Chapter 15: A better plan

"He WHAT?!" Alistar had to cover his ears as Oogie yelled. Geez he was loud when he was angry... "I said Jack is letting her hang out with them! And that's not all...They told Jack what happened sixteen years ago! He knows you're back! But that's not the worst part..." Oogie raised one non-existant eyebrow, putting his hands on his hips. "How can it get worse than THIS?!" Oogie demanded in a booming voice. "I think the princess is crushing on the devil..." Oogie quaked with rage. Alistar almost wished he hadn't said that last part. "SHE HAS FEELINGS?! FOR LOCK?!" Alistar covered his ears again. "Yes! Stop with the shouting already! Are you trying to make me go deaf?!"

"This means we have to accelerate the plan. Whatever you do, don't let them get close! Somehow she MUST discover their secret! Then when she's heartbroken you will come and comfort her and lure her here! I will capture her and force Jack to trade me his crown for the life of his daughter, then I'll destroy them both! And that ragdoll!" Oogie laughed wickedly while Alistar stared in irritation. "You're kidding me...Are you seriously changing the plan?! AGAIN?! How am I supposed to do this when you keep changing the plan?! Stick to a plan already and we'll finish this a lot sooner!" Alistar snapped. When he was done he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Damn it I need some time to rest..." He stormed past his father and left the living room, heading to the upper area of the treehouse, slamming the makeshift door to his room shut behind him.

Lock sat in his secluded area of the mausoleum, knees pulled up to his chest as he thought. "Stupid Shock and Barrel...They have no idea what they're talking about! Me! Crushing on Jack's princess! Like THAT would ever happen...I don't care if she's nice to us, feeds us or even that she's funny! Or innocent...Or beautiful...Not to mention her warm smile..." Lock smiled unbeknownst to himself, cheeks growing warm. He caught a glimpse of his reflection in some glass and his eyes widened. He slapped himself in the face, hard. "What am I saying?! What am I DOING?! Get a grip on yourself Lock! This is NOT you! You're tough, fearless, and heartless! Trust no one, remember? Get her out of your head and focus on the plan! Damn it! The plan is to make her fall in love with me so I can get the throne! How am I supposed to seduce her when I can't even stop thinking about her?! You've REALLY screwed yourself this time, Lock!"

"Do I have to chain you up or are you talking the invisible man? Because you look completely insane right now Lock..." Lock practically jumped three feet high, squealing in surprise when he heard the intruder. He turned his head and glared venomously at Shock as she stood in the doorway, with her arms crossed over chest. "SHOCK! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK?! How long have you standing there?!" Shock rolled her eyes. "Oh please...Don't be such a drama queen...And I've been standing here long enough..." She lowered her arms and walked over, crouching to sit beside him. "Where's Barrel? Isn't he being nosy as well?"

"Nope. He's asleep. Lock why don't you just admit it...Besides how will you expect to get rid of her if you become king when you can't stop thinking about her? And why does it always have to be a scheme anyway? We don't have a boss anymore...We're free..." Lock grimaced and looked away. "Because scheming is all we know Shock...Trouble is all we're good at..." Shock pursed her lip in thought. "Well...what if we tried something new? You know...being good?" Lock snapped his head back. Now he was looking at her like SHE had gone insane. "Who's calling who crazy now? In case you hadn't notice Shock...THE ENTIRE TOWN HATES US! Not to mention we're banned! Besides what we even know about being good? Nothing! That's what!" Shock scowled at him. "You never know, we might like it! It might be easier than being evil! We certainly could be a lot better off, that's for sure!" Lock groaned in frustration and stood up, stomping past Shock. Shock got to her feet and watched him leave. "And where are you going?!"

"Outside where no one will bother me!" Lock yelled angrily. He opened the mausoleum door and hurried outside, slamming the heavy door shut behind him.

A/N: I want to say thank you to everyone who loves this story! It makes me so happy to see all reviews, favorites and follows! So as a reward to all Meg Skellington fans, I am letting everyone help me decide what the next chapter will be about! Do you want to see Meg x Lock? Maybe Lock and Alistar confronting eachother? More of Sam's lessons in emotions? Jack and Sally and the trio? Meg meeting Alistar? Please tell me in the reviews what chapter you'd like to see! The one with the most votes will be chapter 16! I need those votes everyone!