Please insert standard Labyrinth disclaimer here, as I do not own it.

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Chapter 9

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The sunlight came streaming into the window, shining onto Sarah's face. Slowly, she became aware that her pillow was warm and seemed to be rising and falling in a steady and even rhythm. Her hand was palm down on the 'pillow' and her head resting on her hand. She opened her eyelids just enough to notice a smooth and muscled stomach, the waistband of a pair of men's trousers, legs and bare feet peeking out at the end of the covers. Sarah closed her eyes against what she saw. She moved her fingers against the smooth warm skin, causing a snickering sound to emanate from the 'pillow'.

"Hey, careful there. I am ticklish." Jareth's chest heaved slightly.

Why had she had so much to drink last night? "What are you doing in my bed?"

"Good morning to you, too, my precious thing. I am in your bed because you asked me to stay last night. And I obliged. I find I quite like waking up with you in my arms, Sarah."

"Gawd, my head hurts. Did we, um, well, you know, have sex?"

Jareth was laughing now. Sarah liked the sound of his laughter but didn't understand what was so funny about her question.

"Mo chroi*, I do not make it a habit of having sex with women who are too intoxicated to give full consent. And if we had had sex, you would remember the experience, believe me." He smirked and gave her a very knowing look.

"You don't?" She sounded disappointed. "Well of course you don't. I don't mean to imply you would. I just really don't remember getting into bed. How did I end up in my night gown if we didn't, you know? Did you…?"

"No, I called my sister, Riona, to act as your ladies maid. I would not tempt myself that way. I am only flesh and blood and I already can barely keep my hands off you as it is." He kissed her on the tip of her nose. "Right now, I need a cup of coffee and a shower."

"I could go for a shower, a cup of coffee and some aspirin."

"Fine, you shower and I will start the coffee."

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Jareth was lounging in one of Sarah's armchairs, one leg draped casually over the armrest, sipping on a mug of coffee. Sarah was still in the shower. This felt so right, like they were a married couple spending a leisurely late morning together. Jareth sighed, content.

Suddenly, there was a harsh rapping at the metal doors of the lift. Jareth padded over barefoot and shirtless to see who was knocking. He slid the doors open and there stood the reprobate from last night.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Corbin demanded.

"I could ask you the same thing?"

"Why do you have almost no clothes on? Where's Sarah?"

Jareth chuckled. "Not that it is any of your business, but I believe it is obvious. Sarah and I spent the night together."

And as if it had been planned to happen this way, Sarah emerged from the bathroom, wearing her bathrobe and rubbing her hair with a towel. "Jace, is the coffee ready? I am desperate for a cup?" Sarah noticed Corbin standing in the elevator. "What the hell? Corbin why are you here? Sarah stood there, assessing the scene. To her left stood Corbin, mouth agape, staring between Jace, standing there half naked and herself, in her fluffy lilac robe.

"Sarah, I wanted to ask you to lunch. What is he doing here?" he nodded his head toward Jareth.

"Corbin, that is really none of your business. You walked out on me two years ago. Now kindly leave. You are intruding."

"Well, I have eyes. So, this is the dream man that you modeled the painting, the fae warrior after? You told me he wasn't real but he looks pretty solid to me. How long has this been going on? How long have you been screwing him? During our relationship, too? You have been lying to me." Corbin took two steps closer to Sarah, causing her to flinch.

Jareth moved so suddenly and so quickly, that if Sarah had blinked she would have missed him moving altogether. He had his hand around Corbin's throat and Jareth's face was so close to Corbin's that their noses were nearly touching.

"My lady has bid you to leave. Now, will you go of your own accord or should I throw you out?"

"Jace! Let him go!" Sarah screamed. Jareth let the man go and Corbin had to take a step back to keep from stumbling back. He was gasping for air and coughing, rubbing his throat. "Very well." Jace conceded reluctantly.

"Sarah, I expect an answer."

"Tough! Get out before I call the cops!"

"Fine, but this isn't over!" He slammed the lift doors violently.

"Yes, it is!" She shouted after him.

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The two of them sat on Sarah's couch, sipping their coffee in silence. Neither really had spoken since Corbin left. Sarah broke the silence first. "Jace? What did you say to him?"

"Mo grá**, I answered the knocking and he asked what I was doing here. So, I told him I had spent the night, with you." He grinned.

"Oh, okay. So that's when Corbin freaked out?"

"Indeed. I wonder his believing he should be entitled to decide how you live your life, but I wanted to make that outcast understand that we are together and he needed to leave."

"I don't know what his deal is. We haven't even spoken in over two years!"

"Precious, this is not your doing and you need not apologize or make excuses for him. Now I would love a shower and then I should like to accompany you to lunch, if that is alright?" He bowed dramatically to her and chuckled.

"Well, hurry up. I'm hungry."

"As my lady commands."

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Jareth and Sarah walked along the street, heading towards the Chelsea gallery with the goal of getting some lunch. Just up ahead, they noticed Nigel trotting towards them, waving his arms.

"Hey, you two! Yoo-hoo!" Nigel was a force of nature and always seemed to be so happy to see Sarah. "Where are you two headed?"

"We were just going to grab a bite to eat." Sarah wrapped her arms around Jareth's waist, hugging him a little too tightly and he chuckled.

"Yes, Nigel," Jace always sounded so proper. "We are going to Scarpetta. Sarah is craving some Italian food for lunch."

"Ooooo, I love Italian food!"

"Why don't you join us, then?" Sarah offered.

"Okay, let me call Bruce and we can double date!"

"Alright, Jace is that okay with you?"

Jace bowed and smiling, merely nodded. "As my lady wishes."

So, lunch had turned into a Q and A session for Sarah and Jace. Bruce and Nigel wanted to hear all the details about the gala and the evening.

"It was a wonderful concert," Sarah smiled.

"Sarah stole the show." Jareth interjected. "I was the luckiest man there to have her at my side. I am sure there are many pictures in the papers as well as online. The paparazzi were quite take with my lady!" Jareth was beaming with pride.

"Well, Nigel and I did our best to make sure she had a fabulous dress equal to her beauty." Bruce could not miss the opportunity to take credit for Sarah's appearance.

"I must tell you, you made it very hard for this man to notice anything but how amazing her body looked in that gown." Jareth wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Sarah blushed at his innuendo and gently shoved his arm in protest.

"Honestly, Jace." She rolled her eyes.

"We did end up in bed together." Jareth volunteered.

Nigel and Bruce gasped and looked at Sarah. She groaned even louder and buried her face in her hands.

"We had no idea you two were moving that fast. That's wonderful!"

"Allow me to clear up any potential misunderstanding. I will not ruin Sarah's reputation. We simply shared a bed. Sarah had a little too much to drink and simply did not wish to be alone. Chivalry is not dead, gentlemen."

"Thank you, Jace. I really don't normally drink that much, but we ran into Corbin at the gala." Sarah shared, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

"That prick? Oh, if I had been there I would have given him a piece of my mind!" Poor Nigel was absolutely livid.

"Nige, calm yourself. Remember your blood pressure, darling." Bruce looked concerned.

" Jace protected me, but I can handle that tool. He actually had the nerve to come to the loft earlier. Can you imagine the balls on that guy?" Sarah was shaking her head. Obviously his appearance had bothered her more than she had realized.

Nigel wanted to fill Jace in and shared. "Corbin left Sarah after living with her for a year. He suggested she needed to see a shrink because he believed that she was in love with her painting."

"Interesting," Jareth tapped his fingers against his lips. "He thought I was the model for the painting. Which is hardly possible, right, my dear?

Sarah wanted to disappear. She really did not know how to answer that question anymore.

After picking up the check, Jareth made his excuses, having to take his leave from the group, but not before kissing Sarah soundly, causing her knees to feel weak.

"Mo grá, I will call you tonight."

"Okay, Jace. I'll be waiting." She smiled at him with longing. "We still have unfinished business, you and I." She mouthed silently 'I want you' and noticed the desire in his eyes. 'Later' he mouthed back to her, causing her to blushed.

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*mo grá = my love

**mo chroi = my heart

Don't get too spoiled, gentle reader. The muse is strong with me right now and I am compelled to share the fruits of my labor with you all. Remember, we artists live for feedback and reviews. A happy author writes more often and faster. 😉