Ch 1

A fresh new start (no longer a one shot.)

The day after Christmas the snow had all melted and Jack had yet another wonderful idea for next year's Halloween. He was going to be a red skeleton next year and he knew just who to turn too.

A loud knocking came to the Doctor's door; his eyes had been drowsy from the late nights work on planning out a home for the rain deer he had created for Christmas. He would have someone build it for his in the near future so they weren't walking all over town getting into misguff.

"The door is open," he called from the balcony.

Jack opened the door and let himself in, Sally watched at the doctor's side with a smile on her face.

"Jack Skelington, what a pleasant surprise. What can I help you with my boy?"

"Doctor!" he called walking up the long spiral ramp for the doctor's wheel chair, "I had a great idea for next year. As the Pumpkin King I'm full of surprises and I wanted to try something fun and new!"

"Well go on do explain," he encouraged.

"This coming year I want to be a red skeleton! But not just red but a fears deep crimson red that will strike fear into the hearts of anyone!" he cheered, "Can it be done?"

The doctor thought about it for a moment, "Well I think I can give you a full body dye that will last a while. But since you're bones are so white and you want to be crimson, it will take some work to get the mixture right. But very well, I will start on it right away and send for you when I'm done."

"Thank you so much doctor!" he cheered excited before looking to Sally and smiling, "Also I wanted to talk with Sally for a bit, would you mind if I took her out this morning?"

The doctor thought about it for a moment, what could the Pumpkin King possible want with that girl? "Very well," he turned to the girl in question, "Sally."

"Yes sir," she smiled at her creator and blushed at Jack before leaving with him.

The two walked threw town and some people started whispering on the corner of Elm Street by the brewery but Jack paid them no attention.

"Sally," he started.

"Yes Jack?"

"I was wondering since you were such a big help maybe you would allow me to take you to breakfast this morning? We can go anywhere you want."

Sally put her hands on her face to hide the blush forming in her undead cheeks, "Jack, are you asking me ... on-on a date?"

"Yes, Sally I am," he smiled brightly, "I know it's strange, if you don't want too that's fine too. I just thought you're efforts should be rewarded some how."

"Oh, no Jack; I'd love to go on a date with you. I'll have to talk to the doctor first of course," she rolled her eyes nervously.

"Of course?" he smiled "I think since we're already out we might as well leave now."

"But ..." she tried to hard not to seem queer in his view, "I guess it couldn't hurt anything."

"Really do you ever ask him if you can leave?"

"No, not really," she admitted, "I just drug him and leave."

Jack was a bit surprised at her honest response, "Well that's a new take on things. I don't ever want to get you mad at me."

She laughed happily at him, "No I wouldn't do that to you Jack; He's just so closed minded, not like you."

"Well it's good to know you think highly of me."

"Yes, well, you are the King," and her response made Jack feel warm inside as he laughed delighted.

The two decided on a small restaurant and ate (whatever Halloween people eat) they had candy and home made chocolate fudge rounds for dissert. The one thing Halloween people knew well was the candy and how to make candy in fun shapes. After a long walk Jack decided it was time to take Sally home, her master would be missing her if she stayed out too late.

It was early evening when the two returned to the doctor's mansion.

"Good timing Jack I already conducted a trial experiment and I think you will be pleased to hear I have you're body dye ready for you. Would you like to try it on?"

"Would I?" he beamed.

"Now keep in mind I don't know how long it will last just yet so it might be a day or it might be a week but if you would come this way I have a bath all ready for you."

Sally blushed at the doctors words; Jack was taking a bath in her home?

"I can't wait!" he followed the doctor to the next room and Sally followed shortly behind them.

One of the skeletons who usually hung from the hallow tree outside town was dangling beat red from a drying rack in the bathroom. He was a deep crimson bloody red and when Jack saw him his could have died again.

"This is the color? It's brilliance! Thank you so much doctor!"

The skeleton hopped off the drying rack and waved good buy to the group as he walked out with his new look.

"Can I get in it now?"

"Sure sure just toss you're cloths out before you get in and I'll see to it they don't dye with you're bones," he turned to look at Sally, "Now Sally Jack isn't just a skeleton like the one who left, he was alive once so I think we should leave him for some privacy."

Sally's jaw dropped and she blushed madly, "Of course I will give him his privacy! What did you think I would just watch him undress? Oh!" She turned embarrassed and aggravated how he could think such a thing! It's not like Jack had anything to show anymore anyway ... right? The thought pulled at her mind for a moment, he would have a pelvis bone but no ... she couldn't finish the thought ... right? Right! She would just drop it.

About twenty minuets later Jack left the bathroom all dressed and still as white as ever. He seemed disappointed.

"Doctor!" she called.

The man in the wheel chair came around, "What is it Jack?"

"Nothing happened," he mopped dangling his long arms in front of him.

"It takes time my boy. It doesn't dye right away but it will come up later."

"Really?" his mood brightened.

"Really," finished the other, "now go home and get some rest. In a couple of hours you will be as dark as the guy who walked out of here."

Sally didn't know if she would like to see a red Jack Skelington but she let it be she was just happy to spend time with him when she had the chance. Jack left for home to sleep his color in.