Major thanks to monkeybaby, Pharmergirl, and ItsJustBecca for your reviews. Congrats to Pharmergirl. Thanks to everyone else for reading. I should have another chapter up on Saturday.

References to and contains scenes from 3x7.

Anna looked around the party in Derrek's basement to see a lot of kids from school but didn't spot Jim who was probably out with his nieces still. Then a cat and witch raced over. "Nice," the cat said, looking up and down her costume.

"Yeah, you look great," the witch agreed. That's when she recognized them as Beth and Becky, respectively.

"Not amazing, just great?" Anna asked.

"Well, yeah. I mean—" Becky started.

Anna grinned. "Relax, Beck, I know what you meant. I have the body for an outfit like Jen's or Tara's, I should use it?" Anna asked. Both girls were dressed in little more than a leotard and ears.

"I didn't say that," Becky said.

"It's fine." Anna smirked. "How's the party?"

"Alright, haven't seen Jim though." Becky smiled. It was like she was waiting for a reaction. The only one she got was a blank stare. "Can't blame me for wanting to see your reaction to that."

"I guess. Still think you're deluded for thinking Jim and I could ever be more than just friends."

Becky sighed but didn't say anymore on the subject. Instead she went on to talk about one of the hottest actors on TV. "But you have to admit, those eyes, they don't lie," a high pitched voice said as Anna was wrapped in a hug from behind.

"Jim," Anna squealed.

"You make the perfect tiger," Jim whispered in her ear his voice back at its normal timbre.

"Shut up and let me go." Anna rolled her eyes.

"Rorw," Jim hissed. "Retract those claws kitty." But still he let her go, mostly. He kept an arm wrapped around her shoulders and moved to her side, pouting. "Forgive me?"

Anna looked at him. "One of these days you'll push too hard and I really am going to snap at you." Jim kept his pout and now looked ready to cry. Neither of them noticed the looks Becky and Beth were sharing. Those knowing looks that said they really thought the pair should be more than just friends. "Oh, stop looking pathetic. You're making me feel bad."

Then Todd ruined it. "Hey there, Miller, don't you think you're wearing the wrong suit for that face? I mean you're a monkey not a puppy dog," Todd said as he walked up.

"Gorilla," Beth muttered under her breath.

"What?" Todd asked, turning a glare her way.

"He's a gorilla, not a monkey. He uh ... he doesn't have a tail," Beth explained hesitantly.

"Yeah, Todd, pay attention in science class," Jim said, smirking.

"Listen here you little—" Todd started, his eyes on Beth. Jim's hand gripped Anna's shoulder for a brief second as his eyes hardened.

"If the next word out of your mouth isn't kitten or cat, I'm going to do something I regret in front of three very lovely ladies," Jim warned. It was very rare that Jim got mad but when he did, it could be very scary. At least, that's what Anna had been told. She had never seen him angry. The fire she was seeing in his eyes made her believe everything she had been told. All three girls stepped back as Jim's arm fell from Anna's shoulders. Todd looked at him cautiously, almost debating whether or not to push him. He finally decided on not and walked away. Jim's eyes followed Todd all the way over to the hockey team on the other side of the room and then when they turned back to Beth, the look had cooled considerably.

"My hero," Beth said, fanning her face with her hand.

"You're welcome. I'm going to go talk to Dave, you girls enjoy yourself," Jim said. He grinned then walked over to Dave. Anna looked at Beth then opened her arms. Beth instantly stepped into them.

"Don't worry about Todd. He's an idiot. You want I can have Derrek kick him out," Anna said.

"No, I'm good but thanks," Beth said. She stepped back then Becky hugged her too.

"So Seth," Anna said after a moment, turning it back to the actor.

"Uh ... actually I'm going to go see what Sarah and Jen are up to," Beth said.

"Okay," Anna said. Beth walked off and Anna looked at Becky. "You think she's really okay?"

"I think so. If she wasn't she'd say so," Becky answered. Becky nodded when Anna didn't seem convinced. "She'd tell me. You know if you don't want Jim, I'll take him. He is such a great guy."

"He is and you're welcome to him because like I said he's just a friend," Anna said.

"That would be great, but I don't think he's into me. Why don't you go see what Krista is up to while I go to the bathroom?" Becky said. Anna nodded and looked around spotting Krista dressed aptly as Wilma Flintstone, her red hair making her perfect for the part. Anna even told her so.

"Everything alright between you girls and Todd?" Derrek asked, stepping up.

"Yeah, Jim stopped him from making an utter idiot of himself so I think we're good."

"I can kick him out," Derrek suggested, studying her to see if she wanted it but wouldn't admit it.

"We're good." Anna shook her head. Derrek watched her for a moment then took her word.

"Dance with me?" Derrek asked.

"Your girlfriend is standing right there," Anna said when she realized Derrek was looking at her.

"And I don't mind a bit," Krista told her smiling.

Anna danced with him and a couple other guys before making her way over to Jim. "How'd it go with your nieces?" she asked.

"Okay. They weren't too happy about not getting to stay out past dark but they were dead tired by the time we got back to the car. My sister didn't like them out after dark."

"And when you got them home?"

"Out like a light. My sister couldn't stop thanking me. Did you know your great-grandfather is giving out full size candy bars?"

"Yeah, he got a great deal on them because he knows a guy. My brothers were headed there after they finished with Manhattan. Said something about stealing them all. What about your grandparents?"

"They're that house," Jim smirked.

"The sugar-free house?"

"Worse. They give out raisins; at least my dad's parents do, but they live in Staten Island. My mom's dad on the other hand usually has some kind of retired firefighter's thing so he never gives out candy. This year my brother took over his house in Bensonhurst and had an awesome party. That's what he said he was going to do. He and my dad decorate our yard every year and Mom and Dad were giving out some of the best candy on the block."

"I remember that. They like never ran out. How do you feel about Becky?" Anna asked after a moment or two of silence.

"She's a nice girl and a good influence on you."

"Shut up. I'm a good influence," she answered lightly.

"Maybe to your brothers because they don't know half of what you do, but definitely not to our friends. The ones that really know you. You can be temperamental and pushy when you don't get your way." Anna pouted, mimicking Jim's earlier expression. "But I still like you despite all that."

Anna changed the subject away from herself. "Would you ever date her?"

Jim looked startled and confused. "Becky? Maybe. Like I said she's a great girl." Jim swallowed. "Are you trying to set us up?" He swirled his drink in his cup then glanced at it.

"No, but the way you stood up for Beth earlier kind of turned her on."

"I'm not the only gentleman we know. Dave's costume pretty much fits him and Josh would have done the same if he had been standing there," Jim said. Dave was dressed as a knight.

"So would Derrek," Anna added.

"Except he probably would have kicked him out in addition to threatening him."

"That he would."

Someone let out a sharp whistle and the music was turned down. "Just wanted to thank you all for coming, even though this party is a week and a half late. You make it great every year. My parents have voted and the costume of the year this year goes to Jim Miller," Derrek said. Even though he said his parents had voted everyone knew that Derrek could change that vote if he wanted to.

"Boo! Rigged!" a voice called from the other side of the room.

"Don't like it, don't come next year," Derrek answered. "We'll be shutting it down in about half an hour, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here." The music went back up and Derrek walked over. "Congrats on the win and your prize is this fake plastic crown. You look great, King Kong," Derrek said, putting the crown on Jim's head.

"Smile," Krista said, holding up her phone. Jim set his cup down, wrapped an arm around Anna's waist and pulled her close as he grinned. "Come on, Anna, smile," she pouted. Jim looked at Anna then smirked. He dug a finger into Anna's side tickling her and making her laugh and Krista snapped a well-timed photo leaving Anna seeing spots from the flash. "Oh, this is cute. I definitely have to post it and send you a copy."

"Thanks," Jim said. Krista and Derrek walked away and Jim removed his hand from Anna's waist and smiled.

"You know you only won because he wanted to call you King Kong."

"His parents picked the winner."

"If you want to believe that."

He picked up his cup, almost looking for a distraction. "He was right about one thing though. I do have the perfect leading lady."

"You do realize that in the movie, Kong wants to possess Ann and that in the end it's said that 'beauty killed the beast', right?"

"You're too sweet to kill anyone."

"Walk me to my car, hotshot," Anna answered, rolling her eyes.

"Whatever you say," Jim said, offering her his elbow. "How are things with your parents?"

"Better."

"You still worried?"

"Not about them blaming me. It's not my fault and they're just glad the result wasn't worse."

They walked up the stairs. "I can see that." He tossed his cup in the trash as they passed.

"And not so much about the future either. My parents are right, there are plenty of scholarships and grants out there, plus if I don't have enough saved up—Thank you for allowing us to take over your basement for the last two hours, Mr. and Mrs. Jones. We deeply appreciate it," Anna said as they stopped by them on the way out the door.

"Of course, sweetie. It's always our pleasure having you over. We don't know why Derrek doesn't have you by more often," Mrs. Jones said.

"Oh, you know, boys and their manliness. It's not cool to be just friends with girls when you're a teen, besides he has Krista and I don't want to get in the way of that."

"Right, you take care, dear. Jim, you too," Mrs. Jones said.

"Yes, ma'am," Jim answered. They continued to Anna's car. "What were you saying about not having enough saved up for the future?"

"Oh, if I don't have enough, I can always take a year off and work full time to make up the difference, plus I know I can work while I'm in school. I shouldn't worry too much, right?"

"Anna, knowing you, I have a feeling you're going to be just fine."

"Thanks, Jim. See you Monday."

"Yeah, later."

Anna got home that night to find her aunt Erin on the couch. "My brothers in bed?" Anna asked.

"Should be, you have fun?"

"Of course I did. What teenage girl wouldn't love hanging out with 40 other teenagers instead of walking through the big city with her two little brothers?"

"I know where you're coming from. Do you need me to stay?"

"No, I'll be good. Mom should be home soon. Thanks for taking them. I really appreciate it."

"Of course. Love the costume by the way."

"Thanks." Anna walked Erin to the door and watched her leave then locked the door, checked the windows and back door, and went to bed. She had just gotten comfortable and was about to turn out the light when her door slowly opened. Anna looked over to see Sean standing there just staring at her. Anna watched him but he only continued to stare. Something was wrong with her little brother but it seemed that he wasn't going to say anything. "Sean?" she prompted.

He swallowed and looked back down the hall before turning back to Anna. "Can I sleep in here?" he asked so softly she almost missed it.

"What's wrong?"

"I—never mind."

"Come here," Anna said. Sean sighed but walked over to his sister. "What's wrong? You haven't asked to sleep in here in years."

"Do monsters exist?" Sean asked.

"Dad puts away monsters every day."

"Not bad guys," Sean's shoulders slumped, "Monsters. Werewolves, zombies, vampires; those kinds of monsters."

"Of course not. The ones you see on TV and in movies are CGI or guys in make-up and costumes."

"Are you sure?"

Anna pulled out her phone and did a search. She showed Sean pictures from behind the scenes on movie sets. "See, movie and TV monsters are mainly just men in costumes. They're just actors in costume like you were tonight. There's a saying, more like a fact, humans are the only monsters that kill or main for fun."

"I think that's only true about sex."

"And what would you know about that?"

"Just what Jack says."

"Do you want to know more?" Sean shrugged. "I promise you that actual monsters only exist on the screen and not in real life. With that being sorted, we're back to your original question."

"Can I?"

"Yeah. Did Aunt Erin tell you about monsters or was it Nicky?"

"Aunt Erin," Sean said, crawling over her and getting comfortable between her and the wall.

"You're safe now. Nothing's going to happen." Anna brushed a hand through his hair.

"Do you ever believe Dad when he tells you that?"

"Why wouldn't I? He's never wrong." Sean nodded and they settled down to get some sleep.

When Anna woke up the next morning, she was on the edge of her bed and Jack was on Sean's other side. She wondered when he had come in. It didn't really matter but she was slightly worried about what Erin had told them to make both of them come to her for comfort. The boys were subdued for the rest of the day but her mom never said anything even though Anna was sure she noticed. It wasn't until Sunday that anyone mentioned it. Between church and dinner, Jamie sat down with Anna in the living room. "So tell me about the party."

"Nothing to it. Just a party," Anna answered.

"Just a party? When I was your age, there was no such thing as 'just a party'."

Anna shrugged. "Dancing, music, conversations, and costumes. Not much to talk about."

"Pictures?"

"Of course there are pictures. 40 teens at a party all armed with smartphones. Rare that no one took a single pic."

"Can I see them?" Anna tried to judge his sincerity then pulled out her phone and pulled up the party page on her social media feed. She clicked on the photos and handed the phone to her uncle. He scrolled through the feed stopping on one. "That's Jim, isn't it?"

Anna looked at him then searched her memory. "You've never officially met Jim?" Anna asked. Jamie shook his head. "Yeah, that's him. Right after he won best costume." It was the most viewed photo in the lot.

"For a gorilla costume?"

"Derrek picks the winner and picked Jim so he could call him King Kong."

"And you were there when he did this?"

"Right next to Jim and fully understood Derrek's implication."

"You think Derrek's trying to set you up?"

"Wouldn't be the first. To be honest though, Jim is just a friend." Jamie watched her for a moment then nodded and went back to looking through the photos. Anna wasn't sure that Jamie believed her but she wasn't going to push and be insulted.

"This Derrek?" Jamie asked.

"He is tagged in the photo," Anna sassed.

"Smarty pants. You're not too big to be swatted, you know." Anna wrinkled her nose but leaned against him and pointed out other people in the photos.

"Dinner," Nicky said.

At dinner, talk centered around Jamie's case, an EDP they had come across a couple of times. He told them how he had ended up back on the street and it wasn't right then about how he got a picture of him and how the man had posed. Danny threw out the fact that the face Jamie was imitating looked like the guy had to pass gas more than anything else. That got a laugh out of nearly everyone. "Hey, what's up with you two? Your dad makes a fart joke and you don't even react?" Linda asked.

"Yeah, you're pretty quiet over there, what's going on?" Danny added.

"I would like to take this moment to thank my aunt for graciously taking my brothers trick or treating, right up to the point where she traumatized them," Anna said. Jack looked from Anna to Erin then back at his plate.

"What?" Danny asked confused.

"I take it you haven't gone trick or treating with my mother," Nicky said.

"You let them go alone, with Erin?" Frank asked.

"Well I didn't get that memo," Danny said.

"That was kinda my fault. I would have gone with them but I got invited to a party." Anna said. She turned back to her aunt. "Next time you tell my brothers that vampires, werewolves, and zombies exist and are coming for them, I'll take you up on that offer to stay."

"Wimps," Erin said. Anna rolled her eyes and Danny's phone rang. He answered it to find a priest on the other end then made his excuse about having to go back to church before leaving.

"So what's this about a party?" Henry asked.

"My friend Derrek had to cancel his Halloween party because of the hurricane so when the mayor rescheduled trick or treat, he rescheduled his party. He invited me to come and as much as I love my brothers, I thought it would be a good idea to go."

"We both thought it would be a good idea if she went," Linda corrected.

"Did you have fun?" Frank asked.

"Yeah, it was a change of pace," Anna admitted.

"That's always good," Frank said.