A/N: It's me again, actually posting someting longer than the author's note this time. Spooky...Anyway, while this is not my first story ever, it is the first one I'm posting and the first G&E one I've written so ALL REVIEWS ARE APPRECIATED! Ever if it's just to bug me for misspelling a word. Most of the grammer mistakes are intentional, so be forewarned if you are the President of Grammer, and humorous misuse burns you with a searing, itchy pain. Also, I write short chapters, but bear with me; I will post every chance I get and as my fickle...I mean, WONDERFUL! Yeah, wonderful...muse allows. (Can't be too careful...)

Disclaimer: Of course, the pressssscious G&E belongses to the masterses, CN and good ole Maxie Atoms and Co., but in a way, it also belongs to us fans. After all, we helped created it. Pat yourself on the back if you voted!

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Mandy ran a hand through her blonde hair, trying to quell her anger to the point where the air around her wasn't on the verge of combustion from pent-up rage. Taking a singular deep breath, she regained her perfect composure.

"Okay. Let's try this again," she said, pointing to Billy, who stood before her in his kitchen with a typical vacant stare. "You're the decoy."

He nodded enthusiastically. "Soooooooo...," he said, drawing out the word as he thought of what to say. "What's a decoy?"

Leman's terms, she told herself. "You distract Grim. I steal his scythe. Got it?"

"Yeayeayeayeayeayeah!But why do you gots to steal it?Asking is the path of moral rigtheousness...ess...yeah!" The happy rainbows and baby ducks contained in his empty little head were almost visible to the casual passerby.

"What's the fun in that?"

"Why do you want the knifey-stick, anyway?" he pried with a first-grade version of tact.

She rolled her eyes. "To open a can," she replied flatly, knowing full well the sarcasm would be lost on him.

"Okeydoo!" His skipped off to his assignment. She rubbed her temples, feeling the beginning of a headache coming on. Normally, she could have simply written it off as a side-effect of conversing with Billy, but not today. Just...not today. Part of the stew of aggreivation plaguing was the fact that he was right. She probably could've grabbed the weapon from its now-common storage place in the closet, or even asked (read: demanded) Grim for it. It wasn't like she could honestly be refused. Still, it was all part of the plan.

The ends will justify the means. Not that she was off one to justify her actions, but what she was about to do required some vindication, at least in her own mind.

Listening deliberately, she heard Billy dragging Grim away from the TV and off to the backyard. Well, at least she could always could on him to be distracting... Breifly, she pictured the reaper following along jerkily, trying to keep his arm in its socket, but she shook her head, as if to clear her thoughts. This wasn't the time.

It was easy enough to walk into the now-vacant living room, but she had some doubts. What if he still had it? She'd have to wait for the right oppertunity again...She just wanted to get it over with, once and for all.

Relief washed over her as she opened the closet door, the silver blade of the scthe reflecting the sudden light. She picked it up easily, accustomed to the unweildy hieght and weight from years of playing around. This time, though,it was serious. She walked out the front door.

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If Mandy's mother expressed any concern at the sight of her fourteen-year-old daughter carrying the medievil garden tool up to her room, she gave no sign. Then again, if Mandy's mother had ever voiced any kind of concern for her daughter's sake, she might not have ended up as the person she was, which, depending on who you asked, might have been construed as a good or bad thing.

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A/N 2.0: Don't worry, all your questions will be answered in due time. And yes, for the sake of this fic, Mandy is fourteen. It'll make things fit better later. And I really don't know if Billy has a broom closet in the living room, but he does now! Remodeling, perhaps?

Chapter 2 will be posted sometime soon. R and R, though, if you have any ideas. You can change the outcome of this fic with your mind...

Demi

Random pointless question that occured to me while brushing my teeth: If Billy hates bugs and creepy-crawlies, how come he fell in love with a snail? I defy you to answer me!