Hey There,

Welcome Back, PCA Stingrays! It's time for another update on this crazy Halloween tale! Thank you to ANYONE who has managed to read this far! Truly, thank you! Happy 2025 to you all, hopefully this is the start of a GREAT year for us ALL!

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I don't own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted plots! Most will be returned unharmed!

Special thanks to AwkwardGurl05 for her endless support, interactive reviews, and friendship! Bless you bestie! You're the best!

Enjoy

"Monster Movie Mayhem"

Chapter 9 - Pre-date Loophole

(Logan Perspective)

She said YES!

She FINALLY said YES!

Why do I feel like this is not the only time that I will be this excited over that one-worded answer? Coming from this woman?

((Author's Note: Because it's NOT!))

… Anyways, I didn't have time to celebrate for long. The storm that would charge Mo's rebirth was inching closer and closer by the day… by the hour. And I needed to think and plan for EVERYTHING! Chauncey was right, our first official date in real life had been ruined. And needed a whole makeup date to recover from it.

This date could NOT go as bad as my first date attempt with REAL Quinn had gone. Makeups weren't an option this time, I needed perfection, the first time! Nothing less!

And I could just hear real Quinn… My Quinn, back home in my head. Swearing, "Oh! Our first date WASN'T bad, Baby… It really wasn't. Our first several tries AT dating were… bumpy, given. But I count our first actual date as our first trip to our beach… which was perfect-"

And I have to remind her, everytime that, "Even that had gotten rained out? At the end of that date too!? And we had to make a run for it, back to the car? Before it was all over! Remember that, baby? Really? Still so sure it was okay?"

And she always swears, "A little rain never hurt anybody. And even the Vaccario's disaster turned out to be a really fun story to tell. I didn't hate any of it… I was with you… How could I not still have fun?"

But I had felt HORRIBLE! About that, even LONG after it was fixed!

AND that's all Quinn's voice in my head, back in reality, minus most of the madness and makeup of this realm… waiting for me to wake up. I know she's right there, I can even feel her warmth sometimes. Giving me the courage, to keep going.

This NEEDS to go well so I CAN FINALLY wake up! And be with her again! This monster scene is fun, sure. But I wanna go home! I NEED to go HOME!

MAD scientist and doctor Quinn may not even feel the same as her… even if they're mostly the same. This could be one of those rare moments where their different people.

Even though the crazy extended patchwork family this doctor version of Quinn keeps. Had been more than happy to clue me in on so many of this Quinn's likes and dislikes, habits and quirks. Which had been all the same as my true Quinn's mostly… you know, aside from the monster and magical add-ons. She still loves yellow tulips, rain, and all animals even if especially Otis her alpacca.

Otis who is even here with her, and kept in a pin. He's just an undead version of her baby alpaca here. All her pets are here, all of them I know about anways! All of her pets from school and back home, they're just a little more durable and immortal. She even drinks the same coffee orders for the same moods. And so many of the same little things like this are spot on.

She still can't help but be sexy as all hell in all of her lab gear. She's always helping people, or building things to help people, and experimenting all in between (so she can help even more people, but you get my drift).

She's ALWAYS like this, always brilliant, and ALL WAYS making me crazy for her. I'm just… SO crazy about her. Then I start thinking about Quinn back home, and the tumble of memories in my head… Whoo! Is it hot in here!? Some of those memories were home and just everything! But admittedly some of those memories were HOT too!

I think I even told the doctor version of her, yesterday as we were hold up inside my coffin, all day. That, "I always want her."

Maybe… I don't even know for sure. But it's true, and sounds like me.

Cause I was so bad off in that tiny space with her, that whole time. Where she was all warm, snuggly, and close. Her smell was freaking everywhere in there and mixed with the fresh rain smells from our journey! That I can't remember all that I said, or didn't say anymore. I was too lost, that entire time… Everything about her sets me off normally. But being that close to her, and having her all to myself… Whoo!

And the craziest thing is that I wished I was still there with her now… That somehow we could still be trapped there. Because there… I didn't have to share her as much. Or let her go… And her neck was right there… ya know? I've never been this drawn to anyone's neck so much in my life. But as a vampire, even when I'm not biting her, I am ALL about her throat… vampire thing, I guess!

I don't remember it being this bad before…

But then again, I also don't remember that not being with Quinn before... You know, intimately… Being so bad before either! But I guess since I'd never done that before her. And now I KNOW what it's like, and it's not just my imagination I'm arguing with… I'm beyond spoiled, I'm wrecked for life and anyone else!

And NOT being with her THAT way! I have no idea how I've made it this long… Really, no clue how I've not blown up. Spontaneously combusted from it.

But somehow I'm still here, and somehow… I have to completely conceal that the only experiences I have. Like that, are with her. Even though she has to think I'm a Dracula, so I MUST have tons of other experiences, with other woman, and monsters… Cause most Draculas, she would be right… just not this one.

And none of the other Draculas or vampires staying in Lolavira's palace are much help. Giving any better impressions either! So many of them with different women EVERY time they walk through a door in this place… my own DAD more than ANYONE else! Gramps is at least sticking to the same queen (My Grandma). But all the others might as well be Dad's twins…

But I'm not them, never have been, never will be. And I had to show this Quinn that too, you know while convincing her to date me! But if you remember, before all of this chaos with Mo happened. I had been also determined to plan a few trials and pre-dates… Just to test the waters.

And even though I had agreed to wait for our official first date to happen after Mona's rebirth…

I didn't promise a thing about pre-dates or kind-of dates that are off the books… Did I?!

I finally got a 'YES' I'm not letting her even think about regretting it or changing her mind.

So with all of these plans and ideas on my mind. I planned for our date beyond the rebirth and just listened out for the perfect chance to sneak some time with her in between. Wherever I could, and the first chance came about two days later. When Mona's progress had stabilized, and her health stats were back on track.

Lisa was complaining loudly to the witches, that Quinn's trays kept getting sent back! The food not even touched, by her.

The Witches conveyed that the doctor was claiming she didn't have time to eat. I saw my chance, so took it and asked Lisa to hand me her last tray. When she asked me, "What are you gonna do?"

I shrugged at Lisa, and all the other witches smirking over their cauldrons. "Help her make time."

Then I stole a cover to keep things warm (even though I didn't know if that mattered) and went to request the doctor's time. But I didn't go to the hunchbacks and say, "I'm gonna make doc eat."

No, I lied and told her staff I had an injury that needed looking after. Knowing she would definitely make time for that, especially when she's familiar with the healing rates of a vampire. If any of us are showing up with wounds at all, something must have interrupted those quick healing capabilities. Like a poison or a curse… something bad like that.

I wondered if I would worry her, or if she would see right through my fib. But when she came into the little side room where I was waiting. I knew from the look on her face she hadn't been fooled for even a second. She'd known the moment my name was mentioned, I had been lying, even when she couldn't see me doing it!

She pulled back the privacy curtain I was waiting behind and I had her tray hidden behind my back and cape. So she wouldn't see it till I LET her see it. And even though she KNEW I wasn't hurt she still came in snapping on new pair of rubber gloves and reading the chart I had had way too much fun making up. She came in asking all saucy, "Hmm, Loganator the Great aka Count Dracula? Is that your real name? Or is that something you wrote for fun?"

"It is now, it's got a nice ring to it doesn't it?" I asked her.

And she'd "Mmm-hmm"ed as she'd tried to stay out of my range of grab-ability. But I still got a hold of her waist the second she was close enough and pulled her too me. I stole a kiss but she insisted on reading my chart back to me. Even though I already knew what it said.

"As king of the vampires, you know it's damn near impossible to cross into any other breeds or types of monster normally. Unless some catastrophe has occurred or a special curse has come into play. I know you do." She'd said so firmly and non-nonsense… so HOT as hell too. "So you're not becoming a were-anything, you're not zombifying, you're not cursed, AND you're not losing any of your fangs. So what ARE you doing here?! This chart is more fictional than trivial!"

And that was when I whipped my cape back, revealed the covered tray, and told her. "You need to eat, or how else can you panic over caring too much about every beast and freak? If you're not looking after yourself too-"

"Logan, I don't have time!" She insisted, again so tiredly it made my chest hurt. And she'd tried to escape my grasp, but I had her waist so… she wasn't going anywhere. And her not being able to overpower just meant she was weak from not eating. I rest my case!

"Make time, doc. I can already see your good health visibly deteriorating a little bit. I know you skipped breakfast too, do this, real quick. If not for the patients who still need you, do it for me. So I can breathe a little easier."

She still fought and twisted in my hold. "You're a vampire, your oxygen isn't required-"

"You know what is required?" I'd asked and even before she could get out the question. I was pulling her into a longer and deeper kiss. That hilariously made her stop fighting me. She'd wrapped her arms around me and even went a little limp against me.

Looks like food wasn't the only thing she'd been needing.

When she stopped to breathe, I didn't cause like she said. I didn't need it, like she did. I'd needed this more than even I knew. So I'd kept that going as long as I could, trailing the length of her neck… see, addicted to her throat in this place. But she'd hugged me so tightly… It was just heaven for a blink in hell. Before I remembered, to stay firm, she needs to eat and we'll have all of the daylight hours for this…

And while she was still close I said, "Please take care of yourself, doc. Mo's not the only one who needs you, ya know?"

Deep into my shoulder, where she'd buried her face, she'd whined, "I knooooooow." She'd drawn it out and I'd laughed. When we're like this it all just bubbles up inside of me. Whether it's real, or a dream, whether we're humans or monsters. I can't ever stay too serious or sad around her. She just makes me feel so happy, no matter what.

As she turned to look at me while her head was still laying on my shoulder and shot back "And I need you too."

Now that WAS something my Quinn would have said. I had to pull her into a new kiss, or I would definitely explode, no question. You don't know how relieved I was to hear her say that. How hard I had worked, just to hear her say 'yes.' To trying to date each other, I don't feel like even real Quinn had made me work that hard for that first date 'yes.' And even hers hadn't come easily! Not at all!

It was WAY too new, like the first time I told her I loved her, and after the prom ended. I KEPT saying it… and so did she. We couldn't stop for a little bit, this was like that. I had to pull myself away from her and let her eat or else this would be how we spent her whole little break… no matter how GREAT that sounds, to ME! She NEEDS to eat, I just HAVE to let her.

When this worked, she ate and I got to spend that little bit of time with her. This became a new habit, for us. During those long night-hour shifts where we both had to be such different monsters. I would invade two or three times a night to make sure she wasn't working too hard and eating like she should.

And some of those visits admittedly were me warning her, she was getting bitten during daylight hours. And whenever I paid one of those visits to her. She was such a tease too, she'd say, "Can you wait that long, do you need to bite now? We can, if you need it!"

And she's bare all the neck and collarbone, right there! And tell me, 'I don't have to suffer.'

I had to tell her… And sound confident. "I can wait."

Not EASY! Not FUN! But when we were alone during the daylight hours. On the days I needed a bite. She's started going out of her way to make it worth the wait. Anyway she can… RESISTING - HER - ISN'T - EASY!

I've also snuck time working in the lab… with her, whenever I could. Between all of these checks and bites. I had to keep getting food from the kitchen witches and Lisa. I did lots of odd jobs around the labs the rest of the day, assisting anyway, anywhere I could. Even teaching Lydia's classes somedays. So Quinn has a sec to catch her breath.

And then those daylight hours… God… They were just heaven… Even when I wasn't biting or resisting her. When I just got to be with her, or hold her. Talk to her about everything and nothing!

I had to keep making sure I was still alive… they were that much like heaven… can monsters go to heaven? I don't even know…

Anyways! Day after day, Zoey would also hang around the kitchens. And at first, I though she was doing it to gab with the witches, or steal the pumpkin puffs when they were fresh. Help with potions and curse structures… Quinn's always swearing it's a delicate balance Zoey's perfected. So I went with that!

But Zoey wasn't acting like her usual sunny, happy self… That Chase always finds AMAZING! And I always find to be a bit much. She was acting like she was very unhappy actually… even though she had guys fighting each other for the chance to entangle with her in crazy dangerous webs, high in the ceilings and towers. Don't ask me why! I've never seen the appeal and even if I can say Zoey's cute. I would never betray Chase like that, and he's been dead gone on her since the first time he SAW her.

But Zoey didn't need another vampire confusing her. Beasts were bringing her all the flowers and dead things every day. All she could ever want… clearly a monster's dream… So what was UP?! Why wasn't she MORE happy!?

As I kept noticing this, it wasn't lost on me who she kept staring at… When she seemed her unhappiest… It was Chase, she was staring at… How the tables have TURNED.

In real life Chase was ALWAYS crazy about Zoey.

ALL! WAYS! Can't stress this more!

But here and now, she was the one playing the pine-away game! In this world it was Zoey looking at him that way and wanting to trap him in her webs.

And Chase seemed to have girlfriend! But I KNEW Chase wasn't seriously dating that ghoul. Rita Taylor also known around PCA as "Right now Rita" who was always for spur-of-the-moment dates and make-outs no strings attached. She'd helped me out more than a few times too before I was taken! She's not a bad person or hoochie… she just has self-esteem problems and Chase was just helping her make her real target jealous, by making him think she was with Chase.

So I knew he wasn't serious about anyone besides Zoey here, or anywhere.

And as she watched Chase lay it on THICK, to get this dumber ghoul to react. So he could STOP pretending, and go back to mooning over Zoey. It was such an unbelievable payoff for me! To see Brooks practically swooning for him in the doorway of that kitchen. After YEARS of hearing Chase wallow and hurt from Zoey IGNORING him, and not seeing him that way! All the witches and Lil Lisa confirmed this was an everyday thing too… Zoey watching Chase from here.

Lisa said, "Mmm hmm, she's been like this since she realized Chase has feelings for her. It's sad really-"

I asked, "When did that happen?!" I didn't have to tear any giraffes heads off and there were no glitches I'd heard about here.

We all know how it happened in reality. But some things are different here. I had to know!

Lisa said, "Oh days ago and when Zoey went to tell him, she might love him too. But when she got to him, she saw Rita walking with him arm and arm. Now she thinks she's missed her only chance!"

Now she couldn't seem to stop kicking herself for missing out. This is so GREAT! Everything is falling into place! Right on time! I let her ache a little longer… Cause I was personally enjoying it and thought FINALLY! I wished Chase could have seen it, he'll never believe me. But he also wouldn't enjoy it like I could either.

So seeing my shot, I snuck up behind Zoey soundlessly. And asked her in my most persuasive tone of voice. "If you like him so much-"

Zoey shouted and jumped away from me cursing me. Cause I'd scared the living crap outta her! SO badly, I glanced at the ground under her feet, to see if anything had really come out of her.

"What's holding you back, Brooks?" I asked still cool as anything while she was still freaking out at me. Not to forget my point!

And when she stopped slapping at me and cursing my name. She immediately confessed, "Because I saw his FACE… the heartbreak written all over it, Logan… I never want to see I caused hurt like that, EVER again… especially in him… I can't take it, I never knew he felt like that… and I still don't know what I feel, but I'd like to find out."

I had to ask, "Is there any chance you can love him?" And when she looked so unsure I cut through the horsesh*t. And I said, "Cause if there's any chance you could hurt him worse than you already have… don't. He's been through more heartbreak over you, than you'll EVER know. And don't pretend you had no clue either."

She swore, "I didn't! I really didn't… And hurting him is the last thing I wanna ever do."

I said, "Good. Prove it and quit already!" Even if he doesn't know it, Chase will ALWAYS be one of my best friends and I'll never forget that. No matter what.

Zoey said, "I don't want to hurt him… and I think I might … I mean, I could… love him like that… maybe. I know I love him lots, he's the best person I know-"

"Same, which is why I'm telling you not to hurt him anymore. Now that you know how he feels about you." I clarified.

And she said, "I hear you, and like I said I know I love him… but romantically… I'd like the chance to find out."

I told her simply, "Then stop wasting time, Brooks. You're only gonna know if you try-"

"But Rita-"

I let her know, "He's helping her out, it's nothing more than that trust me. Just try-"

She'd cut in, "Like you're trying right now, with Quinn?"

And I told her, "Don't compare the two, I'm not trying anything… I'm in love with her. Plain and simply, I know it, there's a difference. I'm not being wishy washy, I know it's love with all my heart, and I would never hurt her EVER. She's hurt enough for everyone and so has Chase." She better not go talking to him sounding so unsure of anything.

But Zoey was more interested in her question, "Does Quinn know that you love her, so unapologetically?"

And I was truthful, and said, "She's not ready to hear it… Not yet, anyways. Mark hurt her too bad, she doesn't trust anyone like she used to. Not even herself anymore, her patchwork family told me that. Don't make me regret saying a thing to you about it. She just said 'yes' to dating me, I don't want to scare her off!"

And Zoey had hugged me, she said it was because 'she felt bad for me.' And assured my secret was safe. She's usually good about that stuff.

I told her, "Don't feel bad, then. I got my yes and my chance." But while she still had her hold on me I told her. "You shouldn't let the both of you miss out on another minute where you could be happy together. Just because of one silly mistake… No matter who's fault it was."

I hope she takes that advice, I know Chase won't turn her down. No matter how obsessed he is with helping Michael plan Halloween as the best friend to the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown. He'll always make time for Zoey, no matter where we are. She'll probably always be his perfect match too… you know, if she ever wraps her stubborn blonde head around it.

But look at that, everyone is getting for sure paired off and lined up just right. Just as Chauncy said they would need to be. For Quinn to ever find happiness with me here. In this Monster life, even if it isn't black and white anymore. And STUPID me took that as a GOOD sign like maybe this first date will go as well as our first makeup date went. When I took Quinn to our beach that first time.

What can I say, I'm a dreamer.

As if I needed more of a sign, some of Lolavira's exes found out about her starting a serious relationship. And got ALL mad when they heard about it. Lola had even recieved several threatening bat messengers. Threatening to burn the whole castle down, with us inside BEFORE this second birth could happen.

So I had to be a good bestie and become part of the "Crazy Ex Pervention Taskforce." That assembled, and started making sure all inside the castle were safe. We had to basically make the whole place burn and fireproof. Also blocking out all sorts of curses and spells… and there was no guarentees that the shields would hold when Mona's rebirth was happening! But it would keep us safe in the meantime till then! We were using any means nessasary. It wasn't hard, it was mostly just making sure the witches' magic covered everything important and lots of recon, patrolling for angry male monsters of ANY origin.

DANG, I really hope actual Lola wasn't this open before Vince came along. Because that's just nasty!

But all of us were worried about burning alive, so I wasn't in the lab as much this one evening. I was there the whole rest of the week, and just that one evening. Of not hanging around, and keeping closer tabs on my girl was all it took for Quinn to get overwhelmed. And need to leave the labs for some air, apparently. I've never seen her do that before, but that's what happened.

Cause I found her, just out of castle bounds crying… all alone and seated…you guessed it. On a black ironwrough bench…

… Does anyone else think this looks familiar?! Monsterized, of course… but this was too similar to our bench! Even if ours was a wooden one with a sunny varnish. And this thing was blacker than a moonless night. But she was even sitting in the same spot with her glasses off.

This CAN'T be a coincidence.

Even if the last BIG moment for us on a similar spot, in realty. Had been me finding her just after she knew for certain. Not only was her relationship with Mark over, but she didn't want to be with him anymore either. And she was heartbroken for finding out she'd wasted two years on a person who NEVER loved her.

He was also NEVER faithful to her. Not for a minute of that time… And I'd found her crying on one of the benches on campus. Not wanting any of our friends to find her… she felt so stupid, and she's NEVER stupid.

She probably felt so shocked I noticed her, or even cared enough to stop that day… I'd done such a great job of hiding my feelings even from myself. I was shocked at my own actions when I'd sat next to her on that bench.

But I totally believe I was always in love with her… Before I even knew it.

I was in so deep, that I didn't even fully realize it, till way after I was looking back through old pictures. And there were WAY more of her than ANYONE else…. Even ME! I had more of her than me! That's a lot! You don't know how many that is, I do and it's proof!

But whatever feelings I had been hiding were lit on fire that day on the bench. When I'd put her glasses back over her eyes and told her she didn't have to try to look or act like anyone else. And I'd thought to myself no one had ever looked more beautiful than she did. When she looked like herself again.

And when she'd smiled at me and I saw those eye twinkles shining for me that way… I'd kissed her before I even knew what I was doing…

She was FINALLY free and clear of being Mark's that day. And I didn't let her hang there, all alone, for long… at all.

So I called out to monster Quinn and let her know I was there. Saying, "What are you doing out here alone? It's dangerous?"

And she'd did a little jump, and I'd seen tears, for sure. I was across that distance inhumanly fast and trying to comfort her before she could even form words. She couldn't tell me what had happened. Before I was asking a million questions trying to make it easier on her by guessing right.

She finally had to stop me and just tell me, "... I'm just feeling SO worried… I guess. And I've been coming out here for air since my first night here, in the castle. Nothing's ever happened to make me think it's not safe-"

I warned her, "But it's not in the witch's barrier of protection. And Lola-vira has been getting threats from some of her exes-" I began explaining. As I was signaling to the witches on the roof that this area needed coverage. But I could only spare one arm, cause I could not let her go. She was clinging to me and crying way too hard into my cape. She needed both arms these witches needed to work with me here!

But Quinn cut me off explaining. "I know, I ju-just needed to be away from it all, ju-just for a second. I needed to get some space and BREATHE. I felt like I couldn't breathe when we found out about the planetary alignment thing." She'd gotten all of that out before we were finally fully back under the cover of the protective shield energy. And I felt like I could breathe a little better too.

"What planetary alignment thing?" I asked, I skip on lab duties for one stinking day! Helping my monster bestie ditch some old boyfriends turned stalkers. Now I'm playing catch up! Being a girl's best friend is so much more complicated than being a guy's! You know… most days.

But my girl took a big breath and explained, "Former Vampire King Rowan," My grandpa had told her. "That six of the eight planets in our solar system would be in perfect alignment the same day as the rebirth. The storm will prevent any viewing of this fact here, obviously. But he warns that it could still have repercussions on Mona's birth. Unforeseen side effects, shifts, or magical anomalies are all possible…"

I asked her, "He said all that?!"

"No… He was just warning out of kindness because his astrophysicist friends had tipped him off to the fact. He has no idea that I have some history with such things."

"You do?" I had to ask.

And Quinn looked pained as she said, "Yes… not good history either. The last time I attempted something like this on a day that three planets had aligned including Earth, centuries ago. I never could get that creation living. And that had only been THREE planets this is SIX out EIGHT overall and across all the realms! Even the humans will be seeing this in their night skies, the ones smart enough to look up. Of the KNOWN planets identified in our system. It's gonna make this rebirth attempt way more complicated. Because I now know, with authority, that the monster realm is always knocked into some new form of unpredictability when our planet aligns even with any other planet. I have no way of calculating what I can't predict- It's different each time. You see what I mean!" Quinn finished holding onto me just as tight as I was holding her. I got so wrapped up into snuggling with her, trying to comfort her. I almost forgot my own name, I'd gotten so into it, after missing her all night. Running around helping Lola.

Quinn went on crying into my shoulder, just breaking my heart. "I'm so worried about it! That I don't know if I should even go through with it now. Or hold off, and wait for another storm. Mona really can't afford for this attempt to not be a full success. Her heart and brain can't take anymore wear and tear without living and healing. If this doesn't work we'll need a new heart and brain. I really don't want to put Raph or Mona through that… they've gotten so close-"

"Then go for it." I encouraged, cause it still sounded like the better option to me.

I (Logan) went on saying, "Trust that another factor you can't possibly predict is the chance of real love happening between Raph and your creature." I wanted to so badly say like the love between our friends, all around us. Or the love between the older pairs, who still so obviously got it right… But more than anything… I wished I could say the love always growing and changing between us, no matter who we are. But again, Quinn didn't need to hear that right now. She needed assurances not love confessions… one step at a time!

So instead of that, I reminded her, "Remember what James, Raph and Lydia all said about when they were still in pieces. That they wanted to live just to meet their makers, or the people they kept hearing, around them… the one's who cared… Mo's gotta be the same, and if she wants to live. She'll fight, she's SUCH a fighter! Powerful and strong already! She'll do everything she can to be here with all of us."

Quinn almost smiled as she admitted, "Lo-Love can make even a genius do some pretty crazy things… can't it? Even when it isn't true."

I had to agree, "Definitely." While my head and heart were both screaming at her silently. "THAT'S - HOW - STUPIDLY - I - LOVE - YOU!" Thank goodness my girl's not a mind reader yet… or hasn't invited a mind-reading device just yet… give her time.

But then I seemed to remember that the witches weren't the only ones who can teleport on command. Don't ask me why it hit me just now, it just did though. And I was whispering in her ear. "Why don't we get outta here? Just for a second, and really take a breath. I promise I'll bring you right back to this spot the moment you need to get back. Or even you're labs, if you would like. But really, let me just take you somewhere besides here. Where all of these worries are drowning you."

Reluctantly, she eyed the path back to the labs. And I'd offered her my hand, like I do, whenever we dance. It was hopefully familiar enough to seem appealing. Cause she did end up taking it and saying, "okay." Softly.

And with a snap of my fingers on my free hand, as I wrapped her in my cape with me. We were BAM! Back at the depressing castle that was mine in Transylvania, Romania. And even though I'm no longer color blind that place was still colorless, cheerless, and lifeless as all hell. Quinn looked as disturbed by this fact as I was when I first woke up here. She asked with her nose all wrinkled, "Where exactly are we, Drac?"

I said, trying to hide my shame, "This is my home in Transylvania… actually." I used to be good at acting, what the hell happened to that!?

"THIS is… this is all yours?" She asked, with her brown eyes HUGE and twinkly behind her glasses.

"Yeaaaaaah." I said, so pathetically. Cause this was the place I had been offering up for her consideration. I wanted to bring Quinn back here with me, when this party has ended, and she's working on teaching both Lydia and Mona. And keeping watch over their development, as well as the possibility of feelings for both Frankenstein creations too. When all of us ghouls have to return to our more normal lives of darkness… I don't want to have to let her go, not even for a minute. But as ashamed as I am of this place… she had to know what I was working with here.

But Quinn went running through the halls looking around and circled back to me. I had been afraid to hear what she thought of this place. I knew it as a HELL, more than anything else. So I was still standing where we'd landed. When she came running downstairs from the upper level, claiming, "It's GORGEOUS!"

I told her, "No, it's not… you don't have to be this kind."

"I'm being honest, it is!" Quinn insisted.

But I said, "No, it's a mess! I know it's drafty, too BIG, too dark, too drab, and a drag on sight. No people or other living or even undead beings for miles. Even the graveyard has open vacancy! My staff promised to keep care of the place, while I"m gone. But they lied-"

"No, really! They don't build things like this anymore!" She said before admitting, "Given it needs-"

"A prayer." I filled in the blank.

She almost laughed but caught herself, and kindly said. "I prefer to think of it as love, it could use lots of love, care, and some fixing up. But it could be so fun, can't you see the possibilities?" She'd asked looping her arm through mine.

"You think," I heard the doubt saturating my own tone.

"I mean the spider-laced corners and the whole old world plasterings I wouldn't touch. But some fresh wallpaper in a few places. Some fresh paint in others, and a few more homey touches…"

I said honestly, "It would still be a sh*thole."

"No! LO-GAN! Use your IMAGINATION! Have some VISION! It really could be…"

"Passable?" I guessed.

But she said the word that I'd never dared to call this place. "It could be a HOME, Logan… A real place to call that… It's great as it is, but you could make it, AMAZING!"

I had to tell her what I really thought. "No, I couldn't. This place was always just a place… even a prison, at times. I never felt like I belonged here or like I should stay here. I always felt like it was just the place to rest and keep my casket outta the rain-

Quinn quipped, "This is one hell of a fancy umbrella." And that cracked me up!

When I pulled myself together, I was still smiling as I confessed. "I'm still so new, that even though this is all supposed to be mine. It's never felt like it… I didn't even feel like I was welcome here when it all still belonged to my Dad." I hoped she got what I meant.

"What would it take for it to finally feel like it was yours?" Quinn asked taking my hand.

"Well, the things you mentioned would help more than any of my plans. Whenever I changed things around, in here. Like moving furniture around or switching out the decor. My dad and Chauncy, move it all back to the way they had it, when they were here. And they do that EVERY time they visit. And if I complain, Dad complains right back-"

She filled in the blank quietly, "Cause he wants you to find a mate to help you fix it up." She'd read between the lines perfectly.

I pulled her closer by her hand that I was still holding. I told her, with all my heart, "I don't care what he wants… I'll decide when I'M ready, WHO I'm marrying, When and Where. And it won't be till I ask the right person. I'm not gonna get married just cause he wants me too or hundreds of times like him either… I'm hopefully gonna only have to do it once and to someone I love."

"I hope so too, I really do." She said again just as softly, and still not looking at me. When I took her little chin between my thumb and forefinger of my free hand. She finally locked eyes with me and we both let go of a breath I don't think we knew we were holding. And just like that, she was back to lightening me up. By saying, "But how are you gonna attract anyone good if you don't even like this place yourself? How are you gonna convince anyone ghoul in their right mind to stay, if you don't wanna stay either?"

She was teasing me, I knew it. So teasing back, and trying to make this fun. I said, "Maybe I'll try to fall for one of those pyro witches. One that could help me burn the whole place down. Or maybe one of those swampthing ladies have connections to a wreaking ball."

She'd laughed, "Oh yes, the swamp things would totally know a guy."

"They could," I maintained for as long as I could before we both started laughing.

She said, "Okay, okay, you've fooled around long enough. Quit playing around and show me around more. Like where would you want me to procure these labs you said I could build here. Where would this supposed place live in your castle's layout plans?"

I told her to, "Follow me." But I was watching her face the whole time. Not where I was going. I couldn't tell you what any of it looked like. All I saw was the wonder and awe glittering back at me from behind her glasses. Along with all of the fresh ideas of how she could make the place her own. I wish we'd had more time. But I had to be honest with her after a little bit and warn. "We'd better ehad back if we want beat sunrise."

But I had to thank her, "for making this the first time I didn't want to leave this place. And never come back." I think I even told her. "You've made me see it differently, maybe it isn't so bad after all."

And she totally surprised me by saying, "Do we have to go back? You don't happen to have a spare coffin or anything we could use. Just till nightfall, already here?"

I was so shocked it took ma a full minute or five to answer her. "I do… I have a spare coffin, several here in fact… to keep me safe from the sun… But what would we do here, over night?"

She shocked me again by saying. "Well, for starters you could give me more incentive for coming here after the party is over… But come on you're a Dracula and I'm a very clever scientist… I'm sure we could think up something to do together. In a castle we have all to ourselves."

My jaw was on the floor, that was such a move, and then she'd nuzzled noses with me and said, "Besides, I'm gonna be so busy now. All the way up to the arrival of the storm and Mona's birth… I would like to give you some incentive to keep me with you too… And maybe where the other ghouls can't hear everything we're doing."

I smiled so HUGE and asked, "What did you have in mind?"

And she'd smiled, "I don't know… you're Count Dracula, this is your castle… I'm a clever scientist… I'm sure we'll think of something we can do."

I'd let slip, "I can think of a few things for sure."

But being Quinn, she took my hand and assured. "It doesn't have to be anything big. I just can we spend today here. And return tomorrow night? To Lola-vira's castle? It wasn't till we got here that I realized, I probably need this break before I'm basically living in the labs till Mona's born again, and so much of my time isn't my own… could we please stay here today just during the daylight hours and head back there tonight?" She'd whispered at the end, "I don't want to lose you."

I'd whispered back, "Baby, you never ever have to worry about that with me… I'm here till you don't want me around anymore."

And she'd asked, What if I never want to let you go."

"Then you never have to… I promise!" I'd promised her and sealed it with a kiss, before I carried her off to my private quarters deep underground. We'll let Lola-vira know where we are via porthole… I'm keeping her with me as LONG as I can… And giving her EVERY reason I can to never think about calling any other place home.

This could be the break I've been looking for! To prove to Quinn that not only can she be loved… but I love her!

That's all folks…

Well for this chapter anyways, but I should be back with another update soon the next chapter has already started, and it shouldn't take long at all to come together. But not bad for the first update in 2025! Thank you all so much for sticking with me. Whether you've just found this story or you've been reading for years! Bless you! Hope you're having a GREAT day! And this brought you all the Spooky and Cool vibes of Halloween! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85