"My love, I'm so sorry . . ." Jack bent and unchained Sally from the slab, pulling her limp form gently into his arms. She was unresponsive, but Jack knew she would be okay. Physically, at least. Sally's body could take a beating, no pun intended. Sally had once told Jack that she had escaped Dr. Finklestein's home by jumping out of a window several stories high. He needed to get her home . . . The sooner the better.
Jack grabbed a moth-eaten blanket from a corner of the room, wrapping Sally's body in it. He tried not to look at the bruises that blossomed like flowers upon her skin; he knew that if he did, he would be reduced to tears again, and he had to stay strong. He lifted her up in his arms, carefully positioning her so that her head rested on his shoulder instead of flopping limply backwards. He did not care to test the strength of those stitches, as well. "Don't worry, my love. I'll have you home soon."
Jack made his way out of Oogie's lair, Sally securely in his arms. The townsfolk, who had watched Jack run like a madman to Oogie's lair, gasped as they saw him emerge, his beloved queen beaten and unconscious in his arms. Jack's face was like stone as he walked among them, refusing to look any of them in the eye. They all tried to murmur sympathies, but he did not hear them. He did not care what any of them had to say. Sally had to be repaired . . . had to be healed . . .
One voice broke through his trance. "Jack! Jack!" The mayor hurried forward. "Oogie . . .?"
"Is dead," Jack finished, his voice deep and menacing. A hush fell over the townspeople. Their questions were answered. Oogie Boogie had done this heinous crime against their king and future queen, and Jack had risen victorious against him, as he had always done.
It felt like an eternity had passed while Jack walked through the town, Sally silent in his arms. Finally, he reached the front gate of his home, closing it behind him with a clang that seemed to echo throughout the town. It was understood: no one would disturb Jack until future notice.
Once inside, Jack went straight up to his tower bedroom. His heart broke as he laid his fiance's broken form upon his bed. It was in this bed that they had first made love, where he had whispered over and over again that he loved her, that he would always protect her, that she had nothing to fear. How could he ever say those words again? How could she ever believe him after what he had let happen? He was almost afraid of what would happen when she regained consciousness. Would love still be in her eyes?
Jack fished inside the nightstand, reaching for the spool of thread and needle that Sally always kept there. She used it often, making minor repairs here and there on her soft cloth body. Jack pushed the filthy blanket away, revealing Sally's complete form. He set to work, first on her arms, reattaching them completely with strong, sure stitches. He was never much of a sewer, but he devoted all of his concentration to the task. Hours passed, the sun sank from the sky, but Jack kept at it. He didn't even rise to turn on the lamps; he didn't need to. His vision in the darkness was flawless. Next came her legs, which Jack reattached gingerly and with some hesitation. He was so hesitant to come close to her torn center, so reluctant was he to cause her more pain in addition to what she was no-doubt feeling at the moment. However, these stitches were applied as well, with some painful groans from the unconscious Sally and many whispered apologies and tears from Jack. Oogie could be dead and Sally's body re-stitched, but the mental pain would take more time to heal.
Next, Jack went to the adjoining bathroom and filled the tub with hot water. He placed Sally's body gently in the tub, rubbing a soapy cloth along her, cleaning away the blood and grime of Oogie's lair. Sally, stirred, her eyes sliding open.
"Jack?"
"Yes, baby," Jack murmured. "I'm here, you're safe now, my love."
"Oh Jack, I thought he was going to kill me . . . everything hurts. My whole body . . ."
"I know, I know, I'm so sorry . . . It's all my fault," Jack whispered, tears spilling again down his face. "I'm so sorry," he sputtered again, the tears apparent in his voice.
Sally looked up at Jack, alarmed. She had never seen Jack cry before. Secretly, she didn't think he was capable of tears. She sat up with some difficulty in the tub. "Why do you cry, my love?" She reached a soapy hand out of the water and cupped his face.
"I didn't get there in time," Jack said, unable to look her in the eye. He hung the cloth on the side of the tub, his hands dropping his lap. His shoulders drooped.
"It's not your fault, Jack, you saved me."
"He hurt you . . . I didn't stop him . . . I was too late! Sally, you were in pieces . . . he raped you . . ."
Sally was silent for a moment. "Help me out," she murmured, putting a hand on either side of the tub and attempting to stand. Jack leapt to his feet and grabbed a towel, helping Sally to her feet and wrapping the towel around her. He lifted her out of the tub, sitting her upon the edge as he reached for another towel, rubbing her hair gently, still avoiding her eyes.
"Jack," Sally whispered softly, "Look at me." She gently grabbed his wrists and held them before her, staring intently up at his face. Slowly, he met her eyes, tears still slowly running down his cheeks. She pulled him down to eye level with her, him in a kneel. She kissed his tears away, he chuckled softly.
"This is ridiculous," he said, pulling back softly and rubbing at his face roughly with his boney hands. "You're the one that's raped and beaten, and I'm the one who needs comforting."
"Do you know how I got through all of that down there?" Sally asked, pulling Jack back closer to her. Jack eyed her questioningly. "I removed myself from it. I only thought of you, I thought of all the nights I spent with you, of the love you've shown me. You're always the one to save me, Jack. Always. Nothing has changed. I still love you with all my heart."
Wordlessly, Jack rose, lifting Sally up in his arms. He just stared at her. Even bruised and battered, she was still the loveliest woman he had ever seen. Endless love flooded through his chest and she snuggled against his chest. She was so warm . . . so beautiful, so filled with unconditional love. He carried her into the bedroom, laying her down upon the bed and tucking her in. He removed his grimy clothes and joined her, wrapping his arms around her. There they lay, motionless, wordless, just enjoying the comfort and warmth of each other's presence.
Before he knew it, Sally's body grew heavy against his own. Her breathing evened; she was asleep. Jack too could feel the weight of sleep weighing upon him. He was still in a state of disbelief over how well Sally was recovering. Of course, he knew Sally better than anyone. They weren't out of the woods yet. There would be nightmares and tears to come, but Jack would be there to awaken her from these dark dreams, to wipe away the tears, to ensure that they would never happen again.
Perhaps that is why she slept to soundly.
Author's Note: It took me sooooo long to update that I thought I'd treat you with TWO chapters! Don't worry, it's not over yet. Expect some extra fluff to come!