Author's note: Hi all. I'm having a writing night at Starbucks this evening, thus here be chapter 4. Huge thank yous, to the yous that reviewed (that's fun to say!).

Having finished his tasks with both the Behemoth and the witches, Jack returned to the day to day business of preparing for next Halloween. His brain overflowed with new ideas. He couldn't imagine how he had ever felt tired of this job. Fright was his raison d'etre! Fright and... Jack grinned. He caught sight of Sally at her machine, sewing a red satin lining to one of the capes. He started toward her, but was stopped mid-stride by the Mayor.

"Jack! Do you have a moment? I could use some help here!"

Lock, Shock and Barrel followed behind the corpulent politician, The children grinned mischievously. Since the demise of their master, Oogie Boogie, they spent much more time in town. The tree-house was boring by comparison with no one there to bother, or play tricks on, but themselves. Jack glanced back at Sally before turning his attention to the worried Mayor.

"I do have a moment, but only just. Is there something I can help you with Mayor?"

"Yes! I need help with these three right here! Can't we give them something to do? Something other than following me around all day?"

Jack smiled at that. He scratched his chin, studying the children.

"Perhaps it's high time that you three pitched in around here. It's your holiday too after all, isn't it?"

The Mayor spun to delight at Jack's reaction. The children exchanged baleful glances. Jack continued:

"Give me a small while to think of appropriate jobs. Soon, I'll have you so busy, you won't know how you ever filled your days before!" The trio frowned in unison.

Sally replayed the fishgal's words over and over in her head. Finally looking up from her machine, she was pleased to see Jack crossing the square in her direction. Sally was grateful for his company, even if they wouldn't be alone. Jack was followed closely by the Mayor and that odd little trio of trick or treaters. Once at her side, Jack picked up one of the completed capes and held it out for the rest of the group to see. The Mayor was impressed.

"Sally! Those are just wonderful! Why, the vampires will be absolutely thrilled with - " He stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the way Jack and Sally were smiling at one another in a most un-halloween-like fashion. Sally gazed up at the Pumpkin King through her eyelashes. Jack sighed happily and breathed a soft giggle. The Mayor's worried frown snapped firmly back into place. Since when had Jack Skellington, the terrible, horrible, Pumpkin King, ever giggled? Lock and Shock elbowed each other, smirking, while Barrel remained absorbed in a bag of candy-corn. The Mayor cleared his throat. It was a small, and rather futile, attempt to remain the focal point of this conversation. Not noticing his colleague's discomfort, Jack spoke to his ragdoll:

"The capes are beautiful Sally. You always do such fantastic work. Have you eaten anything yet today?"

She shook her head.

"No. I was waiting for you. I thought we could have lunch together."

"That is wonderful. I'll come back for you in just a few minutes when I've finished the end of my rounds. We'll go to the cemetery."

Sally nodded, her eyes dreamy. Jack gave her a chaste kiss and touched her cheek before walking away, his little entourage in tow.

As Jack and company strolled towards the town hall, the Mayor weighed how to bring up his growing concern about Jack and Sally. The last thing he wanted to do was put Jack on the defensive, or pry into personal matters, but he couldn't help wonder exactly what were Jack's intentions? There were so many rumors floating through town. Surely, they couldn't actually be...could they? The very thought struck him as horrific beyond all reason. That kind of thing could infect someone's brain, cause distraction, wrong priorities, and besides all that, it was just NOT a very 'Halloween' thing to do. The Mayor stopped rather suddenly and turned to the trio.

"It's getting late. Why don't you three just go home? We'll meet up again in the morning."

"I thought we were going into the hall to get some new assignments," said Lock. Jack looked questioningly at the Mayor who shooed the three back in the direction of their tree house.

"Oh, just take the evening off! I'll have plenty for you to do tomorrow."

Lock, Shock, and Barrel exchanged exaggerated shrugs, then skipped away towards their home to do Heaven knows what. Jack was confused. He had been in agreement with the Mayor that those three should have as little free time as possible. What good could it do to send them home where they would be left to their own devices?

"What do we have to go over? What on Earth is wrong?", Jack asked.

The Mayor sighed. Sometimes it was a curse to be so two-faced. He could never hide dismay or worry no matter how hard he tried. He pulled Jack into the empty town hall by his boney elbow.

"Sit down, Jack. I need to talk to you."

Jack shrugged and sat down on one of the benches. The Mayor gathered his resolve before plunging ahead.

"Jack, everyone in town is talking about you and Sally. What exactly is going on? Now, I can understand you want your privacy, but you could at least be honest with me! How, er, serious are you two getting?"

Jack looked rather amused.

"It isn't affecting my work, is it?" he asked innocently. The Mayor shook his head.

"Heavens no, not yours. You're a professional. You're the master! But, it sure seems to be distracting everyone else."

"Ah. Then perhaps you should speak to them, Mayor. If that's all, I think I'll take my lunch now. Don't worry, I won't be long."

"You are the king," sighed the Mayor, defeated already. Jack stood and laughed. He patted the Mayor on the his back.

"Don't worry, Mayor. If there's news, you'll be the first one I tell."

"Thank you, Jack." The Mayor was relieved. How considerate. Wait a minute, he thought, what news? What news could there possibly be?

"JACK?" he called out the hall door. "WHAT NEWS?"

Jack turned on his heel still grinning, but did not answer.