a/n: i had this previously written but i am saying a major "THANK YOU" to all those who reviewed. Now on to the story!

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I can hear them downstairs. Jack, trying to stop Shock, who is right now giving Jack everything he deserves.

"You're terrible!" she yells.

"Shock," he tries for the millionth time.

"Shut up! You are so arrogant! How dare you not tell us! How dare you ignore the subject! And don't try and play the 'how was I supposed to know you were going to slip away' card cause it isn't going to work! You of all people should know we would rather slip away then sit around and wait for some grand announcement of our leaving!" she's giving him hell, and it's music to my ears.

This keeps going. He tries to stop her, and she yells. Tries, yells, etc. etc."

I go into the corner furthest from the door and sit down. I curl up and try not to cry. The day's events slowly build up in my mind, until finally it's too much. Between the excitement, and the sadness, and the yelling, it all is just too much. I walk over to the trashcan and vomit.

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When my stomach is finally empty I unlock the door and quietly slip into the bathroom next door.

I rinse and rinse, with mouthwash and without, trying to rid my mouth of the putrid taste. (a/n: I hate that taste!) And I'm happy when I do.

I head downstairs to find Jack still here, and a very pissed off Shock as well.

Barrel walks over, "You look more pale then normal, you alright?"

"I just threw up," he takes a step back, "But I couldn't anymore, even if I wanted to."

"Good. Well, Jack is trying to make up for this. For right now he'll be the one taking care of us here, but don't let Shock know anything about being happy in any way, because she is defiantly NOT happy," I chuckle and Jack walks in.

"Lock, I'm sorry, are you alright?" he kneels next to me and holds my chin up.

"I was just sick, but I'll be alright," I shake his hand away.

"Here, let me get you something to settle your stomach, he walks into the kitchen, just to bring me back a carbonated drink to try and help.

"Thanks," I try to sound sincere, and he gives me back a half smile.

I walk over to Shock and take a sip, my stomach still acting funny.

"Why him? I would rather have the mayor, or a vampire, or a leech! Anyone but him. Why did he betray us?" I wish she would stop, and the pain in my heart would stop growing.

"Stop Shock!" I demand, softly, but control in my voice.

"Why, though?" and I realize I have no answer for her.

I lower my head, "I wish I knew, but I can't help this time."

She looks at me, and looks at the drink. "You alright?"

I laugh, "What do you think?"

"That bad?" at least her humor is back.

"Naw! I just decided that I wanted to make myself sick for the hell of it!" I joke back.

She laughs and I hug her. "There's that smile I wanted to see," and I smile right back at her.

We stay silent and I have time to think through the events of the past, from town until just this moment. I regret nothing, except maybe getting sick, and I know that this freedom will do us some good. Jack knows it too. He almost seems happy and trying to seem sad, not the other way around. This freedom means that the dealer of nightmares can't influence us, but it also means we have no one here for us. But, then again, isn't Jack here for us? Is he going to take us in?

Barrel comes over and he crawls into my lap, as I take another sip of the drink.

"So, Shock," I snear, "Ready to give this loser a chance?"

She smiles evily, "Why not? We might have some fun!"

I smile happily inwardly. This is my family. This is my NEW family at least. No more Mr. Oogie Boogie to yell and scare us. Of course Jack is still the boss of just about everything, but who knows? Maybe that'll turn out better for us then him if he takes us in.

This seems like fun now! With Jack on our side, the possibilities are endless!

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It's been an hour, and though we still are getting over the night's events, in our own ways, the sun is starting to rise on a new day.

Barrel fell asleep in my lap, and Shock hasn't said a word. The silence is somewhat peaceful though. Jack's the only one making noise. He's been cleaning up the mess that Mr. Oogie Boogie made.

I realize something though. I keep saying HIS name with authority, yet HE'S dead.

"Shock, help me practice," I break our silence.

"What?" she acts like I suggested apologizing for helping someone.

"I want to practice saying... Oogie Boogie... with less authority. You know? So it has less control," I answer.

"Why?" she's annoyed.

"Because! For over 300 years he has controlled us. His death means he can't stop us any longer," I'm determined.

"Practice in a mirror," what is her problem?

I roll my eyes and notice Barrel waking up.

"What time is it?" he looks around, using his hands to support himself on my knees.

"I don't know, but the sun started to rise a little bit ago," Barrel at this falls back down, but loses his balance, and hits the ground in a somersault.

Shock starts to laugh, but Barrel kicks her in the shin. In return, before Barrel can punch her, she slaps him, redirecting his punch so that it kills my leg. I turn and hit Barrel.

"Stop it!" Shock yells as Barrel grabs her hair.

I let out a yelp as I get a straight blow to my back, but I don't know who did it. I slap Shock, who hits Barrel, who throws a piece of table, which was demolished within our fight, at my head.

I grab Barrel's shoulders and shove him away. He hits Shock, knocks her over, and then comes back and hits me upside the head.

"Jack!" Shock stops and quickly grabs me, before I punch Barrel in the face.

"What are you three doing?" Jack taps his foot.

Barrel lowers his head and starts, as it would be when Oogie Boogie would ask this, "I started it." He's trying our tactic that would usually be used by us: he's starting to cry.

Jack's face softens and he lifts Barrel up, then sets him on the couch. Jack takes a seat on Barrel's right. Then he places Shock on his right and me on his lap.

Jack sighs, "Are you all okay?" completely throwing the three of us off.

We nod 'yes'.

"Why are you so scared then?" he looks at us individually.

"Well, we're used to getting punishment, bad punishment, for fighting," Shock steps in.

Jack leans back on the couch and pulls us closer. Shock and I get comfortable, and eventually Barrel follows.

"Did he ever REALLY hurt you guys?" Jack seems to be taking our punishment as new news. Did he really not know?

"Yes," I finally choke out.

"And yet you miss him?"

"Sorta. I mean, he was the only person who would take care of us here, and he gave us our eternal youth and longer life," Barrel explains.

"Well, that isn't the case now, and there's no reason to worry. Now try to relax," Jack coos.

And we do. One by one, falling asleep.

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a/n: so... what do you think? Should i keep going? please review!