CHAPTER TEN

STUBBORN FLARES

The sound of the shower was the only thing she could hear. It splashed down against the tiled stall in a steady rhythm. She could feel the moist heat building in the room. Even the fabric on her silk robe was beginning to feel damp. Still she waited to enter the shower. The water needed to be even hotter. Leaning over the sink she examined her face in the mirror. Twenty-seven years old.

She saw him in the reflection. He leaned against the doorframe much like he had twelve years ago, the one arm raised and his body angled to show just how long and lean he was. The difference this time was the buttons on his shirt were completely undone and he lacked the dramatic eye flares he had been so fond of. With a calm resolve she turned to face him.

In a few swift movements he was across the floor and standing in front of her. The two of them stared intently at the other. Her hands gripped his shirt. "I'm a coward," she stated and pushed the fabric over his shoulders removing the shirt.

He reached for the ties on her robe. "I'm obsessive," he admitted untying them, letting the rob fall open.

Without batting an eye she removed his pants. Taking a deep breath she said, "I was afraid of what you offered." He now stood naked in front of her.

The silk slid over and off her shoulders as he gently pushed it back. "I was afraid of loosing you." She as well stood naked before him.

She searched his eyes. "I want a second chance," she said softly feeling her lower lip tremble.

One of his fingers moved to calm her lip. "I want to do this right," he told her.

His hand was around the back of her neck. Gently he pulled her to him to touch forehead to forehead with her. Feeling his soft touch and smelling his scent, she leaned into him. He tilted her head up and kissed her lips. She had forgotten how pleasing the tingles were. She kissed back, folding her arms around his waist. Together they moved two steps and stepped into the shower. The water washed over their skin.

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Sarah's eyes fluttered upon. She was warm all over. The ceiling above her became a focal point as she woke up her sleepy mind. A shower? Jareth with her? She let out a quiet groan. She had been dreaming again. That made for the second random conversation/ending up in the shower dream she had this week. Her hormones now were all over the place. A cold shower was just what she needed. She got up and moved in to the bathroom.

'It's too soon,' she argued with herself standing under the water. On cue the now familiar fluttering moved in her stomach. "Don't you start," she said aloud, pointing at her self. "You may be taken with his voice, but you don't have to worry about all of the social ramifications…" she paused searching for the right words. "Or magical aspects." She leaned against the tile. Too soon? It had been twelve years. She could hear Karen reading another edition of the riot act to both of them. Of course what would she say when she told her what Jareth Choblyn exactly was? 'We're planning on teaching the baby how to wield a wand, and perform a very non-invasive surgery so she'll have wings.' She laughed under the water. The baby performed a move that felt like a back flip. "Oh be still!" she patted her stomach with a smile. "Besides we've got bigger fish to fry- we've got to turn in some resumes today."

Once done she grabbed a towel and wrapped her self snugly in it. Lost in her thoughts she approached the sink to look in the mirror. She jumped a good couple of inches when she saw Jareth in the reflection leaning on the doorframe. "Ghads!" she exclaimed angrily. "What the- Jareth get out!" She put an arm over her chest.

"What is this?" he asked indicating a sheet of paper in his hand. His tone was crisp.

She squinted reading the typing from across the room. "It's called a resume. Now get out!"

He didn't move. "It has been recently updated. Why?" She looked ready to storm across the room and punch him. "I asked a question Sarah."

"Can it at least wait until I get dressed?" Last night's dream was playing on full speed in her mind complete with audio and a few tactile aspects.

"No."

Brazenly she strode across to him. She attempted to snatch the paper away, he withheld it. With a huff she answered him, "Because I need a job. Turn around, shield your eyes, or get the heck out or we won't be talking about this at all!" His eyes narrowed, but he turned away. She went into the bedroom swearing she would render him a eunuch if he so much as twitched.

"Why are you updating your resume Sarah?" he asked. This was by far the most stubborn moment the two of them had shared since his return.

"Because I'm a young widow with a baby on the way," she explained hotly. She began pulling on her under garments.

He nearly spun around, but held him self. "You are not working in your condition."

"My condition?" she scoffed getting a blouse out of the closet. "There are women in China who give birth while working in the fields and get right back to it when they're done."

"Good for them, but last time I checked we didn't have any rice patties near by." Taking a deep breath he continued, "I don't want you working."

"Then by all means Jareth," she pulled on a khaki skirt. "give me a good alternative. I have bills to pay- electric, water, phone- oh yes, and a mortgage. Not to mention a very good doctor who is going to bring this baby into the world the best way possible. So," she snatched the paper from him. He turned to see her fully dressed. "unless you have a better idea, I've got some people to talk today." She left the room.