Chapter 16: Can't shake this feeling

A/N: Hey everyone! I'm so happy to see so many people shipping MegxLock! Sorry for the late update, but I had been really busy. I am pleased to announce that I have started a Corpse Bride sequel for the VictorxEmily fans! Let's face it that ending was terrible. Anyway I have counted all the votes and the winner is...MegxLock! However I got inspiration for Meg/Alistar and Lock/Alistar! So without further introductions, on to the next chapter!

Meg sat patiently in one of the chairs seated at the table, waiting for her mother to finish packing a basket of baked foods. When she put a pumpkin pie inside and covered the basket with a cloth, the young skeleton stood up and carefully picked up the basket. "Thanks Mama! They're going to love this!" The ragdoll smiled and hugged her quickly. "Okay hurry and take this while everything is still hot. Be careful pumpkin and don't wander."

"Alright Mama I won't. I'll be back before dark." Meg whistled for Zero before leaving the manor. She hurried through the square and out the cemetery gate.

...

After passing through another gate she hurried to the mausoleum and knocked.

"Who is it?" Meg smiled as she recognized the voice of Shock.

"Shock it's me Meg! I brought today's food delivery!"

"One second!"

Meg waited while the trio argued inside. Lock was doing the most shouting.

"What does that mean?!"

"You need to open the door for her, Romeo!"

"What did you say!?"

"Can we just open the door? I'm hu-"

"SHUT UP BARREL!" Lock and Shock yelled. After another moment the door opened to reveal the devil himself.

"Damn it Shock...Oh uh...Hey Meg..." Lock cleared his throat, trying to keep his cool. Meg smiled and did her best not to blush. "Hi Lock...Oh! I brought you all todays delivery!" She eagerly held up the basket. Lock had to kick Barrel back as he tried to get through the doorway.

"Don't even think about it Barrel! Come on in then. Before Barrel goes rabbid."
The tall devil led her inside and shut the door behind her. When Meg stepped down the stairs she saw Shock restraining Barrel.

"Hurry and hand out the food Lock!"

Lock stuck out his tongue at her before taking out a few plates and dividing some of the food among the three of them. As soon as Lock was finished Barrel snatched up his plate and dug in ravenously. Lock rolled his eyes as he took his own plate.

"I can't believe your folks are letting you hang out with us." He mused before taking a bite of meat. Meg gave him a slightly puzzled look.

"Why is that? My parents are the nicest in Halloween Town."

"Because we don't have a good history with them." Barrel blurted out around a mouth full of food. Shock and Lock quickly spun to smack him in the back of his head.

"Shut up you idiot!" Shock snapped.

"What do you mean exactly by...that?" The young skeleton was confused now. Shock and Barrel pushed Lock from behind.

"Hey! It's nothing. Really. Let's just say we're outcasts...No one likes us." Lock grumbled, trying to move off the topic quickly.

Meg bit her lip and carefully slid her hand over Lock's. The action caught the devil by surprise, making his cheeks red.

"That's not true...I like you...A-all of you I mean! You're my best friends." Meg blushed herself, catching her words quickly. Lock glanced away as he blushed a brighter shade of red. He ignored the snickering of Shock and Barrel. The rest of the visit was quiet after that. Meg and Lock could hardly look at eachother without their faces burning up.

...

When it came time to leave Meg bid the trio good night and began walking through the cemetary. Zero reappeared and flew beside her, but stopped to growl when they reached the gate. Meg stopped as well and looked around. Zero didn't act like this unless someone was near. Someone they didn't know.

"Who's there? As the princess of Halloween I order you to come out!"

"Alright, alright! Geez..." Slowly a hooded youth stepped out from behind a tall tombstone, startling lime green eyes glowing as they watched her. He eyed her carefully until Zero barked at him. He jumped back and scowled.

"Who are you? And were you spying on me?" Meg narrowed her eyesocket in suspicion. A trait she inherited from her father.

"The name is Alistar, and yes. Forgive me but your beauty captivated me. I couldn't look away." Alistar said smoothly. Meg took a step back.

"Um thank you...I'm sorry, I'm not used to people staring at me..."

"But you just said you're the princess right? People should always be looking at you! They should be admiring you..."

"Oh no! I couldn't possibly deal with attention like that. It would be far to nerve racking. You seem very nice...Really. But I should be getting home..." She turned but suddenly he grabbed her wrist. She gasped in shock and faced him.

"Oh come on it's barely sundown...Wanna see something cool?" Alistar waited for an answer. He didn't know that a certain devil had come out from the Mausoleum, watching Meg leave. Lock took it on himself to make sure Meg made it out of the cemetary safely. So when he saw the newcomer he immediately went alert and stormed over, hiding behind a tombstone. He had to bite back his anger when he grabbed the skeleton girl.

"Thanks but I really have to go...Goodbye Alistar! Maybe some other time!" She quickly ran through the gate. Alistar cursed when she left.

"Damnit! I was so close! I just had to get her to the treehouse...!"

Lock's eyes widened in disbelief. Treehouse?! It couldn't be...

I have to find out who this guy is... he thought.

Lock stepped out of hiding and stormed up, grabbing Alistar's should. He spun his around and pushed him to the ground. At first Alistar was caught off guard. But when he saw Lock his facial expression changed to irritation.

"Who the hell are you and what do you think you're doing touching Meg like that? Answer me! And what's this I hear about a treehouse?" Lock demanded. Alistar just gave him a smirk and laughed.

"You must be Lock...Dad told me so much about you. My names Alistar, devil boy. What's wrong? Are you jealous? Are you afraid I'm going to steal her away from you? Don't worry I have no interest in her. But dad does..."

Lock froze in momentary fear. This guy knew him...But how? His father told him about him? Then it clicked. He grit his teeth in anger. "You're his son aren't you? That backstabbing Oogie Boogie is your father isn't he!"

"Ding ding ding! We have a winner! Guess you're smarter than dad made you out to be! Tell you what, bring the princess to MY treehouse, and dad won't destroy you when he takes the crown from Jack and rules Halloweentown. He might even thank you with a reward."

Lock kicked him as he tried standing, sending him back into the dirt. "Like hell I will! I refuse to have anything to do with Oogie! And stay away from Meg! Don't touch her!" Alistar raised a brow and then his eyes widened.

"I get it...You're falling in love with her! She's the daughter of your enemy! The one who banished you guys from Town!" Alistar yelled.

Lock hesitated a moment. Was Alistar right? Was he actually falling in love? Even deep down he knew it was true. He was abandoning his own plans of domination for love. Alistar chuckled cruelly.

"I bet at first you had your own plan for revenge. A plan to takeover Halloweentown for yourself. She was supposed to be a pawn." Lock's silence gave him the confirmation he needed. This was perfect. His father would love this! Then Oogie would finally be proud of him and pay him attention!

"It'd be a shame if Meg found out...Not just about your little plan, but your past too! How you tried to overthrow her father, how you helped bring his arch enemy back from death not once, but twice...Of course she doesn't have to ever know, not as long as you keep my secrets and help me...if not, not only will I take her from you, but I'll tell her everything and make her hate you. You three will be all alone again...Think about my offer Lock...Think long and hard..." Lock didn't move as Alistar got up and vanished into the shadows. His heart felt like it was in a vice grip, being crushed by an unseen force. Now what was he supposed to do?