The next few weeks were tricky. Sarah made every effort to move her things out of the apartment when she knew Jack would be at work. There were times she wondered if he was doing everything he could to avoid her, but Sarah knew how many hours he put into his work. Her breaking up with him probably motivated him to pursue his career now more than ever.

Thanks to Ezra, Sarah was able to find a studio apartment in Prospect Park. It was small, but that was expected in such a nice neighborhood. Sarah felt like she was starting a new life. All of the furniture she picked out with Jack was something she felt wrong taking. Jack ended up selling their furniture and gave her a small sum since they both paid for it. Sarah felt wrong taking the money because such a thing wouldn't have happened if she would have stayed with Jack. Their split was amicable, but it was also messy. Bills had to be transferred; people had to be told the news. Sarah was thankful that they didn't start planning a wedding because that would have complicated things even more. Word of mouth was how she learned of Jack accepting a position at the Dallas office. Penelope Lancaster ended up accepting a partnership in Hong Kong.

Things were complicated for a while with navigating the stormy waters of explaining a broken engagement to co-workers and friends, but Sarah didn't care what others thought of her. It's not like she was the fodder for gossip, but she knew how to deflect the conversation when it steered towards her broken relationship. It's not like she hung out with these people on the weekend, so why share such information with them? She was never truly excited about the engagement, so why would she want to go over the details of the dissolution of her engagement?

She also kept the reason for her engagement ending quietly. It was easy to tell people that she and Jack were going in different directions, and that was true. Jareth King was never brought up in passing because it was really no one's business, not that Sarah felt like she had something to be ashamed of.

The comfort she took was in Jareth. The two took their time in getting to know one another. There was no pressure in moving their relationship forward, and that was exactly what Sarah needed in her life. Moving too quickly screamed of a rebound, and as much as she felt a connection to Jareth King, he understood that they needed to move at a slow pace. They would catch a movie, grab a bite, and go their separate ways. Slowly things were progressing to where they would hold hands in public. Sarah would let Jareth sneak small kisses from her, but she was never one who overly enjoyed public displays of affection. Jareth's laugh was highly contagious, and Sarah enjoyed hearing its roar. It was the small things about him that she truly enjoyed: his curiosity, the timbre of his voice, the talents such as cooking which he swore he wasn't good at, and his manner which could easily switch from gentle to stern if need be.

"I think I'm finally going to do it." Sarah said nonchalantly one afternoon as the two walked across the Brooklyn Bridge.

"Run away with me to Reading?" Jareth jokingly asked.

"I want to start Opia. I mean, really start laying the groundwork for it. There are some publishers who I think would be interested in investing."

"I'm so glad that you're finally going to pursue that."

"Finally?" Sarah said, trying to be serious.

"Yes, finally! I think it's what you're meant to do."

"I don't even know where to begin. It's such an intimidating idea."

"That means that you should pursue it even more then. You don't want to go through life regretting that you didn't try it. What's that saying, high risk, high reward."

"Well, the same could be applied to us if you think about it."

"I'm listening." Jareth said cheekily, knowing full well what she was implying.

"This thing, us, it's a high risk, high reward thing too."

"Well, isn't everything?"

The two continued to walk, enjoying the beautiful day.

Over the next few days, Sarah put a lot of her energy into looking for office spaces for Opia. There were a few options, but Sarah didn't want to jump in too quickly. With the help of a few co-workers, Sarah was able to establish a website for her literary magazine, but after spending three days visiting various spaces available for rent, she walked into Apothecary King both mentally and physically exhausted.

"Hey Ezra." Sarah said as she walked in.

"Hey Sarah. Any luck with the search?"

Sarah grimaced, slightly moving her head left to right.

"You'll find it eventually. Jareth's in the garden. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

"Thanks." Sarah said as she walked towards the back.

Removing her blazer, she inhaled the calming scents from his garden.

"What magic are you brewing today?" Sarah asked as she placed her blazer on a stool.

"I'm working on something new. I'm hoping it will be used to banish negative thoughts and energy."

"That's a bit mystical don't you think?"

"Why not? The world can be a negative place sometimes. You have to admit, the noise pollution in this city alone is enough to drive someone mad."

Sarah wrapped her arms around Jareth's waist before resting her head on his back.

"I take it the search wasn't a success."

"I think I'm going to have to adapt to my present circumstances. I'm going to try an online magazine."

"But I thought you wanted to go with a full on magazine?" Jareth asked.

"Yeah, but I can't secure any type of investor until they see that people actually want to purchase it. It's all about the money, even if it's online. I did secure some funds though for publication prizes. That will hopefully drum up some interest from writers. I know some people who work in the writing departments at NYU and Columbia, and they're going to get the word out too about the website."

"Well, coming from a successful businessman such as myself, I only started with oils. Now, I'm a jack of all trades." Jareth said turning around to embrace Sarah.

"Oh you need to stop!" Sarah said as she inhaled the scent of mint and peaches on Jareth.

She hummed into his chest when she felt him run circles on her back.

"I take it Ezra knows that we're now seeing one another." Sarah said.

"Does that bother you?"

"No. It's just odd. It feels like he's in on a secret or something."

"But we're not having some clandestine affair."

"I know." Sarah replied, enjoying the simple comfort of Jareth's arms around her.

Two hours later Jareth and Sarah were upstairs preparing dinner in Jareth's apartment. Sarah was working on a vodka sauce while Jareth was left with salad duty.

"You know, I was thinking that maybe it's better that you just start with a website." Jareth said as he mixed up a vinaigrette.

"Really?"

"You start small and then you build it up brick by brick. Why rush into something if the timing isn't right?"

"Were you this smart before?" Sarah asked.

"You mean in my past?"

"Yes."

"Well, I was a king. I bet I was genius."

"You need to stop!" Sarah said as she playfully threw a kitchen towel at Jareth.

"One must be smart if one runs a kingdom!"

"History has spoken otherwise in some cases. Ivan the Terrible? Caligula?"

"So you think I was a mad king?"

"Oh, I don't know."

Jareth pulled Sarah to him before saying, "I couldn't have been. I had you."

"I thought that an offer was turned down." Sarah whispered.

"Yes, but you must have kept me grounded. You had my heart."

Sarah kissed Jareth and wrapped her arms around him. The two continued to kiss one another, but then the buzz from the stove timer ended their snog session.

"Sauce is done." Sarah said before pulling away from Jareth.

The two enjoyed a quiet dinner. Jareth shared his thoughts about setting up a shop back home in Reading, but he knew that he wasn't ready to take the next step towards it. Sarah listened as he talked about his family and childhood tales of growing up in England. Sarah freely admitted that her own childhood wasn't half as interesting. Sure, she was always lost in a book or two, but growing up an only child strangely allowed her to remain a bit introverted.

"My parents were good people, but I sometimes think that they never really wanted kids. I was just an accident."

"Were they mean?"

"No! No, it's just that they weren't as affectionate as some of my friends parents were. I don't recall my mother or father ever being overly touchy feely or emotional. It's not like I was a problem child or anything. I made good grades. I kept to myself. I never really stepped out of my comfort zone, growing up."

"Have you ever told them that?"

"No. I know they love and support me. I've just gotten used to them being a bit underwhelmed with everything in this world. You know, I sometimes wonder if Sarah Williams had the same type of relationship with her parents."

"I don't think you'll ever find answers there." Jareth said before taking a sip of wine.

"I know. They didn't even know of my engagement."

"Did they know Jack?"

"Oh yeah, and they loved him, but let's not go there." Sarah said as she brought the fork with the last bit of pasta wrapped around it closer to her mouth.

"This sauce is delicious."

"Thank you. It's my grandmother's recipe."

"Well, it should be bottled."

"Oh shit." Sarah said suddenly.

"What?"

"I spilled on myself, and of course, I'm wearing a white shirt."

"Let me guess, this never happens when you wear any other color?"

"You guessed right." Sarah said as she got up.

"I've got one of those detergent pens in my bathroom if you'd like to try it."

"What? No essential oil for tomato stains?"

"I'll bring you some vinegar, but that's even if I have vinegar in my kitchen." Jareth said as he brought their plates to the kitchen sink.

Minutes later Sarah vigorously rubbed the detergent from the pen into her shirt. She could hear Jareth opening and shutting cabinet doors, but she figured that he wasn't having any luck.

"Sarah!" She heard Jareth shout.

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to go downstairs to the shop. I'm pretty sure I have some there."

"Okay." Sarah said before she looked at herself in the mirror.

Jareth's bedroom was right next to his bedroom, and Sarah always saw it in passing. Now she felt as if the room was staring at her. It looked so simple and clean, just like his shop downstairs did. Looking at herself in the mirror, Sarah felt her heartbreak quicken slightly. There she stood, ready to give up on the stain that colored her white shirt. Sighing, she didn't know if it was from frustration or something else.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she straightened up and looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't know what she was hoping to see, but she hoped that staring at her bra clad body would somehow provide a sign. Walking in his bedroom, Sarah ran her fingers along the comforter, but something on the night stand caught her attention. It appeared to be a crystal. It was a simple decoration, but Sarah stared into it as if some image would present itself to her. It was so light, so delicate, but there was a heaviness to it. Somehow, that simple sphere was what she needed to see.

Moments later she heard Jareth enter his apartment and heard him walk towards his bathroom.

"Sarah, I found the vine..."

He stopped in his tracks. She could feel it.

Jareth walked into his bedroom and saw the naked form of Sarah Williams on his bed. Her eyes were open, but her entire backside was open for his view. Here she was, a willing sacrifice on his bed. For a few moments she worried that she was hoping for too much too soon. Sure, they took their time in getting to know one another, but maybe she was pushing too quickly? Blame it on the vodka sauce. Blame it on the glass sphere. Blame it on the lack of vinegar in Jareth's kitchen cabinet.

"Sarah…" Jareth whispered as he moved closer to her body.

She was nervous to offer herself up to him in such a way. Jack wouldn't have been so inspired, but it appeared as if Jareth was as she felt a single finger slowly start at an ankle and move its way up her body.

Sarah closed her eyes, relishing in the touch of the man she never ceased to stop thinking about since the moment she met him. She could feel every nerve in her body stand at attention, and she knew that he felt it too. She heard his breath hitch, but maybe it was hers?

As his finger made its way to her neck and across her cheek, Sarah was afraid to look at him. She could feel his desire and yearning in something as light as his touch.

Did Sarah Williams ever get touched like this from the Jareth in her past? Did Sarah Williams even get the chance to share such a moment with her past love? Before she could think of any other hypothetical question, she felt Jareth move his lips slowly up and down her back.

She could feel the hair rise on her neck, and she tried to remember the importance of breathing as he added his hands to the carnal equation.

"You've no idea how long I've wished to touch you like this. You've no idea how long I've wished to worship you so." Jareth said, moving his hands slowly up and down her back. "It feels so familiar, yet so brand new."

"I was thinking the same thing; it's like having a fresh pair of eyes." Sarah said, quickly growing used to his touch.

"He must not have ever touched her the way I'm touching you. I would have felt that. I'm sure of it." Jareth said as he softly rubbed his left cheek against her naked back.

"Then we should count ourselves lucky to have found one another." Sarah said, taking comfort in Jareth's deliberate actions.

"Turn over for me. I want to see you in all of your splendid glory." Jareth whispered to Sarah.

Sarah no longer felt the warmth of Jareth's body being so close to hers, and she immediately missed it. Granting his request, Sarah turned over, a bit shy now that he had the opportunity to look her in the eye.

A part of her wanted to cover her breasts and mound, but there was a confidence that came from being so daring earlier. Placing her arms by her side, hands facing up, Sarah watched as Jareth grabbed an arm and touched it as if it was a rare piece of art. He looked at her in wonder, as if he never had the opportunity to see a woman up close and personal.

Sarah watched in awe as he placed her hand over his heart. He was still clothed, but Sarah crept her fingers towards the bottom of his shirt and snaked her hand under the thin layer of cotton that separated his flesh from hers. As her hand slowly moved over his stomach, Sarah watched as Jareth closed his eyes and felt her touch.

"It's only fair that you remove this." Sarah said. "I feel so exposed lying here naked."

Jareth then removed his shirt and pants. She didn't watch him remove his underwear, slightly embarrassed with the fact that she wasn't ready to see his body's natural reaction.

"I've been exposed since the moment we met." Jareth responded before crawling towards her on his bed. There was no shame in his nudity, but there was curiosity in hers. He dedicated his time to touching every inch of her.

She could see him mapping it in his memory, and she felt a sense of pride that came from knowing that he was hers just as she was his. It didn't take long for his lips to find hers.

"You must understand," Jareth said before moving his lips up and down her torso. "This is forever to me. All of this. I've never given myself over completely to another person, but you understand that you will have all of me. My mind. My body. My soul. Everything is yours."

Jareth kissed Sarah with a passion she didn't think existed within her. She felt his hand wander lower and lower, but she was so distracted by their kissing that she didn't notice when he inserted a finger inside of her until she felt the special kind of pleasure that came from such a thing. Their lips broke away from one another, and Sarah couldn't look at anything but his eyes.

Sarah felt his finger slowly explore her as he moved his lips to other parts of her body. Sarah jumped slightly when she felt something different moving inside of her. She didn't realize that her eyes were closed until she opened them. Looking down, she saw Jareth's eyes locked on hers as he slowly moved his tongue up and down her folds. She tried to keep her eyes on his, but the pleasure became too much and eventually she gave into closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the bed.

Jareth's hands continued explore her body, and just when Sarah thought that she couldn't take any more of the pleasure he provided, she felt his tongue move faster inside of her.

"Jareth, please." Sarah struggled to whisper.

She somehow could tell what he was thinking without him ceasing to say a word.

Come for me Sarah. Come by my tongue.

The pace picked up again, and it only took a few seconds before Sarah came. She didn't realize that Jareth's hands were on her chest. She also didn't realize that she was clutching them to her with her own.

She felt him move up towards her, his hardness pressed into her body. The two stared at one another for what felt like forever, using the time to grow accustomed to each other's body. It was a whole new world. Passion had never felt like this with Jack, but Sarah couldn't focus on that.

Reaching down, Sarah grabbed Jareth's desire and moved it towards her center. As Jareth slowly entered her, she felt a sense of completion that was so new to her. He didn't waste any time moving inside of her, growing accustomed to each other's body. To wait would be cruel. There would be time to draw out their pleasure later.

Slowly he moved, allowing both of them to enjoy the sensations new to them. Sarah wanted to tell him that she could handle him picking up the pace, but the magic they were weaving was so delicate, she felt tears forming in her eyes.

"It's alright. I feel it too." Jareth said, moving his thumbs to catch her tears.

"You feel so good inside of me." Sarah whispered as Jareth continued to slowly move within her.

"You feel just as I thought you would." Jareth responded before he met her lips with his.

"Touch me, please." Jareth added.

Sarah couldn't deny his request as she softly traced her fingers along his back, just as he did earlier. Suddenly, his thrusts became sharper. Sarah tried not to cry out, but she instinctually knew that Jareth would want to hear them. He would want to know that he was delivering such pleasure to her. It didn't take long for Jareth to reach his release.

"Don't go. Stay in me." Sarah whispered as she clutched Jareth to her. She could feel him lightly run his tongue over her jugular.

"Whatever you wish. You already know that I would be your slave." Jareth responded.

A few minutes later Jareth moved to the side of Sarah and held her to him as he drifted off to sleep.