AN: Well, get ready for a lot of fun (though I would like to apologize in advance if the translations are inaccurate; I used Google Translate). Music, dancing, and a whole lot of drinking. Of course, there's also the ex-Oogie's Boys have a fun little prank in mind. *evil laughter*

Chapter 9: Kiss Me, I'm Irish

The party was in full swing. There was music, food, and of course, some drinking. Everyone enjoyed the Budweiser that Al had brought to share, but there were a few—those that recalled the misadventures from last year's festivities—who were partaking in a nonalcoholic beverage. The witches had even volunteered to work the drink table to ensure no one got the beverages mixed up.

"Here you are, dear," Helgamine said, handing back Will's cup.

"Thanks." Will took a sip. "Mmm butterbeer! I'm surprised you were able to get the recipe. Though, this is better than the stuff I get at the candy store. I even like the added pumpkin flavor with the butterscotch."

"Well, when you brought us the bottle of this buttered beer to sample, it was quite simple for us to replicate," Zeldaborne said.

"Yes, though we had a few substitutions," Helgamine added.

"I noticed. How did you get it to turn into a swirl of black and green?"

"Can't reveal all out secrets, now can we?" Helgamine laughed.

"I guess you're right." Will waved goodbye before seeking out her friends. She could not locate Al through the crowds, or Jack and Sally, but she found Zack talking with Glenn by the fountain. "What goes on?" she asked.

"Ah, Will, good to see you," Glenn greeted. "Your friend was just asking me when the best night for a moonlit dinner is. I told him full moon gets anyone moonstruck, if you know what I mean." The wolf man growled and nudged Zack, smiling wickedly.

"Zackary, you wouldn't be cheating on my girl now, would you?" Will taunted.

"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Willa. For shame," Zack teased before giving her a wink.

"I'm not the one who'll be jealous. Speaking of which, have you seen Al?" Will asked. She looked around but her redheaded friend was nowhere in sight. "I know she got frustrated when everyone showed up in green, but now I'm not so sure."

"She has been missing for a little bit," Zack replied, looking around once. "I'll start getting worried after a half hour or so."

"Don't worry, you two," Glenn encouraged. "Folks here are known for disappearing for a bit. Al will turn up eventually."

"Speaking of disappearing, I'm surprised no one's panicked that Jack's gone MIA. I know the Mayor went into a full-scale panic and organized a search party when he popped over to Christmas Town."

"Haha! That's no secret," Glenn said with a wink. "Clown saw him and Sally slip off toward the pumpkin patch some time ago. From the way he described how those two looked, I doubt we'll be seeing them for a while."

Zack chuckled. "Bone Daddy getting his game on."

Will laughed. "Just as long as Jack doesn't mess up her makeup too much. I wasn't kidding when I said I didn't have much paint left."

"Aww! Do you have enough to paint me?" Zack asked.

"I think you're covered." Will looked over Zack's outfit. His emerald green shirt was screen printed with a map of Ireland, while his jeans had a shamrock patch on the mid thigh. Along the patch, someone had stitched "Leprechauns must be this tall to drink with me."

"You look like you were dressed in Doc's idea of an Irish tourist."

"Oh, I don't know. I think Marty McFly had it worse. Zack looks more like he's about to get drunk at a pub."

"Puck!" Will shrieked and turned around just as the young vampire threw his arm around her shoulders. "What the heck? I thought you said you couldn't come because you had to work."

"They let me off early for good behavior."

"Sounds like you got off parole, pal." Zack chuckled, clapping a hand over Puck's shoulder. "Though, I get the feeling."

"Oh, it wasn't that bad," Puck said. "So, did I miss anything?"

"Not really. There's still a bunch of food and there are a few buzzed monsters," Will replied. "Well, you're here. You gonna grab a drink?"

"There's a shocker! Little Miss Will wanting a drink with the resident Blood Sucker? I never thought I'd see the day." Zack laughed as Will punched his shoulder. "But trust me on this, Willy, you do not want this guy near any alcohol. Oh man! You should have seen him at this one party we had after work. He totally–"

"That will do, Zack," Puck interrupted. "I'd prefer you never mentioning that unfortunate incident. Ever!"

"Don't blame me if you can't hold your liquor," Zack teased. "Only took one glass of tequila for you to get on top of the bar and start singing 'Sweet Home Alabama' while doing a strip tease."

Will burst out laughing. "Oh, please tell me you got that on video!"

Zack leaned towards her ear and whispered, "I'll e-mail it to you later." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Hey! I told you, Mister, birthday kisses are for your girlfriend only," Will said, laughing. "You want her beating you up?" Zack gave a very suggestive wink.

"Better back off, Zack, she may beat Al to it," Puck said.

"No, no, I got this," Will said, turning back to Zack. "Here's a news flash: the Mayor kindly told us that the drinking age here is twenty, and I distinctly saw two bottles in Al's hands before she slipped off. If Drunk Ally catches you, it's no skin off my nose what she does to you."

Zack's cheeky grin grew bigger. "Oh, I love Drunk Ally!" he said with a sly laugh.

"Even more than Drunk Puck?" Will laughed. "Oh, I so need to see that video. Now, when you say striptease, I do hope you prevented anyone from seeing his big bat wings. Or, did this start going from bottom to top?"

Zack's laugh grew harder. "You'll have to see for yourself," he said.

"Well, while you two talk about my embarrassing hour, I think I will help myself to the refreshment table. Perhaps I'll find some more civilized company." Puck left for the buffet table. He was just handed a drink when someone tapped his arm.

"I'm not in the mood, Will."

"Easy Puck, I didn't come over to tease you," Will said, leaning against the table. She swirled her drink, making the colors mix more. "And hey, it's nothing to get so worked up over. Everybody has an embarrassing drunk story. I got a million for Kat alone, and don't get me started on my brothers."

"What about you?"

"Remember, only twenty here. Even when Kat invited Al and me on her trip to Mexico, where the bar tender will give you anything as long as you can see over the counter; I still don't drink. But I'm sure when I turn twenty-one we will find out."

"Just don't go too crazy. It's not all it's cracked up to be."

"Again, one friend who drinks in Mexico and three older brothers. I know what happens."

They both laughed and walked back over to the party. Zack had joined Glenn, Davy and Ned for a game off bobbing for green pumpkins, and some of the other citizens were starting to set up for the parade. The band had even started playing, and some people broke off from the groups to dance. Will was tapping her foot along to the song.

"You want to dance?" Puck asked.

"Nope."

"You sure? You seem really into this song?"

"Yeah but its a couple's song," Will said. "I'll wait until things pick up more."

Puck set his cup on the the counter and turned so he was standing slightly in front of her. He held out his hand. "Come on, Will. It'll be fun."

Will raised an eyebrow and gave him a half smirk. "Puck, I once was dragged to a dance club by two high school friends, but no one told me it was couple dancing all night." She laughed dryly. "I turned down thirteen guys that night. You want to try asking again?"

Puck stepped back with his hands raised. "No ma'am. I know better than to force a lady," he said. He leaned agains the table and watched the others dance. "Seriously, thirteen guys?"

"Haha, okay, it was twelve but one guy tried a second time," Will said. "Just don't bring it up around Al. She's still steamed over it."

"Still steamed over what?" a familiar voice asked.

Will and Puck turned to find Jack and Sally walking towards them. "Oh, just me turning down a dance," Will explained when they got closer. "And by that, I mean several different guys in one single evening."

"Now why would you do that?" Jack asked.

"Jack, not everyone enjoys dancing the way you do," Sally said. "Remember the first time you asked me to dance?"

"Do I? You were quite bashful about it." Jack chuckled. "Who knew despite your reluctance there was such a graceful dancer in you. My Sally is full of surprises."

"Jack!"

"Uh, you two want to sneak back into the pumpkin patch for a bit?" Will giggled. She saw the wide-eyed looks on her friends faces. "Kids, you're engaged," she added. "How many times do I have to remind you that jibs are part of the package?"

Sally blushed while Jack frowned. "I hardly think it's necessary that you continue," he said sternly. "And I would appreciate if you would not broadcast our business to everyone."

"Hey, I wasn't spying on you. Clown was the one who caught you lovebirds sneaking off. Gotta say, Jack, you might be loosing your stealthy touch, though you do have quite the lovely lady as a distraction."

"Will, go easy on him," Puck said. "He is a man in love, after all."

Will looked up at him pensively, a tiny smirk forming on her mouth. "You are Puck, right? Because I swear, if you're Cupid in a Puck disguise, I will pluck your wings right now." They all laughed. "Okay, okay. Sorry Jack but you do make it easy."

"She has a point," Sally said, taking Jack's hand. "Will isn't the only one to notice. Some of the other town's folk have made comments. Yesterday, Bertha, Carmen and I were talking about the wedding and Carmen suggested, well…" Sally leaned up and whispered in Jack's ear. He seemed fine at first, until his eyes widened so large Will thought they would crack his skull. He turned to Sally, who only giggled.

Will leaned closer to Puck. "I don't know what she said, but I have a feeling Carmen and Al would have a lot to talk about."

"I don't doubt it," Puck whispered. "Say, that reminds me, are Al and Zack joining us Friday?"

"What? No way," Will said. She glanced at Jack and Sally, glad to see they were still otherwise occupied to notice them speaking before turning back to Puck. "It's just you and me, remember? Eight o'clock, and you better not be late."

"I would never keep a lady waiting." Puck winked.

Will laughed and playfully slapped Puck's chest. "You better not, Mr. Charmer, or you'll hear from me. You were the one who planned this."

"Of course. I'm just happy you said yes," he said. "I really am glad that you and I…"

"Tally ho, witches!"

There were several shouts as people moved out of the way. Will, Jack, Sally, and Puck all looked up to see non other than Al. The girl caused the source of the commotion as she sat on top of her great kelpie, Frank, as the beast went on a mad canter through the square. A partial tankard of beer was clutched in her hand, waving around wildly, while the other was tangled in Frank's reedlike mane. She was singing loudly and off key, and even Frank looked a bit tipsy.

"Am I imagining things, or is Al riding a kelpie?" Puck asked.

"Oh, I don't even want to know where she found that thing," Will said. She grabbed Puck's arm. "Come on. We need to find Zack and get those two under control before Al hurts herself."

The two ran off to find Zack. Sally was about to help when Jack stopped her. "Jack, we need to help them."

"Just a moment, Sally. Did you happen to overhead Will and Puck's conversation just now?"

"Jack, you know how I feel about eavesdropping."

"Sorry, but I couldn't help it," Jack said. He shook his head. "But that's beside the point. I overheard them talking about plans to meet Friday. Alone."

"That doesn't matter. You still shouldn't listen in on… Did you say they're meeting Friday?" she asked.

"Yes, this Friday at eight o'clock," Jack repeated. "I thought it strange, given we concluded that Will didn't care for Puck in the same way he did for her. Apparently, things seemed to have taken a turn; accommodating Psyche's request will be simpler than I thought."

Sally suddenly got a bright smile on her face and she threw her arms around Jack's neck. "Oh, my! Then that means… I can't believe this! It's wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"

"Sally, what are you talking about?"

Uh oh! Sally thought, her mind going from joy to panic. I promised Will I wouldn't tell a soul about her secret, and here I am almost telling Jack. She quickly released her hold on him and stepped back..

"O-Oh, nothing…"

"Nothing?" Jack inquired. "Funny, I recall earlier you said you had nothing to talk about." He folded his arms behind his back, advancing on his fiancé with a predatory smile. "Your excitement wouldn't have anything to do with a certain secret you can't tell me about, would it my darling?"

"Now Jack," Sally said as she backed up, "I already told you, I'm not at liberty to tell you about that."

"Yes, you did, but unfortunately your terribly adorable outburst just now has given you away. I'm afraid you'll have to tell me now."

Sally tried to back away, but Jack had her backed into a corner, literally. "Jack, please, it was a little slip," she pleaded. "I just got too excited. I'm really, really not supposed to say anything."

Seeing she was cornered, Jack pinned his hands on either side of Sally, trapping his beloved between him and the wall. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. My dear Sally…" Jack crooned, dropping his head so that his was less than an inch from her. "I know you promised, but you're entirely too irresistible. How can you tell me no, when deep down I know you wish to tell me so very, very badly?"

"Jack, please, I…" But Sally never finished her sentence as Jack started to kiss her. Though, it was no small peck. The kiss was slow and she all but melted into it.

Jack smiled through the kiss. Then he pulled back, leaving Sally a little breathless. He looked over his shoulders for a moment.

"Jack… W-What are you doing?" Sally asked. She noted his arms had lowered a bit. If she timed it just right, she could slip past him.

"Just ensuring we're alone." He turned back on her. He caught a slight movement. Jack raised his brow, thinking, So she wants to play that game, does she? Looking around, Jack noticed the corner he had backed Sally into was right by the iron cage displayed in the square. Seeing it gave Jack a very wicked idea.

Instantly, Jack moved his hands from the wall to pull Sally into his arms. He then moved them to the other side where the cage stood. Checking to ensure all eyes were not on them, Jack then open the cage and pulled both himself and Sally inside. The moment he shut the door, the cage lowered into the underground. As they descended, Jack turned Sally so her back was to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled the top of her head.

"My Sally, are you nervous? You're trembling, my darling."

"J-Jack? What's going on?" Sally asked. She could see nothing in the blackness. Suddenly, the cage jerked to a stop. She could feel it swaying, meaning they had not reached the ground.

"So sorry for the abruptness, my love," Jack said, holding her tighter. Unlike her, he could see better in the dark. "But I thought this would give us a better chance to talk. I know we were in a rather secluded area, but I'd rather not have everyone's prying eyes on us for a change."

"But why would you bring us down here? And why did the cage stop?"

"Well, it's delightfully dark. Remember the fun we had in the pumpkin patch?" Jack grinned as he heard her little gasp. "Too bad Ethan, Susan, and Sherwood had to walk by and ruin our fun." He nuzzled more of Sally's hair until his nose found her ear. He softly kissed the shell, dragging his lips down past the lobe to the soft skin just below her ear.

"Jack!"

Jack moved to place teasing kisses just under her jawline, avoiding her makeup. Will did say to be careful, he mused to himself. He slowly slid his hands from her waist up to her shoulders. His fingers began kneading her shoulders, applying more pressure around her seams. Meanwhile, Jack was still applying small kisses to the side of her face.

"Well Sally, will you tell Old Jack that little secret now?"

His breath warmed her neck, sending a sensual shiver up Sally's spine. Without the use of her eyes, her senses were heightened tenfold. Rational thought and common sense were all but forgotten as everything around her became all Jack. Jack's voice. His touch. Even the air around her began to take on her love's unique scent of pumpkin spice, worn stone, and the midnight air of a cemetery. And his lips! Jack had kissed her before but never so low. For a moment, she wondered what it would be like to have those haunting skeletal lips trailing soft kisses elsewhere. Her head tilted to the side.

Jack pulled back when he felt Sally move. His eyes looked down at Sally's now exposed neck. Taking one hand, he brushed his fingers over it until they met her braid. It rested just at her shoulder, covering part of her neck. He slid the braid over to her opposite shoulder, the tips of his finger grazing the seams connecting Sally's head to her neck. He felt her quiver under his touch. He smiled with pride. Then, Jack lowered his mouth to place slow, warm openmouthed kisses up and down Sally's neck. Her sharp intake of breath only enhanced the pleasure he felt.

This is going to be fun.

XXX

Town Square…

"Alice Stoli Tanner, get out of the fountain THIS INSTANT!"

"You are NOT my mother and you can't make me!"

This was the eighth time Will had gotten into a debate with her friend. After chasing the rampaging kelpie nearly all over town, Will and Puck finally caught up when the beast stopped. Unfortunately, Frank had decided to stop at the fountain, bucking Al off and into the water. She had been upset at first, until she started doing the backstroke.

Meanwhile, Al was sitting up in the fountain, soaking wet, and laughing hysterically. She howled, kicking water toward Will. Her face paint streaked down her face, and her hair and clothes were plastered against her body. Frank was drinking placidly while watching with calm eyes. Meanwhile, Will was trying to encourage her drunken friend out of the water.

"I wanna be a mermaid!" Al laughed, kicking her legs again.

"Al, just how many did you have?" Will asked, picking up another bottle. "You know you get drunk on just half a bottle of beer."

Al stopped laughing and began looking at her fingers. "I lost count after two," Al said, in her most serious voice. She stared a moment longer before she fell into another fit of giggles.

"More like five bottles by my count," Puck said. "Then again, she did get into the towns ale supply. And from her romp to the swamp, who knows how many she drank."

"I'm so okay to drive! Frank will take me home… Hey, you guys are being no fun! You need to drink," Al said, wagging her finger at Will and Puck.

"Ally, we've talked about this, remember?" Will said, using a calmer tone. "If one of us has a drink, the other has to be Designated Driver so the Drinker doesn't go too crazy."

"But you're boring!" Al whined before she blinked rapidly. "Hey! You two would make cute babies."

"Uh…" Puck blushed. He looked over to Will. She was covering her eyes with one hand, trying not show how red in the face she was.

"Okay, Ally, no more talk of that, okay?" Will begged. "No one is making babies today, or anytime in the near future."

"I wanna be an auntie! I'd be an awesome auntie!" Al sang, splashing around some more.

"You'd be a killer auntie, babe," Zack said, appearing from nowhere with a glass in his hand and a smirk on his face.

Will turned around, her eyes glaring like daggers at her best friend's boyfriend. "And just where have you been?" she demanded. "I thought you were looking for Al, and making sure she didn't over do it."

"I'm her boyfriend, not her keeper," Zack replied.

Will rolled her eyes and walked away, hands raised in surrender. "Fine, whatever, I'm not getting into another pointless debate," she said. "Just get your girlfriend out of the fountain. I'll go see if I can find some towels."

"Yes Master," Zack said sarcastically. "Hey Garlic, wanna give me a hand?"

"Coming," Puck called. He hated when Zack called him that, but the current situation was more important

Zack took off his shoes and hopped into the fountain. Al was immediately on her feet and kicking up a storm. She then took of running, Zack hot on her heels. Puck kept her contained in the fountain until Zack managed to catch her around the waist, and haul her over his shoulder fireman style. She protested but was silenced with a quick swat on the butt. With a heave, Zack walked them both out of the fountain, maintaining his hold on Al. Frank, who had been watching the whole scene, trotted up to Zack. He blew a breath into Al's face.

"Thanks for nothing, Frankie," Al grumbled as her kelpie gave a small snort and licked her face.

"So, what do we do with her now?" Puck asked. "She is getting rather…compromising."

Zack chuckled. "This is just beer, boy. You should see her on whiskey. Beer is just talk… Whiskey, well, she starts trying to actually make babies."

Puck jumped from shock. "Sh-She what?!"

Zack laughed even harder. "Oh you poor, innocent lamb."

"Zack, are you harassing people again?" Will called. She was walking towards them while carrying several black towels.

"Just making your boyfriend crazy," Zack replied, turning to face her and almost hitting Puck with Al.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Now put the girl down before I change my mind about letting her puke on you."

"She is looking more green, and I don't mean from the face paint," Puck pointed out.

Zack grinned and set Al on the ground. Her eyes were spinning slightly and she had started to shiver. Will gently wrapped a towel over her shoulders. She rubbed her hands over the towel, trying to help Al dry off. Al grabbed the edge of the soft towel and wrapped it around herself. Frank walked over, blowing his hot breath over his favorite human.

"So, did we learn anything today, Miss Ally?" Will asked teasingly.

"I wanna be a mermaid…" Al said softly.

Zack sighed quietly and crouched down. Carefully scooping her up, he pressed her head against his shoulder. "You don't need to be a mermaid, Al," he said, kissing her forehead. "You're an Al, and that's the best thing to be in my book."

Al looked up and smiled softly. Nestling happily against him, she closed her eyes and muttered, "I like your book."

"Even when three sheets to the wind, you two can still find ways to be adorably sappy," Will said. "However, I think Al should go home now. She's going to have one killer of a hangover in the morning."

"Some water and a spinach salad should do the trick," Puck suggested. "In the morning, give her some scrambled eggs and orange juice too. Though, if Al is prone to nausea, I would recommend a pot of ginger tea to settle her stomach."

Will raised a brow and gave Puck a half smile. "You want to try getting this girl to eat that particular leafy green?" she said. "Good luck! Al wouldn't take it if you had the spinach in Zack's mouth and she could get a kiss out of it."

"Spinach is gross!" Al whined again but her voice was laced with sleep.

"It's okay, Al. I won't let that bad vampire feed you spinach," Zack cooed, rocking her slowly.

"My hero…" Al said, her eyes fluttering closed.

"Okay, time to go." Will took Al from Zack and leaned her against her body. With a grunt, she stood up, half dragging Al. "You boys play nice," she said. "I'll tuck this one into bed and be back for the rest of the party."

"Sure you don't need some help?" Zack asked, slightly forlorn at loosing his girl.

"I got this, Zack. Al always wants to look her best for you, and she made me swear on me mum that I'd never let you see her after she got sleepy in a drunken state." She gave both boys a deadpan stare. "Trust me, it ain't pretty."

"Can we play sleepy time now?" Al asked, bobbing her head against Will's shoulder.

"Sure thing, Sweet-pea." Will shifted to support more of Al's weight. "Say goodnight, Alice."

"Goodnight Alice…" she muttered.

Zack snorted slightly and walked over. He gave her a quick kiss on the hair and said, "Goodnight Al."

"See you later boys." Will gave them a nod before turning to head toward Skellington Manor.

"Gosh, she is fun…" Zack said, watching the girls go. "Again, she's more fun on whiskey. What shall we do now, Garlic?"

"Not sure," Puck replied. "I believe there was mention of a parade, but without the Pumpkin King to head it off, I doubt it will begin. He seems to have disappeared."

"Well hootie hoo, Bone Man gettin' some." Zack chuckled, sipping his drink.

"Can you get your mind out of the gutter for one night?" Puck asked with a smirk. Zack merely winked. "What do you say we go find the Pumpkin King so we can get this parade started?"

"Sounds like a plan, Garlic Bread."

"I say we split up," Puck suggested. "You take the pumpkin patch and I'll search the alleys around town, then we can meet back in the graveyard. Oh, just let me grab my drink first."

"Shake a leg, Garlic!" Zack called, making Puck shake his head. However, Puck never noticed the swift switch of the cups, nor the quiet giggling of three mischievous little imps.

XXX

Apartment…

"Now, you just get some rest and I'll see you in the morning." Will tucked the covers up to Al's chin. It had been brutal getting Al home and into bed.

First, she had given up on trying to drag Al up Jack's insanely steep stairs. She opted for opening a portal using the garden shed just under Jack's house. Then, after helping Al into the apartment, the girls had been flocked by the pets. Al tried to get on the floor to cuddle with them while Will attempted to shoo them off. Then Al groaned as a dull headache steadily made its vicious purpose known. Accompanied by the head attack, a wave of nausea swept toward her, making Al taste her own stomach acid for a brief moment before repressing the urge to throw chuck.

"I think I'm gonna puke…" she groaned. Will offered to help, but Al managed to moan out that she could handle it on her own before bolting to the bathroom. She slowly made her way out after a muffled flush and cleaning herself up.

"Okay, let's go," Al said, voice raspy.

That taken care of, Will then dumped Al on her bed and took off her shoes before making multiple trips to the kitchen for glasses of water. Now with her friend finally sleeping, Will quietly slipped from bedroom.

Will was about to leave, when she thought, Better just open the door here. If I go out, the pets will get crazy and wake Al.

Will slipped her key from the chain around her neck and, doing her best to remain silent, unlocked the door to Halloween Town. The ever present autumn chill greeted her as she stepped through the door. Closing it behind her, Will let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness that's done," she said to herself. "Now I can relax and enjoy the rest of the party…"

"I'm one buzzed bastard!"

Will cringed, thinking, Spoke too soon. She dashed back to the town square where she could hear loud music playing. It was not the typical haunting music of the Zombie Band; it sounded more like eighties music. When she reached the square, there were some monsters dancing, but what caught Will's attention was the large crowd surrounding a couple parade floats.

I guess Ally and I missed the parade, Will thought. She tried to see what had people so excited but Will could not see over the mass of bodies. She finally spotted Zack's messy hair towards the front, but only for a moment before he disappeared. Everyone laughing and shouting also made it hard to hear what was going on. Frustrated, Will shifted into a bat and flew over the crowd. She kept her eyes peeled until she found Zack again. She flew over and landed, shifting back into a human next to his side.

"Zack, what's going on?" she asked. "What's everyone looking at?"

"Remember how I said I would show you Puck's strip tease?" Zack said, slightly trailing off. "Well…"

"Willa!"

Will stared off as the center of all the attention landed in front of her. Puck, shoes and shirt gone, hair loose from his ponytail stood before her with wings fully extended as he smiled at her, fangs showing. "Meu sangue laranja pequena doce, you've returned." He reached out and took her hand, kissing the back of it. "Meu coração, não poderia nua a estar fora do meu amor por mais um momento."

"Sayth what?!"

Zack laughed. "That, my little Willy-will-bat, is Portuguese," he explained. "Apparently, Old Garlic here picked up the wrong drink and is way past three sheets, if you know what I mean."

"And what does that have to do with the code-switching?" Will asked, trying to pull her arm away from Puck's grasp. He was trying to kiss a trail from her wrist up her arm.

"Oh, this is nothing. While you were taking care of Al, Puck here has been giving us a little performance." Zack held up his fingers as he listed things off. "Drunk flying acrobatics, a failed attempt at a strip tease, and like Ferris, he jumped up on one of the floats and did "Twist and Shout" along with a bunch of other dancing. Don't worry though, nothing PDA. I think he was saving those moves for you."

"Not funny, and it doesn't explain why he's drunk?" Will demanded, getting more irritated as Puck was still trying to kiss her. "Puck said he doesn't drink, so how this happen?" She finally ripped her hand away and glared at Zack. "Zackary Ricard Jameson, if you gave him any, so help me I'll–"

"Hey now, I may be a lot of things, but I do not spike another man's drink!" Zack said, sounding offended. "I don't know where he got the booze and it isn't my fault."

Will groaned in frustration. "Okay, then why hasn't anyone done anything?"

"And miss this show?" Zack said with a sly smile and a rather slimy laugh. "Program please!"

"Zack, people are staring!"

"Oh, minha senhora bonita, don't be upset," Puck cooed. He grabbed Will's other hand and pulled her to him so her body was flush against him. "The music got everyone dancing, even the Pumpkin King and his bride joined in. They left earlier to grab something for you. Something to do with a cake, I believe, but let's not concern ourselves about it right now."

"Whew!" Will closed her eyes and crinkled her nose. "How much did you drink?" she asked. "Your breath smells like a brewery."

"Come, join in, meu amor. We can dance long into the night by the light of the moon and stars, embora eles empalidecem em comparação com você, meu anjo negro."

"Okay Garlic, that's a bit too much to drink. You're cut off," Zack said, blushing as he mentally translated his friend's words. He strode forward and placed his hands on Will's shoulders, jerking her back. He moved her behind him, he and set a hand on Puck's shoulder. "We can head back to my place and sleep it off."

"Zackary, I'm fine but I'll not have you stand between my and my lady." Puck brushed Zack's hand aside. Then, before either could blink, Puck was standing behind them both. He wrapped one arm around Will's waist and jumped up onto the wall of the fountain.

"What just happened?!" Will shrieked.

"Is my delightful peach nervous?" Puck asked, nuzzling his cheek against the top of Will's head. "Não tenha medo, meu morcego tímido. Você é príncipe tendem a tudo."

"Buddy, don't know what you said, and don't care. Just let go and we can get you back home before you make an even bigger fool out of yourself."

"Haha! Only a fool for love, and always a fool for you, my blood orange." Puck kissed her nose, then lifted Will up and spun her around, laughing as he did.

Will, however, was not as amused. "Puck, put me down!" she shouted. "Put me down right now!"

"Never again," he shouted back. He stopped spinning and held her up with one arm. "I've let you go too many times to count. Meu amor por você é um forte quanto o sol escaldante, e tão forte quanto o mar tempestuosa."

"Okay, you–" Will pointed at Puck. "Need to stop talking Spanish or whatever, and put me down." She turned to address the crowd. "Does anyone here have any idea how this happ– HEY! Watch the hands!"

Will smacked Puck's head when she felt his hand get too low on her back. She looked around but it appeared everyone had gone back to the party. Only Zack seemed to be left. He watched and Will could see his mind toss the idea to intervene or let it play out. A slow smile came to his face. Will could see he had decided to let it play out. She glared at him.

"So help me, Zackary, I am going to get you for this," she hissed. "Could someone please help!"

Will's plea caught the attention of some of the other citizens. She smiled when Glenn, Davy, and Jerome came over, but she was most excited when she saw the Vampire Brothers coming her way.

"This kid is really out of it," Glenn said, "but never seen ale do that to someone."

"Agreed. The boy must not be able to tolerate the stuff," Davy added.

"Knew he was a light weight." Zack chuckled a bit. He then turned to the Vampire Brothers. "Hey, he's your nephew. Any ideas?"

"We've never seen him like this before," Max said

"It's so rare. He almost never drinks after the first incident," John added. "Remember, Marishka and Reinaldo had to remodel the entire East Wing."

"I remember that," Bela said.

"But one drink would not cause this much trouble," Lon argued. "The brand Alice brought was mild compared to what a stronger ale could do. He should not be reacting this way."

"So what the heck is wrong with him?" Will shouted, pushing Puck's face away as she continued to struggle. "Cause I want answers right now!"

"Perhaps if we had his cup we could determine what caused this," Bela suggested. "But first things first." He walked away from his brothers and placed a hand on Puck's shoulder.

"My boy, I believe Willa has had enough now. Set her down, if you'd please."

"Oh Uncle…" Puck sighed. He lowered Will but did not release her. "To ask such a thing would be to give up a sacred treasure. I said I would not let her go again, and I meant it. I'll never let my future mate go again."

"Oh hell no!" Will was at her limit. She tried to free herself, but Puck was too strong for her to wriggle free, and he had her in a position that made it impossible for her to transform into a bat.

Meanwhile, the Vampire Brothers were becoming outraged. Never had they heard the boy speak in suck a way before. This was not the young charge they knew, and he certainly never made such statement towards a young lady. He understood Puck was intoxicated but it certainly was no excuse for acting in such a disgraceful manor.

"Young man, you will show your elders some respect," Max warned, becoming angrier. "You will release the young lady at once, and retire with Zackary back to you home, or we shall have to become forceful."

Puck stilled for a moment. Will even quieted, her eyes becoming nervous as she stared at Puck's unseen face. He leaned forward and placed a kiss to her temple, murmuring something in his foreign tongue. Then, he turned on back and snarled a warning at his uncles, his eyes glowing red from anger. "Back off, old man," he hissed. "You don't tell me what to do. You quatro velhotes couldn't hope to stand up to a young blood like me."

"Ferdinando Stefan Dracul Diogenes!" Max snapped, outraged at the impudence of his nephew. "This behavior will not be tolerated." His brother came to his side, all hissing their own warnings.

However, Glenn and Jerome snickered, while Zack laughed so hard he bent in half. He clutch his sides and wiped a tear from his eyes. "Now that is a name!"

"Zack, hardly the time!" Will hissed. Her eyes were glowing now too, and her fangs were lengthening. "If you don't get me out of here soon, I'll be making an exception to my all fruit diet."

"How the hell did you get 'Puck' as a nickname out of that monstrosity of vowels?" Zack asked, choosing to take the risk of Will's wrath.

"It was a name he referred to himself when he was a boy," Lon explained, settling down as he explained. "He always fancied the tale of the mischievous Robin Goodfellow, and preferred to be referred to as Puck."

"He did get into many misadventures," Max added, a smile tugging at his lips. The Vampire Brothers began to calm as each of them reminisced the past.

"Remember when he once he tried to switch his brother with a infant bat when he was just a lad?" Bella asked, chuckling a bit. "Marishka came to pick up the little tot from our home after Puck had them fooled near a week."

"That explains a lot, but again, how does that help now!" Will shouted. She currently had both hands pressed against Puck's mouth to keep the vampire from kissing her again. "This is getting really old!"

"Such a playful little creature," Puck murmured against her palms, placing soft kisses there between his words. "And she tastes even sweeter."

"Puck, seriously, snap out of it!"

Puck pulled back and wrapped his other arm around Will. He now had her so close that her hands were pinned between them. He smiled as she struggled. "My sweetest blood orange, you really should relax. Have fun. It is a party in your honor, after all."

"It's St. Patricks Day, Puck," Will corrected him. "I told you before, I don't like celebrating my birthday, and you're really starting to-"

"Come now, love, this is your day. And I intend to make sure you enjoy every moment of it." He reached up one hand and grabbed her chin. Puck look at her angered face for only a moment before capturing her lips. There was an audial protest from Will, but Puck only deepens the kiss, moving his hand across her cheek until his fingers tangled in her hair. He pulled her head closer for another minute until Will's need for air forced him to pull back.

"Trust me, my flustered beauty," Puck purred, eyes glowing as he spoke. "Let me take the lead."

"Oh no…" Bela moaned.

"Okay, the eye glow is creepy. Why is that happening?" Zack asked. He looked to see all four vampires had become much paler than regular for the undead bloodsuckers. "And now something tells me I need to get a sonic screwdriver and a police call box."

There was no reply.

"Spit it out. What's happening up there?" Glenn demanded.

The Vampire Brothers turned to them, a look of absolute horror reflected in each of their eyes.

"We need to find Jack!"