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A/N:

Hey everyone! Thank you for your reviews, and I'm glad the story seems to be going over well : ) I hope you enjoy this latest installment (and another look at the many potential sides of Jack ;) ). I'll do my best for once a week updates if I can, but at the very most they'll be once every two weeks. Thank you all for your patience, and please review if you can!

Dearest Friends

Chapter 8:

A Second Date (and Jack's Second Visit)

The sky was dark, the moon and stars shone brightly as ever over the Halloween Town sky, and Jack was currently waiting in his attic at the bottom of a certain pair of stairs feeling torn between pure anticipation and utter uncertainty. 'Just a few more moments until it's time. She said seven o'clock. I don't want to be early, but I don't want to be late. I want to be right on time for her.' He wrung his hands a little and looked at one of the old, dusty grandfather clocks stored up here. '6:59 pm…' He turned back to the stairs, adjusted his nice bowtie and dusted off his fresh suit, and prepared to wait a minute longer.

After he had come home that afternoon with all of his nice things for Sally and the two of them had sat down to tea and talking together, Sally had told Jack that she had a the most wonderful plan for their date tonight…but that she also wanted it to be a surprise. And she had been so cute after saying that, giggling and shrugging and looking downward so mysteriously, that of course he had gone along with her desire to take care of all the plans for their evening together without question. And from the moment he had nodded his skull, she had beamed, kissed him right on the forehead, and then dashed off with the new fabrics he had bought her, leaving Jack in a little love sick daze for several moments before he had gone off to tinker with the parts for her new sewing machine and then to take a nice walk along the outskirts of town while she prepared their secret dinner (it was peaceful outside of town away from the usual Halloween hustle and bustle…though Jack had thought for just a moment that he had seen some odd scurrying out near the trick-or-treaters tree house near the gorge…though a second look made him wonder if it was just a trick of the light and just his own recent troubling experiences with Oogie Boogie making him see things for a moment).

The clock struck 7 PM, and Jack felt his skull heat as a word he had just used in his last thought on Sally suddenly struck him. 'Lovesick? Am I…? No, really, don't call it that. Me…in love with Sally.' Jack was instantly reminded of his visit to Valentine Town and what all of the citizens there had said about him being full of love. And not that he didn't realize that 'being in love' might be the most accurate description for his feelings toward Sally, but still he just couldn't admit it to himself let alone anybody else. 'I've barely seen her in this romantic light for more than a couple of days—who am I to presume having such deep feelings for her? It's just not logical. If she had that feeling for me, that would be one thing—she's cared for me like this for so very long, after all, that true love would have had time to really blossom. Though she hasn't told me she loves me, so I suppose she's not quite in love just yet. And if she's not in love yet, how could I already say that I'm in love with her?'

Jack sighed deeply and glanced down with a touch of distress, crossing his arms over his chest. 'Besides, it's not as though I have much experience in this area. I don't even think I know what being in love is.' Indeed, Jack (blanching now) had to admit to himself that despite his natural appeal to women, he had never really gotten close to one in a special way. He had spent so many years alone during which he had suppressed everything for the sake of his professionalism and privacy. Companionship? Not a life requirement, really, or at least intimate companionship wasn't. One could survive without it. Affection? Friends could be affectionate enough, and so could family…and the whole town was sort of like his family so that was taken care of. Romance? He could just read a romantic novel. No problem… Passion? H-He had Halloween…and then Christmas…to be passionate about. That could tide him over well enough. A woman, specifically? He had learned to not care much for the Halloween Town women at first—they seemed to want things from him that he couldn't give them anyway. Their obsession with him was just too much, and he had learned to want to be left alone. Yes, thoughts, feelings, urges, desires all could be locked away and abandoned, all had been locked away and abandoned. He didn't need those things, he could be Jack without those things, he could be the Pumpkin King without those things….

…Even if the loneliness that way of living created contributed to a deep, dark, sad hole in him that he hadn't been able to understand properly until Sally had saved him and held him and kissed him.

Jack leaned against the wall near the staircase to the tower. It was already 7:02 but he couldn't go up yet. A frown of the most melancholy sort was upon his features. His time with Sally had made him forget, but in this moment he recalled the loneliness that had always been there in his life—his 'fear', dare he say, of getting too close to anybody and admitting his doubts and worries and moment of dissatisfaction with their holiday and also with his life and having them not be able to accept it. The citizens needed someone confident and sure to guide them, and he wanted to give them that person…but he wasn't sure if they could handle knowing that their proud leader wasn't always so proud and sometimes even wondered if he was the best leader her could be or the best person he could be.

Yet, Jack couldn't help but get close to Sally. In fact, he actually wanted intimacy with Sally, even though he remained uneasy about what her response to the many sides and moods of him might be. 'What if she didn't like me anymore? All she's ever known is the happy, dancing, singing Jack just like almost everyone else in town. What if she finds out there's more to me and it upsets her or makes her worry? What if she knows about all the painful feelings from the past and all the romantic feelings I'm thinking of having now, and it's just too much?' Jack sighed very deeply, closing his eye sockets. There was something he couldn't share with her since he knew it would overwhelm anyone too much, especially this early in a relationship, but he was starting to need her in his life. Sally lit him up, she made the sun shine inside of him, she made that hole of loneliness feel all filled with beauty…true beauty…the beauty of something intrinsically so good that all it could bring was happiness and joy. She made him so happy, and maybe he made her happy too.

Jack whispered quietly to himself. "Please let her care for me forever, whether she falls in love with me or just wants to be friends, or something in between. I'm a better person with her around—and I hope she can say the same about me one day. Even if I'm not ready to say I'm in love with her, I do love Sally very, very much. I hope we'll be very good for each other…no matter what happens about anything else." Jack let out a very deep breath and tried his best for once not to think about the past anymore and just to savor the happy evening waiting for him.

Jack was removed from his personal moment by the sound of someone with a familiar soft, light voice clearing her throat and saying these words. "Jack? Um…I don't mean to rush you, but it's after seven, and I…I-I'm ready up here, if you want to come up and you're ready too."

Jack blinked, his eye sockets flying open once more. He had almost forgotten about the time. He took a deep breath, brushed away any tear or two that may or may not have started to form at the edges of his eye sockets, and then put a smile on his face and looked up the staircase to the tower. He could see Sally's eyes peeking down at him from the opening in the floor above.

At the sight of her, a much more sincere smile spread over Jack's features. He called up to her. "I'm sorry, Sally. I just, um…I suppose I'm just anxious about the surprise. I'm all ready for it though." He winked at her.

Sally giggled. "Okay, Jack. Come up when you're ready then." Something shy and blush-like came to the tops of her cheeks, and then her head slipped out of sight.

Jack looked up at her curiously and felt himself already thoroughly intrigued. He began to ascend the stairs. "Whenever I feel sad, the idea of you makes me feel happy again. It's just one more thing I love about you, my Sally…" he whispered to himself softly, nearing the tower and his dearest friend within it.

Earlier, Sally had run upstairs with Zero at her side to prepare for her and Jack's date tonight while Jack had promised to leave her to her surprise. And once she had reached the tower and finally was alone, the first thing Sally had done was examine all the new sewing materials Jack had gotten her because if there was one thing she knew she wanted for tonight, first and foremost, it was a new dress to wear on their date.

"Ooo…" Sally sifted through the bag with interest. Jack had stuck primarily with cotton cloth, simple colors, and standard patterns, yet he had gotten enough of a variety to keep her in patchwork outfits for years to come if she wanted. Sally examined each piece carefully, trying to find something inspirational for her new dress. "Zero, I don't want my new dress to be like the dress I have now—just as good for walking around or doing housework as it is for going out in," Sally explained to her companion, who was likewise examining the fabric with interest and just smiling at how much Sally was smiling. "I want it to be a special dress—something I would only wear on a date with Jack. Something more elegant than my patchwork one, and a little more flattering, and something really eye-catching."

"Arf!" Zero nodded and started laying out the different styles of cloth for her on the rug so that she could make her decision more easily.

Sally giggled. "Thank you, Zero. You've been so nice to me ever since I came here—no wonder Jack considers you his best friend."

"Rrr…" Zero gave a little shy growl and looked away, smiling, his nose glowing.

Sally smiled more and took him up in her hands to give that nose a little kiss. "And I hope it's all right if I consider you a best friend too."

"Arf!" Zero nodded enthusiastically and started licking Sally's face.

Sally laughed warmly. "I'll take that as a yes." He kept kissing her, and she petted him some more but then turned her attention back to the bag. "We can play more later, Zero. Right now we don't have too much time, and I have a whole dress to sew and we have a whole date to set up." She glanced at the fabrics Zero had laid out and then leaned down so her head was in the bag. "Hmm…I think that's everything. Oh, wait, I missed something!" Sally sat up and then reached into the bag and pulled out a little extra parcel wrapped in black tissue paper with a little note attached to it, folded up. Curious, Sally examined the item. It seemed like it was an extra piece of fabric wrapped up so delicately. She placed down the package and opened the note.

'Dearest Sally,

I hope I did all right picking out fabrics for you. I'm not very adept at sewing myself, so I wasn't really sure what to get. And as I said I've never had a woman's comfort and preferences to look out for before, so I wasn't sure what would work best for dresses and nightgowns. But I did my best, and the witches helped me a little too (don't worry, they don't suspect a thing about us—we can tell everyone about our new relationship when we're ready).

Anyway, I hope I got enough fabric and that it pleases your tastes and lets you make enough clothing to be as warm and comfortable here as possible. I care for you so much, my Sally.

I got the cloth—or rather, the silk—in this package as an extra present for you. It's not a very warm fabric, I know, but I couldn't help myself. The color just seemed like something that would suit you too well to pass it by. And you did say midnight blue was your favorite color. Perhaps you can make a lovely scarf or a spring cape out of it or something?

I suppose I could have told you all of this in person, but I like writing to you, Sally. It feels nice, and besides I…I find myself rather tongue-tied around you as of late. But then again what bashful young man ever found it easy to talk to a beautiful girl?

I'll look forward so much to seeing what you make, my darling.

Eternally,

Your dearest Jack Skellington.

Sally took in a deep breath as she finished the note, her eyes lighting up at its writer's charm, his concern, his thoughtfulness all for her. "I always knew he was the sweetest, most wonderful man in town," she mumbled to herself softly, hugging the note to her chest. Then she folded up the note and placed it into her pocket to see to the little package. Sally carefully undid the tissue paper and lifted the silky contents up to admire them.

"Ooo…" Sally cooed, smiling more.

The length of silk was several yards long, and the color at first appeared to be black. But, no, wait…. She looked at it more closely. The silk was blue, in fact, but such a deep, dark, midnight blue that it could seem black in dim lighting. Yet, the fact that it really was just the richest blue, she knew, would make it match up perfectly with her pale blue skin. And yet the touch of blackness about the silk intrigued her as well. She had always wondered how she would look in black.

Sally looked at the fabric for a while, and then glanced to some of the other fabrics laid out before her.

Zero watched with interest, an eyebrow raised. He knew the look on Sally's face all too well—it was the same look his master got on his face when he was getting a brilliant idea.

Suddenly, Sally looked up, her smile beaming and her eyes almost twinkling. "Zero," she looked to the little ghost dog, standing up and gathering a few specific cloth pieces from the floor to go along with the silk still cradled in her arms, "While I make the dress, would you mind helping me by handing me pins and thread when I need them and giving me your opinion? And while we're working we can talk about how to set up the tower this evening for Jack and I."

"Arf!" Zero nodded and winked, and then he flew over to Sally's coatrack dress dummy and nudged it closer to the center of the room.

Sally grabbed up some thread and needles and scissors and came to join Zero with the dummy. "Wonderful, thank you so much, Zero." Sally laid everything out on the floor, then grabbed a piece of paper and a quill off a nearby desk and started planning things out. "I finally have the time and material to make a beautiful dress for myself—I just hope Jack thinks it's beautiful too."

"Arf!" Zero smiled and winked at her.

Sally giggled. "I'll take your word for it, Zero. And for what it's worth, I have a very good feeling he'll like it too." Sally put down her paper for a moment to lift up the silk, and took up the scissors. She began cutting. "So, as for dinner…I planned out some nice dishes that I can make with the ingredients Jack bought today—I really want it to feel like a fancy, cozy, romantic, candlelit dinner for two. But I still feel like something's missing from the menu." She frowned a little to herself. "I can't put my finger on it though. Do you have any ideas, Zero?" Sally glanced at the little dog.

Zero instantly put down the pins he was holding and nodded to her enthusiastically. Then he gave a little twirl in the air and quickly flew out the window.

Sally watched him go curiously, but then went back to cutting the silk with a smile. "I'm sure he'll come back with something wonderful soon, something I never would have thought of in a million years."

Sally continued cutting and drawing and sewing for several minutes until suddenly she heard Zero return through the window. She turned and smiled at him. "Zero, there you are. Where did you—" She blinked, her eyes going a little wide.

Zero had a certain special item in his mouth clearly for Jack and Sally's dinner.

Sally blinked a couple of times and then smiled. "Oh Zero…I don't know where you got that from, but it's perfect. Please put it downstairs in the ice box and don't let Jack see you." She winked.

Zero nodded and flew away with the item. He returned shortly to keep helping Sally with her dress and her plans for the evening. And the pair had continued working together (first up here and then downstairs in the kitchen) for the several hours until the date was finally set to start.

In the present, Sally waited anxiously as Jack finally ascended the last few steps to her little tower room.

As he stepped onto the floor and let the trap door close behind him, Sally instantly felt her leaves flutter with warmth, and she had to look down, her hands clasped gently in front of herself, a small smile on her lips. 'Oh, I hope Zero was right—I hope Jack really will think my dress is nice.' "Hello, Jack. I'm…very glad you're here." She glanced up at him, her smile growing.

"I'm glad too, Sally. So what did you have planned…for…um…wow…" Jack knew it was probably a little rude but he couldn't help completely losing track of his sentence and then just standing there after the 'wow' comment with wide eye sockets and a slightly dropped jaw as he finally processed the sight of Sally before him. But stunned awe seemed the only appropriate response to having left a young lady up here with a random assortment of cloth, her usual needles, and a fine cut of silk…and now suddenly a few hours later finding her standing before you in the most flattering dress (if not gown) he could ever have conceived of for her.

Sally had taken the dark silk, blue like black, and trimmed and sewed part of it into a bodice hugging her body. Then she had taken cuts from several different shades of blue and green and grey cloth and stitched them into a patchwork skirt for the dress that flared out a little and fell just below her knees. Then she had taken two blue strips of fabric and stitched them onto the top of the dress to act as a pair of very short sleeves. She still wore her black shoes with the cute striped socks, and her hair fell in waves about her head as it had done on their date last night, and her lips were a burning red again, and…oh who could go on? And Jack barely knew what to do with such a beautiful creature, such a beautiful Sally, looking beyond his any vision of her he had ever imagined. All he could do was feel his marrow race and hope his blanching wasn't too bad.

"Jack…?"

Her soft voice broke shakily upon his near fantasies. Jack blinked and nearly gasped a little. "Hmm?! O-Oh, um…um, yes?" he managed, trying to sound smooth and casual but grinning sheepishly (and utterly failing at his intended appearance of normalcy.)

Sally smiled quite a bit. For just a moment, Jack had had that look again…that look from her dream (and briefly from this morning) where he gazed at her with more than just tender affection—like there was passion, desire, a spark inside of him about her. It had been brief like the other times, but its appearance even in a small way gave Sally total confidence in the success of her dress. She almost wanted to pinch herself to make sure this moment wasn't another dream. But she knew none of this was a dream as he now stood there before her suddenly as shy and nervous and sweet as ever—her dearest Jack who she would love no matter how reserved he might be.

Sally just sighed and smiled at Jack, arms behind her back. "Um…I just wanted to thank you for the fabric again, Jack. I…the Doctor never let me have may materials to work with—that's why I had to make my dress of rags and scraps. It's so nice to make myself something nice and new to wear. And I loved silk you got me, Jack, really and truly." She looked into his eyes with a smile. "Do…Do you like what I've done with it all, Jack?" She shrugged a little, glancing down at her dress humbly..

Jack glanced down humbly for a moment, his smile growing, and then looked back up at her. "It's a beautiful dress for a beautiful lady. I'm so happy you liked the fabric so much, Sally. You're so talented and creative, my darling." And then he shuffled forward, reached out his hand, took one of hers and raised it up and gently kissed the back of it.

Part of Sally wanted to swoon and collapse into his arms, but she settled for giggling and nodding. "Oh. Thank you, dearest Jack."

The sound of her giggle made Jack smile all the more as he finished his kiss to the back of her hand. Then he looked into her eyes, tenderness and sweetness in his gaze. "You're eternally welcome, Sally." He gave her hand a little squeeze before releasing it. "Now, I really cannot wait to hear what my darling Sally has planned for our date tonight. The suspense has been just killing me all over again." He chuckled. Then he blinked. "Oh, but, if we're going to be outside for any period of time, you'll be far too cold in that dress. I'm sure I have a nice flannel blanket or quilt you could use as a cowl, and then the next time I'm in town I'll be sure to pick you up some wool so you can sew a proper one for yourself." He smiled again.

Sally smiled back in appreciation but shook her head. "Oh Jack, don't worry, that won't be necessary. Actually," she rocked back and forth on her feet little, hands clasped in front of herself. "I thought we could just stay in tonight and have our date up here." And then she stepped aside so that Jack could get a proper view of the room.

Jack's eye sockets went wide with surprise again this evening. A lovely fire glowed in the hearth, there were some candles lit around the room to provide a little extra light, Sally had fluffed the pillows from her sofa and laid them down upon her largest blanket on the floor before the fire, and on that blanket were two silver candlesticks with lit candles in them, a couple of plates with cutlery, and a large wicker basket with a few covered silver trays of food resting alongside it. And in a little vase at the center of it all sat the flowers Jack had brought Sally for their first date together last night.

Sally explained the scene in her shyest tone. "I thought we could have a picnic up here and sit by the fire and talk. Going out is fun, but we've been through so much lately that I thought a night in would be nice for us." And, though Sally didn't add this last thought aloud, she also liked the idea of having Jack all alone up here in her room with her for the evening. The idea reminded her of some private daydreams and fantasies from the past—Jack scaling the wall of the doctor's manor, stealthily entering her room, scooping her up for kisses and telling her he couldn't deny how meant to be they were any longer. Sally sighed softly. "Everything's ready for us. Just come with me, Jack." She let her eyes go half lidded and reached out her hand to take his and lead him inside.

Jack was enchanted with her plans and her gaze to say the least. "Oh…all right then…" he replied airily, allowing himself to be led with a grin. 'Who wouldn't follow a vision like her…with eyes like those. Oh, they're like twilight moons flecked with the glow of jack-o-lanterns, and she—'

"Jack? Aren't you going to sit down?"

Jack blinked and snapped out of it, though frankly part of him hadn't wanted to. Something about musing over her loveliness just made him so happy. And as long as he did it in his head instead of overwhelming her by announcing such thoughts, he didn't see any harm. 'But you're on a date now. Focus on the real her, and you can daydream later. Besides, you don't want to get caught in a daze and embarrass yourself.' He smiled and nodded to Sally, taking his seat on a pillow on the 'picnic' blanket. "Of course. I'm sorry, Sally, it's just that this room looks like a vision tonight…and so do you." He blanched and moved just a little closer to her, his smile growing.

Sally flushed a little purple and smiled a lot. "And you look very handsome, Jack." She observed his choice of attire. "This suit is black with off white pinstripes. I think it suits you, but so did the black one with light gray pinstripes from last night of course."

Jack blinked and tilted his skull to the side. "You noticed the pinstripes?"

Sally nodded and shrugged. "I'm a seamstress, Jack. I notice lots of things about people's clothes that I guess most people don't. And besides, I can't help but appreciate the fact that you've dressed up for me for both our dates." She glanced down shyly.

"Says the woman who's made herself look positively stunning for both of those dates," Jack countered, catching her eyes with his. "I just picked out a nice suit—you're the one who keeps magically making yourself even lovelier than ever." He sighed. "I really love the dress, Sally, and this picnic you made for us, and the idea of staying in together—I couldn't have planned a better date myself."

Sally smiled up at him and then leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You already planned a perfect one for us last night—this one is my way of returning the favor." She looked to the basket and opened it up. "Now, I think we should eat, Jack. You've had such a full day, I know you must be starving." Sally began to set everything up, naming their dishes for the evening as she went along. "I heated up the rest of last night's stew and added some cut up rotten vegetables from what you brought home today. And I also baked us some fresh garlic and cloves bread, and then I toasted it so we could eat it with the stew. I also made some mashed pumpkin with a browned butter and onion sauce, and some wilted greens cooked with pumpkin seed oil. And then I curdled a fresh little batch of sour cream for us to put on things. And then to drink I…"

Sally crawled away from the blanket for a moment to reach behind the side of the couch. She pulled forward a little basin with some ice in it and containing a single bottle of pumpkin wine. Sally blushed a little and explained as she produced two long stem glasses from the picnic basket. "To drink, I…well, Zero brought me this for us. I can't understand him like you can, Jack, but I think he tried to show me that you have a little wine cellar in the basement. And he seemed to think you wouldn't mind if we used a bottle tonight." She glanced down and shrugged, playing with her fingers while the wine and glasses just sat beside her. "But, I know wine's expensive and that bottle might be rare, so if you were saving what's down there for a special occasion or something, I can just put it back. I—"

POP!

The sound of the wine bottle cork being popped off made Sally stop in her apologies and blink and look up with wide eyes.

A somewhat shy looking Jack was just putting aside the cork and pouring each of them a glass of the amber liquid contained within.

"You are a special occasion," he replied. "And I can't think of any that could be more special, so how about this…" He glanced at her with a little smile, "…The only person I'll ever drink a bottle of pumpkin wine with will be you for the rest of eternity…all right?"

There was a moment of perfect silence during which Sally sat there with her jaw opened and her eyes wide as could be. She looked almost confused.

Jack moved a little closer to her, then picked up one glass and put it in front of himself and picked up the other one and held it out to her. "Sally…is something wrong?" He still couldn't believe her slight guilt and her apologies over a simple bottle of wine, which was why he had opened the bottle himself, poured both of them glasses, and offered hers to her…and had promised to never drink a single sip of what was in that cellar without her ever again. She was more special to him than anybody, after all. 'And I'll keep letting her know it until the end of time.' He smiled more to himself.

Finally, Sally blinked and spoke, her eyes focusing in on the glass he was still holding out to her. "Jack…I…you didn't have to promise…I…Oh Jack…" Sally almost felt tears gather at the corner of her eyes—no one had ever said anything so sweet and caring to her before. "Thank you," she managed softly. She bit her lower lip, eyes down, focusing on the wine glass and the glowing gold within it and smiling so much. She took the glass and brought her eyes to his.

Jack smiled more and placed his glass down. "But before we drink, first thing's first. You were right, we've both had long days and, come to think of it, neither of us had a proper lunch—just some tea and chocolates—and you did put so much energy and effort into your dress and our picnic. So why don't we serve ourselves some of your delicious dinner before it gets cold, and then we'll try the wine, hmm?" Jack picked up a plate and handed it to Sally and then took a plate of his own.

Sally placed down her glass and nodded. "Okay, Jack. You're right. Besides, I am very hungry. And I even made a devil's food cake for dessert."

Jack chuckled. "It sound delicious, Sally. I can't wait."

And with that, the pair proceeded to ladle themselves bowls of soup and to set themselves up plates brimming with greens and pumpkin and Sally's delicious bread.

Once their dinners were in place, Jack and Sally looked to each other and then Jack raised his glass of wine. "Sally, I'd like to propose a toast. Will you drink with me?"

Sally nodded and reached out to raise her own glass. "What are we toasting to, Jack?"

Jack smiled more, his eyes hazing a little in shyness. "How about to dearest friends?"

Sally smiled more and nodded. "To dearest friends…and, um…more than friends?" She blushed a little.

Jack nodded, blanching slightly, gazing at his beautiful lady friend all aglow in the firelight. "To dearest friends and more than friends."

The two glasses clinked, and the two lovers took sips of their pumpkin wine.

Sally put down her glass and giggled. "The bubbles are ticklish." Then she went and took up her plate to start eating (while Jack tried not to melt inside about how cute her comment about the bubbles had been).

Jack took up his plate to start eating as well. As soon as the first forkful hit his mouth, his eye sockets went wide and his smile beamed. He chewed and swallowed. "Sally, this is just superb! The flavors, the spices, even the texture—I've never had pumpkin cooked just like this."

"Oh Jack," Sally glanced down humbly, "You're just saying that. I-It's all right, I suppose. I told you I'm not an expert or anything."

Jack, however, just chuckled and insisted. "They are delightful delicacies from a delightful…dolly." Jack's eyes went wide, and he felt his skull heat up. Had he really just called her that? Had he really just called her a dolly? Jack looked to Sally to see how she might take this sudden new term of affection.

Sally had paused in her eating and was looking at her plate with a big smile and bright eyes. Then those eyes came up to look at him, and she giggled. "Dolly?"

Jack grinned sheepishly and shrugged.

Sally giggled more. "Oh Jack, you're silly sometimes." She moved a little closer alongside him, and now their hips touched on the blanket. "My silly skeleton." She took another bite of food, looking so very pleased.

Jack's attention went back to his own food as well, his grin picking up on one side. 'Silly skeleton. She's my delightful dolly, and I'm her silly skeleton.' He chuckled. And then he moved even closer to let them rest more against each other. Then Jack had an idea. "Sally, while we eat, would you like me to tell you some old Halloween Town legends? I promise they're very fun to listen to and not too scary."

Sally nodded. "Oh, I'd love that, Jack. I don't know too much about the legends and everyone's histories since I was created so late after everyone else."

Jack nodded. "Very well then." He cleared his throat. "Now, let's start with the legend of the Guardian of the Town Gate. You've seen him before, Sally—the parrot-looking fellow. Well, it all started a few centuries ago, though I remember it like it was yesterday. You see…"

And so as the couple continued on with their date and dinner, Jack told Sally stories and Sally listened intently and asked questions, the two of them cuddled up close together in front of the roaring, romantic fire. And the night wore on.

(By the way, Jack had been nervous before his date—and a little hungry after his walk—and so he had eaten a few more of his special Valentine candies before coming to Sally.)

"Sally? Wake up, my Sally…my delightful dolly. My delightful…delectable…delicious… desirable…decadent little dolly, wake up, please. How can I profess sweetest adoration for you if you're asleep, dear dolly?"

These words cooed in a deep, sultry, velvety voice woke up Sally from a quite peaceful and happy slumber.

Sally's eyes fluttered open, and she just yawned lazily, not really putting together what the words meant or what familiar person was saying them so much as just processing the sounds. "Hmm…is it morning yet? It's so dark…but so light." (The fire still glowed, and she had been facing it as she slept).

"It's the dead of night," the voice replied. "That's why I decided to wake up my sleeping beauty from resting with me. It seemed like the perfect romantic time to woo her. Though of course I remember that last time I came to her, she accidentally fainted, so naturally I'll be much, much gentler with her this time. Hmm…"

The low chuckling that followed these new words definitely fully processed, and Sally's eyes finally popped wide open. Her breathing hitched and a tremble went through her. She was still barely able to comprehend why at first, but then…

"Darling, you really do look just ravishing in your new dress, you know." An arm was around her waist and she was pulled close to none other than Jack, still sitting beside her upon the picnic blanket (where apparently they must have dozed off together after dinner, she realized). And his eye sockets…oh his eye sockets…they bore into her eyes with passion and fire, and he had a crafty, evil little smirk upon his skeletal grin that was just…spine-tingling.

"Th-Thank y-you…" Sally barely managed to whisper out in response to his comment about her dress, her lip trembling.

Jack smiled more at the sight of her wide, startled (yet curious) eyes, her unsure lips, her chest rising and falling with quick breaths. His grin widened, his eye sockets narrowed, and his hold on her grew a little snugger. "You're welcome." But then he sighed 'dramatically' and added with a shake of his skull. "But I really must apologize for earlier, Sally, and for only purchasing you such simple shades and patterns of cotton cloth. Of course, your talented hands made your dress stunning, but still you deserve satins, linens, lace…and of course more silks." He winked. "Oh yes, I can see it now, I must get all of them for you in vibrant colors, beckoning colors. The finest cloths…though, of course, none shall ever compare to that finest cloth of all—that which covers and combines every curve of my most delightful dolly." He had their foreheads pressed gently together at this point, and now he just stared into her eyes with excitement and adoration.

Sally couldn't breathe, Sally couldn't think. Was she dreaming again? Yet she could remember that this had indeed been the setting of their date…she in her new dress, the two of them in her little room sitting before the fire. And if this was real, and this was Jack, then… "J-Jack…" Sally's eyes grew hazed, she felt her leaves aflame. Laces and silks…her skin, the finest cloth of all… "J-Jack…" Sally stuttered again, "you said you'd be gentle…th-this time…" was all she managed softly…and she smiled.

Jack's eye sockets lit up and so did his smile! "Ooo, I see my dolly's with me enough to make a little joke. Ah, and she does make a good point. Mustn't have her faint on me again. I missed her so much that time, after all. Yes, dearest one, I'll be gentle…" He took her hand now and placed a single soft kiss upon it and then loosened his hold on her just the tiniest bit to give her some room to breathe.

A touch of something grateful came to Sally's smile, and then a little purplish darkness came to her cheeks. "Thank you." She gulped and then took her hand from his…only to gently reach out and touch his bow tie. "Um…but maybe we can work our way up from 'gentle' later…hmm?" Oh, she knew she was being bold, but what did it matter? If this was a dream, why not indulge a little? And if somehow…if somehow it wasn't…and if somehow the last time Jack had come to her like this hadn't been either…then…then why not? Why stick to meals and pet names and walks in the graveyard? They weren't children, they weren't just friends…and she wanted more, so much more. She wanted this sudden passion between them.

The Jack before her smiled more and more. "Ooo…my Sally has some spunk. I like that. Very well, we'll work our way along as best we can. And thank you for the indulgence, my dearest. After all, no man could truly resist restraining his desires for you for too long." He winked at her and chuckled.

Sally giggled in return and then she let herself reply with… "A-And no woman could truly resist restraining her desires for you either. Believe me, Jack I've been trying, for years and especially lately, and…I…" Oh but she couldn't go on. She looked down in shyness with an eager smile and hid away in her hair.

"Shh…." Jack cooed to her gently, carefully stroking a few strands of hair behind her ear to show more of her face again. "It's all my fault. I'm really the one to blame for your suppression, I just know it. But no longer. Not for tonight at least…"

Sally barely knew what to say, she was so nervous…and yet so happy! So very happy! "I-It's all right. Um…Jack?" he asked shyly.

He nodded. "Yes?"

Her lip trembled again. But as long as she was already being bold… "Hold me?"

Jack, this Jack, despite all of the passion and fire he exuded, smiled softly at the request. "But…I already am holding you, dearest…" he cooed, shifting his arm around her waist a little more.

Sally shook her head though and added softly, looking down. "N-No, I mean…I want you to touch me." Her eyes barely came up to his eye sockets. "Ever since Spiral Hill, you haven't really touched me. I've managed to get some hugs and some handholds from you, and I cherish all of them, Jack, really. But if you really do care for me so much, Jack, I wish you would touch me more." It was a secret desire, and it was all tumbling out of her mouth now. "G-Gently though" she managed to add, "For now, please…Gently." She looked at him so unsurely.

Jack just smiled back at her and nodded in perfect, sweet understanding. "Yes…I will touch you, Sally." He leaned close, nuzzling their foreheads, and whispered near her ear, "Will you touch me in return one day?"

Sally, her leaves all aflutter inside now, nodded. "I will…"

"Thank you." Jack pulled back. He gazed into her eyes again. "Lie down, Sally. Here, on the lovely picnic blanket and our pillows. My dolly has been under so much stress. I'll gently touch her and make it all better."

Body trembling a little, Sally nodded and did her best to lie down, first on her back and then quickly on her stomach and then finally sort of on her side facing the fire, hugging against a pillow. Her chest rose and fell with deep breaths. She remembered all of the things this Jack had said about her body in this 'dream' and the last one, and how open and willing he seemed, and how his feelings for her burned so brightly… "Ah…O-Oh…" Sally half moaned as she felt Jack's hands—particularly his bony yet dexterous fingers—come upon her shoulders as he sat at her side. He started to gently rub.

Jack whispered down to Sally kindly yet passionately as he went along. "I'll be very gentle, Sally. I'll touch you…help you feel better…help you relax. Shh, close your eyes and just enjoy the fire and my touch, fairest creature, from now until dawn…" His touches continued moving around gently over her back.

"O-Oh Jack…" Sally cooed, her eyes starting to close, her whole self tingling with happiness and release. "Mmm…yes…"

"Hmm, and while you rest, how about I quietly whisper to you all the many ways in which I've been in love with you even before I knew you were in love with me—all those silly ways that I always tried to ignore but now can no longer deny?" he asked softly.

Sally nodded eagerly as she snuggled and stretched and melted under Jack's touch and into the coziness of the pillow and blanket underneath herself. "Y-Yes. Tell me please, Jack, I…" She blinked a few times. "Wait…love? Did you say you were in…a-and that you know that I'm in…? Oh Jack, tell me, please…" Her eyes hazed in perfect happiness.

Jack just chuckled and nodded, still touching her. "All right then. Let's start with the moment when we first laid eyes on each other. Well, it was a dark and stormy day…made all the more beautiful by the fact that I was to encounter you for the first time…and then, you see…"

Sally just sunk into deep pleasure from a thousand sources as Jack continued his stories, and as she dozed again this evening she dreamed of bones and cloth.

A/N:

I swear, I apologize for the cliffhangers lol. If it makes it any better, Jack only makes one more visit like this to Sally, and it concludes with a lot more resolution than his first two visits. Next chapter we get to see some more interesting 'morning after' reactions, Jack revisits Valentine Town, and the Doctor and Jewel finally come into the picture. I hope you all enjoy it! Thank you again for reading, and please review if you can!

Happy Reading (and Happy Easter/Passover)!

~Azure129 aka Jenna