At the sight of his Uncles Casper's anger returned and he narrowed his eyes at them as they entered.

"Where the heck were you guys don't you know that Uncle Stretch is really sick, he could use your help you know." The other two ghosts stopped to face him.

"It ain't none of your business where we been, you got some nerve talkin' ta us that way" Stinkie said now leaning over his nephew, this time Casper was determined to not back down.

"Right, I guess you're right. I guess goin' out to scare people and be jerks is more important than your brother who's been there for you, taken care of you, opened his home to you and-" Stinkie grabbed Casper tightly by the shoulders.

"Don't you ever tell me what's important to me Bulb Head. You don't know whatcha think you do. Back off." Casper's eyes widened at his Uncle's reaction. Fatso looked on in surprise as well.

Stinkie released Casper a moment later and floated to the living room leaving Fatso and Casper alone. It was another moment before either of them moved.

"You..okay?" Fatso asked after recovering from the shock. Casper only nodded. Something had to be seriously wrong for them to be so out of character. They had to know something.

"What did you find out Uncle Fatso?" Casper asked softly. Fatso hesitated.

"I don't know if I should-"

"He's my Uncle, I have a right to know, please. I'm scared." Fatso sighed.

"So am I Casper. Why don't you come to the kitchen with me and we'll... we'll talk." Fatso lead the way and Casper followed. He sat down at the table and watched as Fatso pulled out stacks of food from the fridge.

"Casper, We didn't go out to scare people this time.-"

"But Uncle Stretch said you did, I don't understand."

"Stretch didn't want to scare you. He wanted you to believe that we were keeping up with our normal routine so it didn't seem so bad. We know Stretch is very sick and to tell you the truth Glow Worm, He-"

"He lied to me, why would he do that?" Casper said in disbelief.

"To protect you., you were worried enough without knowing everything, he was tryin' to shield you from this. His first full day in bed, he was already pretty sick, it was his idea to try to keep things as normal as possible. Anyway, We went out lookin' for anything we could find about ghost sickness and we did find something but it wasn't what we were hopin' for" Fatso said shoveling food into his mouth.

Casper looked away. "What did you find?" Fatso shook his head.

"I'm not the one to tell you. What about Stretch is he okay?"

"I don't know I was talking to him earlier but he asked for Dr. Harvey and he.. He's got to be okay because he promised he wouldn't leave me." Fatso nodded slowly.

"But then he lied, I don't know what to think." Casper said.

"Believe that he'll do what he has to to keep that promise if he can. Even if he doesn't like it."

"What does that mean Uncle Fatso?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. Hope for better. That's all I can say. Try to take it easy on Stinkie, he's not takin' this too well." Casper nodded.

"It's not like him to do what he did to me. He must really be hurting. Uncle Stretch told me earlier that being scared can make you change. It did that to me too, I should tell him I'm sorry for the way I was with you guys." Fatso shook his head.

"Let him be alone for a while and calm down. He should come to you first." Casper agreed and began to float away to wait for Kat as Dr. Harvey had asked.

"Casper," Fatso called out causing the smaller ghost to turn to him.

" No matter what, Stretch loves you, and... We do too. Hopefully soon, things will be back to normal." Casper smiled sadly in spite of the strange behavior from his family it was nice to hear.

"I love you guys too." Casper then disappeared to the entrance of the house to await Kat's return.

He wasn't waiting long when the door opened and Kat entered.

"Casper, what's wrong?" Her eyes showed her concern as she walked slowly over to him.\

Casper explained everything and Kat couldn't help but feel worried too.

"Casper, if Stretch told you it would be okay, then, I'm sure he's right. I mean He'd know." She tried to comfort him.

"But He lied Kat, Uncle Fatso said he wanted to protect me but it hurts me to know that he-"

"That's what adults have to do sometimes to protect the ones they love. Mom and Dad used to do that sometimes. It's not like he just did it to be mean. It's not like a real lie it's more like a fib. Sometimes those are easier to take."

"I guess you're right. I just want him to get better."

"Me too, it's weird but I actually miss your uncles messing with us. I'd ever complain about it again if He'd be okay. I kind of miss him being up and around." Kat said.

"Casper, can you come up here please?" Dr. Harvey shouted from the top of the steps.

"Coming Dr. Harvey." He looked back at Kat, she offered him a half smile of encouragement.

"I'll be in my room if you need me, come on in." Kat said and followed him up the stairs before parting from him to enter her room.

Casper slowly floated into the trio's room. He was surprised to see Dr. Kylie there but his focus quickly turned to Stretch who was now awake and sitting up, propped up by the pillows.

Casper rushed over to greet him. He sat down on the bed next to his uncle as tears began to flow. He leaned over and rested his head on Stretch's chest.

"Casper, I-"

"it's alright Doc, let 'im alone." Stretch said weakly raising his arms and holding his nephew as he cried.

"Hey Short Sheet, I got somethin' I need to talk to ya about. But I don't want ya ta be all upset like this" He whispered, he had very little strength left now.

Casper wasn't sure he was ready for this talk. He cuddled in closer to his Uncle and the two Doctors looked away.

"I'll leave you guys alone, I'll be in my office if you guys need me." Dr. Harvey said exiting the room. Dr, Kylie didn't leave but she crossed the room to give the two some space. This only caused Casper to sob harder. Stretch coughed.

"A-are you okay?" Stretch hesitated in answering.

"y-yeah, I'm okay." He sighed, how could he tell Casper what was happening, what could he possibly say to ease the sadness and pain he had caused him. Stretch, unable to find the words needed sat silently holding on to his nephew and allowing him to cry.