Werejaguar of Halloween Town: Happy New Year everyone! Well, I'd like to say that we are both really — I mean REALLY — sorry that we've taken so long with reading/posting up the second chapter of this fic. As fate would have it, certain things have gotten in the way such as crappy computer connection problems, ill-fated timing, and I was recovering from surgery earlier around the middle of this year. Nothing to worry about, I assure you. On the positive side, fate and multiple plot bunny attacks have forced us into adding another chapter into what was SUPPOSE to be a one-shot. Oh, and I have now opened a Tumblr, and I'm currently helping a good friend of mine create his own Tumblr and his sweetheart one as well. If you are interested then don't hesitated to PM me or ask in a review. WISH US LUCK AND GIVE US REVIEWS!

GodlyJewel: Again, SUPER sorry for the long wait. My computer had to go in for repairs (twice), and I had to deal with withdrawal. There was also the other stuff previously mentioned, plus life in general getting in the way. Also, looking over the first chapter, I noticed some errors that I've taken care of, in case anyone rereading the first chapter spotted the minor quick fixes. We hope this makes up for the painfully long wait. We are hoping to have the third — and hopefully FINAL — chapter a lot sooner, but I'm not making any promises. Though leaving reviews does help motivate us to write faster, so please review.


The house was dark and quiet; the only one who stirred was a phantom pup with a glowing jack-o-lantern nose. He was lying in his dog bed, waiting for his master to return home. Suddenly, he heard the familiar sound of a key turning in the lock. Jack was finally home! The little dog instantly perked up and his sheet wagged vigorously. He barked once and then floated down to the door, anxiously waiting for it to open and reveal his master.

"Zero, I'm home!"

The familiar call echoed within the hall that opened to the front door. Dark, wooden floors and an old, yet tasteful carpet the only things apart from a tall, spider-like coat rack there to greet them. However, Jack quickly shot Sally a playful wink as he brought a single bony finger up to his smiling mouth in a gesture of silence when they both heard Zero's answering bark. She smiled and covered her mouth with her hand to keep from spoiling whatever Jack was planning.

He gently shushed her through a soft chuckle since he couldn't help but find her actions to be far too charming for her own good. Wrapping his hand around her waist again, he called out to Zero all the while gazing down at Sally as he lovingly squeezed her side. "Come on, Zero! We have a special guest tonight!"

Sally waited until she saw Zero's phantom form appear. When he saw his master's rag doll friend, he yipped excitedly and flew right to them.

"Hello Zero." Sally reached out a hand and let the dog sniff her before scratching behind his long ears. She giggled as he gave an approving whine to her ministrations.

Jack smiled at his dog's hands down approval of Sally, what with it being rather obvious with how fast his sheet was wagging. He could recall how his best pal would usually accompany him on his rounds a few months ago when the town was knee deep in Christmas preparations, sniffing and inspecting all the new things from shiny ornaments to string after string of garland and lights. Zero was always happy to help him in his own way and even found some Christmas things that he really liked. Jack had in fact taken notice when quite a few candy canes went missing from their spots on the arms of the street lamps and trees. However, any mention of Sally and… Jack chuckled at the memory of how the little hound would fly circles around him before racing off to find the enchanting woman.

"I can see that Zero certainly hasn't forgotten you, Sally," Jack laughed lightly with a playful smile, his hands behind his back as he watched the two.

"I guess not." Sally laughed as Zero began licking her hand, his tongue tickling the stitches on her wrist and fingers. She quickly found her neck being nuzzled up to by the canine from behind, his sheet wagging so much that it swished some of her hair. "Zero, stop that. It tickles."

Whining like a puppy, Zero turned his muzzle up against her cheek and happily licked the stitches there.

His whine unsettled Sally a bit; she reached up to stroke his head in hopes of calming him. "Oh Zero, I'm sorry. I hope I didn't upset you."

"Trust me, Sally," Jack chuckled as he hooked Zero behind the collar with a long, bony, index finger and gently pulled back the excitable pooch. "He's just trying to be cute and get his way with that act."

Said dog yelped in surprise and looked up into the amused face of his master, his sheet all wags again as he kept switching from Jack to Sally and back again. Zero was just too happy to really care if his master was, although playfully, scolding him. He panted with a big smile on his muzzle. "Arf!"

Sally laughed as she watched dog and master. They were so adorable together, and so alike too! It seemed only natural that someone as loving and eccentric as Jack would have pet with a similar disposition. Seeing as how the mischievous, little mongrel had been caught in the act, Sally decided he needed a little sympathy, even if it was clear Jack's scolding didn't bother him in the least.

"Now Jack, I'm sure sweet little Zero would never pull such a stunt," Sally playfully insisted. She then reached over and scratched under the pup's chin. "After all… He knows perfectly well I'm always happy to give him all the attention he wants, as long as he's a good boy, of course."

"I couldn't agree more," Jack replied, withdrawing his finger from the inside of Zero's red collar. He gave Zero a pat on the head and proceeded to scratch him there.

The ghost hound was all too happy for the extra attention as he now enjoyed the combined chin and head scratching, which only made his master and their lovely guest smile all the more as Zero's tag started to jiggle from the force of his sheet wagging.

"Why do you think I'm usually found spoiling him in the Graveyard with a game of fetch?" Jack winked at Sally, a grin on his mouth as he scratched a little harder before giving Zero another pat.

Zero suddenly barked at attention when his master said the magic word. Giving Sally's hand a lick of thanks, Zero quickly pulled an about-face and started excitably nudging his nose into his master's shirt, whimpering and yipping and growling for a chance to play.

"Oops," Jack laughed sheepishly, a hand to his skull that moved down to his jaw as he looked over at Sally with twinkling sockets. "I think he might have gotten the wrong idea when I said fetch."

A loud bark confirmed it.

"I think you might be right about that," Sally added laughingly.

Zero kept insisting on starting the game already, driving his glowing nose into different spots on his master's shirt — right around the rib area — still whimpering and growling which were an obvious sigh of his growing impatience.

Sally cooed, finding the sight to be rather cute. "Jack, I think he's getting a little restless for the game to start already."

"You don't say," Jack said with a grin, his sockets looking at her smiling face before turning towards a certain pushy pooch. "Alright, boy, alright!" he said, grin widening when Zero finally stopped poking him and turned to float attentively in front of him. His dog stared back at him with big, eager, puppy-dog sockets and panting happily. "Okay, boy, just a second…" Jack reassured Zero, his right hand about to dip beneath the buttons of his shirt to select one of his lower ribs — the "fetching rib" as Jack and Zero labeled it — when he stopped. The tips of his long, spidery fingers not even a quarter under the fabric when his sockets turned to look at Sally, a mix of curiosity and something also boyishly shy in his expression.

"Would… Would you like…the first turn, Sally?" Jack felt nervous asking such a simple question, and yet it made him feel excited for some reason as well. Maybe because it was a part of him that was neither his skull nor hands that she would be touching? That was when Jack's mind caught up with him, leaving him bewildered at his own carelessness at asking something like that without really thinking of the meaning behind it. Apologies to her already on the tip of his forked tongue when he saw her suddenly blush.

Sally immediately felt her cheeks warm again. She had already felt guilty for staring as Jack reached for his rib, but never would she have thought he'd ask her such a question. He was asking her if she wanted to throw his rib for Zero. His rib! It was a part of his body she never even saw, let alone…touched. She looked up to see Jack had realized his slip-of-the-tongue. "Jack, I'm flattered you asked, but if it makes you uncomfortable, I can just watch," she quickly assured him.

He shook his skull in disagreement after blinking in surprise. "Oh no, Sally, I don't feel uncomfortable at all with it. Why, I actually really wouldn't mind it at all!" Jack felt himself blanch hotly at the less than restrained way that came out, but it was too late to go back… Oh well, might as well try to fix it.

"W-what I mean to say is that...uh…" Jack cleared his throat to buy a little time. It also helped with the burning sensation on his cheekbones. He honestly couldn't remember ever blanching this much before. "I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, Sally, since I really didn't know how you'd react to something like this. I do it all the time and yet having someone else do it for you… I just didn't want to come off insensitive or overeager." He rubbed the back of his neck, his sockets lightly lidded in a way that when combined with his obvious embarrassment showed that boyish side of the infamous Pumpkin King again.

"Oh no, I'm… I'm fine." Sally began fiddling with her hair, needing a distraction from her nerves. In truth, she was a little uneasy about it, but she figured if she focused on the bone as another one of Zero's toys it wouldn't bother her as much. "M-May I? Oh! I should probably set your jacket down first." She reached up and gently took the jacket from her shoulders.

"Well then please, allow me…" Jack's hands stopped Sally's as they gently rested upon hers for but a few moments before almost tenderly slipping beneath her dainty hands and taking his jacket. The lining was still warm and smelling of her as he turned to hook it on its proper place upon the coat rack.

"Thank you." Sally felt her cheeks grow warm again. Her hands tingled from the contact with Jack's touch, and there was still lingering warmth from where his jacket had rested upon her shoulders.

"Sally," Jack chuckled, "I thought by now you'd understand that you're never any trouble at all with me." Tugging his jacket firmly to make sure it was on right, he smiled at her from over his shoulder. "Now then…" he started, getting a bit shy again as he continued to look at her. "If you'd be so kind as to give me a moment to…" The sound of fabric shifting and the light taps of bone on bone filling in that last of his sentence.

"Oh, of course." She smiled and turned to offer Jack privacy to retrieve his rib bone, though it was not the only reason. Jack had just twice now unbuttoned his shirt in front of her. If she looked in a mirror, it was certain her light blue skin would have certainly either been lavender or maybe even bright pink from the awkward tension in the room. Something about being alone like this, with Jack technically undressing in front of her… It reminded her of a book she read once, one the Doctor had promptly discarded once he discovered it in her room.

It was a romance novel and it had been wonderful until Sally reached a very passionate scene between the main characters. She had continued reading it, but only became more flustered until it was too much. She remembered quickly snapping it shut, tossing the book to the foot of her bed as if it were a poisonous snake, and squealing into her pillow before falling back on her bed; the feeling of moths and butterflies beating around the leaves inside her stomach gave her a feeling that was almost dizzying, and yet oddly pleasant.

Now being here alone with Jack, thoughts from the imagery that book had given her begun to slowly creep into her mind. Sally quickly shut her eyes and shook the thoughts from her head. Maybe she should have gone into the other room.

With her back now to him, Jack could feel himself relax a bit. Glancing down at his exposed chest, a sense of familiarity briefly touched the back of his mind while he freed up his hands of his shirt. He didn't need to hold it open anymore now that he had quickly tucked the ends into the sides of his pants, a thin black belt standing out against the prismatic white when it usually blended in to the point of invisibility against his dark attire.

Throwing another quick look over his shoulder at Sally, Jack counted his ribs and plucked a middle sized one with a dry pop-snap sound as it came loose from his spine. He looped the curved end in his pocket and preceded to re-button his dress shirt, the smooth white-grey of his manubrium, sternum, and ribs disappearing once again under the fabric as his nimble fingers finished their task.

"You…you can turn around now, Sally." He smoothed his hands down his shirt as he turned to face her as well.

But Sally couldn't hear him at the moment. Having tried to rid the images inspired by the novel, her thoughts were currently occupied with mental images of what Jack would look like if he removed his jacket and shirt completely. She had seen many images of a skeletal anatomy from the Doctor's medical books, so imagining Jack without his dress shirt wasn't really all that difficult. Broad shoulder blades, a smooth sternum, and twenty-four polished white ribs. Ribs that would expand and contract every time he took a breath… The image made her own breath catch in her throat. And to think, he was going to let her throw one of them for Zero. She would actually be touching a part of him that was usually covered by clothing. How would it feel beneath her fingertips? Would it be as smooth as his other bones appeared to be? What would it be like to run her fingers through his entire ribcage…

"Uh… Sally?"

Jack's voice finally broke through her conscious and Sally felt her face heat up in embarrassment.

"Oh… Oh, s-sorry," she stuttered. She mentally scolded herself for allowing her fantasies to wander too far. She wished she'd never found that book when she'd been dusting the Doctor's old bookshelves. She composed herself as best as she could then turned and smiled, laughing nervously. "W-What did you say, Jack?"

Brow arched lightly in curiosity, Jack repeated himself. "I said that I'm done, Sally." He showed her his rib, the smooth bone clutched lightly between his fingertips. He did his best to ignore Zero who was starting to paw harder at his leg. Jack's curiosity sparked at whatever had made Sally get dreamy eyed then flushed with nerves. "Soul coin for your thoughts, my dear?" His question came out smooth and playful.

"Oh, oh no, I'm fine," she assured him. The last thing she wanted was to tell Jack what she had been thinking. However, that tone in his voice told her he wouldn't stop unless she turned his thoughts to something else. Noticing Zero's persistent begging, Sally smiled. "Jack, I think Zero really wants to play now."

Curiosity forgotten for the moment, Jack playfully smirked at the increasingly impatient ghost who was short of shoving his unearthly paws through his master's leg. "Alright, Zero," he exclaimed good-naturedly, rolling his rib between his fingers with a little wave as Zero did a little twirl of joy then instantly sat himself down at their feet. "Let me just give it to Sally, and then we'll start playing."

"Arf!" Zero barked in anticipation, his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he happily panted away, sheet thumping the long hall carpet.

"And you–" Jack turned back to Sally, his voice low and sockets narrowed in a mischievous way as if sharing a secret "–have again proven your cleverness, my darling Miss Sally. But don't think your Pumpkin King has forgotten about certain topics of which we must discuss once we settle down and appease the hound." He lightly tapped the bottom of her chin with the end of his rib before placing it within her hands and gently closing them with a squeeze that warmed Jack quite nicely. He grinned wickedly and snuck a kiss to the corner of Sally's mouth, a mighty cheeky look on his face as he took a step back. "Your move, Beautiful…"

Sally stood silent for a moment, the small blush from before a few shades darker from Jack's kiss. It had been so bold, and on top of that, he'd called her beautiful. Jack was the only one to ever complement her, but still, no one had ever complimented her like that. A soft smile tugged at her lips, and she gently fingered the still tingling area of her mouth.

Her grip tightened on the bone in her other hand. It was smooth, though a little worn from Zero's ghostly use of it. As she held it, her thoughts began to roll over what they had come to talk about. She froze. He still wanted to know about what Jimmy and the band had been talking about, and now to add to her list of embarrassment, her little indulgence into her fantasies. Oh yes, she had bought herself some time, but she was only delaying the inevitable. Still, she just couldn't tell Jack what she had been thinking! This wasn't like before when she didn't want to tell him about jumping out her window. She had already promised not to keep any more secrets from him, but still…

An impatient bark brought her out of her thoughts. She smiled and looked down at Zero's anticipated look, never letting his eyes leave the rib in her hand. "Alright Zero, you've been patient long enough." Seeing a clear path down the hall, Sally drew back her hand and tossed the bone. "Fetch!"

Jiggling and barking filled the narrow hall as Zero zoomed after his toy as it sailed into the den, and landed somewhere among the furniture, his nose glowing a red-orange color while he was on the hunt. "Ruff!"

Sally chuckled as she watched the little pup. "How long till you think he finds it?" she asked her beloved.

"Don't know." Jack hooked his arm around Sally's tiny waist, guiding her to the den. "Zero likes to take his time. He checks all the nooks and crannies with that nose of his, but since we're in the manor, I'd say he'll only need a few moments."

The darkness of the den was pierced by rays of moonlight entering through the lightly draped windows, and the glow of Zero's nose as it seem to bounce and dip like a firefly in the air.

"Just a second, Sally," Jack said, unknowing to the fact that he had sent a chill up her spine with how close he was to her ear in the blackness of the room. He quickly found himself in front of a large fireplace and extended a hand, smiling when his fingertips brushed up against a few unused logs. With a simple flick of his wrist, a fireball around the size of a baseball shot out and set the wood ablaze.

"Ooo!" Sally was impressed, eyes wide as the yellow-orange light revealed everything. She'd never seen Jack use his Pumpkin Fire outside of the Halloween festivities, but once the fireplace was lit, the room itself amazed her.

The walls were a smooth, deep grey like gravestones and the wooden floor had a polished, deep brown color like fresh soil. The first things she noticed were Zero's bed and a thick footrest near the fireplace. The fireplace itself was fairly large and built of a smoky, grayish marble. There was a large carpet in the middle of the den, extending a few feet before the fireplace so one could sit on it while in front of the fire. It had a black on white web design and a middle-sized coffin table on top of it. The glow from the fire also revealed a couch with a slate frame, blood-red cushions, and a dark blanket hung over the back; the blanket being a shade between black and midnight green. On the other side of the rug sat a pair of moss green armchairs just across from the couch. Off near one of the walls sat a love seat off to the side near one of the windows with a tall iron lamp with snake-shaped legs next to it, and an end table on the other side. An impressive looking bookcase next to it, shelves filled with several knickknacks and mementos. Behind that was a bay window with thin iron frames that had a cobweb design, and some thick, deep red, velvet curtains with an aged and tattered look to them.

Somehow, it was and wasn't the look she expected. In her mind, Sally could picture what the other townsfolk thought Jack's home would look like: menacing gargoyles, horrific paintings, maybe even a few cobwebs. The colors would be dark and frightening, yet everything she saw was almost the opposite. Sure there were many signs that the infamous Pumpkin King lived here, but looking around she felt her apprehension from earlier melt away. The room made her feel welcomed and comfortable, much like her beloved Jack. Sally smiled, chuckling at herself for feeling so foolish.

Jack smiled, pleased by whatever had caused Sally to express an obvious sigh of comfort in her current surroundings. "I hope that means all those doubts of yours from before have now been laid to rest?" He stood up straight again, his spidery silhouette outlined by the warm, dancing tones of the flames behind him, and a hopeful smile on his mouth as he lightly dusted his hands off before walking back to Sally's side.

Meanwhile, the change in lighting hadn't affected Zero in the slightest, his nose still sniffing out his Master's rib. He let out a little growl as he shifted his attention to looking under the furniture and quickly started by phasing through one of the armchairs.

Sally couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, poor Zero."

Zero huffed with displeasure before diving into the other armchair.

Threading her left hand with his right, Jack shook his skull with a smile and gently led Sally by the hand into the den and toward the couch, laying a kiss on the back of her soft, frost colored appendage as he motioned for her to sit. "Please, do make yourself comfortable, my Sally."

"Oh, thank you." She sat down daintily and found the couch to be quite comfortable. She folded her hands in her lap, copying the way that she remembered seeing some women sit in pictures that were in a couple of the classical books the Doctor had. "Your home is very inviting, Jack." She smiled softly, still feeling just a little shy though she was being sincere.

"Well, I don't have many guests too often, aside from the Mayor. We mostly work at Town Hall and occasionally at the Mayor's home office. However, it pleases me greatly to know that my humble hole-in-the-wall is satisfactory to my utterly bewitching companion for this evening." Jack bowed gallantly, the fire highlighting his features such as the darkness of his sockets. The very same hollows continued to look upon the rosy-cheeked damsel with deep emotion. "And hopefully many more…" he said softly before slowly getting up, sockets not breaking contact with a pair of haunting yet demure eyes that were artfully set by thick, long, dark lashes.

Those very eyelashes were now batting crazily as their owner smiled. Sally liked the idea of Jack wanting her to come back, and then he had complimented her again. Honestly, she wasn't all that special, not like him. Her eyes drew to Jack as he stood before the fireplace. The firelight around him just made him look so handsome, and how his eye sockets were looking at her… Could there be any eyes like his? Sally felt her leaves fluttering inside of her again. She rubbed her arm, hoping to calm her fluttering nerves.

Looks like he'd gotten her all shy again with his coquettish actions, though she really didn't peep a word or show a sign of discomfort towards them. Jack grinned; he liked that. He liked that he could fluster her with all the truths and wonderful things about herself, and make her soft frost cheeks slowly blossom pink, or go ablaze with a deep red that was only a tone or two brighter than her sweet lips. He really couldn't help himself around her. She made him nervous and happy and calm and passionate… Well, more passionate than usual. He chuckled at that last thought, legs carrying his body in the direction of the kitchen door before he could even stop to doublethink one of those passionate ideas that popped into his skull. Those lovely lashes kept fluttering and it made him feel funny. He swallowed, feeling a sudden dryness of the throat. He felt his cheekbones grow a little warm again, like on their walk to his home.

"If you'll excuse me for a moment, Sally. I'm just going to pop into the kitchen and get something for us." His hand spread and pushed lightly on the swinging door as he looked at her.

"Oh, okay." Well, at least I'll have a few moments to collect myself, she thought. Though, as Jack slipped into the kitchen, Sally could have sworn she saw a hint of bashfulness. She shook her head. Jack? Bashful? That's just not possible. Still, there was something about the way he looked just now. She could have sworn that the shade of his cheekbones had gotten a shade lighter.

"Arf! Arf!"

Her thoughts were interrupted as she looked up to see a very insistent ghost pup looking at her expectantly, frantically wagging his sheet. He was panting and looking from her to her lap, and then back to her. Looking down, Sally saw Zero had placed Jack's rib bone in the center of her lap. She smiled and, picking up the bone, she held it just in front of Zero's nose.

"Oh, you want me to throw it again?" she asked, teasingly moving the bone back and forth. Zero barked and got in a downward doggy position. He was so excited, his tail practically waving faster than anyone could see. Sally laughed and tossed the bone down the open hallway. "Fetch!"

"Ruff!" Zero eagerly chased after it, his little nose lighting his way.

Meanwhile, with the kitchen door now separating the two areas, Jack used his newfound privacy to calm down and think. Water running from the mouth of a serpentine faucet and into the aged tea kettle, his bony fingers appeared to look even brighter when compared to the dinged silver of the handle that they were wrapped around. Jack silently contemplated, his body working automatically as it gathered everything he needed — cups, spoons, teabags, saucers, sugar, cream — and turned the sink off.

Just where am I supposed to start? he thought, gently dipping the bags into the kettle and setting everything on a wooden carrying tray. He sighed deeply, hands gripping the two handles as he steadily walked over to the door again. Maybe I should ask her first about what Jimmy and the boys meant by that wish comment? he wondered mentally, turning around so that his back was to the door and pushing against it. And I guess we'll see from there what happens and what comes to light… Pleased with his reasoning, Jack pushed through the door with a relaxed smile on his face, which turned into a laugh at the sight he saw in his den.

Little Zero was perched upon Sally's lap as his body stretched as far as it could go to reach the rib that she held up high in the air. He kept growling, panting, and whining playfully at the giggling rag doll who had that rib just an inch or two out of his reach. The little ghost suddenly started lapping away at her cheeks and arm, making her squeal and laugh all the more, in hopes of distracting her.

"Okay, okay!" Sally couldn't stop laughing as the ghost pup continued his assault. She burst into giggles again as he continued to attack. "Calm down, Zero. I'll throw it, I'll throw it." She held the rib high above her head, using her other arm in an attempt to block her face from Zero's tickling licks to her sensitive stitching. Her eyes were closed and a wide, toothy smile spread over her face.

The sound of a deeper laugh caught her attention. Managing to push Zero back a bit, Sally spotted Jack coming out of the kitchen. Embarrassed to be caught in such a predicament, Sally blushed and chuckled nervously. "Guess I must look pretty ridiculous, huh?" she asked.

"Amusing, yes, but not ridiculous in the least." Jack walked over to the coffin table in front of her, putting the tray down in the middle before picking up the kettle. "You were having fun with Zero, no harm in that," he said, looking over his shoulder at her while placing the kettle on a hook over the fire. "I hope you don't mind a cup of tea, Sally? The kettle will start boiling in a bit."

"Oh, that sounds wonderful," she said. "I could use something to warm up." She reached down and rubbed the heel of her shoe. "My feet are still a little cold from our walk in the snow."

"Oh, I forgot all about your stockings, Sally. They must have gotten a little damp." Jack frowned apologetically, before smiling softly. "I don't mind if you want to warm your feet by the fireplace. In fact, I'd prefer it if you did. I'd never forgive myself if you got sick."

"Thank you. My shoes do feel a little soaked." Sally leaned forward and removed her shoes. Her socks appeared slightly soaked, but she left them on. Grasping her shoes by the top of the heels, she excused herself from the couch and set them close to the fireplace. After that, she sat down so her feet were facing the flames. She rubbed her feet, hoping to get a little feeling back in her toes.

It was funny…but a little hard to explain how she "felt" things even though she didn't have a proper nervous system or nerves in the first place. For example, she could feel…discomfort…like if something is too hot or too cold, but not really pain. That was mostly an emotional matter.

Unknown to the lovers enjoying the comfortable silence before the crackling fire, Zero happily hovered back into the den with Jack's rib firmly in his grinning mouth. A muffled bark sounding from his muzzle as he entered, peering around the room before eagerly flying over to the carpet and dropping the rib. He panted, looking up at the two. "Arf!"

"Do you want me to throw it again, Zero?" Sally asked sweetly, picking up the bone for the fourth time.

"Arf! Arf!" Zero barked excitedly, tail beating into the carpet as he sat up. Just before he could try to get at the rib again, Jack sneakily pulled something out of his sleeve and quickly hid it behind his back.

"Oh, come now, Zero," Jack began, lightly chastising his canine companion as he looked over at the now boiling kettle. He moved to remove it from the heat, a thick dishtowel in his hand that wrapped around the handle as the pot started to grow higher in pitch. "I think you've had enough fun with Miss Sally tonight, and besides…" Jack slowly revealed what he had behind his back, a grin on his mouth while he gave the treat a little tempting shake. "Look what I've got!"

Zero was so excited! His tongue lolled out of his mouth as he barked wildly. The end of his sheet was wagged so hard that he couldn't stop from doing a double flip. "Ruff! Ruff!"

His grin widening, Jack tossed the candy cane up and down in his hand. He was just barely controlling his urge to laugh out loud at how Zero's big old sockets eagerly followed the Christmas treat. "Do you want the candy cane, boy?" he asked teasingly.

"Ruff!" Zero was beginning to lose his patience. A small chuckle caught his attention and he looked at their guest. Sally had her hand over her smiling mouth, but her eyes were looking apologetically at him. Zero turned back to Jack, barking madly. Jack couldn't contain it anymore and laughed, his sockets closing, and ribs shaking a bit as the rich sound left the smiling skeleton's mouth. The skeletal grin on his mouth threatened to split his skull.

"Alright, boy. Here you go!" Sockets gleaming, Jack threw the sweet as far and high as he could across the den. With a yip, Zero flew after it and easily catching the minty morsel in his jaws. He barked his thanks before making a beeline to his bed to devour his treat.

Jack chuckled, shaking his skull and sighing deeply as he glanced over at Sally. With the hot teakettle in hand, he poured the steaming liquid into each cup with a playful look on his face as he cocked his brow bone at her. "Something you'd like to share, my darling doll?"

"Hmm?" Sally looked at him slightly confused. Seeing him laughing and teasing Zero had been an adorable sight, and Sally had lost herself in the moment. Jack's comment had brought her out of her trance, making her blush as he yet again complimented her. "Sorry, guess I was lost in thought again. What did you say, Jack?"

"If there was something–" He kneeled, gently handing her a cup of what looked like steaming, liquid amber "–you'd like to share with me?" He chuckled slightly as he repeated himself. "Funny how that seems to be something I ask you often…" He sat himself down beside her, long legs crossed at the ankles and back against the coffin table. He stretched his arms behind himself, and carefully brought the stocked tray up and over his skull before setting it down. It now sat in front of them, the spout of the faded, silvery kettle still releasing wisps of sweet-smelling steam. He poured the tea into a cup and handed it to Sally before pouring himself a cup.

"I guess that's true, though there's nothing in particular." As she sipped her tea, which tasted of honey and cinnamon, Sally realized she still had Jack's rib in her lap. Feeling a little mischievous, she decided to get a little payback for Jack's earlier teasing. She set her cup down and said, "But… I guess the first thing on my mind would be whether you'll be wanting this back?" She smiled and held up his rib in a way that border lined innocent and taunting.

Jack's sockets widened for a moment, his nonexistent insides feeling funny as he swallowed his tea. Putting his cup back on the tray and clearing his throat, he knew that he'd been caught quite off guard by Sally's sudden teasing. Mind you, he knew that she could be a little sassy underneath that shy and sweet exterior, but he'd be a liar to not admit that he liked it.

"Now that all depends," he began in an almost professional sort of tone, business-like really. That is if it weren't for the faint blanch on his cheekbones and roguish grin on his skeletal mouth. He continued in the same suave manner, vaguely gesturing to himself with a slow sweep of his hand. "I would prefer having all of my ribs back, thank you, but as I said before, it really all depends on the effort of getting that one, single rib back." He put his hand to his jaw as if in thought. "Why, you could be oh so kind and be willing to unselfishly give your Pumpkin King his rib…" His sockets narrowed, giving him a sly expression. "Or… You could, just this once, be utterly selfish and seek a trade of whatever you desire from this old skeleton for his rib."

He lifted his cup back to his bony lips with a devilish smirk, blatantly looking at her as he did so. "Decisions, decisions… Am I right, my love?" he asked casually before taking another sip.

Despite the blush that was surely appearing on her face, Sally was determined to match Jack. Her heart beat erratically inside of her chest as she tried to remember how the female character in her book would flirt with her counterpart. The thought made her blush further and she felt silly. Still, Jack had been teasing and flirting with her all night, and by the look on his face, he seemed to enjoy her flirting back. Pushing aside her unease, Sally looked up at Jack and fluttered her lashes a bit.

"Then perhaps I should hold onto it." She drew the rib close to her, guarding it from spidery fingers. "After all, we did come here to talk, and I might need to hold onto this to avoid any…embarrassing conversation. I know just how persistent you can be, my curious King."

"Do you now?" Jack asked in a playfully inquisitive manner, his sockets bright and interested in their flirtatious banter. He chuckled, a deep yet carefree note that came from within his chest as he leaned a bit towards her. The long skeletal fingers of his hand barely brushing against her leg before plucking up her cup by the rim, and setting it beside his own on the tray.

"Well then, my dearest friend, let us begin." Jack smiled warmly before proceeding, "I know it flustered you quite a bit back in the Plaza when I asked you, but… What exactly did Jimmy mean by that 'dream' comment of his?" Sockets curious and loving as he looked at her, waiting for her answer.

Looking down, she absentmindedly twiddled his rib bone in her hands. There was no other way around it. She took a deep breath and began to tell him. "Jimmy and his band set themselves up near my tent when the whole town was busy with planning for Christmas. They'd keep me company while I was working on your Sandy Claws suit. It was mostly small talk really. Sometimes one of them asked me about the suit or I would complement them on the songs they were practicing."

She began to feel the blush slowly start to burn on her face. This was it, she was going to tell him. She waited until she found her voice before continuing. "After you left to deliver the presents, everyone was so excited and cheering you on to do your best. Everyone but me…" Her features becoming downcast as the memories came back, they didn't stop her from continuing even though she did take a moment to collect herself.

"All I could think about was if…if you were even coming back. When my attempts to stop you failed, all I could do was hope that my premonition had been wrong… Soon after you left, I found myself alone in the Town Square with only the band playing off in the corner. I was so lost in my thoughts and worries that when I heard them start to play… I'm not sure why, but something seemed different about the tune they were playing that night. I had never heard such a sorrowful sound before, but it matched how I was feeling. And then, well… I'm just can't explain it, but when I heard that melody I…I started to sing…"

Jack was staggered. He could only blink and stare down in awe and amazement while his mind processed all of this information. Why, he never knew…he… Jack's eye sockets widened in shock, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he wrapped his arms around Sally again. It had been right there in front of him the whole time: the warnings shortly after he and the Mayor had assigned every one of the townsfolk a task, the hesitation she displayed the few times they had been together during all the preparations, her usual soft smile never quite reaching her eyes… It had all fallen on deaf ears — his deaf ears. He felt like such a fool, and yet this made him love her all the more.

He scooted closer, gently taking his rib from her hand and placing it down in front of her legs before taking her hands in his. A soft smile on his mouth, Jack pleaded, "Sally, my angel… Won't you sing for me?" The heartfelt emotions going through him at that moment were reflected in his dark sockets as he lovingly laid a single kiss on the top of each of her hands.

The warmth she felt was definitely not coming from the fire. She was embarrassed, but the pleading look in his eyes was making it harder for her to say no. Giving his hands a gentle squeeze, Sally slipped her fingers free from his grasp. She placed them in her lap and shyly looked over at the fireplace. "Well, I… I don't know if you really want to hear it. It was nothing, really. Just about how I was feeling: knowing something terrible was going to happen, worrying about you, and wondering if…"

She felt her voice freeze up and vanish. She just didn't know how to say that last part without feeling her heart break all over again. She folded her hands in her lap, keeping her eyes on the fireplace in hopes to avoid Jack's piercing gaze.

"Sally, please," Jack implored, his plea sincere. His hand tenderly grasped her chin with utmost care and delicately turned her eyes towards his again. He cupped her cheek, caressing the seams that ran down the soft, rosy flesh and at the corner of her elegant red mouth. "I would never judge you on something that was born of your pure emotions, especially when it was a moment of pain." He thought of his lament briefly before continuing as discussing that would come later. "I just feel that this — your song — is something that I… I need to hear…at least just once."

He smiled adoringly before leaning forward and kissing the top of her hair. "That way I can reassure you that you'll never have to sing it again, my darling Sally," he whispered, leaning back enough to where he was still very close to her. Jack gazed at her with all the promise and love in his phantom heart that he very much planned on keeping his word.

Sally gave him a small smile. She felt encouraged by his words and his tender kiss to her temple, which was reassurance enough. Besides, she reasoned it was only fair for Jack to hear her lament since she had heard his — even if he didn't know it…yet. She placed her hand over his, turning her face to press a lingering kiss to his palm. She felt him tremble as she pulled away to look him in his eyes.

"Alright, Jack. I'll sing it for you."

Jack smiled, sockets lidded lightly as he devotedly gazed at her. A squeeze from his other hand to hers in a silent thank you gave her more confidence then she felt she had.

Sally moved back and let her mind drift back to a couple hours ago. She recalled how the music had swept her up, bringing all her feelings to the surface. She quickly closed her eyes when tears threatened to fall, reminding herself that all her doubts and fears were in the past. Feeling she had her emotions under control, she opened her mouth and let the words flow in a haunting, melancholy tune.

I sense there's something in the wind
That feels like tragedy's at hand
And though I'd like to stand by him
Can't shake this feeling that I have

The worst is just around the bend
And does he notice my feelings for him?
And will he see how much he means to me?
I think it's not to be

What will become of my dear friend?
Where will his actions lead us then?
Although I'd like to join the crowd
In their enthusiastic cloud

Try as I may it doesn't last
And will we ever end up together?
No I think not, it's never to become
For I am not the one

Sally came to the end of her song, but she kept her eyes closed. Though he had given his word, Sally just couldn't look for fear of what Jack would think of her. All that she could do for now was wait for him to respond.

That song… He had experienced her voice for the first time in what felt like a lifetime ago — clear, light, soft, and hauntingly beautiful — it was silvery moonlight. However, this song was harmonious and heartbreaking with each note flowing like silk as the lyrics marked the heart with her doubt and longing. It had been his dense, oblivious, thickskulled way of being that brought about this confusion and hopelessness in her. And yet, how could she not see just how much she meant to him?

She had been lonely, so had he. They met and something sparked almost instantly between the two of them. She was his dearest, dearest friend; the one person who saw him, and not the title or status. It meant the world to him to be seen as another person again after so many centuries of being put on the proverbial pedestal.

The back of his sockets itched, and he felt his phantom heart ache with each beat against his ribcage. He still felt like a guilty fool, but that didn't matter now. What mattered was that the love of his afterlife was waiting before him. The light of the fireplace danced across her form, lengthening the shadow of her lashes across her cheeks and highlighting the deep reds of her autumn hair. Jack gently wrapped his arms around Sally, his hands on her back holding her as close to him as possible. He felt her body tense from the sudden contact as the breath hitched in her throat. The feel of her fluttering heartbeat against his chest only further encouraged him to show her how much he truly cared.

One skeletal hand entrenched itself in the soft curtain of crimson tresses draped across her back, tucking her head closer to his chest. The other hand he still had on her back was now tenderly stroking up and down her spine, feeling her body begin to relax until she melted in his arms. A soft sigh escaped her lips, warming his bones through his shirt. Jack sighed, nuzzling his cheekbone against her forehead. "Thank you…"

Sally kept her eyes closed, but a single tear still slipped down her cheek. She pressed herself closer into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his reed-thin torso. She shook her head, not knowing why he was thanking her for her song. Nonetheless, her love was certainly persistent, and she wouldn't deny that she was enjoying their closeness.

"Thank you, my darling…" he breathed against her hair. She was so radiant, tucked away within his arms where she fit so perfectly. He had been right when he told her she had been made for him. She belonged here, and he wanted so much to tell her how she meant everything to him. Words came to mind, but none of them did any justice to what he was feeling until a single phrase—three perfect words. He leaned into her hair until his lips brushed against the shell of her ear. Then he spoke the words for the first time that night. "I love you… I love you so much, my Sally…"

Her eyes shot open and Sally found it hard to breath. She pulled back and looked at him with surprise in her large, round eyes. Her bottom lip trembled as she felt the tears start to decorate her lashes. Did he really just…but there's just no… Could it be? Her mind was racing with so many thoughts, everything collided into one simple fact: Jack loved her. Jack loved her! There weren't enough stars in the heavens to count all the emotions swelling in her chest, making her heart beat far too fast!

When she had sung her song for him, Sally had worried Jack would find her pathetic or that she was really just another hopeless fan. Nevertheless, that song was in her past when she had nothing. Now her future was holding her in a warm embrace, waiting for her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she flung her arms around Jack's neck, laughing through her tears and kissing any part of his face her lips could reach.

"I love you too," she cried after every kiss. "I love you. I love you, my dearest Jack!"

"Whoa!" Jack exclaimed loudly in delighted surprise as red, petal lips rained soft, warm kisses upon his skull and face. He laughed in abandonment, holding Sally all the closer, and feeling his bones jolt and heart race at her words. She said them back! SHE SAID THEM BACK!

"My doll, I love you and only you. You make me so happy, my dearest friend. Make me want to be a better man, the one just for you!" He traded kisses with her, the joy and emotions of the moment overtaking him as well with each quick kiss that grew all the more sweeter than the last. "Oh, I do so very much!" Jack said passionately before cradling the back of Sally's head and kissing her full, red lips with all of his heart and desire.

The moment he took her lips, Sally lost herself. Gone was the hesitancy from before, now replaced by passion with a hint of need. "I love you so much," she whispered against his lips. "I always have, and I always will. My sweet Jack, my beloved Pumpkin King."

If he weren't currently "busy" with doing something that was quickly becoming much more important than talking — not to mention a lot more fun — Jack would swear that he just had a round in his electric chair. He had no clue what exactly had caused the super charge, but whatever it was, he liked it! He felt his bones heat all the more with Sally's own passionate advances and how she whispered her devotion against his mouth. He tangled his hand deeper in her hair, the strands of auburn silk threading between his fingers with ease as he gently leaned her head back.

"You're so beautiful, Sally, so hauntingly beautiful." The fingers from the hand that had been stroking her back now ghosted their tips across the newly exposed hallow of her neck, just barely tracing the seam that crossed Sally's throat. Jack laid slow kiss after slow, passionate kiss along her jaw line, feeling a sense of pride in himself at her pulse jump and body tremble. "I've always thought so," he whispered against the part of her neck that met with what would be her collarbone if she had any actual bones. "So hauntingly beautiful is my darling…my angel...my lover."

"Oh Jack…" She had no words. His fingers in her hair were one thing, but she couldn't even describe the feeling of his other hand on her neck. The way his mouth caressed her skin as he called her his… Did he really call her that? It was as if she had been propelled into her romance novel. The heat she felt in each kiss was spreading throughout her whole body, as if they had both been engulfed in his Pumpkin Flame. He was like that favorite piece of Halloween candy you just wanted more of, the one you craved for another taste. Sally moved her hands to his skull, relishing in the smoothness, and lifted his face back up to press her lips against his boney mouth.

Sighing at her soft touch that sent chills down his spine, Jack surrendered himself to her kiss again with no resistances whatsoever. The touch of her full lips, relaxing and painfully tantalizing like a sweet poison only made him yearn for more. A deep sigh of bliss escaped him as he deepened their kiss, angling his skull as he pulled her further into his embrace. He felt her hands move from his skull to his chest as her body curled into his, her fingers pressing lightly into the ribs hidden under his shirt.

Sally felt herself getting weak and she gripped onto Jack's shirt for support. His kiss was nothing like anything she had ever experienced. She felt a floodgate of emotion open up, and she let herself give in without a fight. She curled closer to him, to the point she swore she could feel a quickened beat where her fingers pressed against his bones.

It didn't matter if it was night or day outside; it didn't matter that it was long past midnight. It didn't even matter that the tea outside of the still warm kettle had grown cold. The world, time, even the very room itself had all ceased to exist outside of themselves, their embrace, and this kiss. It was passionate, promising, reassuring, yearning; needy, loving, giving; greedy, burning, and awakening. It had elements of their first kiss on Spiral Hill with the sweetness and promise of something so truly wonderful. Yet it was completely different somehow. Their first would always have a special place reserved solely for that incredible moment of time in their hearts, but this…this tangling kiss, this passionate embrace was more of an extension of that first kiss. The first had left them dazed and happy, like the feeling one gets after that first taste of something warm and sweet, but this, their second kiss… It must have been the heat from how close they were to the fireplace, for this kiss made them very warm and dizzy.

Jack and Sally broke apart, both gasping for breath though neither one really needed it. Their hearts beating wildly against each greedy gulp of air that felt a lot warmer than before. As the jolt of adrenaline began to fade, Sally leaned forward to rest her head against Jack's chest as she calmed her wildly beating heart. Jack, nevertheless, was doing his best to calm down as well. His arms were still tightly wrapped around his trembling beloved, though at this point he really couldn't tell if those were her shivers or his. Neither of them had ever felt anything like that before. What a rush!

The air, rather warm actually, felt cool over the inside of his ribcage with each breath. Jack opened his sockets slowing, still feeling tipsy over the burst of passion and desire, and he wasn't surprised that even his vision had become a little hazy as well. All he could do was smile like a lovesick fool at what just happened. It was only by chance that he didn't topple over. Then again, poor Sally would come crashing down with him. His smile only widened at the feel of her hands still clinging on to him, her head resting over his heart, moving with each rise and fall of her chest against his as they composed themselves. He couldn't help but feel very sure that she could hear its rapid beating within his chest.

The room grew quiet again, the sound of Zero gnarling away at his candy cane and the occasional snap of wood from the fireplace acting background noise.

Jack leaned down and gently placed a line of loving kisses along the top of her head, her hair tickling his bony lips and skeletal nose a little with its silky texture. He couldn't help but twitch them, but this only ended up filling his senses with her wonderful perfume-like scent. He could never really come up with an exact name for her scent since it, like his dearest friend, was a bouquet of mix-match things. She smelled of pressed flowers, spiced cider, vanilla, fresh pumpkin, autumn leaves, and alluring air of twilight. It was just as hypnotic as the woman herself.

How Jack could go from fiery and passionate to calm and tender was beyond Sally. For Halloween's sakes, she was still trembling! She was just barely starting to loosen her grip on his chest, and her face was still buried in his shirt. Though, she wasn't complaining. Not only was Jack pressing feather-light kisses to the crown of her head, but also due to their closeness, Sally was becoming hypnotized with his natural scent. It was a warm mixture of graveyard soil, midnight air, and pumpkin spices, with just a hint of worn stone. It was a haunting mixture that eased her trembling and let her melt into her love's arms. It seemed like nothing could ruin this moment for them.

As she started to relax, Sally wrapped her arms around Jack's waist and cuddled closer to him. He was still softly kissing her head, and she noticed how he started to run his fingers through her hair again. She loved the sensation of his boney fingers gently stroking her long hair. It had a calming effect, making her feel safe and loved. She turned her face up to him, wanting to look into his loving eyes, and her action caused Jack to place a kiss to her forehead. She giggled as she looked up at his surprised face. He smiled down at her and Sally could feel herself swoon under his passionate gaze.

He threaded his hand carefully into her hair, bringing a few strands of the precious locks up to his face. Jack kissed the strands much like he would if they were one of Sally's dainty palms, chuckling at her little gasp of surprise before she smiled tenderly at him. Her eyes were mesmerizing, glittering like gemstones in the light of the fireplace as she gazed up at him. The soft, rosy blush on her cheeks complimenting the deeper red of her hair and lips, and the frost tone of her skin. His heart skipped a beat a how she fluttered her lashes; it was madness to deny how much he loved her and how greatly she affected him.

Once again, time seem to slow then ultimately disappear with the rest of their surroundings. Heartbeats started to steadily pick up speed as both gently closed their eyes and leaned towards one another, the distance between them barely there to begin with. Both were joyful in the fact that nothing would, or could, stop them from celebrating these beautiful bonds of love together.

"Arf! Arf!"

Barely an inch apart, Jack and Sally drew back to see Zero looking at them expectedly. His large hollow eyes had a pleading expression and his long tongue was hanging out of his mouth. Apparently, the ghostly canine had finished off his minty snack and was looking directly at his master, hopeful for another. Slightly irked by the timing, however, neither Jack nor Sally could bring themselves to be honestly annoyed with the playful pooch. A little smile appeared on each of their faces when they noticed the pinkish smearing around Zero's usually ghostly white muzzle.

There was nothing to really be embarrassed over, though there was a certain awkwardness to being caught in such an intimate state. Nevertheless, Sally concluded that Zero only wanted attention in hopes of getting another treat. Meanwhile, she was still sitting in Jack's lap with her arms wrapped around him, and he was holding onto her rather tightly. As she snuck a glance at his face, she needed to suppress a giggle that tried to creep its ways out. Poor Jack looked absolutely mortified. Hoping to relieve some of the bashfulness from the situation, Sally untangled herself from Jack's arms and scooted off his lap to sit beside him.

"I'm sorry, Zero," she said sweetly to the pup. "We weren't paying much attention to you, were we?" She pouted at him before looking at the still silent skeleton, a little grin of amusement on her lips as she really did try her best not to start giggling. "Jack, perhaps we could give him another treat to apologize. What do you think?"

"W-what? Oh yes, o-of course!" Jack stammered, his skull burning as he did his best to shake off the abashment, and at the moment he was having a bit of an internal emotional war with himself. On one side, his more proper side, was currently scolding him about his lack of control around Sally. However, the balled up fist of his more passionate persona quickly silenced that side by socking it in the skeletal nose. This side of him was smiling as if on Cloud Nine at the mere mention of Sally and what had just happened before mourning the loss of that moment and the warmth of her close embrace. A little whine almost rose out of Jack's throat before he quickly killed it with a rough clearing of his throat, swallowing as he gathered his bearing again with a smile.

"Greedy boy," Jack chuckled lightly, digging out another striped treat almost magically from his sleeve. "I had a nagging feeling that he'd be sniffing around for another soon, but I thought he'd at least learn to take his time with it." The candy balanced delicately between Jack's boney fingers before he playfully gave it a twirl and a toss into the air. Jack laughed, nerves mostly gone now, at Zero eagerly eyeing the sweet.

The moment the treat was airborne again, Zero shot forward. He grabbed it in his jaw before returning quickly to his bed and greedily began gnawing away at the candy cane.

Sally chuckled as she watched the pup before reality set in. Now having had a good laugh and a chance to come back to earth, it was time for them to talk again. The only problem with that was that Sally honestly didn't know what to say or where to start. She looked around, hoping to spot something she might use to hopeful get their previous conversation back on track, but all she found was Jack rib where he had placed it earlier. She reached over and picked it up, twiddling it between her hands in her lap. Just what was one supposed to say after a profession of love that was followed by a sensual kiss? Sally smiled at the thought, touching her still trembling lips.

Jack smiled. Would there be no end to Zero's antics? He chuckled before turning back to look at Sally, words sitting on the tip of his forked tongue gone at the sight of Sally delicately touching her lips. That deep warmth filling his heart to the brim while it beat with pride and anticipation not unlike how he felt when he discovered Christmas, and yet he knew that though it felt a bit similar. The love he felt for Sally would always reign supreme. He gazed gently at her, a little chuckle escaping him at her gasp when he took her by surprise by wrapping his arms around her waist again. He nuzzled her cheek after returning her to her previous spot in his lap, his hands resting against her hip.

"Do you have any idea just how…amazing you are, my darling?" he asked her in a soft yet clear tone.

"Oh, well, I don't think I'm anything like that," Sally replied modestly, lightly batting her eyelashes as pink began barely dusting her cheeks again. "If anything, I'm just lucky to be with someone as wonderful as you."

"And I you, my Sally," Jack cooed, brushing a kiss against her cheek. "However, I still think you are amazing. So amazing in fact that you just blessed me, a clueless twit of a skeleton, with the answer to all my problems." Almost as if it were a reflex, Jack cut Sally off with a gentle boney finger to her lips since he knew she'd say something to the fact that he was berating himself.

"Love, listen to me," he continued warmly, his hands giving her hip a comforting squeeze. "What I meant by that comment was that if I had been more thoughtful with my emotions, I would have found the solution to all my worries a lot sooner. When I first discovered Christmas and Christmas Town, I felt this overwhelming joy and warmth that I hadn't felt for such a long time. I felt so happy and everything was so new and bizarre — so different from Halloween and our beloved little town. And then there were the things I saw as well: the colors, the people, and the activities happening all around me. My heart swelled with a song, Sally, and I felt like a whole new skeleton."

He sighed, a sort of sense of nostalgia washing over him before he opened his sockets again. "You know I'm going to take you there someday, Sally… After all this mess between Sandy and I blows over, I'm going to sit down with him and ask him if he'll let me take you to Christmas Town. I want you to see all of it, Sally."

"I'd like that," she said. She couldn't help but smile as she recalled the image of the backdrop Jack had used in his Christmas presentation almost two months ago. She wondered if the colors were even brighter in person.

Suddenly, she felt her legs begin to protest from having sat on the floor too long. She looked up at Jack shyly. "Umm, Jack? Do you think we could move to the couch?" she asked, chuckling bashfully. "My legs feel a little cramped."

"Oh, but of course," Jack said with a little tilt of his skull before grinning devilishly. Without another word, he quickly stood up with Sally in his arms, his arms supporting her back and legs with ease. He smirked like a fiend, feeling her arms around his neck as she got over the sudden shock. "Better?"

"Y-Yes, thank you." Her cheeks were blushing madly as she tried to speak. "J-Jack… Y-You can put me down now."

"I'm sorry, Sally, but I'm afraid I can't do that…" Jack replied, that devilish grin only looking more devilish with how he narrowed his sockets and cocked his brow at her. The hand that cradled the back of her legs lovingly stroked the soft, blue flesh that had just been exposed by the skirt of her dress slipping a little. "You do have a bit of a history for being an escape artist, and this is the only way I know you won't get away."

He purred, before moving to the couch and taking a seat. "Or… Would you prefer that I chase you throughout the town?"

"Jack!"

To be continued…

XXX

GodlyJewel: Don't you just hate cliffhangers? They just make you want to curse like a sailor and throw your laptop out the window. *sigh* … Well, too bad! Muahahaha!

Werejaguar of Halloween Town: Yes, we did purposely end it here. Yes, we sort of guessed that you are either cursing us out or squealing like crazy at the cliffhanger. Yes, we happily trolled you. And yes, you'll have to wait for chap 3 to see what happens next.

GodlyJewel: Okay, evilness aside, I would like to also state that while we work on part three, I will also be working on trying to finish up my other NBC story, How We Saved Halloween. I wanted to have it done before the New Year, but I hit a major writing block wall. I know, I'm behind and I'm working on getting both stories complete.