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CHAPTER 12

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"Ah, there you are Sally," the Doctor grinned as they reappeared. "Thank you so much for finding her, Jack. Now perhaps we can get on with what we were doing..."

A little cough. "I'm sorry Dr. F, that won't be happening."

His eyes grew wide with sudden fury. "And why not?"

"Because it is illogical, to wed you to this girl when she obviously doesn't want to be your wife. As the King of Halloween, it is my duty to refuse to issue the marriage certificate."

"You....you incompetant waste of a crown!" seethed the scientist. "The only reason you're doing this is because you want to marry her yourself!"

That made Jack angry. "Are you crazy? MARRIAGE? What the hell makes you say that?"

"Well, all this attention you're giving her, isn't it obvious? Checking up on her, giving her special assignments, goodness knows what else you've been up to...." An angry sneer. "How right am I, your Majesty?"

"She's a citizen of Halloween, she automatically gets the right to assist with the holiday. And furthermore, I have a legal obilgation to make sure her living establishments are satisfactory; I check up on more people then just her. What's more, you have no right to come to conclusions regarding me and my judgement. For your information I am up to nothing, nor am I trying to steal Sally. I am thinking in her best interest, and I apologize if you can't understand that. Now I suggest you leave here, as your presence is no longer welcomed."

The doctor glared at him, gesturing for his creation to join him at his side. "Jealously is an ugly thing, Jack, isn't it?"

"That's it! Out! Before I have to call security!"

A shrug. "Whatever you say. Come Sally, we're leaving now." And without another word or glance he wheeled towards the main entrance as she followed behind him.



*****



Jack's temper soared as the doctor left. That old coot, accusing him of such things...he had no right to do so! He was just afraid, afraid that the Pumpkin King was going to steal from him what he viewed as personal property. Or, even worse, was going to punish him for inhumane treatment. So he had gone ahead and tried to swtich the blame.

That hardly mattered to Jack though; what primarily lay on his mind was that kiss. What he had done was low, selfish, and shocking. How could he have gone and done that, put such a sweet and innocent woman in that position? He didn't even recall why he had done it, hadn't a clue. He'd just recieved this sudden urge--and acted on it. Now he was humiliated. He'd never done such a thing before, in all his days. He felt as if he'd trapped Sally, used his power against her. She hadn't been angry indeed, but the fact alone that he had done what he did made him feel like the worst person in all of Halloween.

Letting out a sigh Jack hung his head in shame, walking alone in his state of confusion. Upon reaching the very front of the stage he paused, shoving his hands into his pockets and looking up. There at the very top, above the curtains, sat a symbol that had existed for centuries carved into the wood. A jack-o-lantern, grinning devilishly at those below it. Its smile was wide and fearsome, its eyes strangely haunting. This was the symbol of the Pumpkin King, the highest and most important figure in Halloween Town. The most noble-ranking citizen, judge of all, ultimate and allpowerful authority. Jack Skellington the First, son of Robert and Naomi Skellington, feared and respected by all his people. And now, a low-life power-abusing idiot. A man who took advantage of pretty and innocent women.

But why focus on this one girl? He had kissed many other women before, what made this kiss so awful? She wasn't even his type, really, hardly what he usually went for.

"You okay?" came a sudden voice.

Jack spun around to see the mayor. The little man wore his worried face, eyeing his boss and friend with concern.

"Oh, yes," he relied quickly with a smile; the issue of Sally quickly vanished from his mind as business matters swam to the surface. "Oh, one thing I meant to discuss with you regarding the holiday. The Behemoth is thinking about replacing his axe with a chainsaw; which do you think we should go with?"

"Oh, the axe," came the reply as his head revolved to his happy expression. "Very classic, sends a better shiver down the spine."

A nod as he scratched his chin. "Yes, yes...that makes sense. Thank you, my good man." He yawned. "Man, I'm really beat. Hopefully I'll get a good rest tonight."

"Indeed, it's been a long day. Everyone's gone by now, though, so I suppose we can start closing up for the night." He gave a friendly little grin. "I'll do that Jack, you head on. It's been a long day."

"Oh, thank you my friend. Thank you very much."

"No sweat. See ya round."

And by the time Jack had left for home the topic of Sally had disapeared from his mind completely, becoming just a pale memory.



*****



"That skeleton," fumed the doctor as they headed back to the lab. "Using his powers against me like that, just to try and put an end to this marriage...trying to get you for himself! Imagine that! How rude!"

"Now doctor, I don't think that's it at all. I think he was respecting the law...."

"Did I ask you?" he barked. "I know what he's up to, trying to be all nice to you. Making me take down those bars like that. And I don't like it."

She shrugged. "Whatever, doctor. No-one's going to believe you though."

"True," he muttered. "They all love him too much, they adore him. But he won't win; you still do not have permission to leave the lab, and you will be doing the same chores and duties as you were before." A little growl. "That stupid skeleton won't win over me."

Sally just sighed inwardly, rolling her eyes. A jealous old man was all he was, a bitter and jealous old man. Angry that the law had caught up with him, trying to lay the blame on Jack. Sally was enormously grateful to him though, for refusing to issue the marriage license. He had saved her the pain and misery of becoming Mrs. Sally Finklestein, for which she could not be any more grateful to him. Indeed this man had a special quality about him, that set him apart from anyone else she had met in her short lifetime.

Somehow though, she knew that her experiences with Jack were only just beginning.



*****