyone else, that at 80 years of age in their terms I'd still look 25? It just doesn't work."
"You should have come home to me sooner," Shock told him.
"I should have, but I was too afraid. Afraid that you'd be already with someone or angry at me because I moved or something like that. Finally I couldn't take it anymore and just came home, thinking that there'd be no way we could ever get together. Some other guy would no doubt have gotten you. But I was lucky."
A smile and a sigh. "So was I."

Shock awoke the next morning to a knock on her bedroom door. She looked up, surprised to see Ira standing before her with a tray full of food. "Good morning," he sung. "Time to eat."
"Oh, you shouldn't have," she said. "How adorable..."
He smiled at her as she sat up, allowing him to place the tray on her lap. "Anything for you, darling," he told her.
She combed her fingers through her hair. "Right when my hair isn't done or anything, he has to come up and surprise me with breakfast."
A laugh as he kneeled beside her on the bed, laying a finger on her cheek. "Shock, you don't need any of that stuff for me. It covers up the true you underneath." He gave her a kiss. "That's the girl I like the best."
She blushed as she picked up her fork and knife, looking at the food. He had prepared her a special feed of tarantula legs and snake eyes, along with a glass of spider venom and a slice of toast, burnt to perfection. The work of an expert. She took a bite out of the snake eyes.
"Mmmmm!" She cried. "Delicious! You must have been a gourmet chef somewhere during your travels. First that incrediable snake and spider stew last night, now this."
"Actually, I was," he replied. "Cooking is a hobby of mine, as I believe I told you last night."
"And what a tasty hobby it is, too."
A laugh. "It is, isn't it? Well, I'm going go now, I have dishes to wash."
"How long have you been up?" she asked.
"A while now. I got up, showered, dressed, ate, and then made something for you. That's all. Anyways, happy eating." He left the room, letting her chew in siilence. Her heart sang for joy as she listened to him hurrry down the stairs. Ira definately was one-in-a-million.

Jennifer showed up at exactly 8:45. Alisa was still in bed when she arrived. Needless to say, she was quite surprised when Ira answered the door.
"Oh, hello there," he smiled. "You must be Jennifer. Shock's told me all about you. Come in."
She stepped in, removing her shoes. "Ummm....thanks."
"Is that you, Jenn? I'm in the living room." The two followed the voice, to find Shock putting some papers in a briefcase. "Alisa's still napping, but she'll probably wake up soon," she told her. "By the way, this is Ira. He'll be staying with me for a while until he gets his own place. Today he'll be joining me at Town Hall, but tomorrow he said that he might like to spend the day with my daughter. Give you a bit of a break. Is that okay with you?"
She nodded. "Oh yes, just fine. Thanks, Ms. Skellington."
"Anytime, dear. Come along, Ira."
"Right behind you." He nodded towards the sitter. "See you later, miss." And with that the two of them left, leaving Jennifer very confused. Since when did her employer ever date? And especially with such good-looking guys?

Shock and Ira walked into Town Hall together, holding hands. "Ah, memories," Ira sighed. "It looks just like it did before I left. Even better."
"We've been trying to do some reconstructing," she replied. "The place is old and falling apart, so we're trying to fix it up. You know....paint the outside a new shade of black, steady up the columns, repair the stairs....it's coming along slowly but surely."
"And it looks great."
"Yeah, Jack's been putting a lot into this place. The holiday just wouldn't be the same without it."
A nod. "Sure wouldn't."
"Ah, Hello you two!" cried the aging King suddenly as he hobbled over. "I see you decided to come along as well, Ira?"
"Yes sir. I was just hoping to get a bit of a brush-up on my Halloween skills."
"How wonderful! Here, I believe that we could use your help with the headstones...."
"Wrong," cut in a voice. "That's my station, remember?" They turned to see Lock. He gave them a grin. "Well?"
"Oh, yes," replied Jack. "Well, there's always pumpkin carving left."
"Thanks." Ira turned toward Shock, pulling her close to him and giving her a kiss. "See ya."
She gave him a kiss in return. "I'll be keeping an eye on you." He released her and headed over to his station, leaving Shock in joyful bliss. A sigh escaped her lips.
"It's happening to her," said the Pumpkin King to his son. "She's falling for him."
"Huh? What? No way!" she cried suddenly, waking out of her trance. "Of course I'm not, don't be ubsurd."
"Come on sis, admit it," urged her brother. "You are so."
She frowned. "Well, maybe I am. So what? He's just so wonderful though...better then that horrid ex-husband of mine."
Laughs. "Ah, my dearest daughter. It's so good to see a smile upon your face once more."
"And it's good to have one." She wrapped an arm across her father's shoulder as they began to walk away, waving to Lock. "Now, old man, I believe we have a holiday to make."
He nodded. "Yes, you're right. No more dawdling, let's get to work."

That day turned out to be a hectic one. It seemed there was always something to be done; check on the decorations, change the blueprints, talk to this person and then talk to that person...it was an endless day. By the time 5:00 came, Shock was more then willing to go home.
"I'm leaving now, Jack," she said to her father as soon as the last of the helpers had walked out the door. "See ya tommorrow."
"Of course, darling," he said. He beckoned her closer, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I love you."
A smile. "Love you too, pop." She turned to head away with Ira, but the Pumpkin King called out once more.
"Ira? Could you come over for a second?"
Shock grinned at him. "He wants to talk about you and me."
"Really? Um....okay."
A laugh. "I'm going to head on home, Alisa and Jenn are waiting. Just follow along when you're done."
"Right, be only a little while."
She waved and headed off, leaving the two men behind.
"Now, my boy," said Jack, "Come stand with me."
"Yes sir." He did as he was told, standing before the aging hero of Halloween Town. "What did you need me for?"
"I just wanted to speak to you about my daughter. You know how much she means to me, right?"
'I do."
"And you do realize that I'm always taking her feelings into account, right?"
"Yes."
"Then you know I'm only trying to protect her. I've always been cautious over, especially after she and her husband Mark divorced."
"That's his name?"
"Yes. Shock prefers not to call him by his proper name. It pains her to be reminded of him."
A nod. "I know."
"Which makes me even more careful with her. I don't want the same thing happening to her. All her life she's experienced nothing but heartbreak; her first boyfriend, you, Mark...even her biological parents. It's a very tender area for her. But now she appears to be happy again, for the first time in ages. I don't want her to be hurt again."
"Because you already broke her heart once; should it happen again, I don't think she'll be able to take it as well."
"I know, Mr. Skellington."
A chuckle. "Please, call me Jack."
"Right." He bit his lip. "I understand your point quite clearly, Jack, and I want to put your fears to rest. I have always loved Shock, ever since the day we first met. I've always dreamed of being with her, of marrying her and then having a family together. She is the only one for me, and I'll be damned if I ever do anything to harm the love of my life. The only thing on my mind right now is making her happy."
"So it is your intention to establish a long-term relationship with her?"
He nodded. "Yes, most definately."
"And you are willing to become the father of her children, to support any offspring you have and love your entire family?"
"Yes I am." A smile. "I promise you, I'll make your daughter happy. I'll give her all the love and support she could ever need, I'll be a wonderful father and a devoted husband. That's exactly what I want to be like."
Jack seemed impressed. "Very well then, my boy. I give you my blessing to court my daughter. Based on what you have told me, I trust you with her. Just don't disapoint me, like Mark did."
Ira stood tall. "You can count on me, Jack. I'll never break that vow."
As he left the building, the Pumpkin King just watched as he left. The love he felt for Shock reminded him of what he felt for his dearest Sally.

When Ira finally entered Shock's home, it was nearly 5:30. He could smell rat tails cooking, the heavenly aroma drifting throught out the house. He headed towards the aroma, tiptoeing silently as to surprise her.
He found her in front of the stove, stirring the pan of dinner. He grinned as he silenced for Alisa to be quiet, who was sitting at the table with a colouring book. She returned the greeting, watching with a smile as he silently approached her mother.
Shock didn't even notice that he had come in until he laid his hands on her shoulder, kissing her neck. She sighed happily. "Oh, that feels so nice..." She turned her head to look at him. "So what did he say?"
"Not much. I have permission to start seeing you. He even said that I could marry you one day."
"Oh, I think that would be marvellous. Imagine....Mrs. Shock McVampson."
"It sounds rather nice, actually." He began to play with her hair as she resumed her stirring. "You must know, however, that I have no intentions of marrying any other girl. I have waited this long for you, I'm not going let you leave me now. I don't care what happens, I'll never end up losing you again."
"And I'm not going to let you. Not now, not ever." He let go of her hair, reaching for her hand.
"Darling, why don't you take a seat? You've had a hard day, let me finish here."
"Oh, but I couldn't...."
"No, I insist. Sit down."
A relieved sigh. "Thank-you so much. I'm exhausted." She sat across from Alisa at the table, who was still colouring happily. "What's that picture of?" asked the proud mother, pointing to the page in the book.
"It's a spider," came the reply. "Don't be silly, mommy."
"Oh, so it is. And there's a jack-o-lantern on the other." No reply as the child chose a new colour. Ira just chuckled, beginning to massage Shock's shoulders. "Oh my God, you have no idea how nice that feels."
"You're very tense tonight," he replied. "You need to relax a bit."
"I can't help it. All this stuff about being Jack's heir is so stressful. I'm always faced with it, they never let me forget it. And there's never a break. When I'm not at Town Hall, I'm being a full-time mom. It never stops. There's so much to do and so little time..."
He continued to massage her. "Listen, don't worry about that now. I'm here, and I'll help you as much as I can. I always will."
"I could never let you, though....that's my job...."
"Oh, yes you can. You're just too polite to. And besides, since when is it your job?"
"Since always."
He cried out in protest. "I'm hurt that you could say something like that about yourself! Maybe I enjoy cooking! Perhaps I like to help out around the house!" He lowered his voice. "You really mustn't say such things. I'm certain it doesn't set such a great example to your daughter."
She chuckled. "Ira, how'd I ever manage to get a great guy like you? I mean, my ex-husband never did anything nice like this. He never told me to sit down and take it easy or anything like. I was his little housewife. I did everything around the house."
"Well I'm not him. From now on, I'm going to help you out in any way that I can."
A pleased sigh escaped her lips. "Ira, why are you so nice to me?"
He let go of her, kneeling next to her side. "Because," he replied, "I love you. More then anything else in the world. I'd do anything for you. I'd give up my life for you! Anything at all. Never forget that, my dear."
She sniffled. "I won't."
He smiled as he stood up, patting her one the back. "You won't be able to; I'll never let you." He then resumed stirring the food, humming a tune to himself. Shock just sat there, watching in what seemed like fascination.
"Really though," she said, "I can't let you do all this for me. I mean, this is the third meal you've after prepared here! I can't let you do it."
"Darling, I am going to assist you as much as I can this for you. Regardless of what you say."
A sigh. "I know. I can pretty much tell that I can't do anything about it."
"And you're right about that." He finished stirring, turning the stove off. "There we go, all done."
He reached up to the cupboard, pulling down three plates; one for each him and Shock, and a smaller one for Alisa. Carefully he spooned some up for each of them, sitting at the table and giving each of them a plate and some utensils.
"Thanks, Ira," she said. "It's very kind of you to help me."
A shrug as he smiled at her. "No prob. Anything for my you, my darling. Anything."

The next day Ira stayed home with Alisa while Shock went to Town Hall. He and the child waved to her from the doorway as she left, both smiling happily.
"Good-bye, kiddo!" she called. "Be kind to Ira!"
"Me will!" she called back. "Buh-bye mummy!"
"So long, Alisa!"
Ira closed the door once she was no longer visible. "Now then," he said, "let's have a bit of fun, eh?"
"Like what?" she asked.
"Well, anything you want. Dollies, dress-up, house...whatever you say!"
"Really?" cried the happy little girl happily.
"Yes indeed," he replied. "What'll it be?"
She thought for a moment before smiling and slapping him on the arm. "Tag!" she cried. "You're it! Now you've gotta catch me!" With that the tyke ran off, giggling wildly. He just smiled to himself. She was indeed an adorable child.

As soon as Shock got to Town Hall, work got under way. Jack arrived not long after her, not surprised to see that all was working as scheduled. He smiled at his daughter as he hobbled over to her on his cane.
"I see you're already doing quite well without me," he said.
"Sure am," she replied. "I'm no dunce, you know."
"I know. You're a wonderful woman."
A smile. "Thanks, old man."
He touched her arm softly. "I couldn't be prouder of you, my child. Just look at what a lovely person you've turned out to be....all grown up with a child of her own...." A tear appeared in the corner of his eye. "I never thought I'd see the day."
"Aw, Jack...." she sighed, embracing him. "You're so sweet." She stood back. "I only turned out this way because of you, you know. I remember when I was just a small child....living under the care of that horrible Oogie Boogie after my parents had abandoned me and my brothers. But then you came along and took us in, you and Sally. And had it not been for that, I wouldn't be where I am today. Certainly not as the heir to the throne."
He nodded. "You're probably right about that. But today you're a terrific person." A grin. "And what's this I've seen going on between you and Ira? You seemed pretty close there the other day."
"Oh, we've decided to start going out again."
"Really? That's wonderful!"
"Yeah, as if you didn't already know."
He appeared surprised. "Whatever are you talking about?"
A laugh. "Nothing, Jack. Absolutely nothing. Anyways, he decided that he wanted to stay home with Alisa today, he wanted to her to get to know him a bit better."
He raised a socket. "My, you two sound pretty....involved."
A happy sigh. "We are, very much so. He's so adorable!"
He chuckled. "Oh, Shock. Well, if you're happy then so am I. I can see how much you mean to each other."
"Thanks, father." They embraced briefly, before she pulled away. "Now, enough of this idle chit-chat. We've got work to do here."

Before Shock left that day, Jack invited her and Shock up to the mansion for a family dinner. She had agreed enthusiastically, saying that she's got straight home and deliver the news to Ira.
Within 10 minutes she had arrived, heading through the doors quickly.
"Guys, I'm home!" she called. No reply. "Guys? Where are you?"
"Mommy!" came a cry as Alisa bounded toward her from the living room. Shock smiled happily and swept her child into her arms, kissing her fondly.
"Hey there, kid. Where's Ira?"
She pointed towards the living room. "We played cops an' robbers. He was the cop but he lost."
"Oh really? Did you have fun?"
"Yup."
They had by now reached the living room entrance. The sight Shock beheld was one that made her burst into peals of laughter. There was Ira tied to a chair, tape across his mouth. It looked hilarious. She put down her daughter as she headed over to him, pulling off the rope.
"My goodness, how'd you ever let a three year old tie you up?" she asked as she yanked the tape from his mouth.
A shrug. "Anything can happen."
"That's quite obvious." A laugh. "Anyways, my father has invited us to join him for supper tonight. Go up and change into something nice."
"Right. Something nice. Be right back." He ran up the stairs, leaving her with Alisa.
"Now then little girl, let's go get you something as well, huh?" a nod from the child. "Good. Come along, up the steps." Little Alisa took her mother's hand and walked up the long flight, towards her bedroom. It was located just opposite Shock's at the end of the hall, a nice little black nameplate on the door with her ame on it. Shock pushed it open, heding towards the closet. "Now, let's find something here..." She hunted through the variety of dresses, until she found the proper one; black, with a lacey trim. One of her grandmother's favourites. "Here then, this'll do," she said. "Now let's get you dressed."
Alisa allowed her mom to assist her, smiling once she was done. "Der," she announced. "Now me looks pwetty."
"You always do, dear. Mommy's going to go change now."
"Can I come?"
"Sure." Together they headed towards the master bedroom, where Shock headed for her own closet. She aready knew what she wanted to wear; her favourite black pants and an oversized sweater of the same colour. She quickly found the articles of clothing, pulling it out and changing into them. She was done in a second, and after quickly pulling a brush through her long black hair she was ready. She dearly loved her hair; it was her best feature. "Now, we're ready to go downstairs," she said. "Come along."
"Is Ira done?" asked the tyke.
"I don't know. Why?"
"Cause I wanna play."
"Is he a nice person to play with?"
"Yeah. He's a wot of fun."
"I'm glad you like him dear. I think he likes you too." Alisa just smiled.
They found that he had already completed, and was standing at the bottom of the stairs wating for them. He was quite handsome looking; he wore a black tuxedo with long tails, a top hat upon his head and a cane in his hand. Shock whistled.
"My, don't we look dashing," she said. "Shall we leave?"
A nod. "Certainly." At that he took her hand as well as Alisa's, leading them out of the house.

When Sally opened the door to her guests, she was quite impressed upon seeing Ira's outfit. "My my," she said. "How handsome."
He bowed low, taking her hand into his own and kissing it softly. "Thank-you, m'lady. You look quite lovely yourself."
A smile as he rose up. "How respectful of you. Please, come in." They stepped inside, pulling off their shoes. Sally couldn't help but marvel at how adorable Alisa looked. The girl just giggled at her grandma, allowing herself to be scooped up into the old woman's arms.
They headed towards the living room, where Barrel and Kyrene were already sitting. Shock glanced around. "Hey sis," she began, "where's Jacob?"
"Working late," she replied. "He'll be here soon."
"And little bro?" she asked, turning to Barrel. "Where's Cora?"
A shrug. "Why should I care? Happy, I suppose."
She nodded, understanding. "She broke up with you."
"Yep."
"Oh, I'm so sorry..." She sat down beside him, giving him a hug. He accepted it graciously.
"Don't be," he said as he released her. "It's not your fault."
"But I know how much you liked her..."
A chuckle. "Yeah. I thought she was the one. Of course, that's what I think every time."
She patted his knee. "Don't be so pessimistic. You'll find the right woman someday. And when you do you'll know that she's the right one."
A sad smile. "I hope you're right."
"Course I am, aren't I always?'
He laughed. "Yeah, sure. You can just think that."
"Thanks."
Sally cleared her throat. "Jack is upstairs takling a bit of a rest. As for Lock and Elizabeth, they'll be along shortly. I'll be in the kitchen seeing how the butler is making out." With that she left the room, and Ira took a seat next to Shock on the black leather sofa.
"Since when do they have a butler?" he asked?
"Since Jack got too old to do his share of the chores. Geoffrey's just around to tend to the house...clean, cook, wash laundry....that sort of stuff."
"Oh, I see. Too bad, Jack was an excellent chef."
"Yeah. They use his recipies all the time but they don't have that special touch." Shock lowered her voice at that point. "Talking about Jack, I had a bit of a chat with him today."
Ira raised an eyebrow.. "Oh, really? What did he say?"
"Nothing that he didn't say to you, really. Just that he supported my decision and wanted what was best for me."
"Really?" he beamed. "Gee, he actually likes me."
"And why wouldn't he?" she replied. "You're a wonderful guy, Ira." She took his hand. "There's no reason in this world not to love you."
"Are you two going out now?" asked Kyrene out of the blue. Her sister nodded.
"Yep. We used to be before he moved away when we were both 15, but he's finally come back to me."
A smile. "You two look so cute with each other. Like the perfect couple."
Barrel frowned. "No fair. Shock has no problems with finding a soul mate, how come I do?"
A sympathetic smile from his big sister as she patted his knee. "Come on, little bro. Cheer up."
"I am cheery!" he cried. "I am, see! I didn't even like Cora anyways. Really I didn't!"
She nodded, not convinced. It was clear from the look in his eyes that he was heartbroken; he just didn't want anyone to know. Didn't want anyone to think he was any less of a man. That saddened the heir to the throne, to see her brother going through such heartache. But what else could she do for him? She'd tried her hardest, but it never seemed to work.

Elizabeth and Lock walked slowly towards the mansion on the hill, their arms intertwined. It was a wonderful afternoon; overcast with a chance of rain. The wind nipped at them slightly, a pleasant feeling. Elizabeth sighed as she laid her head on her husband's shoulder.
"Isn't it a lovely day?" she sighed.
He nodded. "Sure is." A look of sadness and anger lay across his face.
"What's wrong, dear?" she asked. "You seem upset."
"I don't know....it's Jack again. Shock talked to me the other day, begged me to be a little 'kinder' towards him. I know my sister's right. I'm not doing his health any good and even though I sometimes get pissed off with him, I could never let anything bad happen to him. And I really should treat him with a bit more respect. I mean, this is the man who raised me, who saved me from what would have been a life of doom and gave me a chance. He's the man I call my father, he's the damned Pumpkin King! He could have my head chopped off with the blink of an eye."
"Come on now, I don't think he'd do that."
"Maybe not, but he has the power to. And I think it's in everyone's best interest not to anger him. I really don't want to harm his health, though. If he died becasue of me, Sally and my siblings would never forgive me. They'd ban me from the family, exile me from Halloween Town. I can't risk that happening. I'd end up losing you..."
"Awwww!" she cried, giving him a kiss. "How sweet!"
"I mean it," he continued. "So starting now I'm going to put allk my childish feelings behind me. It's beitterness over not getting the throne is all; as a kid I never cared that Shock was getting it, but as I grew older it seemed more important." A shrug. "I dunno, maybe I should seek professional help or something.
Whatever you feel necessary. If you think it will help matters, I fully enocourage it."
He gave her hand a little squeeze. "Thanks, Liz." By now they had reached the mansion and were just climbing the front stairs towards it.
You're my husband, I love you, and I want the best for you."
A grin. "Well of course you love me!
She stifled a laugh. "You're not conceited, are you?"
"Course not."
Upon reaching the front door Lock turned the knob, stepping inside. "Hello," he called. "We're here!"
"In the living room!" called Kyrene.
They removed their shoes, heading to where everyone was sitting. Shock and Ira, Kyrene and Jacob (who had just arrived), Sally and Barrel.
"Where's Jack?" he asked. "And Cora?"
"Jack's taking a nap," replied Barrel. "As for Cora, we broke up."
"Oh, that's horrible. you alright?"
A shrug. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks bro."
"You're sure?"
"Positive."
A nod. "That's too bad though. Oh well, there's lots of women out there."
"And I've already been with half of them."
"Oh, Barrel," sighed his mother. "I'd hardly say that. You haven't ever dated any human women after all."
He chuckled softly; he wasn't in the mood for humor. "What a strange idea."
The aging queen shook a finger. "I'm telling you, I'll never let a mortal girl in my home."
"I've never given a thought to it."
Shock nodded eagerly. "I'm sure you never have."
"What are you all talking about down here?" came a voice. They turned to see Jack, hobbling down the stairs from his bedroom.
"Oh, darling!" cried his wife, helping him down. "Let me help you."
"No, I'm quite capable of handling it myself. Go sit."
"You stubborn old man, let me give you a hand."
"Hey, I'm not FULLY uncapable here."
A frown. "Alright, but it's not my fault if you fall down and kill yourself."
"Certainly not." He hobbled down the remainder of the stairs, taking a seat in his favourite rocking chair in front of the fireplace. "What a nice snooze," he said. "I could have stayed up there all day but I probably wouldn't have gotten any sleep tonight."
"A wise old king," said Shock.
"So how are you, Jack?" asked Elizabeth. "Feeling well?"
"Oh, yes, my dear, thank-you. And you?"
"Oh, pretty good."
"My son treating you nice?"
"He always does."
A pleased nod. "That's my boy. A wonderful son." Lock just frowned, doubting those words.
"What's wrong, my lad? You seem troubled."
He shook himself from his daydream. "What? Oh, I'm fine. Don't worry about it."
"Are you sure? You can talk to me if you need to."
A smile. "That's alright. Thanks anyways."
Jack wasn't believing him, but shrugged. "If you insist then."
Sally rose from her spot. "Would you like anything, dear?"
"A glass of tarantula venom might be nice," he replied. "Maybe with an aspirin, I've got a touch of a headache."
"Certainly, dear. Best take your calcium ones now that you're at it. Barrel, would you mind giving me a hand please?"
"Certainly."
They headed out together, walking towards the kitchen. They said nothing, until they had reached their destination. It was then that Sally stopped, holding her son by the arm as she looked at him.
"Sweetie, I'm worried about you. You seem so upset with your break-up."
A sigh. "Well, I'm rather upset, it's true. I mean, I really loved her. I was going to propose, you know."
"Oh, my darling...." A nail was suddenly stabbed through her heart. "Well, if she broke up with you, it probably saved you from a long and costly divorce. She would have probably taken you for all you were worth."
A smile. "You're right, Mom. I don't need her. There's plenty of fish in the sea, right?"
"Exactly. Now come along, let's get your father's pills."
They walked into the kitchen togetther, where the butler was carving the wild turkey.
"How are you doing, Geoffrey?" asked the Queen.
"Fine, madam," he replied in a British accent. "Just about done."
Ding-dong! Rang the doorbell suddenly. "I'll get it" called Lock from the living room. He headed past the kitchen to the front door.
"Ah, that must be my package I was waiting for."
"Package?" asked Barrel.
"I ordered some special scorpion claws for dinner, and I asked for them to drop them off. " She hunted through the cupboards, searching for the calcium pills. "Oh darn it, they must be up in the bathroom. I'll be right back." She hurried out of the kitchen and scurried down the hall towards the bathroom, just as Elizabeth was stepping out.
"Oh, did you want to get in there?" she asked.
"Yes, just for Jack's pills," she replied. "Thanks dear."
A nod. "Did you need any help in the kitchen? I can lend a hand."
"That's okay, Geoffrey's got it all under control."
"Aright then, I'll be in the living room if you need me."
"So long."
Elizabeth left, while Sally rummaged for the pills. At last she found them, hiding in the hidden cabinet. It was located behind a stone in the wall, which nobody could find. This was where they put the most important of things, stuff that couldn't be forgotten. Such as calcium pills, for example. Pulling them down she opened up the bottle, pulling out two and replacing the cover. She then went replaced the stone and went back to get the drink.
When she reached the kitchen she was surprised to find Shock instead of Barrel. "Where's your brother?" she asked.
"Speaking with Jack, so I came and got the drink instead."
"Thank-you, darling. Did you get the aspirin too?"
"Both right here."
"Great. Think you could take them out to him? I wanted to assist the butler with laying the the table."
"Sure, no problem." Taking the calcium pills, Shock headed out towards the living room.
When she got out there, she found that Jack had disapeered. Barrel was sitting in his place.
"Where'd dad go?" she asked.
"On the patio," he replied. "But don't go out there yet, Lock wanted to have a word with him." A smile. "I think everything between them is going to be great."

Lock stood outside the door to the patio, looking at Jack. The King merely stood gazing down at Halloween Town below him, admiring it silently. Lock just took a spot beside him, clearing his throat. Jack turned, startled to see someone there.
"Oh, I didn't see you, my boy. Didn't even hear you."
A smile. "That's okay." He ran a hand throguh his haair. "Um, hey....Jack? I wanted to say....sorry."
The old man nodded softly, understand. "It's okay, my son." "Mean, You acted the role of my father when my own had abandoned me," he went on. "You were so wonderful to me and yet I treated you like dirt. I want to apologize for being so horrible. I know how rotten I 've been, but I want to say I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"
A smile. "Son, I was never angry. Never have been. But it's so nice to hear you say it. Yes, you're forgiven, so have a clear conscience from now on. Consider it forgotten."
He sighed with relief. "Oh, thank you. You don't know how glad I am to hear that." He cleared his throat. "Anyways, I'm going to go inside now. Coming?"
"No, I need some air. My head is killing me."
"Alright then. See ya."
"So long, my son. Love you." Lock disapeered into the house, closing the door behind him. Jack just stood there and smiled, looking back at his Kingdom.
"Hey Jack, I got your pills." He turned to see Shock, entering just as his son was leaving.
"Oh thank-you darling. How kind of you."
"No problem." She handed it to him and watched as he swallowed the medication. He shuddered once he was done. "I hate pills," he moaned. "They're disgusting."
"You've got to take them though, father," she replied sternly. "You need your calcium. Your bones aren't as strong as they used to be."
"I know, I just find them difficult to take."
She smiled. "Poor Jack."
"I know." He coughed. "So you and Ira seem happy."
"Yeah. He's great."
"I can tell. What a well-mannered young man he is. Can't wait until the wedding."
"Jack!" she cried. "Who said anything about marriage?"
"Well, I was just assuming."
A chuckle. "Well, you're probably right. He's so perfect for me...I love him more then anything. And he's so wonderful with Alisa, a terrific father. We could be one big happy family."
"And I think you're a wonderful match. It's quite obvious how much you mean to him."
"And he means a lot to me as well. I'm not going to let him leave me this time." A nod and a smile. "That's great, I'm so...." He cut off in mid-sentance, clutching at his skull.
"Jack, are you alright?" asked Shock.
"Yes, I--I'm fine. Geez, I feel ready to faint. Hurry child, get me to the living room..." But she never got to. With a final groan he lurched forward and fell to the ground, his skull making a horrible cracking sound on the floor. The glass dropped from his hand, shattering into a million pieces.
"Jack!" called Sally from the living room suddenly. "I heard him fall, I know it!" She burst through the doors to find the awful scene; Jack unconsious upon the floor, with Shock standing over him. Barrel, Lock, and Kyrene followed soon after, as well as Ira, Jacob, and Elizabeth. Lock cried out in horror, dropping to his knees by his father.
"Jack!" he cried. "What happened? Answer me?" Nothing. He shook the poor old skeleton. "Say something!" He didn't move. "Oh my God...." He stood up slowly, hatred forming in his eye. He looked up at Shock, pointing at her accusingly. "You," he hissed. "What have you done?"
"Lock, I didn't do anything! I swear it!"
"WHAT DID YOU DO?" he yelled at her. "What did you do to him?"
"NOTHING!" She screamed back. "He just dropped."
"Likely story," he fumed. He glared at her. "Did you poison him? Got tired of him being around? Decided to kill him and get the throne for yourself?" He began to advance towards her. "He was fine, dammit! And now look at him!" He motioned towards the fallen King. "It had to have been you! When you got the aspirin for him, you probably replaced it with some type of poison. Then you took it out to him and watched him as he took it, laughing as he slowly died. CONFESS! I know you did it!"
"Lock!" cried Sally. "We have no proof as of now. You can't accuse her of anything yet."
"Yet?" screamed Shock. "Sally, you believe me, right? You have to! Why would I do it?"
She bit her lip. "I don't know, quite honestly. He has a good point. You're the only one who could have done it. As far as I know, nobody saw you fetch the pill. Geoffrey was setting the table; Barrel was helping Lock, I was getting his Calcium, and everyone else was in the living room. It's only logical."
"But what if it wasn't the aspirin that did it," she demanded. "It could have been the calcium pills!"
Sally shook her head. "Not possible. They were in a hidden cabinet in the bathrom. There's no way anyone could have found them. Nobody knows where this cabinet is, besides me and Jack. So nobody but you could have done it."
"Except for you," Shock sneered.
"Me? Do you know how much I love that skeleton? I could never kill him! If I had wanted to, then I would have a long time ago. Not when he was old and grey. Don't be so foolish."
"FOOLISH? You're telling ME not to be foolish? Look at yourself! Accusing me of murdering my own father!"
Ira stepped between the two women, holding his hands up. "Listen, let's talk about this calmly. I'm sure there's some reasonable explanation for this...I'm certain about that."
Barrel sneered. "Sure. If that's the case, then why does all the evidence point to her?"
"Barrel, you too?" she cried. "Kyrene, don't you believe me?"
Her sister just stood there silently. "I--I don't know," she replied softly. "I don't know who to believe."
"She'll believe the truth," snarled Lock, "And the truth is that YOU tried to KILL the Pumpkin King just so you could get the throne. Well it's not going to work. I'm going to call the police right now!" And with that he ran from the patio, towards the kitchen and the phone.
Shock just collapsed to her knees in front of the still body, touching the skull softly. "Oh, Jack," she moaned. "Why did this have to happen? Why are they blaming me? Why?" She began to cry, tears of bitter sadness that rolled down her cheeks and stained Jack's suit. Ira knelt beside her, holding her in his comforting arms.
"Don't worry," he whispered. "It'll be alright. They'll soon realize that it wasn't you."
"Ira, you believe me, right?" she asked. "You do, don't you?"
He nodded. "Of course I do. I love you."
A sob. "Thank-you."
Not much was said after that for around 10 minutes until the loud roar of three police cars appeared outside, followed by an ambulance. The cops barged into the home, hurrying towards the patio. There were three officers, two of them who rushed over and grabbed Shock from Ira. They shoved her against a wall, cuffing her hands.
"Geez, what are you doing?" she cried. "I didn't do anything!"
"Ms. Skellington, you have been charged with murder," said one of the officers. "I'm going to repeat to you your rights...."
"I know my rights already!" she screamed at them. No need to friggin' scream it in my ear."
The paramedics came in at that point, picking up Jack and placing him on the stretcher. "I'd like to ask you a few questions about what happened here," the cop went on.
"Can I just go with him to the hospital first, make sure he's all right?"
The officer nodded. "Of course you can. We'll meet escort there."

They all journeyed to the hospital, piling into the three police cars--Lock, Elizabeth, Ira, Alisa, Barrel, and even Geoffrey, whom the officers wanted to question. Sally rode in the ambulance with her husband, ahead of the rest of the vehicles. As for Shock, she was seated by herself in one of the vehicles--the cops wouldn't allow anyone else to sit with her. She was cuffed hand and foot and she wasn't at all pleased by how they were treating her. With the exception of Ira, nobody believed that she hadn't poisioned Jack.
It was a silent ride to the hospital---not much was said. When they finally arrived, Jack was unloaded from the ambulance and rushed in through the main doors. Sally was by his side the entire time, holding his hand as they hurried along.
Meanwhile, everyone piled out of the three police vehicles. Even Shock, who was escorted by two of the officers. Ira attemted to squeeze in beside her, but was warned to keep his distance. Alisa didn't know what to make of it all, seeing her mother bound hand and foot. She was scared, but clung to Ira for comfort.
They all sat in the waiting room impatiently, waiting for some news as to what was going on. Great tension filled the air. Shock was made to stand, away from her family.
Alisa sobbed from Ira's arms. "Mommy...." she whispered. "Mommy, I want my mommy...."
"Darling, I'm right over here," she replied. "See? I'm still here!"
"No, I want them to let you go. I wants a hug."
"For crying out loud, have you no heart?" cried Elizabeth suddenly. "She's not going to harm her own daughter, that kid means more to her then anything. Let her give the child a hug."
The officers glanced at each other before nodding. "Fine," said one of them. "Let her go."
The happy tyke jumped from Ira's arms, running towards Shock. The delighted mother tried to hug the child in return, but the cuffs limited the use of her arms. "My darling baby," she said. "Don't worry, everything'll be fine. I don't know for how long, but mommy's not going to be home for a while. Ira will take care of you though....he'll do a good job."
"But mommy....I don't want you to leave me...."
"I'm not! We can still see each other, you can come to visit me!"
"Where will you be?"
Shock grew quiter. "Jail, dear. They're putting me in jail."
"Why?"
"Because they think I tried to harm your grandfather."
"HA!" cried Lock suddenly, jumping up. "Tried my butt! You did mean to kill him, I know you did!"
"Shut up, you have no idea what you're talking about. I didn't do anything!" Alisa ran from her mother and towards Elizabeth, whose arms were outstretched to welcome her.
"What are you doing?" cried Lock to his wife. "That's the child of a murderer!"
"So? She's also a child. She doesn't need to be involved in such stuff. She still needs to be loved."
"I don't care! That bitch over there tried to kill our father!"
"THAT'S IT!" cried Ira, standing up. "NOBODY treats her in that manner, the love of my life. She didn't do anything, and I'll prove it."
"Why don't you keep your nose out of it, lover boy," sneered Lock. "You have no input here."
"The hell I don't," he replied. "I'll show you all how wrong you are. Then you'll be sorry!" He then hurried over to Shock, embracing her. She touched his face with her cuffed hands, tears flowing down her face as they kissed.
Shock pulled away slightly, feeling his hands. "You're trembling," she said.
"I know," he said. "I---I've never been so scared in my entire life." Another kiss. "I don't want anything to happen to you, or Jack. I know you didn't do it. I'll prove it too, somehow."
A brave smile flashed across her face. "Thanks, Ira. You're the only one who believes me."
It was at that moment that Sally appeared from down the hall, her face as white as snow. She shot her eldest daughter a quick glance before sitting down next to Lock.
"Mother, how is he?" asked Barrel. "Will he be alright?"
"The doctors aren't quite sure yet," she replied. "He was poisoned after all, apparantly by a very strong deadly nightshade pill. Specially formulated to kill. There's no way of getting rid of the poison, but it can be fought off with alternate medicines."
Relieved sighs from around the room. "Oh thank God," Shock sighed.
"I wouldn't go talking over there," replied Lock with a sneer. "You're the one who wanted to poison him in the first place."
"Alright, that's enough!" cried one of the officers suddenly. "Her Majesty the Queen isn't done speaking yet."
"Thank-you," she nodded. "There is some bad news, though. The treatment might not be effective, he might resist it. The chance that he might yet die still exists." Horrible silence filled the room as they all took this in.
"How awful," stammered Kyrene. "My father...our father....he's dying...why is this happening to us?"
"We all know why," Lock said, fuming. "Because of my sister."
"She didn't do it!" roared Ira, standing up. "She's innocent, now stop accusing her of what she didn't do!"
"THAT"S ENOUGH!" cried one of the officers. "That will be all of the arguing for tonight. Ms. Skellington, you'll be coming with us down to the station."
She didn't resist as they escorted her from the hospital. "So long, everyone," she called. "Hope you're pleased now."
"See you at the trial!" Lock cried back happily.
Ira just shook his head with disgrace as he gathered up Alisa. "You people make me sick," he told them. "Blaming my darling Shock for doing such a horrible deed! Sally, she's your daughter! Lock, Barrel, and Kyrene, isn't she your sister?"
Sally just shook her head with dismay. "She might be my daughter legally, but not biologically. When me and Jack adopted her and her brothers, they were all rude, mean, and heartless. I guess she never quite outgrew that."
Ira didn't respond to that; instead he just took little Alisa's hand and walked away. He'd prove that Shock was innocent, one way or another.

Shock was put into a cell at the police station that night, among a row of other cells. She knew this area well; she had demanded its construction. Funny how now she was stuck here. This section was for female prisoners only; it was also quite crowded. Every cell had an occupant, except for one. This was the one they put her into. Of curse, not until forcing her to change into the customary black-and-white two-piece striped uniform. She even had to pose for the pictures; she was prisoner number 5H63Q7Z.
"Here you go, ms. Skellington," said the officer as he showed her to her cell. "Welcome to your new home."
"You can't do this to me!" she cried. "I demand my rights!"
"Ma'am, these are your rights," he replied. "Sleep well." And with that he disapeered, whistling a happy tune as he walked down the darkened hall.
Shock just groaned as she sat on her cold metal bed. What a horrible night this was turning out to be...first Jack's near death, now this. As if it wasn't bad enough that it had happened in the first place, now they were accusing her of doing it! How unfair was that?
"Pssst!" she heard suddenly. "Hey you! Psst!"
She looked around. "Who is it?"
"Me, you dolt," came the reply. "Across the hall. Stand up and walk to your bars." She did so, looking across. Sure enough there was another woman there, waving. She was about average height with short black hair, which was kept in spikes. Her pale skin seemed to radiate in the dim light, the standard stripped uniform hanging from her slim frame.
"Oh, uh...hi.," replied Shock. "I...didn't see you at first."
"Don't worry about it. Name's Demonica Witchly. Who are you?"
"Shock. Shock Skellington."
Demonica's jaw dropped. "You mean Skellington, as in the Shock Skellington?"
A sigh. "Yeah, that's me."
"Hey, neat! Never thought we'd see you here. Hey girls!" she called down the row of cells.
"Guess who we've got here? Genuine royalty, the heir of the throne herself!"
They were greeted by cries from both sides.
"Really? What did she do?"
"I can't see! Let me see!!!"
"Sweet! I can't believe it!"
Shock just sighed. "I don't see what's so great about it."
"Forget about them" replied Demonica. "Tell me, what're ya in for?"
"Murder, apparantly."
"Murder?" she cried. "You? Capable of murder? No way? I personally killed my boyfriend, but I don't believe that you could have done such a thing. Who they saying you killed?"
"My father."
"Really?" she replied, surprisingly casual. "Geez, harsh. You didn't, did you?"
"Of course not!" she cried. "I love him!"
"So somebody framed you?"
"Exactly! And now nobody will believe me besides Ira!"
"Who's he?"
"Oh, my boyfriend."
She nodded. "So will he take care of your daughter?"
"Yep. He also promised to prove my innocence, but I doubt if that's possible. Everyone believes I did it, even Sally!"
"That's pretty bad. You must feel like crap."
A chuckle. "You'd better believe it."
Demonica nodded. "It's not fair that they should accuse an innocent person of such a horrible deed. I know now that killing my boyfriend probably wasn't the way to go but I've still got another 15 years to go here yet."
"How long you been here for?"
"10. In the exact same cell." She paused. "Is Jack really dead though? Did he die?"
She shook her head. "No, he's alive. They're concerned for him though."
"Oh good. Do you think you know who really did it?"
Shock thought for a moment, then shrugged. "No idea," she said. "When you piece together the facts I'm the most obvious suspect. But I'm perfectlly innoent! I'm telling you, I was framed."
"How awful," said someone to Demonica's left. Shock looked to see a plump woman, probably around 40 years of age in human years. Her light blue skin showed signs of aging and her shoulder-length hair was going slightly grey. Despite this her eyes showed the firey youth that still burnt inside her. The women smiled. "Oh, please allow me to introduce myself. Spectral Goblinson."
"Shock Skellington."
A nod. "I know. Who doesn't? After all, everyone knows you."
"That's not fair! I have no idea who anyone is in this town yet they all know me!"
"Dear, that's what you get for being royalty," replied Demonica.
A sigh. "I know. Those are the breaks though. Sometimes though I wish I could just be normal. Nobody would know my name or that I was the heir to the throne, and they wouldn't care. They'd like me for me."
"I liked you before you even told me your name," she replied. "Even after I did find out, it didn't really make a difference."
"Yes, but you're one of the very few who don't know who I am upon first sight. Even so, you still know all about me. What I want for once it just to be normal."
"Maybe what you need," said Spectral suddenly, "is to get away from Halloween."
"I'm in jail, remember?" she replied. "Probably for quite a while too."
"So? Break out."
A gasp. "Break out! I could never!"
"Why not? When this Ira guys comes to see you, ask him to help."
"What if he doesn't?"
"If he loves you then he will, trust me. So once you're out you can leave this joint, go on to another holiday...imagine the possibilities!"
"Yeah, but then I'd be forced to run from the law."
"Nah!" she cried. "The cops'll never find ya as long as you've covered your tracks well. You know, created a new identity for yourself, gotten a place to live, made yourself look like an average citizen..."
"Maybe," she muttered. "Just maybe it might work. Go to a holiday no-one would ever dream of looking for me. Like Valentine's Day for example, or Easter. Both the exact opposite of Halloween with lots of loving and caring."
"There you go!" replied Spectral. "Get my point?"
"Yeah," Shock nodded. "I'll ask Ira to help me...I just hope he visits...."
"So give him a call," interrupted Demonica.
"How?"
"You get one phone call. Just ask to make it."
An excited smile. "That's a great idea." She took a deep breath. "HEY, COPPERS! WHERE'S MY PHONE CALL? I THOUGHT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET ONE! SO MUCH FOR EQUAL TREATMENT, EH? SO MUCH FOR...."
"Alright, alright, keep your shirt on," came a holler as a cop hurried down the hall. He pulled out a key and unlocked Shock's cell, frowning at her. "You know, you're really loud."
A smile. "Thanks. Now where's my phone call?"
"Follow me." He led her past the rest of the cells, and she gave a thumbs up sign to Demonica and Spectral as she went by them.
He brought to the end of the hall, where there was a telephone poised on the wall. He lifted the reciever, passing it to her. "You've got 10 minutes before I tell you to get off," he said. "Make it snappy."
With a nod she began to dial the number, watching eagerly as he stood nearby. One ring....two ring....gee, maybe Ira wasn't home yet. Maybe he was telling Lock off somewhere or even worse was giving Sally a rough time...
"Hello?" came a voice suddenly.
"Ira!" she cried. "Oh, how happy I am to hear your voice!"
"Shock!" he replied. "Are you in jail? What have they done to you? Oh my darling..."
"Don't worry about me," she replied. "I'm fine. I get to wear a cool striped uniform."
A chuckle. "Congratulations." He sighed. "I don't know how we'll pull through this mess...everyone seems so sure that it was you..."
"But it wasn't, you see," she told him. "And that's what counts." When she glanced up she noticed that the officer was no longer there; instead he was off patrolling the area. She quickly turned back to the phone. "Okay, here's the deal," she told him. "I want you to come visit me here tommorrow. We're going to bust me out of here."
"Bust you out?" he cried. "What are you thinking!?!? You'll get yourself into even worse trouble then you already are..."
"Not if they don't find out," she replied. "Come at night, alone. Now, in the back of my cell there's an open window, and this window is covered by a set of bars. What I suggest is using a file..."
It was quite obvious that he didn't like this idea. "But what if we're caught? What will we do?"
"Easy; you're going to run like hell," she replied. "Just be here okay? I'm counting on you."
A moment's silence on the other line. "Oh, alright," he replied. "I'll be there, but with a better method then a file."
"How then?"
"You'll see," he replied. "Until tomorrow."
"See you then," she answered him. "Love you, Ira."
"Love you too, Shock. Good-night."
At that the line whent dead, and she hung up the phone. He hadn't seemed very pleased with any of that; if anything, he'd been quite angry. Would he show up at all? Would he help her? With a sigh she headed back to her cell, where the officer was waiting. She stepped inside as he pulled the opening shut.
"Happy now, Ms. Skellington?" he asked.
"Very," she muttered. "Ecstatic."
With a nod he left, leaving the room of imprisoned women to chatter once more.
"So what'd he say?" asked Demonica. "Did he say he'd help?"
She collasped on to her bed, staring up at the ceiling. "Yeah, but I know I'm putting a lot of stress on him. He sounded awfully upset at the end..."
"Oh, don't worry about it," Spectral shrugged. "As long as he gets ya out of this hell-hole."
"I don't know if I'm doing the right thing though, breaking the law and all...and what's more, I'm bringing him into it as well. I don't want him getting into trouble if we're caught, thaqt's the last thing I want to do..."
"Hey Shock, just calm down," urged Demonica. "It'll turn out fine, trust me."
She snorted as she turned her back to them. "Yeah, sure," came the reply. "Whatever you say."

Jack managed to regain conciousness the next morning. Sally was the only one around when his eyes cracked open, watching him from a chair at the side of the bed. Upon seeing that he was awake her eyes lit up with happiness, and she lept up.
"My darling!" she cried. "I was so worried, how are you?" He tried to reply, but that when he opened his mouth, no sound came out. She tsk-tsked. "Yes, the doctors said that this might happen. The medication you were given is a powerful poison. It's fighting off the rest of the poison in your system. However, you might be experienceing few side-effects. Don't worry though. You'll be able to speak soon." She could see that he was dying to ask what was going on. "Yes, my dear, I understand what you want to say," she told him. "You're in the hospital, Jack, after you took a deadly pill last night. Your aspirin was exchanged for a drug that was intended to kill you. But we managed to get you here before it took too much action.
Who was it? his eyes seemed to ask.
"Do you want to know who did it?" A nod. She just sighed. "We don't know for sure, dear, but all the evidence seems to point in her direction...we believe that it was Shock.
His expression changed into a combination of fury and confusion. What do you mean? his face read.
"I know it sounds odd," she continued, "but the evidence is too strong..."
It was then that the door swung open and in stepped the doctor. He appeared pleased to see Jack awake. "Oh, good-morning, sir," he said cheerfully. "How are you?"
"He can't speak, doc," replied Sally. "It's as you said, the other poision is taking effect now..."
"That'll clear up soon," he said. "Just give it time." He proceeded to give his patient a check-up. Every now and again he 'hmmmed' and clucked his tongue, and neither Jack nor Sally were sure if it was a good report or a bad one. At last he stood back. "He's going to be okay," he said at last. "A week or two and he'll be as right as rain. Maybe even sooner."
The Queen clapped her hands with delight. "Oh, thank-you! You have no idea how happy this makes me!"
A smile. "No problem. Have a good day now." At that he left, closing the door to behind him. Sally meanwhile laid down next to her husband, hugging him. Though the both of them had aged over the years, the love they felt had never died. She gave him a kiss.
"Hear that?" she said. "You're going to be just fine." He tried to share her enthusiasm, but his concern about Shock prevented him from doing so. She just shook her head. "Listen, I know you don't want to believe she did it, but you might have to. I don't want to myself but I'm afraid that I already do." With a brave smile she hugged him, holding him close to her. "Don't worry though," she told him. "Whoever did it, we'll find 'em. I promise you."
That, however, was what Jack had been most afraid of.

It was late that evening when Ira showed up. So late, in fact, that Shock was beginning to think he wasn't going to show up after all. She was just expressing her concerns to Demonica and Spectral when she heard him calling to her from the window.
"Psst," he hissed. "Over here."
"Ira!" she cried. "I didn't think you'd show!"
"Course I did, I love you. Now stand back, I'm going to get rid of these bars."
"But how?"
A strange grin. "With a little recipe I cooked up earlier today. Highly acidic, goes right through metal. I strongly advise that you don't get any on yourself."
She backed away. "Alright, go to it."
He then pulled a small vial from his coat pocket, removing the stopper. The liquid was a lime-green color, and stank horribly. She had to plug her nose as he poured a few drops onto the bars, of which there were four. Almost instantly, they had been reduced to nothing. "Wonderful!" she cried. "Simply magnificent!" She then hurried back over to the windwo, hoisting herself up carefully. She waved to her two friends, who returned the greeting.
"Good-luck!" said Spectral. "See ya round!"
"So long!" she called back. With that she grabbed Ira's hand and dragged him away, leading him towards her home. She heaved a huge sigh of relief. "Thank-goodness I'm out of there," she said. "Now I've got to get out of this town..."
"What are you talking about?" he demanded. "I don't understand..."
"I'm leaving, Ira," she told him. "If I stay the cops'll get me, and then I'll be in even more trouble."
"So instead you're just taking off?" he cried. "Just abandoning me and your daughter?"
"That's what I had to talk to you about," she said. "I need you to take care of her, make sure she grows up properly. Make sure she knows that I never did it."
"But how am I going to raise a child? I couldn't possibly do it!!!"
"Yes, you can!" she cried. "I know you can! Please, do it for me?"
He frowned., "Oh, alright. For you."
A smile. "Thanks Ira."
"No problem." A sigh. "I had to bring her to Jennifer's before coming to break you out...told her I had no idea how long I'd be..."
"That's fine," she replied. "Stay in my house once I'm gone, I don't want Alisa being moved. Don't let anybody try to take her from you. Okay?"
"Okay."
By now they had reached her home. He pulled out a key, letting them both in. She then hurried up the stairs towards her bedroom, Ira right behind her.
"So where're ya going?" he asked.
"Easter Town," she replied. "I figure I'll be safe there."
"Ah." She led him down the hallways, stepping into her room. She then reached under the bed, pulling out a suitcase. She opened it up and laid it on the bed, pulling clothes from the closet and flinging it inside. She didn't bother with folding; all that was on her mind was getting out of town. It didn't take very long for to get everything she needed. Along with her clothes she had stashed $5,000 of her emergency money, a special type that was accepted in all holiday lands. With that she laid her suitcase upon the floor. "There," she said. "Now I'd best change my clothes and get out of here..." It was at this point, however, that she stopped. She froze in her place, her eyes wide upon realizing a new and bitter reality.
"Darling, what's wrong?" he cried. "Are you alright?"
She shook her head as she sat on the bed. He sat next to her. "No, I'm not...Ira, this is the last time we'll ever see each other...after this we'll both be separated..."
He moaned sadly, wrapping an arm around her. "Oh, Shock...we'll meet again one day..."
A tear rolled down her eye. "No Ira, don't you understand? I want you now, I need you now. I can't wait until later. I love you so much!" She broke into sobs, collapsing into his strong arms.
"Shock," he said softly. "Oh my dearest Shock. You don't know how happy it makes me to hear those words. My entire life I've wanted to be with you, to call you my lover. I'd dream of us being together, having a family, living in peace...but now things have changed on us. We'll never get to raise a family together or grow old together or any of those other things. Still, I love you more then words alone can say." He kissed her. "I'll look after Alisa, I promise, and I'll never let any harm come to her."
A sad smile. "You'll be a great father to her," she said. "I know you will."
He said nothing after that, just touched her face softly. He then pulled her closer to him, drawing her into a kiss. This kiss was not soft and gentle as all his others were, but frantic and needy. She returned his kiss, her body trembling. He pulled away slightly.
"Shock, what's wrong?" he asked. "Are you okay?"
She just nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. I just...I love you, Ira..." Their lips met once more and they fell back onto the bed, their hearts racing.
Everything else was forgotten as they made love; Jack, the escape from jail; everything. All that really mattered now was each other.

They lay together in bed the next morning, holding each other close. Ira let out a happy sigh as he embraced his love.
"At last," he said, "I've finally made her mine, for good. Of course, that's when she decides to go ahead and skip town."
She frowned. "Ira, you know it's unavoidable..."
"I know, I just don't want you to go yet."
"But I have to if I don't want to spend my life in jail accused of a crime I didn't commit."
"I know," he replied sadly. "It's just not fair."
"That's the way life is," she said with a shrug. "By the way, you didn't happen to hear anything about Jack yesterday, did you? I forgot to ask last night."
"Apparantly he woke up," he replied. "However, he's going to be stuck in the hospital for a while yet."
"Then who's going to take care of Halloween while I'm gone?"
"Lock, apparantly, seing as how he's next in line for the throne now. They've kind of ruled against your being the heir."
She shook her head sadly. "Great, just bloody great. They're making me an outlaw."
"Want me to be an outlaw with you?"
"No," she said quickly. "Alisa needs you here. I can't leave her alone."
A nod. "I understand."
They didn't get a chance to add any more to the conversation. From downstairs a loud pounding sound came from the door, followed by Lock's indistinguishable voice.
"OPEN UP, MCVAMPSON!" he shouted. "SHOCK'S IN THERE, I KNOW IT, NOW OPEN UP!!!"
"Aw, damn it," Ira muttered as he climbed out of bed, grabbing his pants and pulling them on frantically. "Shock, run! Get out of here, jump out the window, anything! Just get out!"
"But---"
"JUST DO IT!" he screamed back.
He eyes brimed with tears. "I'm not ready to leave you yet!"
He swore underneath his breath, before pulling her in for a kiss. He released her, shoving her suitcase and clothes in her hand. "Now dress and get out of here! Quickly! Through the back door!"
A nod. "Alright. Good-bye, Ira."
"So long, Shock."
Downstairs the pounding grew more impatient. "MCVAMPSON, DON'T MAKE ME BREAK DOWN THIS DOOR!"
"Hold your bloody horses already!" he called. "I'm coming!" He ran down the steps and towards the front door, swinging it open. Lock stood there, his face contorted with furious anger. Angrily he pushed his way inside, searching the area.
"I know she's in here!" he cried. "You helped her escape and brought her here!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" he demanded. "She's not here!"
"Bullshit," he snarled. "I'll find her." With a growl he looking around therough each room, calling out to her. "Where are you, big sister?" he cried tauntingly. "I'm going to get you!" He found nothing downstairs and proceeded to head to the bedrooms, taking the steps three at a time. He looked in each of the guest rooms first; nothing. "She is here, he growled as he headed towards the master bedroom. "I'll find her and then the both of you will hang for your crimes. Just watch!!!"
Ira didn't reply at that, just held his breath as Lock walked into the main bedroom. He followed cloe behind, glad to see that she had gone. However, the new heir to the throne grew even angrier then he already was. "I knew it!" he cried as he picked up Shock's prision uniform. "She was here! You helped her escape and then brought her here!"
"How dare you accuse me of such a crime!"
"The evidence speaks for itself, McVampson," he replied. "I happen to see alot of your own clothes around as well. What a coincidence, huh?"
Ira's temper flared. "You can't just barge into this house and make accusations like this..."
"BECAUSE THEY'RE TRUE, AREN'T THEY?" he hollered. "You helped my sister escape, brought her back here and had sex with her! You've warped her! She wasn't like this before you came along, she was sweet and innocent and kind! Now you've got her trying to murder her own father, my father. Well it's not going to work!" He threw aside the uniform. "I'm getting the cops. You'll pay for what you've done this time!"
"Lock, listen to me..."
"NO! I'm through with listening! I finally make amends with Jack and then you convince Shock to try and kill him. Well I'll show you! I'll have you both hung for this!" And with that he stormed from the room and headed downstairs. "Just watch me, Ira!" he called. "You can't cover the truth for long!" The front door slammed as he left, shaking a picture off the wall.
Ira just swore. He should have had more sense, hid the clothes...there was one thing he could do about them however; burn them.
And that's exactly what he did. Lighting the fireplace in the living room downstairs he tossed in the prision uniform, watching as they smoldered to ashes. He smiled to himself. They'd never prove anything now. Just moments earlier he had cleaned up the master bedroom; made the bed, brought his clothes to his own room, and made sure that there was no evidence to be found. Then he changed into a black suit, one his his favourite outfits.
That's when he realized how late he was with getting Alisa. Suddenly concerned he ran for the phone, picking it upo and dialing the number. Jennifer answered on the 3rd ring.
"Hello?"
"Jennifer? It's Ira McVampson, I'm so sorry about Alisa!"
"Don't worry about it," she replied casually. "She's having a blast painting. You know, she's a pretty good little artist."
A sigh of relief. "Good. I would have come back earlier but I was...busy."
"Ah. I see," she replied simply.
"What's more, I don't know when I'll get a chance to come over for a while yet. I figure the cops'll be over here any minute now demanding where Shock is. She escaped from the prision."
"Really? How?"
"I don't know," he answered. "No clue at all. Now they're blaming me for it, probably going to try to pin Jack's poisoning on me as well."
"Harsh."
"I know." A sudden pounding at the door. "Crap, that's them. Listen, Jennifer, make sure Alisa knows I haven't forgotten about her. I'll be there as soon as I can shake these guys off. If I'm too long I might have to call Sally, although I'm not too sure on how happy she'll be to hear from me."
"Sure, no prob. Bye."
He hung up the phone quickly, heading to the front foor. There as he had predicted were three policemen accompanied by Lock. He grinned smugly as one of the officers began to speak.
"Mr. Vampson," he began, "we have a warrant to search this home. It is our belief that your are witholding information about Shock Skellington's whereabouts."
A shrug. "Help yourselves, but it'll do you no good. I've done nothing, I know nothing. All I know is that she escaped, and that I only know because Lock over there woke me up to tell me. Quite rudely, as well, might I add."
The officers didn't reply, just walked on into the house. They each took a separate level; upstairs, the main floor, and the basement.
Lock continued to grin at Ira. "Going to get caught red-handed, eh?" he jeered.
A shrug. "Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe I didn't do it at all."
"The hell you didn't, McVampson, I saw Shock's clothes there on the floor."
"Stop calling me McVampson already, Skellington! You're driving me insane!"
"Don't switch the topic, you can't avoid it. You will be caught, and then you'll be sorry."
He laughed. "We'll see now, won't we? We'll see."
Ira shook his head sadly. "You're so confident, aren't you? But you're soon going to realize that you're wrong, horibly wrong."
He recieved a glare. "You know, I don't se what my sister saw in you. She did a lot better with Mark. You, however, are nothing but useless trash, cluttering up Halloween Town."
"I love Shock!" he fired back. "With all my heart and soul. And you know what else? She loves me. I've waited all my life for her and now that I've finally found her and we're back together, I will not let anything stand between our love. Not you, not Jack's poisoning, NOTHING!!! So just accept it because no matter what, I will always love her."
A strange smile passed accross Lock's lips. "Yes, but how do you know that she loves you? Hmm?"
Ira growled. "If I were you, I'd keep my trap shut right about now before I punch you."
A shrugged as he pulled out a cigar. "Whatever. But I'll show you. Once and for all."

The police concluded their investigation 20 minutes later, not finding anything (thanks to Ira's quick thinking in concealing the evidence, plus the fact that the officers weren't too bright).
"What do you mean you can't find anything?" cried Lock. "The evidence should be up there! Shock was here last night, I know it!"
"Mr. Skellington, I am afraid that we have no evidence to back up your claims. I see no proof that Mr. McVampson assisted your sister's escape in any way."
"This is insane!!!"
"Maybe so, sir. However, I am dismissing all your claims as false. I believe that you're simply trying to accuse Mr. McVampson because he's the easiest one to blame."
"FALSE?" he roared. "You're calling them FALSE? How can you?"
"The details you have given me--about the prison uniform and the unmade bed--are untrue. The bed is nicely made and no uniform is in sight."
"So you're saying I'm lying?"
He shook his head. "No sir, we're just saying that there is no proof against Mr. McVampson as of yet. Nothing worth charging him for, at least."
An angry sigh. "I don't believe this...this has got to be some sort of joke."
One of the other two officers tilted his hat at the men. "Have a good day." With that they were gone, leaving Lock and Ira in silence.
"You lying little son of a bitch!" cried Lock suddenly. "What did you do to the uniform? Threw it away? Hid it?"
A shrug. "Listen, I don't know what you're referring to. Now, I suggest you get out of this house."
"I saw it, McVampson, as plain as day. You were there!"
"I think you're delusional. Maybe you'd better go lie down for a while."
Lock let out an angry cry, throwing his hands into the air as he walked out the door. "I don't believe this!" he cried as he stormed way. "I saw it, I know I did..."
Ira just chuckled as he watched him walk off. He had managed to escape--for now.

He went back immediately after the confrontation to get Alisa. As soon as Alisa had opened the door, he thrust a 100 dollar bill into her face.
"Oh my, this is far too much...." she protested.
"No it isn't," he replied. "I'd just like to apologize once again for last night. I came back horribly late..."
"Don't worry about it."
"I'm not quite sure what days we'll need you now that Shock's gone, but for now I'll tend to Alisa. But when she does return, we'll probably require you on an off-an-on basis."
"Sure, thanks. Here, let me get Alisa for you." She disappeared, an in a moment the little girl was
standing before him. A huge smile was upon her face as she hugged the teddy bear she had brought with her the night before.
"Ready to go?" he asked her. She nodded. He then look back to Jennifer. "Once again, I appreciate it."
A smile. "Anytime, Mr. McVampson."
With that he headed off with Alisa, holding her hand. The child toddled along, hugging her toy.
"So did you have fun?" he asked.
A nod. "Yep. Me and Jenn played dollies and tag and den she painted wiff me."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah, and I slept in her room."
A chuckle. "That's lovely, darling."
"But me didn't get my bath wast night. Me needs a bath."
"Oh...I see...." He wasn't sure how to react at that; he had never washed kids before, especially not little girls.
"Me likes bubble baths," she continued. "Mummy lets me have wots of bubbles."
"Do you have toys in the tub too?"
"Yep."
"Great. I guess that's what we'll do when we get back home then."
The child was silent for a moment. "Iwa?" she asked at last.
"Yes, sweetie."
"When's mommy coming back home?"
He sighed. "I don't know dear. She's gone far, far away, she might not come home for along time."
"Will you stay with me?"
A nod. "Of course I will. I'll be right here if you need me."
"But why did she go?"
He squeezed her hand. "Listen, don't worry about it," he told her. "She'll be fine, I promise. And when she does come back someday, we'll all be one big happy family."
"Really?" she cried.
"Really."
Alisa was silent for a moment as she hugged her teddy. "Iwa, I miss her," she said at last. "I wants her to come home."
He picked her up, carrying her as they walked. "Me too, darling," he told her. "Me too."

A week later they finally recieved a letter from Shock. They had both gone to check the mail together after having gone grocery shopping, and were happily playing a game of "I spy". When Alisa realized who the letter was from she cried out with joy, but Ira told her that they should open it up at home. That way, he figured, nobody could eavesdrop on them and learn about where Shock was.
When they reached home at last they both curled up on the chesterfield, opening up the envelope. Ira read it silently to himself first;

My Dearest Ira,

What an horrid trip I had. I only barely made it here, being chased by hunting dogs the entire time. I guess they really want me caught. I came to Easter Town, and it's the queerest place I ever did see. Filled with fuzzy pinks bunnies and cute little duckling; it's enough to drive a person mad! I showed up in a medium-length black dress and striped stockings. My hair was a state; full of branches and twigs from my race through the forest. How horrid. Needless to say, I didn't quite fit in. Had to buy an entirely new wardrobe upon my arrival. Pink and yellow just aren't my colours, I learned that soon upon arriving.
Anyhow, life fares well. I haven't been tracked down yet, so I feel relatively safe. I'm slowly adjusting to my life. I own a small apartment, a cheap place that provides me only with a dry shelter and a place to sleep. Everyday I am supposed to help out with the holiday, but I find it quite difficult sometimes. I mean, I'm from Halloween! Am I supposed to magically understand how things work? Take this for example; the other day I was assigned to paint some of the eggs. Simple enough, eh? I was doing a lovely job, black and white stripes, when the big head haunch the Easter Bunny comes around and tells me I'm doing it all wrong. But how, I ask. All I'm doing is painting. Turns out I was using the 'wrong colours'. Black is not permitted, apparantly. It's supposed to be an evil colour. Whatever. Too bad they don't know it's the same colour I've always worn. They'd die if they could visit Halloween Town!
I can't hide how much I hate this place, Ira. I'd much rather be back there with you, holding you close and kissing you so softly...oh, this BITES!
I ought to go now...please give Alisa a big kiss for me and tell her that mommy misses her! Until next time!

Love always,
Shock

Ira sighed sadly as he folded up the letter. "What did she say?" asked Alisa.
"Oh, not much," he replied. "She wants you to know that she misses you."
"Is she safe?"
"Yes, very safe."
The girl nodded as she hopped off the couch, content knowing this. " 'Kay, me gonna go pway in my room now."
"Alright, dear. Have fun." She toddled off to play with her dollies, while he sat there in silence with the paper. After a few moments he hurried upstairs to the office, siting at the desk and pulling out a sheet of paper. He began to write a letter back to Shock;

My Dearest Shock,

How it relieves me to hear from you, to know that you're safe there in Easter Town! Though you might not like it there, it's the best place you could possibly be right now. Lock, I'm afraid, is quite intent on catching you, and has accused me numerous times of helping you escape. Remember the morning you left, when he came banging on the door? Well, he found your prison uniform, as well as my own clothes sprawled across the floor. Kind of a giveaway, huh? He went and got the cops; he wasn't too bright though, leaving me with the evidence. The second he left I burned the uniform and made the bed, putting my own clothes back in my room and changing. So when the cops came, they could find nothing. I know that Lock still suspects me though. Luckily the police don't though.
As for Jack, he's improving. Slowly but surely he's improving. Sally gave me a call this morning--she doesn't feel that Alisa should be left out on anything. Apparantly he's not getting better as quickly as they'd like him too, but he's showing some signs of healing. He's able to talk again, and he's even able to walk a bit (with help, of course). At the current rate he's going at, the doctors figure he'll be out within 1 or 2 weeks.
Alisa misses you greatly, she's forever asking where you are and when you'll be coming back. I hate to do it, but I am forced to lie, saying that I'm not sure where you are. Anybody could be listening, and she could tell anyone your location. What if Lock overheard? It'd be the end of us both. Still, it breaks my heart to keep the truth from her like this. We've grown quite close the two of us, I love her dearly. It's as if she's becoming my own daughter by now. Now and then she even calls me Daddy. I find myself beaming with joy when she does.
Not a moment goes by when I don't think of you, my love. How I wish we could be together again...to lay side-by-side in bed once more, to feel your heavenly presence beside me. Oh, God how I love you! I never thought it possible to have such feelings for someone! But it is. It's enough to drive a man insane! I swear if this nightmare ever ends, there'll be nothing left of me to come back home to. I love you.

Forever yours,
Ira

He sent the letter that very same day, drawing a little heart in the corner of the envelope. Alisa wanted to drop it in the box, so he lifted her up and let her do as she wished. As he watched her he couldn't help but worry about Shock. He wanted her again, he needed her again. They both did. But it was not meant to be. All he could do now was sit and pray that his darling love would be alright.

Shock sat in a pink armchair by the window, a cup of hot coffee in her hands. The food here was somewhat strange, but when you were starved it didn't taste as bad as it looked. Chicken and mashed potatoes and chocolate...sickening, every bit of it. It was okay when there was nothing else around though. She especially hated the clothes...ugh! When she went out she had no choice but to wear the pink and yellow styles that everyone else wore. When she was in her own home, however, she put on the clothes she had brought from Halloween; currently she was wearing a knee-length skirt and the same striped stockings she had worn upon her arrival. Her shirt was one that Barrel had given her as a birthday gift one year--it was also her favourite. Low neck with long sleeves that flared at the ends. The people here would freak if they saw it.
She sat here now simply thinking--about Ira, Lock, Alisa....everything. It was at that exact moment that the doorbell rang. She lept up, setting the coffee on a nearby table and rushing to answer it. "Hold on!" she cried, wondering who it could be.
Upon opening the door, she was surprised to find a short little woman carrying a tray of cookies. She was quite plump and around her middle-ages, a friendly smile upon her lips. "Hello there," she said. "I noticed that you had moved in the other week, but I didn't get to come over until just now."
"Oh, how lovely," she replied. "Please, come in."
The lady stepped inside, setting the cookies upon the table beside the coffee. "I wish I had goten around to you sooner but I've been pressed for time this week. Oh, let me introduce myself. Sandra Bunnyson."
"Shock Skellington." They shook hands.
"That's an interesting name," Sandra said as she sat on the couch. "Skellington...."
"Well, I'm new around these parts. I come from Halloween, you see. That's why I'm dressed in black."
"And white," proclaimed the guest.
A laugh. "Yes, and white. Black is my favourite color though. I like to wear my normal clothes around my apartment. Makes me feel a little less homesick..."
"You'd rather be home?" she asked witha sympathetic smile.
"Kind of. I miss my boyfriend...my daughter...my parents. You know."
"You can always go back."
She chuckled. "No way, impossible. I should hate to think of what my brother would do to me if I did."
"What would he do?"
"Have me burnt at the stake, most likely."
A shocked gasp. "Whatever for?"
"Well, they're all accusing me of commiting a ghastly crime, posioning my own father. Can you believe that? I love Jack with all my heart and soul. Anyways, I had to break out of jail, and then decided to hide. I decided that this place would be as good as any."
Sandra tsk-tsked. "How awful. Well, you'll grow to like it here. It's a bit of a change at first coming from Halloween, but you'll adapt. And I hope that all this mess you're in clears up..."
A smile. "Thanks. I'm happy to have a visitor over at last. It gets dull being alone all the time."
She headed into the kitchen. "Would you like something to drink? I have some coffee on if you'd like."
"I'd love some."
Shock got the drink and came back with it, handing it to her visitor. "So where do you live?" she asked.
"Just across the hall," she replied. "And please remember, you can visit me any time you like. I simply love entertaining people."
"Oh, really? I'm not much good at it. Usually just put down a tray of food and talk."
She laughed. "And that's all there is to it. Dress up the plate a bit and they'll never be able to tell that it was just something you slapped together at the last moment."
Shock's turn to chuckle. "That's it. I'm not much to cook though. I mean I do because I have to, but not because I like it or anything."
"Oh, I love cooking. Whether or not I'm any good at it or not I don't know."
"My boyfriend Ira cooks a lot. He's a fabulous chef." A sigh. "I wish he could be here right now. I'd ask him to come visit but I don't want anyone learning where I live. All of Halloween Town is probably looking for me."
"My, this Jack fellow must be important then."
"He is. He's the King."
A surprised glance. "Really? Then you must be the princess."
She shrugged. "I don't think of myself that way often. Others do, but I don't. I was also supposed to be the heir to the throne, but that's off now...."
"Oh, how awful. People these days..."
"What are you going to do though? Not much I can change from here, especially when my life is at risk if I expose myself."
"Hmmm. Tough situation." She took a sip of the coffee. "Is there not anything you can do about it though?"
"Nope, nothing. Just sit here and try not to get caught."
She nodded. "I see. Well, I promise to reveal to no-one your location."
"Thank-you."
They talked for close to an hour, Shock telling stories about life in Halloween and Sandra telling a bit about herself. She was divorced, apparantly, with 2 grown-up children.
Alas, the time came when Sandra had to leave. "I've got a cake to prepare," she said. "I've got a meeting with my cooking club tommorow. This recipe is going to blow them away!"
"I had a wondferful time," Shock replied. "We should do this again soon."
A smile. "We should, shouldn't we? Good-night now."

The next day in Halloween Town, Ira recieved a phone call from Sally. "Can you come to the hospital?" she asked.
"Um, yeah....why?"
"Jack wants to talk to you. I don't know what about, but he says it's important."
"Oh, sure. If I brought Alisa, could you keep an eye on her?"
"Of course, I've been wanting to see my darling little grandchild. Bring her along."
"Thanks, see you in a bit."
"Bye."
Upon hanging up the phone he turned to Alisa, who had been eating a bowl of tarnantula legs.
"Wanna go see nanny?" he asked.
"Yea!" she cried, leaping up. "Can we go right now?"
Ira laughed. "Of course we can. Go get on your shoes and we'll be off."

Ira found Sally standing outside Jack's room. She appeared quite lost in thought, but nodded respectfully upon seeing him.
"My husband's waiting for you," she said.
"Thanks. Alisa, why don't you and nanny go play a game now?"
" 'Kay," she said cheerfully. Sally took her hand and led her towards the playroom.
"We'll be just down here if you need us," she called over her shoulder.
"Thanks." He turned towards the door, taking a deep breath. Here goes nothing, he thought.
He found the almighty Pumpkin King laid out in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. "You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked nervously.
Jack turned his head abruptly, startled. "Oh, yes, my lad. Come in, take a seat." He did so.
"What did you want to speak about to me about?"
"My daughter," he replied. "I know she didn't do it."
"How?"
"I don't know. I simply have a feeling. I love that girl very much, and I know how much she loves me. She'd never attempt to harm me in any way, especially not to get my throne."
"I don't think she did it either. She couldn't have."
"What puzzles me," said the old man, "is how she escaped her prison cell. You wouldn't happen to know, would you?"
Beads of sweat began to form on Ira's forehead. "Well, sir....um...you see...."
A nod. "I thought so. Listen, I'm not interested in having her hunted out or anything like that. Quite the contrary. I know that right now she's safe wherever she is. I just want to know where that place is. Can you tell me?"
"You swear you'll leave her alone?"
"I promise with all my soul."
He took a deep breath. "Alright. She's in Easter Town. She's safe there, has an apartment and everything. Are you happy now?"
"Almost. How did she get out?"
"I helped her. Whipped up a highly corrosive formula and used it on the bars of her cell. Worked like a charm."
"Well, I'd rather have her in Easter Town then on Death Row. Thank-you Ira."
"No problem," he shrugged.
"I thought you'd know something. I know you love her a great lot, and Lock told me about what he found...."
"You believed him?"
"Of course I did, that boy would never lie to me. Especially since we've grown so close lately. He told me about the prison uniform, the clothes, the unmade bed..."
Ira's face went scarlett. "Well...."
Jack laughed. "Don't worry about it, I'm not mad. My daughter is a big girl now, she can make her own decisions as to whom she takes into her bedroom."
"It wasn't part of the plan though, it just kind of....happened."
"I understand, and it's perfectly alright. You two love each other very dearly, I realize that."
"Thank-you, very much."
A smile. "For you? Anything. How did you fool the cops though?"
"Easy. Burnt the uniform, made the bed and put my clothes back into my own bedroom. When they came, nothing appeared out of place."
"Ah, clever." He cleared out his throat before continuing. "Um, Ira? Could I get you to do something for me? Something important?"
He became curious at this. "What is it?"
Jack pulled out a letter. "Send her this. As well, tell her that I'm dropping any charges laid against her. Neither of you are going to get into any trouble for breaking out, and she will not be at any risk of being accused of trying to kill me. Lock won't be at all pleased with it, but I don't really care what he thinks. I know she didn't do it, and that's all that matters."
"Really? Oh, this is wonderful, thank-you so much Mr. Skellington! I'll get to be with her again! I love you so much for this!" He stood up, giving the old man a hug. "I'll go do it right now."
A smile. "That's good. Send it Courier."
"Right." He clutched the letter tightly in his hand. "See ya, Jack."
"So long, Ira. You've made me feel a lot better."

Lock heard the news later on that day. He took it badly, storming from the hospital in rage. How could Jack so naturally assume that it wasn't Shock? It had to be her, who else could it have been?
He burst into his house angrily, slamming the door so hard the paintings shook on the walls. "My goodness, dear!" cried Elizabeth, looking up from the television program she had been watching. "What's the matter?"
"He collapsed into his favourite armchair. "Jack. He's dropping all charges against Shock. And what's more, that boyfriend of hers knew all along where she was! Jack won't say exactly where, but Ira knew! He lied to us, to the police! And Jack still isn't pressing charges! He thinks she didn't do it! Doesn't give so much as a damn that the moment Ira broke her free they went back to her place and had sex. Had sex! As if taunting the authorities, saying to them 'ha ha, we're so much smarter then you!'. Geez, I can't believe this..."
Elizabeth filcked off the TV, standing up and sitting on the arm of his chair. "My poor Lock...how I wish there were something I could do for you...."
"Darling, your simply being here is enough for me."
A smile as her face went red. A knock on the door.
"It's open," called Lock.
In stepped Barrel. "You heard?" he asked.
A nod. "Unfortunately. I can't believe it."
"Neither can I." At that point Elizabeth stood up, heading upstairs to let the two brothers talk. Barrel took a seat on the sofa. "I really don't know what to make of it. And the fact the Ira lied makes it even worse. He should at least have to pay a fine of some sort for witholding evidence if Jack refuses to press charges."
Lock nodded. "I know." A pause. "So do you think she did it? Do you believe that Shock tried to kill our father?"
He sighed. "I don't know really, I just don't know. I mean, all of the clues seem to point to her. The fact that she was the only one who could have replaced the pill, she was alone...even her motive fits! But I don't see her trying to kill someone she holds so dear to her. You know what I'm saying?" "Yes, but what if that was all an act? Maybe she had this planned all along, ever since we first moved in with Jack and Sally!"
Barrel gave him a look. "I don't know. Why not just get rid of him then and there if that were the case?"
"How the hell should I know? I'm not a friggin' scholar here! I only want to find the person behind all this."
"Yeah, and so do I. I'm just looking at it the logical way. Shock loves that guy way too much. I know the close bond they share, extremely close. She tells him everything, they're like the perfect father/daughter combination. She would never try to harm him, I'm telling you. It just doesn't make any sense for her to try and do so."
"You think I don't love Jack too?" he exclaimed. "Listen, that evening I tried to make up to that man for all the crap I had given him over the years. All the trouble and the hatred...I finally decided to change my ways. But as soon as I saw him there near death...I don't know...something inside of me just snapped. Made me so angry that I'd do anything to find the person behind the crime. I'll do whatever it takes to get this criminal....even if it's my own sister. It doesn't matter who it was. And if it indeed was her, I'll do whatever it takes to ensure that she's properly dealt with."
"Even if it means the death penalty?" asked Barrel.
"Yes. I will show so sympathy for anyone--relative or not."
"But Lock, she's not just any relative!" he cried. "She's our sister! The same girl we grew up with, who loved us and played with us. Remember all those years with Oogie Boogie, before we were ever adopted by Jack? She's the same one who performed all the evil d