Chapter 8: Mistletoe Mischief

(Will's POV)

Okay, so coming up with a plan to stop Jack wasn't as easy as I'd thought. I'd been sitting on the Town Hall steps for at least half an hour, and I still hadn't come up with a plan. So far every idea I had ended up with me telling Jack the truth, and that was simply not an option. I thought about texting Al to see if she had any ideas when I noticed the commotion going on.

Out in the Town Square every creature was bustling about getting their workshops set up for the assignments Jack had given them. They all seemed really excited about making their own Christmas, and Jack was jus as hot for it. He'd come out of Town Hall a few minutes after I'd left, and was now helping here and there to get things ready. It was then I noticed Sally. It looked like she was trying to get Jack's attention, but every time she tried something, or someone, got in her way.

Poor girl. Still trying to warn Jack about the downfall of his plans. If only Jack weren't so wrapped up in Christmas, maybe he would notice Sally's feelings and...

I stopped mid-thought. That was it! That was the answer. I felt an impish grin creep over my lips; I had a plan. All I needed was a way to get Jack and Sally alone long enough for Jack's mind to become focused on something even better than Christmas.

XXX

(Narrator's POV)

That night at Skellington Manor Jack and Will were each working on plans for Christmas. Jack was studying on how to be a good Santa Claus, while Will was piecing together her plan to stop Jack. Suddenly they were both interrupted when the doorbell rang/screamed.

"I'll get it," Will called. She had been sitting in the living room, so she was the closest to the door. She made her way to the front door and opened it to find Sally standing on the porch. She had a notebook and a small measuring tape in her hands.

"Hi Sally, what are you doing here?" Will asked. What luck, she thought, I need to get them alone and here Sally is. I wonder if her ears were burning?

"Hello Will," Sally answered. "I just came by because, well I, I needed to, umm..."

Will smiled and asked, "You came to see Jack about something, right?" The rag doll nodded. "Well, come on in. Jack's upstairs but I'm sure he'll be happy to see you." Will led Sally inside and up the stairs to Jack's study. The door was closed so she knocked.

"Come in." The girls walked in and spotted Jack sitting next to a small stack of books that were mostly about Santa Claus. "Who was at the door Will?"

"I don't know Jack," Will smirked. "Why don't you turn around and find out?"

He turned around and his famous skeletal grin spread across his face. "Sally, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here on this frightful night?"

"Well Jack, I needed to ask you something earlier, but you were so busy I didn't get a chance to."

Jack stood up and addressed her. "Nonsense. I'm never to busy for you Sally. You can ask me anything."

Will bit back a giggle as Sally shuffled her feet and looked like she was going to blush before she spoke up. "Well I, I wanted to talk to you about your suit, Jack."

Jack sighed. "Sally, I told you, you can do this. You're the best seamstress in all of Halloween Town; no one else can do this job."

"That's not it, Jack. You see, you gave me the pattern for the design you wanted, but you didn't give me any... measurements."

Now it was Jack's turn to blush, or blanch in his case. How could he have forgotten such an important detail? It wasn't often he had Sally make him any clothes to wear. Usually whenever he came to her with a clothing project, it was to repair one of his suits. Meanwhile neither one of them noticed the devilish grin on Will's face. While the two had been talking, Will had spotted one particular Christmas decoration that would be the perfect way to execute her plan.

"Jack, Sally's right. If she is going to be able to have your suit ready, she'll need those measurements. Why don't you stand on that stool over there." Will pointed over to a lone stool. Jack complied and did as he was told.

"Great! Sally, you get your measurements and I'll get us some refreshments." Will walked out of the room to leave the couple alone, but then stopped. "Oh Jack, isn't there something you wanted to tell Sally? You know, about that thing last night."

Jack nearly lost his balance on the small stool; he'd completely forgotten about Sally's special gift she'd given him. He had promised to thank her the next time he saw her, but instead he asked her to make him this suit. He glanced down at her and felt like he could kick himself. She had already started to take his measurements.

He cleared his throat. "You know Sally, I never got a chance to thank you for that lovely basket the other night."

"Oh it was nothing," she said, not even looking up from the task at hand. She had just written down the measurements for his pants, and was now moving to his torso.

"I would have to disagree. You put so much thought into," he paused while she lifted his right arm, "it, and it was so late. I'm sorry I didn't thank you before, but you vanished before I got the chance. Why did you leave so suddenly?"

"Please don't worry it. I knew you were busy, so I left so I wouldn't disturb you further."

"Not at all. It was a nice reprieve from my experiments."

Sally looked up at him and smiled, then returned to her task. She was just measuring his torso when Will returned with a tray full of treats. Jack was relieved because for reasons he couldn't fathom, the room seemed a little warmer than usual. Sally finished taking her measurements and Jack was able to step down from his perch.

"Well here we go, some warm cocoa and a couple Ginger Thins," Will cheerfully stated.

"Thank you Will, this is very thoughtful," Sally commented.

"My pleasure. Say, what's that?" Will's voice feigned ignorance as she pointed to the area just above Jack's head. Both the skeleton and the rag doll followed the girl's gaze. Sure enough, the two were standing under a tiny green plant with white berries and a red bow encircling the stem that hung from the ceiling.

"What is that Jack?" Sally asked.

"Why that's mistletoe," Jack explained. "It's a plant I brought back from Christmas Town. I forgot I'd hung it up there."

"Oooh, Jack, you know what this means," Will teased.

"Huh?"

Will crossed her arms as she mock scolded him. "Come on Bone Daddy, you were in Christmas Town. Don't tell you don't remember seeing a couple under the mistletoe. It's only one of the oldest Christmas traditions."

Jack tried to remember just what his friend was talking about. He thought and thought until it suddenly hit him. The first time he'd seen mistletoe was when he saw those two young elves hanging it up and then they… Jack froze and his eye sockets widen considerably. No, that couldn't mean he had to do that. Did it?

Sally however was left completely out of the loop. "What is this tradition you're talking about?"

Will got a very wicked gleam in her eye. This was just what she needed. She glanced at Jack who looked extremely uncomfortable at the moment. So Will played the scene as innocently as she could without revealing her impish intentions.

"Allow me to explain: Mistletoe happens to be a very popular tradition in the Human World nowadays. No one is exactly sure when it started, but most believe it began with ancient Druids, or something like that. It was also viewed as a sacred plant that brought goodwill and had special powers. Anyway, getting back to modern time, the plant is hung from the ceiling during Christmas time, and if two people are caught standing under it," she paused for dramatic effect, "they... kiss."

The last two words had Sally blushing pink and Jack blanching pure white. Sally had only ever dreamed of Jack kissing her, and to be presented with such an opportunity was both thrilling and frightening. Jack, on the other hand, felt like he'd been backed into a corner. It wasn't that he didn't like Sally. On the contrary, she was his dearest friend among the females in Halloween Town. What made it better as that she never fawned over him because he was the Pumpkin King; he could just be plain Jack around her. But the idea of kissing Sally felt like he was crossing a line in their friendship. Meanwhile, Will was trying very hard not to laugh at the couple's obvious discomfort.

When no one spoke Will decided to cut them a little slack. "While no one can get out of kissing someone under the mistletoe once they've been caught, you can get away with just a peck on the cheek. I mean, it is a sign of friendship and goodwill." She let the offer hang.

Jack sighed silently, feeling such a relief. Yes of course, just a simple peck on the cheek. There was nothing against that. Will just said it was a way of showing affection to a friend. He smiled and leaned down to place a quick kiss to the side of Sally's face. But it wasn't her cheek he kissed. While Jack had been pondering over the kiss, Sally had been having similar thoughts herself. In her mind she saw it as a way to show Jack she cared for him, while also secretly revealing her true feelings. She turned her head at the very moment Jack had leaned down. So instead of kissing her cheek, Jack's bony lips were now pressed against the corner of Sally's mouth.

The shock surprised both of them. They had both been caught off guard by the incident and neither could pull away. Sally was in a rapturous state at the feel of Jack's lips so close to her own. She wanted to angle her head so that he could have full access to her mouth, but she remained frozen to the spot.

Meanwhile Jack was dealing with his own shock. He was practically kissing Sally right on the mouth! It didn't help that her skin was very soft and in this position, her devil red lips were becoming very tempting. He mentally shook himself. How could he be thinking such thoughts?

Will, who'd been watching the entire time, barley suppressed a chuckled as she said, "Of course, another tradition states that if a couple in love exchanges a kiss under the mistletoe, it is interpreted as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life."

Jack and Sally instantly pulled away from each other, and stood about two feet apart. Neither even noticing as the young girl bolted out the door, laughing all the way. They fell silent and an extremely awkward sensation began spreading throughout the room. Finally Sally took the liberty of speaking.

"Well… t-thank you for allowing me to kiss… take the measurements Jack. I, I should be able to finish the suit in no time."

"N-No problem, Sally." He still couldn't look her in the eyes. When another moment of pure silence befell the room, Sally said "Goodbye Jack," and left.

Once the door closed, Jack immediately snapped out of his shocked state. He felt so embarrassed about the accidental kiss and he didn't even apologize. Quickly Jack followed after her. He just made it to the living room when he was stopped just outside the hallway by the conversation Sally was having with Will. Sally was standing in front of the door and looked like she was about to leave.

"Sorry to put you through that Sally, but as soon as I saw the plant, I just couldn't help it," Will explained.

"That's alright Will," Sally said. "I just hope Jack didn't mind."

"I don't think you have to worry about that," Will chuckled, and then she noticed Jack lurking in the hallway. "Actually Sally, I was wondering, do you still need that blanket I loaned you? I should've told you before, but it actually belongs to Jack, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind. It's not like he's noticed it's missing."

"Oh, I almost forgot. I can hurry down to my work tent and get it if you like."

"Nah, you need it more. It looks like it's gonna get pretty cold tonight. Are you sure I can't convince you to stay."

"Oh no, I couldn't impose. Besides I'll be alright."

"What are you two ladies talking about?" Jack asked as he walked into the room. Both Will and Sally had been surprised by Jack's sudden appearance, but their latter reactions were completely different. Sally was very nervous. She still hadn't gotten over the "incident."

"I, I was just thanking Will for a favor she did me. It was nothing, really."

"I wouldn't call loaning a blanket to a friend on a cold night nothing," Will butted in. "Heck, if ya hadn't fallen asleep, I would've made you come inside last night. No one should sleep on the streets."

Sally instantly tried to shush Will, while Will insisted on talking. Neither of them seemed to notice Jack's blank stare. He was having a hard time believing what he had just heard. Sally had slept outside on the street last night? He had assumed she'd gone home after giving him the basket. The thought of her shivering in the cold didn't sit right with him. But he was more curious as to why she wouldn't go back to Doctor Finklestein's.

"Sally, why would you sleep in the streets?" he asked.

Sally was getting more nervous. Jack didn't know she had to sneak out in order to go to town whenever she wanted, but it would devastate her to have to explain that she also drugged the doctor with Deadly Nightshade. She also didn't want to tell Jack that she'd snuck out last night, but she couldn't lie to him either. It wasn't in her nature, plus she could never be dishonest with Jack. She took a deep breath, ready to confess, but she never got the chance to explain.

"And why didn't you tell me about this?" Jack demanded from Will.

"Excuse me, but I did, several times," she snapped. "I even wrote it down in my notes. But somebody was too preoccupied to listen."

Sally could see that the situation was becoming a little to tense, so she tried to calm Jack down. "Please Jack, it's alright."

Even Sally couldn't calm the angered Pumpkin King. "No it's not! I won't have anyone in my town sleeping in the streets, and I won't tolerate not being told about it." The last part was directed right at Will.

Will groaned. "Oh lighten up, Jack. Sally's fine. See, no harm done." Will tried to smile but it was clear that if she couldn't calm him down soon, heads would roll. Quickly she turned back to Sally.

"Maybe you should go," she whispered. "He looks like he'll burst into flames."

"I think you're right," Sally whispered back.

"Exactly, so see you to– HEY!"

Jack had picked Will up by the back of her shirt, and was carrying her off into the next room. "Excuse us Sally, but I need a word with Will."

"Jack Skellington put me down right now!" Will shouted. "Did you hear me? I said put me down! How are you even doing this? You have no freaking muscles!" That was the last thing Sally heard as Jack carried Will down the hallway before hearing a door shut.

XXX

(Jack's POV)

"PUT. ME. DOWN!"

I shut the door as Will continued to struggle before I let her go. She landed on her feet and glared at me. "What was all that about?" I demanded.

She crossed her arms and looked away from me. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Why didn't you tell me Sally was sleeping out on the streets?"

Will let out a sigh and turned around to look at me. I was surprised to see that her face was mixed with anger and… disappointment? What could possibly have brought that on?

"Jack, I honestly did try to tell you about Sally. Ten times in fact. I found her after I'd taken a break to take Mogwai for a walk and there she was, sitting on the ground, all by herself. We talked for a while and then I went inside to grab something warm for her, and invite her inside. When I got back she was asleep and I couldn't wake her up. I came back in to tell you, but each time I tried you brushed me off to work on your Christmas experiments."

I felt like crawling under a rock. How could I be so thoughtless? Will had tried to tell me what was going on and all I could think about were my experiments. If only I'd gone after Sally after she had given me the basket. If I had, I would have seen her out in the cold and insist she come inside, or I could have escorted her home. Just the thought of her in such discomfort saddened me. But there was something else that bothered me.

"But why would Sally sleep outside instead of going back home?"

"Whoa there, that's confidential buddy," Will retorted. "If you want to know, you'll have to ask Sally."

Okay, now I really wanted to know what was going on. Perhaps once I was done with Will I'd go and speak with Sally. But I had one more thing I needed to discuss with her. "You still haven't explained why you tricked us back in my study."

"Hey, not my fault you stood right under the mistletoe. I just happened to spot it." The tone in her voice wasn't convincing.

"Somehow I don't believe that. In fact, you were the one who told me where to stand so Sally could take my measurements. I think you knew exactly where it was and made it so that Sally and I would stand under it."

She sighed and rose up her hands in surrender. "Alright, you caught me. But I only did it because you're completely clueless when it comes to women."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh please? I saw the way you talked with her back at Town Hall. That whole 'who else is clever enough' bit. Please, even though you were on your Christmas hype, you were practically flirting with the girl." She was grinning like a witch's cat.

"I-I was not flittering. I said those things because they're true. Sally is the cleverest creature in all of Halloween Town. But what does that have to do with me… kissing her." If I had any flesh and blood my face would be bright red right now. I could still feel her silky stitches on my lips and it made me blanch all the more. Ah! Focus Jack, focus!

Will giggled. "You really are clueless. Jack, I know you like Sally. It was written all over your face when you had your lips pressed to hers."

I wonder just how white a skeleton can turn? I thought.

"And what about that little scene in the living room, huh? That was just a tad overprotective, don't you think?"

"Well I, I was just worried about her, that's all. Sally is my dearest friend. And such a sweet thing like her can get into trouble if she'd not careful."

"She's a grown woman," Will stated, "not a damsel in distress, waiting for her skeletal knight to rescue her."

Okay, not how I would have put it, but she was right. Sally could take care of herself; she didn't need me to protect her. Why did I feel the need to protect Sally? Maybe it was because of what happened when we first met. I don't think I'd ever forget that day.

Everyone was getting ready, just hours away from Halloween. But Oogie Boogie wanted to take the holiday, and my title, for himself. First he'd sent Lock, Shock and Barrel to kidnap me, but they'd gotten confused and kidnapped poor Sally instead. I didn't want Sally's first Halloween to be ruined by that one incident. I wanted Halloween to be something fun for her. I remember the way her eyes lit up and her smile… Sally brought such a colorful outlook on the town. That was one of the reasons I wanted to bring Christmas here.

"Hello? Earth to Jack, come in Jack," Will tugged on my elbow. "Are you still among us living and/or undead?"

I shook myself out of my trance. "Sorry, I was just... remembering something."

"What?"

I didn't bother to answer her as I raced back to the living room. Luckily Sally was still there. Zero and Mogwai had decided to keep her company and she was petting the two dogs. She smiled when I came into the room, but she also appeared a little apprehensive.

"Is something wrong, Jack?" she asked.

"No, no, everything's fine, Sally. I just wanted to tell you to keep that blanket for as long as you want. Since you're working on my Sandy Claws outfit, you'll probably be staying in your work tent."

"Why Jack, I, I... I don't know what to say."

I took her hands in mine. "Just say yes."

"Alright."

"Fantastic!"

XXX

(Narrator's POV)

Neither of them saw Will, as she remained hidden in the shadows of the hallway. Her palm slapped loudly against her forehead.

XXX

GodlyJewel: This was a fun chapter to write, even though I had to struggle with some writer's block. I wanted a little build up in their relationship since I thought the ending happened a little fast. I mean, one minute Jack finds out his best friend *Zero barks in protest* Okay, best female friend *puppy appeased* is in love with him, and then he tells her loves her? In reality that's a little out there. Then again reality is no fun.

Cosmic Horse: It's like he had his epiphany and then threw it all out his ear hole. Stupid boney butt.

GodlyJewel: Do you not see the red mark on my forehead? It's been there since the "Town Meeting" song.

Disclaimer: The mistletoe facts I looked up online, and I took the first meeting from the video game prequel, Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King.