AN: First of all, just want to shout out to CosmicHorse and Werejaguar of Halloween Town for offering your voices. Without you, I doubt I could make my NBC stories as funny.

Second, I know you all are waiting for the wedding I promised, so I thought I'd appease you while it's being typed. I seem to recall Al being promised to be told of Will's adventures as a cat. Prepare for humor, embarrassing dares, and a little mischief from Will and Zero. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: As always, I don't own Nightmare Before Christmas. That belongs to Tim Burton.

Oh, and Happy Halloween!


Cat-tastrophe

Chapter 1: Truth or Dare?

To quote my best friend, "Whoever invented mornings needs to die!"

Honestly, I enjoy my job most days but today was one of the worst. To begin, I spent the first half working at the register, and trying to deal with ridiculous customers. Either some idiot trying to steal something, or someone arguing over a price. I was almost relieved when I spent the last hour putting returned items back in their correct departments. I'm just relieved I only had to work the morning shift. Closing hour is like the witching hour in an Emergency Room: crazy and unpredictable. As if the day hadn't been bad enough, it had started to rain just as I got off my shift. It was barely a drizzle but I wouldn't be surprised if the weather turned sour by that evening. So much for the weather man calling for a warm evening.

Oh well! I wasn't working that evening. And now that I was home, I could put all my focus on the night ahead. I was lucky I had Crepe and Mogwai at the groomers tonight. I love the little fur balls, but I needed a break from their tag team complaints. Smiling to myself, I checked over the last minute details for tonight: popcorn, candy, soda and juice—Al hates anything carbonated—and a stack of movies. Everything needed for…

"MOVIE MARATHON!"

I looked up as Al walked through the front door. In a loud but tired voice, she called, "Honey, I'm home!" I smiled as I watched her plop down on the couch. "Where's my tea?"

Already having the required Earl Grey in hand, I walked into the living room and handed her the mug. "Here you go. Just above room temperature, the way you like."

"Did I tell you that I love you?" Al replied, snatching her tea and taking a long gulp. "Ah, mecha…"

"Hey Al, ready for our mega-movie marathon?" I asked as I returned to the kitchen and picked up the snack tray.

"Most definitely but–" She quickly looked me up and down "–those do not look like jammies…"

I looked at my outfit. Since it was a movie marathon, I decide to change into my pajamas. I was now wearing blue pinstripe sleep-shorts and a white tank top. Shrugging my shoulders, I replied, "PJ's make movies more fun. Besides, it's supposed to get warm later tonight, so cotton pants and a shirt didn't sound all that inviting."

"Okay, I'll join you!" Al replied. She then got up and dashed to her room. Twenty minutes later, she came out in a pair of black short shorts trimmed in a red lace and wearing one of Zack's baseball jerseys. To top it off, Al had brought out her large pink, and super fluffed comforter. Taking her place back on the couch, she proceeded to cocoon herself. She was just beginning to get comfortable when her eyes suddenly popped opened.

"Wait!" She bolted up right and began scanning the room. "Where's Kat?"

"Last minute family dinner," I explained. I walked into the living room and set the tray down. "Her relatives showed up out of the blue and she had to go straight to her mom's house after her shift."

Al grumped, muttering, "Stupid families with their stupid dinners…"

"Chill Ally. Let's just enjoy the movie."

"What are we watching first?" Al then sent me a glare. "If you make me watch a horror movie, so help me by all that is holy I will–"

"Okay, okay!" I tried to calm her down. "You pick then."

Once she calmed down, the two of us sat down to watch Adams Family Values. After that, we got the munchies so I called in a pizza. About a half hour later, Al was getting her if-I-no-get-food-now-I-eat-human glare when the doorbell finally rang. Al was about to attack so I got up to answer it.

"No sense in traumatizing the poor delivery guy," I joked. "Though if he'd been a few minutes late, we'd get it free." However, when I opened the door…

"Someone order a pizza?"

"Zack?"

"Zack?!" Al sprang. I quickly grabbed the pizza as Al jumped on her boyfriend, knocking them both to the ground.

I watched as they tumbled down the stairs and landed in the yard. Al had Zack pinned on his back, to which she sought to kiss him senseless without a care in the world if anyone was watching. They were fine but the real delivery guy was getting quite the show. Rolling my eyes, I set the pizzas on the kitchen counter before grabbing my wallet and heading outside. I paid for the food before turning back to the make out session happening on our front lawn.

"Hey Flirterers!" I shouted. They ignored me. "We got food, so take it back inside." Still no reply. Man, how far down his throat is her tongue? "Al, let him breathe!"

"Make me!" she shouted, coming up for air long enough to yell at me. I gave her a stare before she rolled her eyes, offering Zack one more kiss to his cheek before helping him up. However, I caught the mischievous grin in Zack's eye just before he suddenly grabbed Al and started carrying her bridal-style back into the apartment.

I walked in behind them and locked the door. Putting my wallet away, I returned to the living room to find both Al and Zack huddled together under the pink comforter. How did they… Never mind, I thought, I don't wanna know.

"So Zack…" I asked, taking a seat in the chair opposite the couch. "There a reason you're here, or did you just wanna see Al in her PJ's?"

"Both," Zack replied. "Besides, I figured that you two had barricaded yourself inside long enough and needed to get out. I was going to offer to take you ladies out, but…those shorts Al…"

"I only wear them for you,"Al said, kissing his cheek.

Why do couples have to get so mushy? "Well, normally I wouldn't mind, but it's Girls Night. However…" I paused as Al shot me a half pleading, half I'll-kick-your-ass look. "If you promise to keep everything PG, I'll let you stay."

"It'll be PG-13 and you'll like it!" Al retorted, wrapping her arms around Zack's neck.

"Fine. At least, for my sake, try to keep it quiet," I asked. "I love you guys, but I hate becoming a third wheel on a Girls Night-turned-date."

"Hey, how about I call the new guy from work so Will isn't alone?" Zack suggested.

"What the he-" Before I could even protest, he whipped his cellphone out and dialed the number. "Zack, don't you-"

"Shh!" Al shushed as Zack got an answer.

"Hey man. Say, what are you doing tonight?" There was a pause before his face turned to a frown. "Lame! I got something twenty times better… No, really. Check it. Movies. Pizza. Hot girl slumber party."

I was about ready to throw my chair at him.

Zack then got a puzzled look on his face. "No dude, my girl's friend," he answered. "Hot? Yeah, I'd give her a–" He looked over at me "– I'd say eight, maybe eight and a half in the shorty PJ's… I'd give her a nine but my lady is right next to me." Al punched his arm and kicked him out of the blanket. "Ow! Forget that, are you interested or not?" Zack waited a few more minutes before he got a cheeky grin on his face. "Great! See you in twenty," he said before hanging up the phone. "My buddy will be here in twenty minutes. He was just visiting his uncles."

"Is he hot?" Al asked innocently.

Meanwhile, I had pinched the bridge of my nose, trying my hardest not to hurl unladylike curses at the two of them. "Why, just-just why?" I finally demanded. "Did it ever occur I may have a say in this?!"

"Not as hot as me," Zack said, ignoring me.

"And no Will, no you don't," Al replied after smiling at Zack.

"HEY!" I slammed my palms on the table, drawing both Zack and Al to focus on me. "Next time, why don't you ask me before you go inviting some random pervert to our house, promising him a date with me!"

"He's not a pervert," Zack defended. "We did a background check on him before he got the job."

"Like that's supposed to make me feel better…" I muttered, like it did me any good.

"If he is a pervert, you have my word that I'll hack him up and kick Zack out," Al said, smiling and winking. Then, she turned back to Zack. "Now… What was that eight comment?"

While I let Zack deal with his slip-of-the-tongue, I snuck away to my room to change out of my pajamas. If I was stuck on this last minute blind date, I wasn't about to start it in sleeper shorts and a tank. I traded for a comfortable pair of gray khaki sweatpants and a black cotton T-shirt. When I returned to the living room, Al and Zack were cat boxing. That's when the doorbell rang. I had a feeling it was my blind date. Dang, he got here fast. As knocking followed, I ignored it and took my place back in my chair, turning the movie back on and raising the volume.

Too bad Al heard anyway. "I'll get it!" She gave Zack one more playful punch to his shoulder before skipping over to the door. I could just see the impish smile as she opened the door.

"Oh hello…" Al began to say.

"Well, this is a surprise. I didn't think you were the young lady Zack has been courting."

Al's face dropped and she stepped back in shock. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

My eyes already widened at the sound of the familiar voice, every fiber of my being hoping it was just an illusion. But then, at Al's outburst, I knew I wasn't imagining it. I turned just as Al slammed the door. She had wide eyes which quickly zeroed in on Zack. "The hell is he doing here?"

"Geez Al. What's wrong with you?" Zack asked as he got up to reopen the door. "Sorry about that. My girl is kind of a spaz."

"Think nothing of it. I was just as surprised as you." The being who stepped into the apartment was only a few inches shorter than Zack. He wore black jeans and knee-high leather boots, nearly unseen by the long black trench-coat. His dark brown, nearly black hair was pulled into a low ponytail that draped over his shoulder onto a blood-red T-shirt. Two silver eyes locked with mine as a slow smirk crossed his thin lips.

"Hello Willa, it's a pleasure to see you again," Puck greeted.

By this time I was standing up, glaring as my anger increased. This couldn't be happening. Of all the people Zack could have invited, he had to pick the one I couldn't stand. Oh, this wasn't happening!

"Hell no! OUT!" I yelled, pointing to the door.

"Um…do you two know each other?" Zack asked, completely confused. "And what am I missing as to why I get the feeling that Will wants you unalived?"

"It's all right, my friend," Puck assured him, his eyes never leaving mine. "Willa and I have met before under different circumstances. Though, I'm pleased she is the one you mentioned in your invitation."

"Okay…" Zack said before muttering, "Maybe he is a pervert…"

"And it was great to see you but now, you're leaving!" I said, not keeping the sarcasm from my voice. Where was a loaf of garlic bread when you needed it?

Puck chuckled. "Now Willa, would you have me be so inconsiderate to a friend?" he said, daring to step closer. "I did, after all, break an engagement with my four uncles to come tonight after Zack so graciously invited me to spend the evening with him to entertain a couple of beautiful young ladies. Must you make me appear so rude, my sweet little blood orange?"

"I told you not to call me that! I'm not your property. Valentine already owes me for Eros shooting you with that damn arrow. I'd hoped the New Year's party would have told you I'm NOT interested!"

"That's not how I remember it," Puck retorted, something devilish showing in his smile. "I seem to recall…"

"DON'T! You will NEVER bring that up!"

"Wait one bunny hopping moment, what did you say about Eros and arrows?" Al asked. I smacked my forehead. Of course she'd loose her fear when my nonexistent love life was involved. "Do I detect some Holiday Leader interference here? Damn fairy wings is trying to take over my job!"

"Technically, they're angel wings," I interjected, "and it ain't your job either, Al. Who I date is my own business. So I'd appreciate you, Eros, and everyone else to stop making a spectacle of it."

Al slowly stalked over toward me, her finger bouncing slightly up and down. "This one want to know more about this New Year's party that you clearly had that I completely missed even though I was there."

"AL!"

"I'd be delighted to tell you," Puck answered, causing Al to swiveled toward him, an excited gleam in her eyes. "Unfortunately, my lady feels such a private matter is best kept between us." He winked, knowing emphasizing the word "private" would hit my nerve. I felt my nails turn to claws as they began pressing into my palms.

"What is going on?!" Zack demanded. We all turned to him, remembering his presence in the room. Guess it made sense after all. Even though Al brought him to Halloween Town, Puck was a whole other deal. And neither of them knew about what happened later that night… No! Not gonna think about it!

I turned back to my friends, and Puck, and sighed. Guess I better explain. "Zack, your friend here isn't what you think," I began. "He's a vampire."

"No shit, Sherlock. I figured that out when we met at the party," he practically shouted.

I blinked, unable to speak from the shock. Well… I wasn't expecting that.

"Wait, which party? Where was I?" Al asked, touching her lip in thought.

"Back at the New Year's party," Zack explained like it was common knowledge. "While you were with those two witches and their cats, Puck and I met up."

"Fascinating. Can he leave now?" I asked, turning to Puck and pointing to the door.

But he just ignored me and turned to Zack for a change of topic. "By the way, Zack. You never did mention how you know about all this."

"Oh, Al told me all bout it," Zack stated. He threw his arm around Al's shoulder. "She didn't want to at first, but I know how to make her sing when I want to."

"I thought we agreed Pillow Talk stays secret, Mister," Al noted, poking his ribs.

"I hardly call the two of us taking him to meet Jack Pillow Talk," I interjected. "Remember? I went to lay down and you were sitting in his lap gabbing his ear off about the whole thing. And when you came to the end, he felt your forehead and asked if we were given the wrong drinks at Happy Hour."

Al stared blankly ahead for a moment before blurting out, "Oh yeah!" Then she turned to Zack with a pout. "You should know I refuse to drink."

Zack held up his hands in defense. "Hey, what did you expect me to believe? You were spazzing out and talking like a crazy person."

"No kidding," I said. "Al had to tackle me out of bed the following morning so I would agree to take you to Halloween Town. Luckily, the Doctor was expecting me, or you might have been his newest lab rat, literally."

"I take it things did not go according to plan?" Puck asked.

"Exactly. Now, back to business: you were just leaving, right?"

"I'm still lost," Al interrupted, turning to Zack. "So you met at the New Years party, found out the jerk-who-I-still-don't-get-why-is-jerk is vampire, and you're all buddy-buddy now? How'd that happen?"

"Back at the party, he was trying to find someone and we got to talking," he answered. "Then I found out we live in the same building and he was looking for a job. So I told him about the opening at Google and said I'd put in a good word for him if he turned in an application. Not even the next day, I got a call from the bosses that he had applied and listed me as a reference."

"And I can't thank you enough," Puck added. "But Zack, I do wish you would have told me about Al sooner. Had I known your Al was my Willa's best friend, I would have come in advance."

"Dude, you should have said you were interested," Zack said, smirking slightly.

I clapped my hands to bring everyone's focus back. "Okay, now that we know, can we get back to the fact this jerk is still here!"

"I'm still confused as to why he is a jerk," Al said, rubbing the top of her head. "I feel like I'm missing something rather important…"

"Don't even start with me," I countered, not having anymore patience. "I already told him I'm not interested, and when I wanted to stay friends, he…he… Oh, just leave!"

Puck shook his head. "My apologies, Willa, but I'm afraid I'm staying," he replied. I almost thought he was sincere. "All teasing aside, the weather took a turn when I was flying over. Seems a storm is on its way."

"What?"

At that moment, a crash of thunder and a flash of lighting occurred outside the window. Al yelped and immediately shrunk into Zack's side. Zack, in turn, wrapped his arms protectively around her. With each thunder crack and flash of light, Al would make some small noise of panic. Then…everything went black. I used my nocturnal vision to check outside. Sure enough, the storm had caused a power outage all over the neighborhood. The rain was hammering down. No one was leaving tonight.

I sighed. "I'll get the candles." I left everyone in the living room as I began my search. One of the advantages to being turned half bat meant finding things in the dark was no longer a problem. Though my eyes were now more sensitive to light, which led to doing my late night readings by candlelight. Looking around, I found my box of candles and brought it out to the living room. I set up a few and lit them with a match.

"Well, we're stuck until the storm passes. Any ideas?" I asked.

"Well…" I saw and heard the mischief in Al's eyes as she spoke. "We could play Spin the Bottle…"

"Oh yeah! I'm all sorts of in!" Zack added, throwing his arm around Al's shoulders. He pulled her against his chest and began to nuzzle his nose just below her right ear, making her giggle.

"How about no," I argued. "This isn't a middle school party. Besides, I prefer to avoid awkward scenarios."

"You just don't wanna lock lips with Batman," Al teased.

I countered with, "I was thinking more of avoiding any girl-on-girl, or boy-on-boy action, milady."

"Uh, yeah, lets not do that," Zack agreed.

"I second the motion," Puck added. "No offense, but I much rather…"

"Don't even finish that sentence!" I warned.

"Yeah, I hear ya, man," Zack commented, tightening his arm around Al. "You're cool but these lips belong to only one little lady."

"You are damn right, my good sir. Besides, I don't like sharing." Al kissed his wrist, but then she pouted. "But I still wanna play!"

"Okay, I think I can compromise," I added. I quickly slipped into the kitchen and pulled a glass bottle from the recycling bin and returned to the living room. "Everyone sit in a circle."

"What do you have in mind, Willa?" Puck asked.

"We're gonna play Truth or Dare, with a twist." I waited till everyone sat in a circle before explaining the rules. "The rules of the game are simple: whoever spins gets to ask Truth or Dare. Whoever the bottle points to must answer truthfully or complete the dare. However!" I gave Al and Zack a hard glare. "There will be no asking too personal questions, like family drama or the like." I quickly turned to Al. "That means the New Year's party is off limits!"

"Curses…foiled again…" Al hissed.

"And!" I added before she could protest. "Absolutely no daring of any kind of inappropriate conduct!"

Zack huffed. "Way to take the fun out of it."

"Define inappropriate por favor," Al stated. "Cause your definition of inappropriate and my inappropriate are entirely different beasts."

I rolled my eyes. "No kissing, cuddling, or any other PG-13 related things you see in movies, books, or whatever you and Zack do."

"Not even a little smooching from established couples? Peaz?" Al asked, getting her puppy dog eyes on.

"No, and I'm not done," I continued. "While normally you must answer a question, or perform any humiliating dare, I will allow one penalty to motivate unwilling participants, myself included."

"Oh? What's that?" all three asked at once.

I was gonna hate myself for this. I sighed and answered, "If anyone is uncooperative and refusing to partake in any way, that person will have to…" I groaned. "They will have to do Seven Minutes of Heaven with whomever the spinner chooses. No exceptions."

"Oh, I am so unwilling…" Al said, giving Zack a sideways glance before winking at him.

Well, that had the desired effect. I may have gotten myself into having to kiss Puck, but at least I prevented getting dared into a similar scenario with him. Still, now I had other things to worry about. Oh well… I had set myself up for disaster, and now it was time to play.

"I'll go first." I spun the bottle and ,lucky me, it landed on Puck. There was catcalling from Al and Zack, but I ignored them.

Puck just snickered. "Well my little bat, what will you have me do?" he asked. "Surely there is some truth you may wish to ask of me? I doubt you could come up with a suitable dare."

Well, at least I was safe for now. Now all I had to think of was what to have him do. Then an idea hit me. "Okay, since you insist, I dare you to…have Zack carry you around like a baby while making annoying baby sounds to make Zack lose his focus, and occasionally sucking your thumb."

"Why me? I'm not good with kids!" Zack whined.

"Because if he doesn't, you're the one he gets seven minutes with."

Zack turned abnormally pale and his eyes widened a bit, clearly the idea having crossed his mind and leaving behind a sour residue. Meanwhile, Puck lost his smirk, trading it for a frown and a slight twitch in his left eye. But, he already agreed he would do it. So… Al and I sat back while it happened. Zack looked comical as he carried around Puck, but watching the vampire act like a squealing baby was too good. And then when he actually sucked his thumb, Al and I were on the floor with our arms around our waists laughing so hard. It was definitely adequate payback. After about ten or twenty minutes later, I told them they could stop and the two boys joined us back in the group. Al and I were still giggling, earning a twin set of glares from our male companions.

"Okay, I call going next," Zack said. "It is so on now, Wet Willie."

"Just spin already, Zack Attack." He spun the bottle and it landed on Puck again.

"Dang, I was hoping for Al," Zack huffed. "Oh well dude, guess you're up again. I pick truth."

"Don't do it and you'll get some lip locking!" Al shouted. I smacked her calf, to which she retaliated by gently punching my arm.

"No, no. I think perhaps I shall accept your challenge." His eyes then locked with mine as his mouth curled in a deviously wicked smile. "Though I may change my mind later in the game. For this round, however, I choose to answer a truth."

Zack laughed. "Noted. So this round, I'll make it easy: favorite blood type."

Puck chuckled. "Well, I drink any really though I confess, AB positive has a certain…desirable taste that is both fragrant and delectable, like wild berries that have been frozen by a winter's frost."

Geeze, it was like he was describing a fine wine or something. Al shivered a bit at the mention of blood, while Zack nodded in understanding. I, on the other hand, just rolled my eyes. True my hybridization made me somewhat of a vampire, but I had more fruit bat genes so no uncontrollable thirsts for human blood. However, I did find myself wanting fruit from time to time. My dad also worked in a hospital so I wasn't too unsettled, but the fact his favorite "drink" happened to be my blood type… I was cringing a bit.

"Okay Puck, you're next," I said, silently praying it wouldn't land on me. He spun the bottle and this one landed on Al. I thanked my guardian angel for looking out for me.

"Oh dang!" Al said laughing a bit. "Alright, bring it on, Batboy. Dare!"

"Very well." He paused for a moment, then smiled. "I dare you to take a breath from a helium balloon and sing a vulgar song."

Okay, now it was Zack's turn to laugh as both he and I couldn't hold back. The look on Al's face was priceless. "Oh that's good," she laughed a bit. "But sadly, we don't have any helium balloons."

"Yes we do." I got up and ran to Kat's room. I returned with the balloon Al had gotten her a while back. There was still some helium left. I handed it to Al. "Here ya go," I teased, smiling impishly.

Al glared slightly but took a long drag on the balloon. Shaking her head a bit as it swam slightly from the intake, she stood and started to sing.

I'm telling you loosen up my buttons, baby (uh huh)
But you keep fronting (uh)
Saying what you going to do to me (uh huh)
But I ain't seen nothing (uh)
I'm telling you loosen up my buttons, baby (uh huh)
But you keep fronting (uh)
Saying what you going to do to me (uh huh)
But I ain't seen nothing (uh)

Typical
Hardly the type I fall for
I like when the physical
Don't leave me asking for more
I'm a sexy mama (mama)
Who knows just how to get what I want and (want and)
What I want to do is spring this on you (on you)
Back up all of the things that I told you (told you)

You been saying all the right things all night long
But I can't seem to get you over here to help take this off
Baby, can't you see
How these clothes are fitting on me
And the heat coming from this beat?
I'm about to blow
I don't think you know

You say you're a big boy
But I can't agree
'Cause the love you said you had
Ain't been put on me
I wonder
If I'm just too much for you
Wonder
If my kiss don't make you just
Wonder
What I got next for you
What you want to do? (do)

Take a chance to recognize that this could be yours
I can see, just like most guys that your game don't please
Baby, can't you see
How these clothes are fitting on me
And the heat coming from this beat?
I'm about to blow
I don't think you know

Come on, baby, loosen up my buttons, babe
Loosen up my buttons, babe
Baby, won't you loosen up my buttons, babe?
Loosen up my buttons, babe

Come on, baby, loosen up my buttons, babe
Loosen up my buttons, babe
Baby, won't you loosen up my buttons, babe?
Loosen up my buttons, babe

We all laughed hysterically as Al finished off. She plopped down, breathing deeply to try and disperse the helium from her lungs. Zack was still laughing as he pulled her into his lap.

"Sexy baby!" he said

Al laughed and kissed his cheek. "Only for you, darling." Then she reached for the bottle. "Okay, my turn!"

She spun the bottle and it landed on me. I panicked for a moment. Al had a tendency to come up with less than desirable scenarios. Well, guess I better prepare for what was coming my way.

I decided to just get it over with because there was nothing Al could make me say or do that would force me into kissing Puck. "Okay Ally," I challenged, "hit me. I pick dare."

Al smiled in the way that made my skin crawl. "Okay," she said. " I dare you to… Tell that story about you being a cat! You still haven't told me."

Crap! I almost wish she had dared me to bring up the New Year's party. Not that I wanted to reveal that secret, or get stuck in a closet with Puck, but really? She had to bring up that?! It was only one of the most humiliating times during my Halloween Town visit

"Oh come on, I said I'd tell you in confidence!"

"Too damn bad. Speakith!" Al said, crossing her arms. "Or I pick Puck for Seven in Heaven." She gave me a wink before giggling darkly.

"You were a cat?" Zack asked.

"I bet you were a beautiful little cat," Puck commented, trying to slide closer to me. I tossed a throw pillow at him.

"Hey guys can we concentrate on something else?" I moaned. No way I wanted to bring that up again.

"Fat chance! You said dare so you gotta spill it," Al insisted, curling into Zack.

"I wanna hear this," he chimed in.

"Me too," Puck added.

"Oh fine! I'll tell you!" I gave in. It was either relive that nightmare, or Seven Minutes of Heaven with Puck. It was better to take the lesser of two evils. "Here's what happened. It was during when Jack was planning to take over Christmas, and I was just telling the Vampire Brothers my opinion about their little toy…"