A/N: 🎃💖: This is a short little "missing" scene I imagined from the movie's ending, right after Jack and Sally's kiss on top of Spiral Hill. In this moment, Jack apologizes for everything he's done, as he recognizes the weight of his mistake. I hope you enjoy it!


SNOWFLAKES drifted lazily upon Halloween Town, blanketing its eerie cobblestone streets in a soft, white embrace. Jack stood atop Spiral Hill, his bony hand gently holding Sally's stitched-together hand in his. The air was crisp and cold with the promise of a new beginning, and the moon shone brightly overhead, casting a silvery glow upon the odd scene. As they broke apart from their first kiss, Jack looked into Sally's eyes, his eye sockets filled with remorse and gratitude.

"Sally," he began softly, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for…for everything. I should have listened to you from the beginning. I let my own desires blind me to everything you tried to tell me."

Sally looked up at Jack, her stitched smile softening with understanding. "You-you were only trying to bring something new to us, Jack," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I knew you meant well, even when things went wrong. None of us could have known what would happen. You...you need to forgive yourself. Sandy Claws has already fixed things, Jack. He-he knew what to do, and everything turned out alright, in...in the end," she whispered, trailing off.

Jack felt his frustration swell, his voice tinged with self-condemnation as he struggled to accept Sally's words, realizing she had already forgiven him for what had happened.

"But Sally, look at what happened tonight! Because of me, you were nearly killed by Oogie Boogie. Sandy Claws was kidnapped, and Halloween Town and Christmas Town both were thrown into chaos. I…I don't deserve your forgiveness, or anyone else's. I'll do whatever I can that's within my abilities as Pumpkin King to make things right for both our worlds, but...I let my selfishness endanger everything we hold dear, everything we've worked so hard here to build."

Sally placed a gentle hand on Jack's skeletal cheekbone, the ragdoll's touch tender and reassuring.

"Jack, we-we all make mistakes. It's-it's what we learn from them that matters," she replied, her voice soft and unwavering in its kindness and convictions. "You-you realized it was wrong, and you're trying to make things right. That's what makes you the Pumpkin King we love, and the king that Halloween Town deserves."

Jack sighed deeply, his eye sockets reflecting a mixture of guilt and gratitude. "I just wish I hadn't been so blind. I risked everything, including you."

Sally's smile softened, her button eyes filled with understanding. "We'll face whatever comes together, Jack. That's what matters now."

As they stood together under the moonlit sky, the soft snowfall continued to blanket Halloween Town, embracing them in its quiet reassurance of a new beginning.

Jack gazed at Sally with a mixture of wonder and regret. "I can't believe I never saw it, Sally," he admitted quietly, his voice carrying the weight of realization. "I never saw you... truly saw you. Why did it take me so long to understand?"

Sally hesitated, her fingers tracing the stitches on their joined hands. She glanced up at him, her voice hesitant and filled with a mix of emotions.

"Jack, you...you did see me," she murmured, her words stumbling slightly as she tried to articulate her feelings. "You saw me all along. I was just... waiting for you to see... to see your own feelings."

Jack's hollow eyes widened slightly with understanding, mingled with a flicker of surprise. He felt a surge of warmth spread through his bones, a sensation unfamiliar yet comforting.

"I…I should have seen it sooner, Sally," he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude and a touch of regret. "You've been beside me through all of this, Sally. I…I owe you so much."

Sally shook her head gently, her button eyes shimmering with affection.

"No, Jack. You-you don't owe me anything," she assured him softly. "Just…promise me we'll face the future together. Whatever comes next, I-I want to be with you. Always."

Jack nodded, a small smile gracing his skeletal features. "Together," he repeated, the word carrying a newfound depth of meaning.

As they stood together in the snowfall, their hands intertwined, Halloween Town seemed to embrace them in a quiet, hopeful embrace, ready to welcome a new chapter for its Pumpkin King and the ragdoll who now held his heart.

Jack's gaze softened with concern as he looked at Sally, a hint of nervousness creeping into his voice as a thought came to him. What happened now?

"Sally, what…what are your plans now that we…that we're together?" he asked gently, unsure of what her answer might reveal.

Sally hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly around his hand. "I…I don't know, Jack," she admitted softly, her gaze dropping briefly to the snow ground beneath their feet. "I-I don't have a home to go back to anymore. I ran away from…the Tower, from Dr. Finklestein."

Jack's eye sockets widened in horror, his mind racing with the implications of her words. "Dr. Finklestein..." he murmured, his voice filled with disbelief and growing anger. "Sally, what did he do to you?"

Sally lifted her eyes to meet Jack's, her expression troubled yet resolute. "He... he treated me like... like I was just his creation," she confessed haltingly, her voice trembling with the weight of old wounds. "He kept me confined, controlled... I couldn't... I couldn't be myself."

Jack's skeletal face tightened with fury, his grip on Sally's hand tightening protectively. "He had no right," he growled softly, his voice tinged with righteous indignation. "Sally, you deserve so much better."

Sally nodded slowly, a mix of emotions flickering across her stitched features. "Being with you, Jack," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "it's the first time I've felt truly free... truly alive."

Jack's heart swelled with a mixture of tenderness and determination. His mind raced with considerations. He could easily find a room for her at the Haunted Hollows Hotel, though he dismissed that idea as soon as it came to mind. In his mind, there was truly only one choice that he would be comfortable with. Taking a deep breath to steel himself, he gathered his courage.

"Then...then stay with me, Sally," he offered gently, his voice unwavering in its sincerity. "Stay with me, in my home. You're not alone anymore and never will be again. You have me, and you have Zero."

Sally hesitated, her fingers twitching nervously as she began to protest. "B-But Jack, I don't want to impose. I can find—"

Jack gently interrupted, his voice firm yet gentle. "Sally, listen," he said, his eye sockets softening with concern. "You have nowhere else to go, and I won't have the ragdoll I love sleeping on the streets. You belong with me, in my home."

Sally glanced up at him, her button eyes reflecting gratitude mixed with a hint of uncertainty. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat, overwhelmed by the warmth and sincerity in Jack's voice.

Jack's grip on her hand tightened slightly, his expression unwavering. "Please, Sally," he urged softly. "Let me take care of you. Let us take care of each other."

Sally swallowed nervously, feeling a swell of emotion in her chest. She nodded slowly, her stitched smile softening into a genuine one.

"Okay, Jack," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet acceptance. "I-I'll stay with you."

Relief washed over Jack's features, and he pulled her into a gentle embrace, feeling a sense of completeness he hadn't realized was missing until that moment.

Jack held Sally close, the crisp night air swirling around them as he felt a rush of joy and relief. With a mischievous glint in his eye sockets, he teased gently, "You know, Sally, this means you'll have to endure my terrible singing every morning. I hope you're prepared for that."

Sally chuckled softly, her shy stitched smile widening.

"Oh, Jack, I think I can handle it," she replied with a hint of playfulness. "As long as you promise not to scare away any more delivery ghosts with your…enthusiastic greetings."

Jack feigned offense, placing a bony hand over his phantom heart. "Me? Scare them away? Sally, I have no idea what you're talking about," he teased, his voice tinged with mock innocence.

Sally rolled her eyes affectionately, a warm feeling settling in her chest. "Of course not, Jack," she replied with a soft laugh. "How could anyone possibly be scared of the Pumpkin King?"

They stood together, sharing a moment of lighthearted banter, the weight of recent events momentarily lifted by their easy camaraderie.

Jack grinned mischievously, his playful spirit lifting the atmosphere even higher. "Well, Sally, it's settled then. You're stuck with me and my terrible singing," he teased, giving her a gentle squeeze.

Sally laughed softly, her heart light with relief and affection. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Jack," she replied warmly, her eyes softening as she looked up at him.

Just then, Zero floated over, barking excitedly as he tried to catch snowflakes with his mouth. His playful antics brought a smile to both Jack and Sally's faces, the sight of their loyal companion reminding them of the simple joys they shared in their unusual home.

Jack chuckled, watching Zero with fond amusement. "Looks like Zero's already making himself at home in the snow," he remarked, his voice tinged with affection for his spectral pet.

Sally nodded, reaching out to gently stroke Zero's ethereal fur. "He seems to be enjoying it," she observed with a soft smile. "I think he's happy we're all together."

Jack nodded in agreement, feeling a swell of gratitude for the companionship they shared. "We're a family now, Sally," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers with sincerity. "And that's what matters most."

Sally nodded, her heart swelling with warmth as she looked at Jack and then at Zero, feeling a sense of belonging she hadn't known before. "Yes, Jack," she replied softly. "We're a family."

As they stood together in the gentle snowfall, their hands intertwined and Zero playfully darting around them, Halloween Town embraced them in its unique embrace.

As Jack noticed Sally starting to shiver in the cold night air, he gently wrapped his bony arms around her, pulling her closer for warmth. "It's getting colder," he murmured, concern etching his voice. "We should head home."

Sally nodded, her teeth chattering slightly as she looked up at him. But then, an odd look crossed her stitched features, determination glinting in her button eyes. Without a word, she took a small step closer to Jack, her movements tentative yet resolute.

Jack watched her, curiosity flickering in his hollow sockets, wondering what she was thinking. Before he could ask, Sally surprised them both. With a sudden burst of boldness, she rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips gently against his.

For a moment, Jack was taken aback, his mind racing with surprise and delight. His skeletal hands instinctively moved to cradle her face, holding her close as he returned the kiss with a tenderness that spoke volumes of his feelings.

The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the soft sound of falling snow and the warmth of their embrace. As they finally pulled apart, Jack looked at Sally with a mixture of wonder and affection, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sally..."

Sally's cheeks flushed slightly, a shy smile playing on her lips. "I-I just..." she began, her voice soft and uncertain. "I wanted you to know... how much you mean to me."

Jack's heart swelled with emotion, his usual eloquence momentarily lost as he searched for the right words. Finally, he simply nodded, his gaze locked with hers in a silent exchange of understanding and newfound closeness. As they walked back towards their home in Halloween Town, hand in hand, the snow continued to fall gently around them.

As Jack and Sally made their way through Halloween Town, their hands intertwined, they couldn't help but notice the curious glances from the townsfolk.

Skeletons, witches, and other creatures paused in their activities, exchanging whispered remarks and surprised looks at the sight of their Pumpkin King holding hands with Sally, the shy and gentle ragdoll created by Dr. Finklestein to serve as his caretaker.

Jack felt a mix of emotions—joy at being with Sally openly, but also a touch of unease at the attention. He knew Halloween Town was accustomed to his eccentricities, but this was different. He glanced at Sally, wondering how she was taking it all in.

Just then, the Mayor of Halloween Town hurried over, his two faces wearing matching expressions of curiosity and concern.

"Jack!" he called out, his voice switching rapidly between his happy and worried personas. "There you are, I've been looking all over for you! Is everything, er…alright?" he asked, casting a curious glance between Jack and Sally, an unspoken question forming on his lips as he parted them to speak, but no sounds came out.

Jack sighed inwardly, bracing himself for the inevitable questions and gossip. "Everything is fine, Mayor," he replied calmly, his tone authoritative yet reassuring. "Sally is staying with me now."

The Mayor's eyes widened, alternating between his happy and worried faces. "Oh! Well, that's... unexpected," he stammered, trying to process the news. "But if you're happy, Jack, then I suppose we all are too! Right?" He turned to the gathered townsfolk, attempting to rally their support.

The townsfolk exchanged glances, unsure how to react to the news. Some nodded cautiously, while others murmured among themselves, their curiosity piqued.

Sally stood beside Jack, her hand firmly clasped in his, a calm resolve in her button eyes. She knew this was a significant moment for both of them, and she trusted Jack to handle the town's reaction.

Jack nodded gratefully at the Mayor, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Thank you, Mayor," he said firmly, addressing everyone gathered. "Sally is part of our community, and she is welcome here."

The tension in the air eased slightly as the townsfolk began to nod in agreement, accepting Jack's words. The Mayor, still trying to process the news, nodded vigorously.

"Of course! Sally, welcome to Halloween Town!" he exclaimed, his voice switching between cheerfulness and relief.

Sally smiled warmly, feeling a sense of belonging she had never experienced before. She squeezed Jack's hand gently, silently thanking him for his support. As they continued on their way, the townsfolk gradually returned to their activities, the initial surprise giving way to acceptance and support.

As Jack and Sally made their way through the streets of Halloween Town, they encountered an unusual sight. Dr. Finklestein was being wheeled home in his wheelchair by a towering figure,

Dr. Finklestein, a frail and elderly figure, sat hunched in his wheelchair, his gaze intense. His oversized white lab coat almost swallowed his frail form, emphasizing his disproportionately large head atop thin, spindly limbs. Remarkably small hands and feet rested awkwardly against the wheelchair's cold metal. The ancient chair lacked comfort, its worn cushions long replaced by two protruding levers on the armrests. His pallid, unhealthy skin barely contrasted with the coat's white.

Beady black eyes peered out from beneath goggles, framed by thin, black eyebrows. His mouth, beak-like and missing a few teeth, twisted into a curious expression as he scratched his exposed pink brain, nestled within his skull adorned with bolts and a distinct seam.

Behind Dr. Finklestein, his creation wheeled his chair with an elegance that belied her mechanical nature. Unlike the Doctor, she walked fluidly, her blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. Her features, though resembling the Doctor's, appeared softer and more delicate.

She wore a white patched-together dress reminiscent of Sally's, adorned with faux fur and matching accessories—a stark contrast to the Doctor's usual attire.

Dr. Finklestein glanced up as Jack and Sally approached, his expression unreadable behind his thick glasses.

"Ah, Jack," he greeted with a nod, his voice raspy yet filled with a sharp intellect. "I see you've finally come to your senses."

Jack nodded politely, unsure of how to respond to the doctor's remark. "Dr. Finklestein," he acknowledged cautiously. "This is Jewel, I presume?"

Dr. Finklestein nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. "Yes, Jewel," he confirmed, gesturing towards his creation with a bony hand. "My latest masterpiece. She possesses strength and grace in equal measure."

Jewel inclined her head in a respectful nod towards Jack and Sally, her luminous eyes studying them with a mix of curiosity and caution. "It is an honor to meet you, Pumpkin King," she said in a melodious voice, her words carrying a hint of mystery.

Sally smiled warmly, extending a hand in greeting, though Jack could see the flicker of nervousness in her eyes as she looked at Jewel. "H-Hello, Jewel," she said gently. "It's nice to meet you."

Jewel regarded Sally's outstretched hand for a moment before delicately clasping it in her own, her touch surprisingly gentle despite her imposing stature.

"Likewise," she replied with a small, enigmatic smile.

"As for you, Dr. Finklestein," Jack interjected firmly, his voice tinged with a mixture of caution and resolve, "I must speak plainly. Sally has chosen to stay with me. She's not returning to your tower."

Dr. Finklestein's beady eyes narrowed behind his thick glasses, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a faint smile crept onto his thin lips, a mix of amusement and something more calculating.

"Ah, Jack, always the one to take what's mine," he mused cryptically, his voice carrying an undertone of veiled threat. "But remember, she was always mine to begin with. A creation cannot escape its creator forever."

Sally tensed beside Jack, her fingers instinctively tightening around his skeletal hand. She knew the doctor's words held deeper implications than mere possessiveness. There was a history there, one that she had only begun to unravel herself.

Jack's hollow eyes narrowed slightly, his voice firm and unwavering. "Sally is free to make her own choices now, Doctor," he retorted, his tone carrying a hint of defiance. "And she has chosen to stay with me. Halloween Town welcomes her, just as it does any who find their place among us."

The doctor's brow furrowed slightly, a mixture of disappointment and resignation flickering across his aged features.

"Very well, Sally," he conceded grudgingly, though his gaze remained sharp as ever. "But remember, you are still my creation. You carry a part of me wherever you go."

Sally nodded again, her stitched smile unwavering. "I understand, Doctor," she replied softly, her tone tinged with a hint of sadness. "Thank you for everything."

Dr. Finklestein harrumphed softly, his attention turning to Jack with a scrutinizing look. "And what are your intentions towards my creation, Pumpkin King?" he asked, his voice a mix of challenge and suspicion.

Jack straightened, meeting the doctor's gaze evenly. "I care for Sally deeply, Doctor," he stated firmly. "She is not just your creation; she is her own person, and she has chosen to be with me."

The doctor studied Jack for a moment longer before nodding curtly, a grudging acceptance in his eyes. "Very well, Jack," he conceded, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "Take care of her."

Jack nodded in acknowledgment, a sense of relief washing over him as the tension eased slightly. He glanced at Sally, silently reassuring her with a gentle squeeze of her hand.

With that, Dr. Finklestein turned his wheelchair around, and Jewel gently guided him back towards their home, leaving Jack and Sally standing together in the quiet street of Halloween Town.

As they watched the doctor and Jewel disappear into the distance, a weight seemed to lift from Sally's shoulders. She turned to Jack, a soft smile gracing her stitched features.

"Thank you, Jack," she murmured gratefully. "For everything."

Jack returned her smile, his heart light with relief and affection. "You're welcome, Sally," he replied gently, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "We're in this together now."

Sally nodded, her eyes shining with newfound hope and happiness.

"Together," she echoed softly, her voice filled with quiet determination.

As Jack and Sally walked hand in hand through the familiar streets of Halloween Town, the atmosphere seemed to shimmer with a newfound sense of possibility. Jack glanced at Sally from time to time, his heart swelling with a mix of happiness and nervousness. He wanted everything to be perfect for her, now that she had chosen to stay with him.

"Sally," he began tentatively, breaking the comfortable silence between them, "I hope... I hope you'll like my home. It's not as grand as some of the other places in Halloween Town, but it's... it's cozy."

Sally smiled warmly, her eyes filled with affection. "Jack, I'm sure I'll love it," she assured him gently. "Being with you is what matters most to me."

Jack felt a rush of gratitude at her words, his unease easing slightly. "Thank you, Sally," he murmured, his voice soft with emotion. "I just want you to feel at home."

They reached the front porch of Jack's house—a quirky, angular structure with tall, narrow windows that seemed to grin down at them like mischievous eyes. Jack paused, turning to face Sally, his eye sockets filled with uncertainty.

"Here we are," he said softly, gesturing towards the door. "My home... our home now."

Sally stepped closer to him, her stitched smile radiant. "It's perfect, Jack," she replied sincerely, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for welcoming me."

Jack's heart swelled with relief and joy. He leaned in closer to Sally, his bony hand gently cupping her cheek.

"I'm just glad you're here," he confessed quietly, his breath mingling with hers in the crisp night air.

Their lips met in a tender kiss, the moment filled with a sweet warmth that seemed to radiate through their entire beings. The soft snow continued to fall around them, casting a magical glow upon their embrace. When they finally pulled away, Jack rested his forehead against Sally's, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I love you, Sally," he confessed, his words carrying the weight of his feelings.

Sally's button eyes shimmered with unshed tears of happiness.

"I love you too, Jack," she replied softly, her voice filled with sincerity and love.

Hand in hand, they turned to the door and stepped inside, with Zero darting inside ahead of them, closing it behind them with a soft click.

Inside, the warmth of the fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the cozy interior of Jack's home. Zero bounded around them playfully, his pumpkin nose wriggling with excitement as if he couldn't wait to welcome Sally into their home.

As the snow continued to fall gently outside, Jack closed the door behind them, enveloping them in the quiet comfort of their home and the promise of a future filled with endless possibilities.

Jack and Sally exchanged a fond smile, feeling a sense of peace settle over them as they embraced the start of their new life together.

With Sally by his side and Zero at their feet gnawing happily on a Bone Biscuit, Halloween Town's Pumpkin King had found his greatest treasure—a love that transcended all the spooky wonders of their world.

As Jack watched Sally settle by the fireplace, playing with Zero, it hit him. Right here in Halloween Town, with the snow falling outside and the fire crackling warmly, he realized everything he'd been searching for was already in front of him.

Seeing Sally's smile and Zero's playful antics, Jack felt a deep sense of peace wash over him. He knew at that moment that they were meant to be together. It wasn't just about love; it was about belonging—finding a home in each other's company amidst the quirky charm of their town.

With a smile, Jack joined Sally by the fire, taking her hand gently in his. As they sat there, watching the snowflakes dance outside, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the simple joy of being together.

In that cozy moment, surrounded by their familiar world, Jack and Sally embraced the beginning of their new life, knowing that they had found their place, their love, right where they belonged, that the two of them were simply meant to be.