Theme 2: Treat

This is also a follow up to number 1: Trick. Which my co-author were-jaguar-of-halloween-town has posted on her account. :D

Both of us will post a different theme! We are having a blast writing these, and I'm very lucky to be working with a fun author. I hope you all enjoy our collaborations! :)

Light was coming in from the window, making it the first thing Sally saw when she opened her eyes. Out the window, it was snowing... Snowing... Just as it did the night before. And then it hit her. Christmas, it was Christmas morning.

"Oh..." She suddenly realized her unfamiliar surroundings and panicked a bit. Where was she? How did she get here? Wasn't she supposed to-the sight of Jack, sleeping alongside her on the couch was all that she needed. She blushed, watching him sleep for a moment, and remembered...the night before... Their kiss on Spiral Hill, confessions of love, coming back here and spending the evening together on the couch, cuddling and kissing... She blushed even more. Smiling, she kissed his cheekbone, whispering a soft good morning. He didn't stir at all. She got up off the couch, smoothed her dress, and sauntered around to figure out what to do. She didn't want to wake him. An idea came to her, then. She could do something nice for him...a nice little treat. It was Christmas, too, so why not? She smiled at the idea.

What Sally didn't know was that she was being observed by a sleepy-eyed Zero. The little ghost hound had decided to turn in early when he saw his Master return home with the pretty ragdoll that he liked on his arm.

Sally mumbled to herself about what she could do, and glanced around the room...when she then spotted Zero. She smiled, trotting over to him and bending to his level. "Hello, Zero..." She cooed sweetly to the little ghost dog.

Zero happily wagged his sheets, though a bit slowly since he was still drowsy, and hovered over to the ragdoll. He drowsily yip in greeting and growled affectionately as he rubbed his muzzle against her cheek.

Giggling at the sweet affection from the little dog, she started to pet him. "Awww...thank you, Zero...you're so sweet...what a good boy you are..."

Zero's only answer to all the nice things Sally said were low pitched happy whines and more cuddling.

"Awww..." Sally giggled more, still giving sweet attention to Zero. She always liked him; he was such a sweet dog. A very loyal companion to Jack... And well, when a pet liked the potential partner their master chose, that was a good sign, right? Zero seemed to like her from the start, and she did, too. She was glad to have more of an opportunity to shower the little dog with some attention. "Who's a good dog...who's a good boy? You are!" She scratched him behind his ears.

Zero's ribbon-like ears went ramrod straight when Sally started to 'the sweet spot'. A corner of his sheet, which would have been his left hind leg if he were alive, started to twitch faster and faster as she scratched. Zero was in doggy heaven right now. He never expected to wake up to a nice ear scratching from his Master's pretty lady friend.

"Oooh, you like it? Right here?" Sally giggled, still scratching the spot. Zero's reactions to her attention were so cute! "Awww, good boy..."

Zero rapidly nodded his head and let his tongue lob out from the corner of his mouth. If this pretty ragdoll was going to become his Master's mate, then his master had great taste in woman.

Smiling all the more, she tickled him under his chin before giving some attention to his sheet with her other hand. "Awww...Merry Christmas, Zero..."

Zero arched his back when Sally started to scratch his sheet. He softly yipped and started to lick her cheek, right on the seam. The front two corners rested on her shoulder like paws as he kept wagging the rest of his sheet.

Sally laughed at him licking her face as she stroked his sheet affectionately and scratched his ear with her hand. "Aww! Thank you, boy...you're so sweet."

Zero went for one last nuzzle before hovering over to his sleeping Master. Something wasn't right with this picture...Zero cocked his head to the side for only a few seconds before grinning in his special way and zooming off to his Master's room. Before long, Zero was back with something hanging from his mouth. He slowly hovered over to his still sleeping Master and lowered whatever the thing was gently on to Jack's skull.

Sally followed Zero's actions, and saw what he had placed on Jack's skull. "Oooh!" It was so cute!

Zero finally let go and watched as the little cap fell back into its normal shape. After that, he hovered over back to Sally's side and checked on his Master again. He cocked his head then looked at Sally with a happy nod, as if to say much better.

"How thoughtful of you, Zero..." Sally petted the little dog, smiling more.

Zero puffed out his nonexistent chest out in pride and floated out into the hall.

Giggling, Sally then took a moment to explore a little, before going toward the kitchen. Oh...if he had what she needed, she had a lovely idea for a good treat... All the while, began to sing her song a little. Even though there was no need to, by now.

Zero followed closely behind and listened to Sally sing. She had a very nice voice, just like his master, but why did it have to be sad like the one his Master sang last Halloween in the graveyard? Zero let out a little fretful whine as he looked at Sally.

Hearing him whine, Sally turned to look at him. "Oh, Zero... Are you all right?" She stopped singing a bit, looking concerned.

Zero floated over to Sally and nudged her chin consolingly, his whine not as loud as before.

"Oh...it's true, my song is a little sad...and it doesn't have to be anymore." Sally felt herself smile then. "Maybe...a little more cheerful would be better... All things considered..." She nuzzled the little ghost dog, before then turning back to search through the cabinets of the kitchen, singing a happier reprise of her song very softly.

Zero nodded content with the fact that she wasn't sad. "Arf!" Zero settled himself in his basket near the table and watched. His head propped up on the rim as his sheet wagged over the other rim. Upon completion, Zero happily yipped when she finished. He really did like how her song sounded now, and he had to show her just how much. His tiny jack o' lantern nose glowed cheerfully like a camp fire.

Feeling the happiness sweep over her all the more, Sally did a little twirl on the spot, thankfully not stumbling. Oh, she couldn't wait until this was done and she could present Jack with such a treat she hoped he'd like! She hummed a little, mixing the ingredients and measuring them accordingly into the bowl.

Whatever Sally was making sure did smell good to Zero, his nose glowing a little brighter with each sniff. His curiosity winning, he floated up and out of his cozy basket, and watched Sally stirring what his nose told him was breakfast.

"Pumpkin Pancakes...right from scratch." Sally told the little dog, smiling at him. "With, of course, my own special little touches for extra flavor."

Zero shot up into the air and into one of his trademark backflips at the sound of pancakes. He instantly hovered low to the ground near Sally's feet and straighten up with his front 'paws' close to his body. He turned on the charm by making his already big black sockets even bigger and putting his ears back. Cute, puppyish whimpers filled the air shortly after.

"No begging..." Sally tried to tell him firmly. But oh, he was so CUTE! "...Oh, all right." She reached into the batter with her spoon, and then plopped some onto the floor for Zero to lick up.

Happily, Zero settled down on the floor and eagerly lapped at the goo. The little tag on his collar jingled merrily with each lick before the goo was all gone. He looked up at Sally, his ghostly tongue cleaning up any leftovers of pancake goo from his muzzle. "Bark!"

Sally giggled, shaking her head before she went back to mixing the batter carefully. Once satisfied with the texture and consistency, she sauntered over to stove and turned on the heat. Placing an appropriate pan onto the burner, she proceeded to get to work on making the pancakes, humming all the while.

Back in the living room, Jack was just barely starting to wake up. In his sleep he had reach out for a certain soft warm body with intentions of cuddling it to his person like a boy with his teddy bear, only to discover after searching that Sally was gone. A small sliver of confusion alerted his dormant mind, but he sighed in relief when he felt the spot she had been sleeping in was still warm. A small grunt escaped him as he sat up and stretched his entire skeletal frame feeling all his joints pop and vertebrae crack.

"Aahhh, that's better." Once stretched, Jack got off the couch and rubbed the sleep out of his eye sockets with both hands. Memories of what happened last night with Sally played in his mind, a warm smile settling itself on his features with each recalled memory. Spiral Hill in the moonlight on Christmas...their kiss...coming back here to spend time together and warm up...their deep talk and her confessions...more kissing and love...and him taking off his jacket and offering it to her as a blanket before finally falling asleep in each other's' arms. Jack sighed dreamily at all that splendid warmth as he reached for his jacket. He folded it up neatly before placing it back on the couch. This left him in his white dress shirt, which he often stayed in whenever he was in the privacy of his home for long hours.

Sally, still making the pancakes, was unaware of Jack arising from his slumber, as she carefully flipped them with a spidery spatula. She sang wordlessly and/or hummed in doing so, as Zero hovered near her. The delicious smell of her cooking was filling the house by this point. "Wonderful..." Sally gave a little twirl, flipping another one into completion. She giggled, placing it onto a plate then adding some more batter onto the pan.

Zero nuzzled Sally once more, and then went to see if his Master was awake. Seeing him awake, Zero wagged his sheet and floated over to him eagerly. "Arf! Arf!"

Jack smiled from his hiding spot when his best pal came up to greet him. "And a good morning to you too, Zero." Jack kept his voice very soft as he scratched Zero's head and muzzle. He held a bony finger up to his lips and winked at the ghostly pooch.

Zero nodded, understanding and his little nose glowed brightly as he smiled widely.

"Good boy." Jack whispered with a grin, "Now go back into the kitchen, okay?"

Nuzzling his master, Zero floated back into the kitchen to continue hovering near Sally...and to be as close as possible to the delicious smells of breakfast!

Sally, unaware, was still flipping some pancakes as she hummed happily to herself. "What a lovely morning this will be..."

Oh and how right she was! Jack watched Sally almost dance from place to place in the kitchen like a busy little bat. Just the thought of waking up to her smiling face and maybe stealing a few kisses from her plush lips was enough to send warm chills down his back, but seeing her move around within HIS kitchen with so much beauty and grace made it all almost seem as if the very room welcomed her with open arms, so to speak, and it was HIS kitchen that she was cooking whatever delicious concoction her dear, sweet, little heart was set on. The whole scene...made thoughts...of maybe...just maybe having something like this in the nearby future happen. Jack's phantom heart swelled and his cheekbones blanched just a bit at the lovely sensations and feelings this woman gave him. He truly was blessed…

Sally continued to hum and dance a little as she happily finished off the batter, preparing the pancakes and placing the remainder onto the plate. She washed the pan and utensils, dried them off, and placed them where they belonged. She then took out two plates, utensils, and some cups to set the table with.

"Arf arf!" Zero eagerly wagged his sheet.

"All right, Zero...here you go." Sally giggled, placing a pancake into his food bowl. "Enjoy."

No better opportunity then the present, Jack quietly walked out of his hiding place and soon was standing behind Sally. He watched her with warmth and humor at how she and Zero interacted and quickly winked at the happy pooch as he was about to sink his teeth into the fluffy pancake. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled lightly so that she would end up resting up against him. "Good Morning, my love." Jack whispered sweetly into her ear before nuzzling his skull into her soft locks.

"Oh!" Sally gave a light gasp of surprise at this sudden action...but it wasn't long before she smiled widely and melted against him. "Good morning, Jack..."

Jack took a moment to fully let those three words that she had whispered in her soft silky bell voice sink in, warming each and every bone. He breathed deeply catching the wonderful scent that was pure Sally...autumn, pumpkin spice, moonlit nights, and love... and kissed the top of her head before sighing. He rested his chin upon her shoulder and looked at her lovingly, "A very splendid Good Morning indeed."

Sighing dreamily, Sally felt her smile broaden as she leaned up against him a little more, her blush returning to her cheeks. "Being with you in the morning is only something I ever dreamed of...I almost feared last night was a dream, and that I would wake up in my old bed...but..." She sighed a little in relief. "It wasn't..."

Jack nuzzled against her blushing cheek and tightened his hold just a bit, his hands squeezing her sides lovingly as he chuckled softly in her ear. "No it wasn't... I thought the same thing too when I discovered upon awakening...that my ragdoll wasn't curled up against my side like she was...last night..."

"I'm sorry..." Sally murmured softly, now reaching up behind her to gently touch his cheekbone. "I woke up and I...wanted to surprise you..."

Jack removed one of his hands from its comfy spot on her side and lifted it to the soft blue hand upon his cheek; he turned his head closing his eyes as he kissed the dainty palm while his hand held it in place. His etched lips softly rubbed against her palm as he slowly traced the underside of each finger. He sighed deeply through his nose.

Shivering in pleasure, Sally giggled a little at his sweet ministrations to her little hand. She felt her legs growing a little weak, her knees buckling. "Oh, Jack..." She cooed sweetly.

Jack peeked at her through one eye socket and chuckled in the back of his throat as he focused on each fingertip. He really couldn't help himself around her; she was just too intoxicating for her own good!

To think his simple touches and gestures, even to her hand, could be enough to drive her senses. Oh, she wanted to just turn around and smother his devastatingly addicting lips with kisses! But she held fast, allowing him to bestow his sweet ministrations on her hand.

Jack sighed again as he pulled his mouth away and intertwined their hands, squeezing gently. He lightly shook his skull, clearing his mind of the haze that her soft sighs and gasps caused. He swallowed, "Do you have...any idea at all just...how intoxicating you truly are?"

Sally blushed, looking down a little bit. To think she had that kind of effect on Jack, when all along since she met him, he had that effect on her. It came to fruition tenfold last and right now all over again. "N-No..."

"Well…" Jack sighed against her ear, "you are." He glanced at her blushing face and smiled at her modesty. "Such a modest woman..." He chuckled as he turned from her face, though his eye sockets didn't stray, to their woven hands, "more willing to deny the truth then accept..." He pulled her hand to his face again, exposing the underside, and started kissing her wrist. "...that she's sweeter than the sweetest Halloween candy..." He moved down a bit and kissed a good three inches away from the bend in her elbow, "...warmer than all the jack o' lanterns in the pumpkin patch..." He moved once again using the hold he had on her hand to pull her arm up a bit for better access, kissing the soft skin of her elbow, "...and more intoxicating than the finest blood wine in the world..."

Sally's breathy gasps were melting into pleasured sighs and little moans, her entire form trembling a little. His words were sweet music to her ears, and oh, the feel of his kiss along her arm... What a romantic charmer! He really knew how to make a woman feel special... Maybe this was just a part of being the woman he loved... It was a part in being the man she loved... "Oh, Jack... You're a wonder...such a charmer...oh..." She managed amidst soft sighs. She looked at him then, her eyes hazed with happiness and adoration.

Ripples of heat spread throughout Jack's frame, he shuddered at those pleasant sounds she would make...and the way she said his name? Oh, that was euphoric... He did his best to focus on her arm, but it was easier said than done... "I'm only speaking the truth, Sally..." His lips brushed lightly against the skin of her elbow with each word her spoke.

"Ohhh..." A little moany whisper drew out of Sally as she brought her free hand to her collar in a modest manner. "You're too good to me, Jack...you really are..."

"I...live only to love and pleasure you...my Queen." He spoke between kisses down the rest of her arm before finally reaching her shoulder. He liked the sound of that...Queen Sally Skellington... Yes, that would be some wonderful food for thought. "My Sally..." e breathed against her shoulder, voice low and heated. "My perfect Queen..."

A gasp escaped Sally. Queen, His Queen? ...It occurred to her then, indeed, if they ever got married, she would indeed be his Queen. That was a fact, and she knew it well, but even if it weren't part of the package, it wouldn't matter. None the less, hearing him call her that, his Queen...and such sweet things to follow...she utterly melted against him! "Oh, Jack...my King...my love..." She cooed sweetly in response, shuddering.

"My Queen, My Queen, My Queen..." Jack heatedly murmured into her neck before ravishing her with kisses both on her skin and stitches.

Meanwhile, Zero watched the whole thing unfolded like a movie. He slowly took bites out of his pancakes with eye sockets trained on the two lovers.

Sally gasped loudly and then moaned, from both his tone and now the heated kisses along her neck and stitches. She wanted to burst! She melted against him, the fluttering of what felt like bats in her stomach grew stronger, her blush stained her cheeks, and she felt ready to collapse, her legs were slowly giving out. "Jack...!"

That single shout triggered Jack into action! He quickly let go of her hand and wrapped his arm with its twin around her waist and pressed her against himself fully. Memories of the very same impulsive passion he had felt last night played in the back of his mind. Every. Single. BONE! Felt like it was burning in the most wonderful way that he had ever felt in his existence and all due to this...this...GODDESS! Yes, this goddess in his arms with smoldering loving eyes, rose-stained cheeks, and lips that both prayed and demanded to be kissed. All of this and the feeling of her trembling, sensual, sweet body that housed a level of love and passion equal to his own was what finally did him in.

Sally's breath hitched the moment Jack just grabbed her to him like this, with such passion and fire! She could feel the smoldering gaze of his eye sockets bearing into her own, as she looked up at him with widened, hazed eyes. Her chest heaving, she could feel his phantom heart just pounding against hers, his erratic breathing on her lips... She felt ready to just burst at the seams! She moaned and then clutched the lapels of his suit with need and desire, her fingers and rest of her form shaking with passion!

Jack had only one thing to say to that... "Oh Sally!" He groaned out before closing his eye sockets and claiming what was rightfully his and giving her what would be forever hers. His lips fused to hers on contact, and his hand dove into her hair clutching her head softly yet steady. His arms cradled her to his body letting them both feel the erratic harmony that was their beating hearts. His other hand firmly gripped her side giving her hip a squeeze out of sheer impulse! Jack deepened the kiss as much as possible, passion...love...heat...desire...happiness flowed into that kiss as more thoughts of Sally as his future Wife and Queen whirled within his mind like some beautiful storm.

It wasn't long before Sally was kissing him back with equal fervor, throwing her arms around him in a moment of passionate need to be closer to him. How did this happen, how did it go from such sweet morning greetings...to this, this intensity and heated passion, she didn't know. She moaned between kisses, her form trembled like a leaf, and she held his reed-thin frame flushed against hers, as if afraid he would disappear if she let him go. She felt her legs slowly give out all the more, making her fall back against the wall behind her, and anchoring her there. What was coming over her, they'd only been together, this close like this barely even 24 hours, let alone 12 hours...shouldn't he take her out to dinner first? Oh, did it even matter? It felt right, so right and so natural, she didn't even care. All she knew was that she wanted to be with him for a long time...and now that they were together, with mutual love, she just wanted to take all the time she could get to express these emotions she'd kept hidden within her heart for so long. She held fast against the wall, shyly but passionately returning each kiss, feeling one of her trembling legs intertwine against one of his.

Alarm bells went off in the back of Jack's mind when it registered the new and extremely arousing feeling of Sally's leg intertwining with his own. It would only be a short while before common sense and impulse control would start to kick in again, so Jack made sure to savor as much as he could. His kisses and touches going from wildfire to passionate, soothing flames.

Realizing what had happened, Sally pulled it back a bit. Her leg withdrew, her foot propping up against the wall. Her hands slid along his sides, and then her arms wound around his torso. She too softened her kisses, but kept the sweet, rousing passion with them.

Softening his hold, Jack slipped his bony fingers through her hair and his other hand rose from her hip to the small of her back. His eyes opening a tad, just watching her relax as they cooled down. His lips sweet and warm against hers before he finally lingered and slowly pulled back. His breathing heavily as he rested his forehead against hers, still watching as she too tried to regain herself.

A smile pulled at her freshly kissed lips, her eyes opening partway. "Q-Quite a way...to say good morning...isn't it?" She panted out softly.

"C-Couldn't have...said it b-better...myself..." He softly smiled back at her before looking deep within her eyes, nuzzling their foreheads together.

Sally giggled a little as she squeezed him lightly, before stealing a little kiss. She couldn't help but wonder if this would be their good morning greetings more often... Shaking it off, she brought her arms back up around his neck again, nuzzling their foreheads. "Are you hungry?"

Jack smiled sweetly at her as they nuzzled, but that smile quickly turned cheeky at her question.

"Hungry?" He repeated in a curious tone, wiggling his brow playfully at her. "Well, don't mind if I do." He replied in delight before leaning into her and nibbling away at the seams on her cheek and mouth. Jack's hands returned to her sides and started impishly tickling lightly.

The growing smile never left his face.

"Oh!" Sally squealed in surprise, laughing as she happily held on to him letting him nibbled her like that. "Oh, Jack!" She giggled happily, her own smile growing.

Jack chuckled against her smiling cheek as he kept working away at her seams. Her giggles like silver bells, sweet...special...clear...and just so happy. "Yessss?" He asked innocently between each nibble, his sockets never leaving her beaming face. His fingertips slowly drifting up a bit to tickle away at her ribs.

Smile growing, Sally laughed all the more in squeals and giggles, trying to keep steady as Jack's playful nibbles and tickling were taking their toll on her. It was something to how they could go from passionate and fiery, all the way to cute, playful, sweet and even hilariously childish in one fell swoop. And she loved it! "You're so silly...!" She laughed out.

"Me? Silly?" Jack asked after swallowing the giddy chuckles that threatened to escape him whenever she laughed or squealed. She was infectious! She made him, the Master of Scaring Pumpkin King, feel like a little skeleton boy with his first crush!

"Please explain to me how exactly you came to this conclusion, Sally?" Fingertips now searching for a new target, her navel.

"Nooooo..." Sally laughed, trying to squirm her body away from him. "Not there! Noo!" She now sounded like a little girl getting tickled to death by a boy who crushed on her.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Jack laughed back, his smile on the brink of cracking his skull. "Yes there! You want to be tickled!" He held her tight and tickled/nibbled with abandonment. His rich deep laughter mixing with her silvery giggling.

"No no noooooo!" Sally squealed in laughter, still trying to get away from him. Oh yes, it was no secret now that Sally was indeed VERY ticklish. Especially in the areas of her seams, and on her stomach. "Stop it! Nooo!"

"Oh ho, nobody tells the Pumpkin King what to do!" Jack shouted happily, sockets beaming as he kept his grip on the ragdoll's squirming body. He punctuated his declaration by attacking her neck and as much of her exposed collar he could get at with a fresh round of nibbling.

His fingertips now switching around from her navel to her ribs and down to her sides.

Sally's squealing laughter melded within breathy gasps, little moans, and continuous giggles. Her legs were giving out all over again, finding it hard to stand. If not for his support, she would've collapsed! "J-Jack..." Her giggles melted into breathy gasps.

He pulled back from her neck to look up at her. "Yessss?" He asked again innocently, his sockets half lidded with love and happiness. Soft chuckling followed as he stopped tickling and just let his hands caress her aching sides.

Shuddering a bit from the aching yet fluttery feeling, Sally let out a little laugh before managing to look at him. "You're too much..." She cooed sweetly, gripping him a bit tighter for support.

"Oh I'm sorry, Sally, but I just can't help it." He straighten up a bit and rested his skull against her head loving the pretty flush on her cheeks, and know that it was his doing.

"Oh..." Sally giggled and snuggled into him happily. "And I love that about you..." She came to realize he was only wearing his dress shirt, and his jacket was absent. She blushed, realizing he'd let her wear it over herself as a makeshift blanket the night before. With her finger, she traced little circles along his ribs.

Jack snuggled back, his heart melting at her words as he curled of couple of fall colored strands of her soft silky hair around the fingers of one of his hands. A shudder raked his body and he laughed breathily at the feeling of those circles along his ribs, his other hand moved and caught her hand stopping her finger circles. He looked down at her straight in the eyes "That tickles..."

"...Really?" Sally's eyes glimmered, storing that newfound information into her mind for future use. "Oh, I'm sorry." She smiled widely, not the least bit sorry.

"Don't even think about it." Jack warned her, giving her a look as if to say "I dare you."

The hand that had caught hers lightly pressed against it so that her palm was now fully touching the ribs hidden under his shirt. He lightly smirked, silently daring her.

"Don't be silly. I wouldn't dream of it... Not when you're expecting me to." Sally giggled, and looked down to see her hand touching his ribs. All of a sudden, the urge to just run her hands along his ribs and explore the sweet feeling...was overwhelming her. Her fingers clenched a bit.

While this was all happening, the two lovers didn't even notice a little jack o' lantern nose pop out from under the counter where the stack of pancakes Sally had made sat. The jack o' lantern glowed a bit brighter with each sniff of pancake its owner took, and in a flash of ghostly white two pancakes went missing from the pile.

Jack shivered a bit at the sensation and slowly guided the soft cloth hand across his chest and stopped...over his heart. His face the picture of love as he leaned down and nuzzled her nose with his own, fingers lacing with hers.

Touched, Sally let out a soft murmur, gazing back with a look of love that mirrored his own. The feel of his phantom heartbeat, the way its beat quickened rapidly under her touch... She then took his other hand in her own, and gently lay it against her chest, where her own heart was.

Jack's sockets widened, but only for a second, before understanding Sally's actions were mirroring his own. He softly gulped at the very intimate gesture and his hand trembled lightly against the heavenly texture of the skin and seams that peeked out from under her dress. The look of love in her eyes that he knew he was returning was all he needed to calm down. He sighed deeply, dreamily that just how right this all felt. "I love you…"

Beaming, Sally closed her eyes a little as she nuzzled her nose against his own again, laying their foreheads together. "I love you, too..." And in a moment like this, much like the night before, it was all part in how she knew...this was where she wanted to be.

The exact same thoughts ran through Jack's mind as he gently kissed her, holding it for but a few moments as he enjoyed the beautiful heaven that his existence would now forever have with her by his side like this...and maybe even better in the future, God willing. To Jack, this kiss was very close to rivaling their first on Spiral Hill... it was almost awe inspiring to think that had happened last night. The sweetness, the soft touch of their lips upon each other, the gentle way they held each other... it completely mirrored last night's embrace.

Deeply moved all over again, Sally too felt the same thing as she returned the sweet kiss. That it was much like the night before, on Spiral Hill, when her feelings were returned...when she no longer felt afraid to express them, knowing how he felt. It had been the happiest moment of her existence (at least, so far), and right at this moment, it was pretty much the same feeling all over again.

Slowly, as to let their lips linger oh so lightly, he pulled back and breathed deeply. His heart pounding a tattoo into the inside of his ribs as he hugged her to his form, his skull against her head again as he watched her return to reality through almost closed sockets.

A soft giggle escaped Sally as she hugged his form to her right back, nuzzling her head on his shoulder. Her smile grew in such contentment as she relaxed all the more. Such a lovely moment... Such a treat to have come this far, to feel this way, to be here like this...