Hey There,

Welcome back Quogan Quoters, and Halloween enthusiasts! Chapter 8 is here and YES! This will be coming to you from Quinn's perspective as promised. It just came off way more powerful from her perspective this time around. Even though it had first gotten written in Logan's (Don't tell him that) But don't take my word for it, let's get started.

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

Special thanks to the few of you who placed this story on your favorites list or story alert. Also thank you so much to the few of you who have placed me on your favorite author's or author's alert lists. That is all high praise that I hope we're still living up to.

Special thanks to my reviewer: [and friend] Guest Nina (So nice to hear from you, girl! I'm doing, okay! Who can stay sad in a WONDEROUS October like this one. Yes, Quinn is slowly letting herself admit that she's falling for Logan more and more now. Thank you for saying that you liked this and Logan is "sweet and patient" too. That means so much! I really did want to explore this what if… Since in the series, Quinn wasn't single for long at all. Logan swooped right in and the rest was ancient history. I wanted to kinda see how things would have gone? If he hadn't been there to fix everything so quickly? If things were slowed down… at the same time as I wanted a crazy twisted Halloween plot. So these ideals got twisted together! LoL! Isn't it funny how Quinn's so hesitant to call it ANYTHING besides friendship? Even though they are sharing a room, spending all their free time together and practically married to each other by all the other partygoers by now! Haha! I have been having an absolute blast writing this, and driving Logan THIS level of crazy too. But it really is all that more fun knowing you enjoyed it. Bless you, thank you for being a friend and reader, truly. Hope you're having a SPOOKTACULAR October day! Take Care and Much Love!)

Also a special thanks to AwkwardGurl05 for keeping my motivated and company as I was completing this chapter! Bless you girl!

Dedicated to my Aunt Barbara for always loving Halloween too! For helping me embrace that darker side of myself with fun and a grace. Rest in peace, sweetie. (Her birthday would have been tomorrow, October 19th, 1955-2024)

Enjoy!

"Monster Movie Mayhem!"

Chapter 8 - Stitch-Factories and Gravediggers

((Quinn's Perspective))

I took Logan's hand and led him down the familiar warn path that led the rest of the way to the cemetery. All the while plucking up the courage inside of myself to explain to him. That I hadn't just picked this location at random and we weren't just avoiding gravediggers to avoid normie negative notions either. Because this place had actually been a big part of my nailing the whole Queendom I can now claim. This place had been my home for the many years before I was accepted into the monster world.

Nothing major, but for some reason… I just couldn't get the words to come out. But give me a break, I did just have one of the sexiest beasts undead tell me he wanted to try dating me. And he'd asked me so sure I would turn him down… But he just had to ask, because he couldn't NOT ask anymore…

And as I'm thinking about this, I feel him take my hand he was holding. Pulling it up to his mouth and kissing it. As my cold hands shook in his hold… it was a chilly night, and his hands weren't exactly warm either. Perfectly normal for a vampire… but my nerves were the primary source of my quacking and shaking.

But as I tugged him along behind me, I must have opened my mouth several times and closed it. Just unable to even begin the explanation I owed him. My mind is still reeling!

Not just because the king of all vampires JUST confessed he likes me… with a straight face. Which was plenty to send me down a spiral. But also because I'd actually told him I like him too in the moment… I couldn't help it. It just came right outta me and I didn't even stutter or blink, when I did it… I'd for once in my life said what I felt, and didn't get slapped in the face for it…

But now I had NO idea what to do with myself…

Nothing had ever gone this well for me before… Not ever. In my living life or this undead one, I've been living all these years. NOT - A - THING has gone this good, and I've never felt this strongly towards any of my other friends before either...

So as we reach ol' Man Smitter's headstone, one of the first people ever buried here at the start of the 1400s. That familiar tree trunk preserved in DEEP shiny lacquer…

Logan said, sounding amused. "Why do I get the feeling there's something else you want to say?" He even joked, "Don't tell me you've changed your mind already."

And I did smile "No, no… I still like you." I'd assured before I found my bravery, and truly began. "I should warn you that, I sort of have a history here. With this particular graveyard, like that was how I knew to come here… Kind of history. I knew it would have everything I could ever need, as well as all the help I could use too. Without fuss or fighting too."

"Really? I'm gonna get to know some of your history?" He said sounding way too happy about this mere glance into my immediate past.

I tried to warn him, "It's nothing all that interesting or deep, really. This was sort of my makeshift home after I escaped the institute. I built my first concealed labs here, established the morgue and cemetery with my colleagues and practiced till I was named the new Queen of MAD Scientists and Queen of all the creators."

He swung our joined hands between us and said, "This is where you lived before, then?"

"Yes," I'd shrugged, "But it's nothing compared to the castles and palaces where you've lived all of your life. It's just an old abandoned house that I took over and started to create in. Hone my gifts, till I found my groove-"

He shushed me, and said, "I can't wait to see it, and… did you just say where you found your groove?" He repeated after me. Like this choice of phrasing for some reason tickled him.

"Yes, I didn't just start with Lydia. I had to hone my talents someplace. I truthfully didn't even begin with humans." I somehow yammered, not realizing most of this was still being spoken out loud.

Not till Logan made me jump when he asked, directly into my ear. "What did you start with then?"

"Good GRIEF, Drac!"

"What?" He looked all around the graveyard, pulling me closer by the hand he still held. He was worried I had seen something that made me jump.

My other hand still clutching my heart, I had to clarify. "No, I just really did not expect you to be so close." I'd said while trying to adjust my breathing back to a more typical rate. While he didn't help me at all with that, because he kissed the top of my hand while I was close.

Whispering "Sorry," to me, and planting a second kiss in my hair.

But before I could catch my breath or explain things any better than this vague inkling. I could hear my name being called out from a distance. I noticed Dracula stepping in front of me and hissing menacingly as this shouter ran closer.

But when he came a bit closer I recognized my old assistant. Still wearing a crisp white coat, and goggles on top of his head. Of course, he wasn't my plucky sidekick anymore, he was a creator now too, in his own right. He'd followed my advice and completely taken over my old practice. He'd become the fully realized residential doctor. I nearly flipped out with joy, we've kept in touch through letters since I was upsurged but it's been a while since we saw one another in person.

Logan asked me, from behind his cape in a perfectly executed stage whispery hiss. "You know this person?"

As I gasped, "I do! TOBIAS! Oh my GOD!"

I ran for my friend and ended up hugging him. He was exactly the same as I remembered, he even picked me up and spun us around. And I laughed while he teased. "It's about time you started coming around for more fresh parts. I heard about your second female creature in the making just yesterday."

"You heard that all the way out here and outta the monster realm?" I asked, still marveling at how he ALWAYS knew these things. Even when he lives in another dimension from it all, he is still so well-informed on EVERY thing.

But he scoffed, "Oh come on, Q. You act like that's hard or something."

I told Logan, "Count Dracula this is Tobias Zane… and he was the ONLY decent colleague I made after my fall to insanity was complete."

While Tobias looked back at me and repeated, "Count Dracula… like THE Count Dracula?"

I took no small amount of joy in saying, "The one and only."

Tobias shot me that look and said, "Hmm, so those rumors weren't bunk either, I see."

I know I demanded too loudly for the deadly quiet setting, "WHAT? RUMOURS?"

Tobias told me unflappably "Oh, don't have a cow. You know how we've always kept up on the news from your realm too here. Even before it was your realm."

But before I could demand more from this friend, about these so-called rumours. Tobias flung open the door on the nearest hiding place.

Hiding places that we'd had to construct ourselves for our creations to hide in. When people were around or when they were resting during daylight hours.

But lurking in that secret spot right behind Drac and me. Tobia revealed his first and GREATEST creation. Another towering Frankstein-like patchwork man. Who I'd named, "Hector!" When he was born. I flipped out when this old friend was in sight.

The hulking patchwork greeted me happily with another warm hug. Asking me, "How's your newest creation turning out? The new girl?"

And I had confirmed, "Her name's Lydia, and she's perfect. More unique and individual than I could have ever hoped for. You guys have got to come meet her once she's a little more grounded. But she was stolen away from me during her incubation phase and it disrupted her progress severely. Her verbal speech was impaired for a while- SO I had to teach her to express herself with sign language like Mercury." Another creation of mine who was still signing more than speaking. Even though he's been able to speak for centuries now. And who'd also greeted me in passing.

So many of my creations were still living here in the graveyard where they were born. I lost count of how many.

Both Tobias and Hector gasped at this new news about Lydia. And asked all kinds of technical and deeply scientific questions after this. Where admittedly I fell down a technological rabbit hole for a little while… discussing things with fellow creators I not only trusted but LOVED sharing opinions with. They're work like mine comes from the heart and only with the best of intentions and after having to deal with such a corrupt creator. That had felt SO nice!

I got personally so wrapped up into answering their inquiries and talking shop with both these creators! I didn't realize I was getting sidetracked. Or that someone was getting very left out, who was with me… not until all the rest of the local patchworks had come out of all of their hiding places and surrounded a hissing Count Dracula.

I had to drop everything and jump to the center of this hoard and let them all know. "He's not a human! He's one of us! And he's my friend! You had ALL better treat him like the monster king he is." Which started them all bowing and apologizing to Logan. Little Ollie my shortest creation even presented Drac with a flower in apology. That got tucked into his suit jacket pocket as I pulled him along with me said, "Sorry." To Logan and kissed his cheek. "They can be a bit much when they team up like that."

His Irises were still glowing red from feeling threatened. But that dimmed considerably after my show of affection. Even though I had been expecting him to snarl, his words to me, he sounded totally normal when he spoke. "Did you create ALL of these stitch factories?"

I answered him honestly, "Most of them. Hector, Zam, Max and Lou were all created by Tobias… Everyone else I created, even the patchwork pets." I explained as I was recognized by several of my cat and dog creations who all still inhabit the cemetery and my old abandoned house. Hector assured me he's been keeping them well fed and looked after since I left.

When we were finally able to make it back to where my cohort Tobias was standing. I finally got back on task with Drac's hand in mine. Telling my longtime friend, "As you know I've been asked to help a friend create another female creation in hopes of keeping her for a mate. And I'm gonna need some fresh parts, to even accomplish this-"

Hector guessed, "Brody carelessly cooked all those last great parts you came and took for this project? Didn't he?"

"Yes!" I complained, "I was hoping you guys could help me out so I'm not out here, all night… digging. Like a treasure hunt in the early days. You know what's fresh and I have her needs listed here on these sheets of parchment. My friend here can't be out in the sun, so we'd like to be back to Lolavira's castle before dawn, for obvious reasons." Tobia's and my creations passed around the sheets and started planning immediately. How to get everything I would need for me.

While Tobias shot a look at me and asked, "Friend? Are you sure 'bout that, Q?"

I bristled up, "Yes… he's my friend, now can you help me out? Or do I need to grab a shovel and start aiming for the freshest-looking grave sites?"

Hector spoke up while covering Tobia's mouth and telling me, "Go ahead back into your labs, doc. We'll bring everything you could possibly need to you there. You can show your friend around your old digs and we'll let you pick and choose what you'll use. We'll put the rest towards the makings of others like us. Come on." He said as he carefully lifted Tobias and carried him off with him. Hector was so HUGE he dwarfed Tobias easily. But from the looks of things they were as close, and still in love with each other, as they had been when I'd left… Which had been just after their wedding to one another. That made me happy.

I was musing about this as I walked towards my old home. Still looking totally destitute till I poured my "HOME" concoction over the ruins and my old hidden home reappeared. Good as new… Logan asked behind me. "So this is where you were… before becoming the MAD Queen?"

"Yes," I answered quietly. "It's likely where I will return with Lydia, James, Mona,and Raph when we leave Lola-vira's castle too."

"You're leaving?" He'd asked like he'd just been slapped and I said.

"Eventually… we all will, when the party ends. I don't think Lola-vira's even intending to linger there much long after this party ends-" I'd reasoned.

And he'd asked so quickly, "But not before that? Right? You're staying till the party's over, right?"

"Yes-"

And he'd said so insistently. "Cause there is no reason for me to stay if you leave."

I tried to soothe him, "Hey, shh… same here. Okay?"

"Okay." He calmed down so well his eyes had fully stopped glowing red now.

So I explained my plight more thoroughly. "It's just that they don't actually give a castle to a MAD scientist anymore. The monster realm has lost too many of it's castles that way. So this Queendom of mine is rather shady, at best. And today I received word that my former labs and practice were raided and burned down by humans."

"God! Sorry." He said, like he felt bad.

I hope I assured him, "Oh I'm just weighing my options a bit… before I commit to moving so much so far. You see?"

"You don't really have a set place to go now?" He'd asked me, like that wasn't simplifying my words.

"Pretty much." I'd confirmed with a shrug.

Then I understood, what he was thinking. Because he offered, "Then consider coming back with me. I live in a huge dusty castle with nobody and nothing to do ALL the time. I know I have labs in the basement you could restore them. Fashion them anyway you like and there would be plenty of rooms for these creations to live in too,and any more you happen to make, raise and teach. While you're with me… will you consider it? Please?"

"Are you really asking me to come live with you? When I couldn't even give you a straight answer on dating?" I had to validate… I had to be misunderstanding him.

But he said, "I'm asking you to do me a favor."

"Say what?" Now I'm really confused.

But Logan brought it home, as only he can. "I'm asking you to come with me so that I don't have to say goodbye to you, or the patchworks. I've really gotten used to having them around too, and I would miss them… When this party ends… But'I'll miss you so much more than any other being. If we all go back to our normal lives… I really don't want to go back to that terribly, lonely place, without you… Just please, say you'll think about it. Consider it as an option? Please? Even as a last resort, I really don't care."

Oh, He's Good!

But before I could answer him, Hector came and asked if Dracula could confirm if vampires occupied any of their burial sites. Because the patchworks had heard stories from the normies in town. Claiming several vampires had recent;y taken up roost in a few hiding spots that haven't been used for a while. The creations were now afraid of encountering any more vampires (after being snarled at by their king, I'd send him at them too) that may be napping nearby.

Logan didn't want to oblige, but he did anyway. And went with two of my oldest patchworks (Dave and Prince) to confirm this. But not before I did a favor for him too and let him snap Kellyscthye around my neck to protect me while we were apart… I knew I was safe, I was fearless of any of the monsters surrounding us, I was home again. But that's how worried about me he was… so much more than he was concerned for himself… walking out with a slew of super-strong patchworks.

He'd also snuck a kiss as he left telling, "Just please think about it, doc. What I said."

Then he was gone and the real reason for Logan's intel became plain. As both Hector and Tobias stayed behind with me. They came with a steaming teapot and coffee pot to sit between us. And some cups had been tucked into their coat pockets. Which I've known them far too long to doubt what they want… They want an old fashioned gab session, just us freinds. And I HAD to ditch my protector so they could ask about him.

Even though I told them time was of the essence. No matter how I reasoned and tried to wiggle my way out of this… They insisted, "You have time for a cup of something hot! Like old times!" Hector had chided

Tobias had poured the coffee and let the aroma fill the small space. They had even brought my favorite brew, the hecklers. Tobias rationalized, "This isn't an eight course meal or anything, Q. Come on, this is our thing!"

I was saying, "Alright, alright! What do you two wanna talk about?" Thank goodness I'd taken a sip from my cup and it was REALLY good or else I would have left when I heard their questions.

"Uhh, gee let me think, here? What we want to know is when did you FINALLY get over the Invisble Man TOO wrapped up in himself to care about ANYBODY else? And did you get with the King of Vampires? WHAT an UPGRADE too!"

Hector added, "YEAH! When we hugged you that vampire was SEETHING with jealousy… SEEEEEEE-THING, Q!"

Tobias asked, "You really didn't notice?"

"No," I said trying to drink this hot liquid fast as I could, but it was steaming and I had to keep blowing on it. I had to get out of here. "I don't know what either of you are talking about. I'm still not dating anyone. Logan's my friend, probably the best friend I've made in ages. But a friend and no more-"

Both creation and maker scoffed before they made fun. Tobias started it, "Sure, he is."

And Hector finished it "Yeah!? Right!?"

Before they asked me trying to be cute. "Does he know that?" In perfect unison.

"YES he DOES! And he respects it too." I'd tried to end this whole thing right here.

But Hector HAD to say, "You mean he respects you, that I buy. But there ain't no WAY that he's NOT interested in you, Q."

"Yeah!" Tobias added. "I mean have you seen the way he looks at you… It isn't like just a friend, I can tell you that, Q. And word in the monster-verse about the new King of vampires is that he's seeking a bride. I'd assumed a fellow vampire bride till the two of you arrived hand and hand-"

I flipped out, "Even YOU'VE heard about that? Way out here?"

They ignored me, and pressed their point. "He's looking for a new monster bride, Q. Not some colleague or friend, but a companion that he can share his life with. Why couldn't he have you in mind for this?"

Call me crazy, blame it on the homey atmosphere, the comforting company, or whatever they'd put in that teacup for me. But something SOME thing… made me confess to these two. "I don't know guys… He's become one of my BEST friends since I left for this party at Lola-vira's… I've never made a friend or connection so fast. He's the best monster there, probably the best I've ever met and he listens to me… when I speak, remembers so much of what I said… even the teeniest things."

Tobias teased, "A man who listens to you? And you're still hesitating?"

Hector asked point blank, "Has he ever asked you out?"

He asked me out on the way here… But I don't know-"

I was cut off by both Creation and his Maker turned mate, rushing at me full speed and cheering for me. Popping the cork on a bottle of fizzy poison apple cider and pouring it into our tea cups. Tobias raved, "WE'VE waited for this day such a long time!"

Hector concurred, in the basement of baritone, "SOOOOOOOO long!"

I asked them, in full freak out! "What day? What do you mean? Where exactly did you pull that bottle from?"

But Tobias told me point blank, "Quinn, you're in love with him. Truly, you are… it's written all over your face, it's in your posture, your body language, that little chased peck on his cheek we saw you give him, not to mention the way he reacted to that kiss, poor devil! Or the way he KEEPS sneaking kisses of his own. It's even in the way you speak to him or about him… You're tone's so soft and loving when you talk about him."

"What do you mean!?" I flipped out. But Tobias wasn't done yet.

Tobias, one of my oldest friends, broke it down for me. "Q, you know I'm-We're only telling you this out of love." I noticed Hector taking his hand across the table top. He even cited his reasons for being so blunt as. "I never could have found my one true love, if you hadn't taught me how to build him and accept that what I felt for him was love too. You told me it was okay when I loved him as I do… Even after I refused to listen to my heart or his, and kept trying to build him a mate. Foolishly! I still think that's why I had no success at it… my heart wasn't in it. Quinn, I've gotta tell you as you told me… It's okay for you to love him… really LOVE this one with your whole self… Because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's that one we've been wishing would come along for you. And change everything for you, that will make all the difference, and make you forget about all the rejection and heartbreak you've suffered in your lives."

Hector reminded me, "You saw that we were in love, and you didn't let us remain in denial. Let us give you the same blessing now. It's time to move on and it's time for you to finally be happy again. Like you were before all of these bad things happened to you."

I don't know when I'd started crying, but the tears were just rolling down my face. Unchecked when Logan walked back in and noticed our little tea party. Both Tobias and Hector both ran off to help collect the rest of what I needed. But they had both mouthed to me, "Tell him." On their way out. Don't ask me how they managed to escape when Dracula had seen my tears and LOUNGED for them both. But somehow they'd managed to evade him. And slam the door in his face.

Logan squared off on me so fast after the door had slammed behind Tobias and Hector. Drac demanded, "What's wrong, what happened? Did they make you cry?"

And I had to explain as I borrowed his hanky again. "No, no, they didn't hurt me, these are happy tears."

"They don't look happy." He observed, and even said, "If I need to go an-"

But I caught hold of his cape and pulled him back to me easily and I said, "No-no, no. Can you please stay with me for a minute? Please."

And that's all it had taken, he wasn't trying to leave or chase down my poor friends. Or seething towards the front door. I was in his arms and wrapped up in his cape too. The second his arms were around me and my head was pressed to his shoulder… I knew… my friends were right… I could love this person… and I should date him… I really should.

What was holding me back? Mark? That didn't make any sense, especially since he doesn't even remember dating me. Or ANY of the things we did together… It's not like dumping me had ever slowed down.

If I had been honest with myself I had wanted to be with him… From the very beginning. And I'd tried to ignore it and carry on with my goals, my life. Like it wasn't even happening, like so many of the illusions in my head that I know aren't really there. But I'd kept denying myself, because I'd been wrong too many times before.

But even now, as he comforted me, as I kept feeling him kiss any place he could. And whisper how everything was gonna be okay. How he wasn't going anywhere, and wasn't letting go till I told him to.

A bitter coldness filled the room and an even deeper voice emerged from behind me.

I can't believe I'd completely forgotten that Logan had attached Kellyscythe around my neck before he left. Leaving me with his Grim Reaper friend on loan, Kelly. Who had remained completely hidden this entire time and HEARD EVERYTHING.

EVERY! THING!

But all he said to Logan was, "Trust me, you won't hold anything against any of the patchworks if you heard what I'd just heard them tell the good doctor."

Logan demanded again, "What did you hear?"

But before I could object, Kelly was already saying. "The maker (Tobias) and breaker (Hector) were only telling their friend to follow her heart. And she's touched by their thoughtfulness, to the point of crying."

I hope Kelly could see me appreciating just how much he'd left out of that description. But the reaper flew back into the neckpiece declaring, "I'm not needed here, I'm rooting for you both." Then he was gone and I handed the necklace back to it's owner.

That was when Logan asked, hilariously. "Did you and that Toby guy used to date or something?"

"What?" I asked, because at first I didn't even realize who he meant.

He specified, "Side-kick guy, did you date him before? Come on you were colleagues, I know you spent a lot of time together. It's just a vibe I got from him."

I couldn't help it, I started laughing. While he flustered the whole time.

Between laughs I finally got out, "No, never… No way!"

It was even funnier how much Dracula relaxed the second I explained. "Tobias and I were colleagues, nothing more. I'm not his type at all and vise versa… we're too similar when it comes to our professions anyway. Even if that had ever happened, it would be way too boring… Ending up with someone just like me in too many ways."

He still had to ask, after all of that. "So you never dated each other? For real?"

"NO! Never! Besides, Tobias' mate is his first creation, Hector." I said and watched the realization hit him.

"Wait a minute, did you just say? Mate?" He repeated.

"Uh huh!" I affirmed. Saying on the sly, "I see you turning into a green monster over here. But trust me, these are two people who won't ever come to me for my knack for creating female patchworks."

His initial reaction was "Man, do I feel stupid. I was so focused on them hugging you, making over you, and smoking me with science speak… That never even occurred to me… Wow!"

"Yeah." I tried to stop smiling but when I couldn't. I started biting my lips trying to stop and he caught me.

Logan told me, "Stop it!"

And I'd teased, "There's something I've never heard you say before."

He's face was priceless! He hadn't been expecting that, at all. And I LOVE it when I can surprise him like that. He rushed at me with a playful snarly and kissed his way down the length my neck claiming. "You always drive me so crazy."

I'd insisted, "Well good, you're no angel yourself, Ace." I don't know why that nickname keeps coming up, it just felt right!

But before we could go on flirting so heatedly in our little bubble. The front door flew open and patchworks of all makes and breaks were coming in carrying different parts for me to select from. Headed by Hector and Tobias. If it hadn't been blatantly obvious before that these two were a couple. It was undeniable now as poor normal sized Tobias had accomplish his task of carrying things while his ginormous husband was trying to keep him warm from the cold. He'd gotten tucked inside of Hector's massive jacket and buttoned up inside of it.

Not letting an opportunity to tease Logan pass me by, I pointed to them and asked, "Seriously? You were jealous of them? You think I can compete with that? That anyone can compete with that?!"

He'd had the grace to laugh, and still maintain. "Yes! I was worried for a minute there yes. You got me."

Tobias stepped outta Hector's coat and clutches, to say "Brr! Hey! It's alot colder out there than I could stand…"

But another reason that I could really love Drac… was from that first moment forward. He was doing everything he could to make up for the monster he'd been. "We really appreciate all of your help. Thanks for making this easy."

Tobias waved off, "Are you kidding, this is gonna be so much fun. I'll put the kettle on so we can all warm up by the fire too." Logan was bending over backward to talk to everyone, learn their names, and who had been made by who. Tobias, Hector or me. He didn't have to do any of this… but I'm learning more and more that this attention to detail and need to make things right. Aren't all vampire traits at all, but they are Logan-things for sure. And I really like them…

When everything was all set up and awaiting my approval. And all of the helping patchworks were sipping tea, coffee and warming up by the fire. Logan came over and reclaimed my hand again. Before I let him tug me to where I could begin. I tugged him closer to me and whispered. "I think you may be even cuter when you're jealous than any other time, Drac."

"I really thought he was into you, the way he hugged you and spun all around," he grumbled adorably and I'd just laughed… I couldn't help it, the feeling bubbled up irresistibly inside of me… the sound had even made the corner of his mouth quirk up.

I reasoned, "I told you that I was very jealous today when you said you were gonna make a synthetic blood supply Drac. Just consider us square now."

And he'd argued right back, "Yeah, but a jug of blood isn't a warm-blooded male immortal with more history with you than me. That can't level out to NEARLY fair, for anyone."

So as I flirted my way past him, as I told him. "You have my permission to make me jealous anytime, then. Happy?"

"No, agree to a date. One date and I'll call this whole thing off." He'd rationalized.

I hadn't realized (though admittedly I probably should have) that everyone was watching us and listening to our conversation. But of course, they all started encouraging me to say 'Yes.'

Obviously Hector and Tobias had been talking to everyone on the side. Setting this up, sly devils! Hopeless romantic, both of them. So they deserve each other.

I told them all, "Oh! You're all no help at all!"

That was when several of my longer living creations all cheered together how they've all prayed for my happiness. And I wanted to cry all over again… I hadn't been around this extension of my makeshift family in years. Just being here with them again, in this place full of memories was enough to bring on waterworks on it's own. But hearing all of them cheer for me, as they are… looking at this vampire who I WANT to say yes to too… And those stitched and bolted friends of mine were nearly all fanning themselves and complimenting my compatibility with Drac the rest of the night. But SOME how in that moment with him I still said, "Nice try, but I need to make selections and you need to get back to the castle before dawn."

It was all very distracting along with being so happy that I didn't quite know what to do with myself. But I did my best to focus and carefully considered my choices. Aimed at all giving Mona her best chance at defying the odds neatly stacked against her. So she could rejoin the living and possibly even find love with Raphael. Maybe even companionship with Lydia and James… or me.

As I'd hoped there was more than enough good matches and it took a few trips back and forth matching things up perfecfly to Mo's needs. But all in all it took much less time than expected. And when I was ready to return to Lola-vira's castle quickly, and get back to work on her rebirth moment.

Tobias had other plans…

He sent Drac on the too common wild goose chase among these wily characters of stitched slackers.

They sent him on the search for "onxyberries." A fictitious pitch-black berry with unparalleled magical properties. This fruit is supposed to only grow in this one patch of wild wildness nearby. But not only does this little nook of nature sit in the dead center of the town's makeout spot, known as 'peck-up peak'…

Yeah, our town's really not very original, naming things is it? But locating Drac and getting him back to our porthole location was all running too close to dawn. So JUST as Tobias had hoped, no matter how pressing my schedule is right now… Drac and I ended up trapped here, in my old digs till sundown.

Why did I call Tobias a friend? Remind me, again? After explicitly explaining how important it was for us to return to the Lolavira's castle BEFORE sunrise!

Breathe Quinn, in and out! This isn't as big of a deal as you'd feared. It turned out Drac had brought his coffin in his pocket just in case (he can shrink it down to pocket size for travel purposes… apparently.)

And if you think Tobias did all of this to observe us or see more of us. That wasn't his plot either. No, Hector totally let it slip later that Tobias had done ALL of this just to get me and Drac some alone time together. Away from the party where other monsters were breaking us up all the time for this and that.

When pressed about this too, Tobias was ready with arguments. "Oh come ON, Q! The storm you'll need for Mo's rebirth is still days away, her parts are where they need to be. Perserved properly and your figures are ALWAYS bank. You can afford a day long sabbatical that you would have been taking in that castle ANYWAYS. Just here there aren't hundreds of other monsters to run interference… I mean there's almost fifty of us, total, here. And we're all immortal and monsters too but that's still not hundreds! And we don't go out during the day either. Do yourself a favor FOR - ONCE and ENJOY - THIS!"

So after communicating with the ghouls in the lab watching over Mo, Lydia and all of my other patients… I did as Tobias and Hector had asked. And I had covered up all the windows in my basement Just to play it extra safe that no sunlight could reach Dracula at all. Before helping Drac get settled in his coffin there.

Just before he closed the lid, till nightfall… I asked, "Logan?"

"Yeah?" He'd stopped mid-swing of slamming it closed.

"Well... I just looked at my bed and it's completely destroyed up stairs." No doubt another clever ploy in Tobias' plot. No bed… Seriously, why are we friends?!

He threw the lid back open and said, "Sure, but please try to do anything you need to before you climb in. Even though you did cover the windows. I don't want to take any chances."

As I climbed in, in my plain clothes too, I said, "Sorry, but I wasn't prepared for any of this. I didn't pack a nightgown."

He'd pulled me against him and laughed, "All you had to do was ask."

And with a snap of his fingers my clothes I had been wearing. Scrubs and a labcoat had transformed on my body into something more like my sleepwear. But since it had been born from his imagination, the gown was lower cut than my usual slips. The dress was blue though (same shade as her prom dress), and the robe was orange like my favorite one in my closet back at Lola-vira's place.

I tied the robe higher and tighter and asked him, "By some small chance can this neckline be raised, just a little?"

"Nope, that's as high as my mind's gonna let it go." He'd teased as he fully nuzzled my neck and helped me lay with him while he closed the lid.

I'd reasoned, "At least there's a robe."

He'd said somewhere around my collarbones. "We could lose that too."

And I'd pulled him up to me for a kiss as I'd warned, "Don't press you're luck,"

It was pitch dark, it was just us and I shouldn't have any idea that he was smiling. But I knew he was, I could feel it and what's so much crazier. Is that I was smiling back and laughing along as we'd made out and spent every second of this downtime driving each other crazy.

Hours went by and we didn't sleep, we didn't ever let go of one another either. Not once, at one pause for air I asked him, "H-How is… it always… like this? Between us?"

And he'd said, "I don't know, but it always is… and I can't get enough."

"Is that what this is?" I had to ask, "You not getting enough?"

"Well, yeah… but…" Even though I still can't see him. I knew he had that mischievous look, somehow. As he'd unfairly eskimo kissed me, by rubbing our noses together and explaining. "It's also me… trying to do everything I can think of… to convince you to date me… or come with me when the party's over… Whatever you want… whatever it takes…"

He'd had to say this around his fangs, it was all so much more adorable that way too.

I asked him, "Are you thirsty again?"

And for some reason he'd sounded funny when he'd said, "no."

But I hadn't caught on, I thought he was trying to hide his thirst from me. So I'd said, "It's okay if you need to bite me, ya know? We are alone in here, you know? Even more alone than usual."

And he'd said, again, sounding even funnier. "No, that's not it."

"Then what is?" I finally asked outright and he'd put his HOT face right to my ear.

He whispered. "I want you, Quinn… I always want you, but it's so bad… I'm sorry, my fangs get popped out when I'm like this too."

And I'd realized, "Oh." And I couldn't help but whisper to him as I tried to calm him down. "Wouldn't biting help?"

"No." He'd said so sure, before he explained. "It could even make it worse."

"How can I help," I asked stroking his hair and trying to do anything I could to bring him some comfort. Some relief, his whole form felt clinched so tightly above me, in the teeny space. Where I was so relaxed and comfortable… Why couldn't he feel the same?

And he'd taken a deep breath and said, "Say Yes to dating me… or coming with me… Then I'll rest easier…"

And I told him, "The only reason I haven't said yes, is because I'm afraid-"

"What are you afraid of?" He'd asked in this melty, sexy, sleepy-sounding tone. That made me hug him a little tighter. As he reasoned, "You're not scared of anything."

And I found myself whispering to him, "I'm scared of heartbreak again…" And I felt him grip me ever so tighter. It was like he was squeezing the answers outta me. I kept confessing, "I'm scared of ever having to live through something like that ever again… my fall to madness and immortality was easier… and I almost didn't survive that either… But heartbreak… I didn't WANT to survive it… I couldn't bear that ever again…"

First I heard some choice curse words before I felt him switch on the teeny internal lights inside of his coffin. And he'd said, "Quinn… baby… that won't happen with me. Because I never want to ever hurt you like that."

"I never want to hurt you either," I told him finally looking him in the eye. "So why even chance it by risking it-"

"Because some things are worth the risk in this afterlife… and this is one of them." He said so sure of himself… I marveled at his confidence.

I ended up saying, "I'm also really scared of losing you."

Again he knocked me out with his intensity, "You. Won't. Ever. Lose. Me… Not ever."

It was just too much and I emotionally told Logan. "Okay."

"Okay?" He repeated with so much hope in his eyes.

"One date," I agreed, "But if it doesn't work out that's it. We tried and we know-"

But leave it to Logan to add, "But if this one date goes well there will be more dates too? Right?"

And I'd said firmly, "Only if this first one goes well. And more can only happen when I have time and my time won't be my own once I'm raising two new girl creations-"

"Right! The girls, James and Raph gotta come first for a while and they should." He said for me. Before he planted a kiss on my lips and promised, "But it won't be that way forever, and when you're time is yours again… And they go off to build their own lives… You won't regret this, doc."

I cupped his cheek in my hand and told him, "I really hope you won't either."

His smile was way too happy and his eyes were molten chocolate as he turned his face in my hand and kissed my palm whispered to me, "No way that'll happen."

I really did wonder how he could be so sure of himself, or of me, like he was.

But it didn't seem like much longer before the sun had set and we could reemerge to share the good news with Tobias and company. That his evil scheme had worked like a charm… that this time alone together had brought us closer and given us a chance to really talk about some things… even give Dracula the answer he'd been wanting… and apparently Tobais, Hector and these stitched friends and family the moment they'd been waiting for even longer... who knew?

Not only was Drac out on his sleeve about the 'yes' he'd finally received. During that downtime in my former home, but also with everyone he came in contact with after that. Even the stitched-up pets were getting a pat on the head, as he was telling them, "She said yes!"

He seemed certain of this potential date's overwhelming success. He was already planning several other dates that would follow the first one. EVEN when I made him set up this first date timestamp for after Mo's rebirth and during her incubation phase… No amount of reasoning slowed him down either.

Not only did the patchworks encourage Drac's elaborate date plans. But they even tipped him off to a bunch of my favorite things and places to go. What is this?!

Logan also kept showing such affection in a room full of monsters he barely knew… That knew me well. But I guess that's a Dracula for you, all of them that I have met seem to carry this trait.

But I didn't get to wonder for long because then I was back to the task at hand and NOT putting on a show for all of this gathering of patchworks. Well, not putting on a show for our whole visit anyway.

When we finally could return to Lola-vira's castle. Yet again, we were bringing more monsters back with us. ((Must this happen EVERY place we go? It's gotta start getting noticed by the humans)) But Lola-vira had welcomed them all swearing. "The more the merrier."

For some reason, the Party Queen was waiting for us by the porthole. Arms crossed, and I worried, had something happened while we were gone. But it turns out the sexiest queen of Halloween had only been there to grill her vampire bestie. Demanding, "Weeeeeeell? You two look awfully happy? Why?!"

Logan tugged on my hand he was still holding and said, "Oh, no big deal. How were things here, Lola?"

Clearly he was intent on making Ghostess with the Mostest crazy.

Lola-vira flipped out, "Oh come ON! I know something happened between you two. Fess up!"

I explained, already having enough of this. "Dracula asked me out and I agreed to one date, to see how it goes-"

I just got this out before the whole lab was bursting with cheers, growls, gruffs, and whoops of all origins. EVERYONE was happy for us. Still no matter how I warned that this was JUST one date and just a trial basis at best. EVERYONE just KNEW it was more than that… It was very hard not to believe them all… even given my depressing past of endless bad luck on dates. Or any romantic relationship at all.

ESPECIALLY with Logan looking at me like he was… Gosh!

It's like he's gonna eat me alive... but I'll like it... How is that a thing!?

And even though the storm was still days away. Even though Mo's rebirth was going to be still days in the making as well. I wondered for the zillionth time this evening... What HAVE I gotten myself into with this monster!? Saying YES!?

That's All folks…

Well, for this chapter anyways. That and I think if I don't switch perspectives again and let Logan have his say. He's gonna come after me if I don't! Remind me again, why making him a Dracula had sounded like such a GREAT idea in the beginning? Didn't I know this day would come where I would regret that character choice? EEK! I think he just turned into a bat! LoL! But anyways, hope this was a nice little break for everyone. Bless anyone reading this right now. For making it this far, please write in if you can. I would love to hear from you. Hope you're a having a BEAUTIFUL and SPOOKTACULAR October! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85