Nearly 17 years after the incident at Christmas time, Halloween town buzzed with anticipation and excitement. Lights of all colors wrapped around Town Hall, and several wilting Christmas trees lined the cobblestone streets leading out into the barren countryside. Christmas Eve was quickly approaching as the holiday clock began it's final count down.

"Listen up everyone!" The Mayor called from the roof of his rundown hearse. It appeared that his face had become stuck between expressions (as it usually did around the Christmas season). "Ok everyone. It is almost time for the Christmas Celebration. Now as usual Mr. and Mrs. Clause will be paying us a visit to check on…well…" Forcing his worried expression to face the crowed he swallowed hard. "You know who."

Looking to one another in understanding, the inhabitants of Halloween town began to talk amongst themselves. It was a well kept secret, and a well known fact that the day before Christmas Eve was the only time Mr. and Mrs. Clause dropped in for a visit. The reason was simple enough…

To be sure Jack was "keeping up" with things…mainly a certain dark haired seventeen year old. This however, was a task no one in town seemed willing or able to accomplish.

Several things made raising a human in Halloween town a struggle, yet the main problem seemed to be the towns peoples lack of interest.

"I need everyone to stay clam once Mr. and Mrs. Sandyclause arrive. We don't need any repeats of last years little fiasco." Eyeing the trio of mischievous trick-or-treater's formerly known as Oogies boys, his expression switched to anger. "There's no telling what might happen to Jack if something were to happen while they make their yearly visit."

"Do we HAVE to celebrate the Raven's day again this year?" asked the mummy child. "Shy can't that old fat man leave us all alone?"

Shouts of agreement filled the air as the crowed grew restless. It was clear that many of them were growing tired of Santa's annual visit.

"I say we stuff the lobster man!" cried Lock with an unusual angered scowl.

Both Shock and Barrel joined in throwing their fists in the air. Soon the entire town was in an angered frenzy.

One thing was certain. If no one stepped in soon it was either going to be the last year Santa came to town, or the first holiday mishap in seventeen years. Luckily someone did step in.

"Quiet!"

Suddenly the crowed fell into silence.

"Now then." Slinking from the shadows Jack appeared wearing a scowl of complete disapproval. His angered appearance was one it seemed he had been wearing quite often in recent days. "Santa will be paying us his usual visit, and I expect all of you to treat him kindly." Climbing to the rood of the hearse he crossed his arms. "You all know why he comes here every year…and if any of you so much at take one step out of line…I'll be there to put you in your place."

No longer did citizens mumble and sneer under their breath as they did in privet and around the mayor. Every mouth was shut, and every gaze completely fixed on his every move. They knew he was not a man to be tested.

Leaping from his place beside the Mayor Jack dropped his arms and held them loosely behind his back as he walked away. Rounding the corner and leaving town square he released a deflating sigh. One thing he absolutely hated to do above all else was threaten the citizens of Halloween Town. However, do to his deal with Mr. and Mrs. Clause, his hands were tied. 'That girl is the best worst thing that's ever happened to me and Sal. I just wish it wasn't so hard to keep her safe.'

Watching the towns people from atop a tree in the Dead Woods, a young girl of nearly seventeen clutched a piece of paper firmly in her lap. Her short black pixie cut and deep hazel eyes set her apart in as being the ugly one in the Land of Halloween, however, she was not one to be brought down by the thoughts of those around her. Nothing could bring down a member of the Skellington family. Especially the child of Jack and Sally.

Especially not…

Raven Lenore Skellington,

Your presence is requested at the annual Christmas party in Halloween town. Please dress appropriately this time dear, I'd rather not cause a fuss like I did last year. Oh, and do bring that dear girl Sally along with you this year. It was an awful shame she was unable to attend last Christmas. Until then my dear…

Mrs. Clause

"No thanks." she mumbled tossing the letter to the ground. "I'd rather choke on fruit cake than go to into town for an obnoxious party." Getting to her feet and testing out the strength of the branch on which she stood, Raven turned to face the vast forest of dead trees before her.

It had always been a dream of hers to go on an adventure to somewhere far beyond the constrictions of Jack and Sally's precious Halloween Town. She understood that they could never really leave their lives behind…and she wouldn't ever ask them to. After all, it was her everyone in town seemed to have a problem with.

She understood how everyone felt about what she was regardless of how much of a "big secret" they tried to make it.

Leaping from tree to tree with little effort she waited for the perfect moment to launch herself into the air. Feeling the wind beginning to pick up she knew the time was near. Taking perfect aim she landed near the end of the flimsiest branch she could find and before she knew it her body was soaring slightly above the tree tops.

This is the thrill she lived for. Closing her eyes she imagined what it might be like falling through the skies of some far off jungle, almost like the ones she'd read about in Doctor Finklestein's field journals. Yes, for a moment she was able to leave the darkness of Halloween Town and smile.

But then that moment ended...and she was back where she had always been. From the same long-sleeved puffy shirt and pinstriped vest she normally wore, to the cleanly pressed and polished black pants and shoes. She was back.

Landing with a small crash into another tree Raven crumpled into a heap trying to catch her breath. "I hate I when the dream ends."

"Well if it didn't end, you'd never be able to pay attention to where you need to land." Sitting opposite her on the branch Jack gave her a look of slightly humored annoyance.

"D-dad! I didn't see you there." Getting to her feet she looked away having been caught. 'Damn him and his…sneaky- how did he find me this time?' Spying the ghostly figure of Zero circling the tree trunk a few feet below she rolled her eyes. "See how many treats you get now Zero." she muttered hoping Jack would be unable to hear her.

"You could have hurt yourself Raven. You know your mother and I don't approve of you being in the Dead Woods." he reprimanded in a stern voice. "Plus, it's nearly an hour till the party and you're nowhere near ready."

With a sigh of defeat Raven turned back to look Jack in the eye. He may not smile anymore, but he and Sally were the only two people in the world that seemed to truly care for her at all. It wasn't much, but they were all she had.

"I'm almost grown you know. I'll be leaving the house sooner or later." she explained in her most adult tone. "Soon I'll be able to strike out on my own grand adventured."

It was silent for a moment before Jack took her hand in his. "Almost and soon were the two key words in those statements." Flashing her a quick smile he cleared his throat. "Until soon becomes now I think you'll be joining me for a little Christmas festivities."

"No problem bone daddy." she teased climbing down with him by her side. "Only…I don't want to stay for the whole night. I'm a little tired of the gloom today." she lied.

Raising his hand as if to check for rain he shrugged. "Huh…I thought the weather was stupendous today."

Placing her hands in her pockets Raven smiled. For her parents she would do almost anything. Including attend a party full of testy people.

However. Someone wandering through the shadows noticed the two and watched from the darkness. Certainly they would be attending this party as well.