Disclaimer: Labyrinth isn't mine, so sad!

Authors note: Reviewers you are awesome! I look at each and every one of my reviews and I do consider all of your suggestions. One suggestion I got a few times was to do an ex-boyfriend and lingerie scene. So as asked here you go!

Chapter 12: Gone with the Wind

Sarah was still blushing from the incident in Rite Aid. Jareth remained silent but the smug look on his handsome face had yet to change. After the couple had caught them snogging in the deodorant aisle, Sarah had quickly paid for her things and bolted from the store. The Goblin King and Queen, who happened to be just Sarah and Jareth in the Aboveground, were walking down the hall of the semi crowded mall. Jareth's boots clicked on the tile as they walked by. Jareth was getting looks from nearly everyone they passed, mainly the women. His presence differed so greatly from those of the ordinary mall goer.

The year was 1997 but Jareth dressed like a glam rocker from the mid 1980's. A look he wore well and his hairstyle matched it. Before they'd left the house, Sarah hadn't even considered toning down his look but now she kind of wished she had. It wasn't that she was embarrassed of his appearance. In fact, she found his look to be rather sexy and couldn't imagine him in any other style of dress.

Although, his outfit wasn't the only thing that caused people to stare. Jareth's strolled along with the poise of a big cat, lean muscles and grace. Truthfully, his entire persona was other worldly. He looked very much like the mythical creature that he was, almost as if his aura gave way to the mystery that shrouded him. In part of Sarah's mind, she was proud to be the woman to walk beside him making the other women sneer in her direction, throwing her wishful glances and hateful glares. The one he kept looking down at with that smug expression that gave away the entire story of their marriage. About how he'd claimed her last night and how he'd kissed her passionately in a public place. It made her want to reach for his hand, to stroll along with their fingers intertwined like normal happily married newlyweds, almost.

Jareth paused in his walking staring at a display in a store window. Sarah walked a few feet in front of him not realizing he had stopped. She turned to see what had caught his attention and almost ran when she realized he was looking at a large picture of an underwear model in the window of Victoria's Secret. "Jareth," she called out trying to keep the irritancy out of her voice.

He glanced at her quickly before looking at the picture again. "What is this place?"

Sarah blushed. Now, he was really intrigued. What was it about this store that could cause the blush he so loved on his dainty bride? "It's a women's apparel store." Sarah replied vaguely not wanting to discuss the contents of the store with him. Sarah had never worn lingerie before and the idea of wearing it for her husband both fascinated and frightened her.

Jareth spotted a mannequin wearing a black corset with sheer patterned lace over the bust area with black ruffled lace thong underwear, jet black knee high stockings and a long flowing lace robe. His eyes widened appreciatively. "This is intimate apparel." He stated rather than asking.

"Yes, this is lingerie in the Aboveground," Sarah told him as she started to walk away from the store. After a few steps, she realized Jareth wasn't following her. She groaned as she realized he was still fixated on the mannequin. Sarah took a few hazardous steps back towards her husband. He seemed to be contemplating something.

"Would you ever consider wearing something like that?" he asked quietly after a few anxious moments had passed.

Sarah's eyes snapped to his face but his eyes were still fixed on the mannequin. Was he seriously asking her to model lingerie? "Why? Would you like to see me in something like that?" Sarah asked breathlessly. Her heart swelled. Jareth glanced at his wife. He thought about the answer to her question. He considered saying something smart and condescending to hide that fact that he very much wanted to see her in something so revealing. The very idea made him quiver in all the right places. But the look on his young wife's face was so raw, so devoted, and so anxious that he decided to answer her truthfully.

"Yes. I would very much like to see you in that," he replied, his voice deep and thick with promises and intentions, his eyes heavily lidded as he stared at Sarah imagining what she would look like in all that black lace. Sarah took a deep breath; her heart was going to burst with excitement. For once, he was thinking of her in a way unrelated to duty or prophecies. He was looking at her like a man who desired his wife. In fact, she realized, he was looking at her much like he looked at Valentine, a thought that both thrilled and chilled her.

"Well, then, let's go buy it," Sarah said suddenly feeling very confident. She strode passed him and into the store.

Neither one discussed the particular package that Sarah was now carrying. Although, both of their thoughts were rampant with the idea of Sarah modeling said contents. Jareth was just about to suggest leaving when Sarah asked if he was hungry. As if on cue, his stomach growled and they walked towards the Food Court.

"What would you like? Chinese, burgers, tacos, pizza?" Sarah said listing off the various eateries that were lined in a circle in front of her. Personally, she was dying for Chinese food and hoped he felt the same way. She wasn't even sure if Jareth had ever had Chinese food before.

"Whatever you want," he replied as he looked at all the brightly lit signs. Truth be told, he was a little overwhelmed at the choices. Usually, his dinner was chosen for him by the chef. He wasn't used to picking out his own food. One less thing to worry about in his daily list of duties.

"Great, let's have Chinese food. I've been dying for some General Tso's chicken," Sarah said grabbing Jareth's hand and pulling him along with her. When they approached the counter, the small Chinese woman with salt and pepper hair and a round face greeted them. "Alright, Jareth, you can choose from any of these three entrée's here." Sarah said pointing to the steaming silver trays that were being kept warm behind a glass guard.

Jareth wrinkled his nose. None of it looked appetizing. In fact, all the prepared "dishes" looked like something the goblins used to paint with. Grease and coloring. "Just get me whatever you are having, Sarah."

Sarah ordered two plates of General Tso's chicken, vegetable stir fry, orange chicken, and lo mein noodles with two cokes. She handed Jareth his own tray which he easily balanced and walked towards the table. Sarah sat down and began eating without a second glance at Jareth. She chewed her food thoroughly, enjoying the sweet and tangy flavor of the chicken. After a couple of mouthfuls, she glanced over at Jareth to see he was standing away from the table with his tray still in his hand. She quickly swallowed her food giving him a confused look.

"What are you doing? Sit down and eat," Sarah told him crossly. Now was not the time for him to be a diva.

"I cannot sit at this table, Sarah," Jareth replied equally as cross.

The anger faded from her face, "What? Why?"

"The legs are made of iron," he replied as if that explained everything. When Sarah continued to gape at him, he explained. "Iron is poisonous to my kind."

Comprehension highlighted Sarah's delicate features, "Oh, Jareth, I'm sorry. I didn't realize. We can find another place to sit." She glanced around the area looking for a table that was all plastic. None were to be found inside but Sarah noticed an outdoor patio complete with the cheap plastic furniture.

They ate in silence. Jareth picked at his food still not convinced that the sticky mass in front of him was edible. He had, however, drank his entire coke. The "sugary goodness" as he described it had been delightful. As a Fae, Jareth loved sugar and nothing in the Underground compared to this "pop". Perhaps he could convince her to buy some to take home with them.

Sarah finished her entire plate. She was just about to scold Jareth for playing with his food when she spotted a familiar figure walking across the parking lot. In fact, this person was one she had hoped to avoid on her trip up here.

When Sarah had agreed to marry Jareth leaving the Aboveground forever, she had 'forgot' to mention that she was currently in a six month relationship with Cameron Turner. Cameron was your average run of the mill kind of guy. Nothing special and definitely not even close to being comparable to Jareth. His brown hair was cut closed to his head. He had gray eyes and freckles definitely the boy next door type. Sarah tried to hide behind the curtain of her hair but too little too late as Cameron had spotted her the moment he'd pulled into the mall parking lot.

Cameron approached the table where Jareth and Sarah were sitting. The look on his face let Sarah know that he was absolutely stunned to see her there especially since she hadn't given him any notice about her abrupt departure.

"Sarah Williams?" he said in disbelief. "Where have you been? I tried calling you hundreds of times. Your parents said you'd moved away and not to bother calling anymore. And now here I find you are sitting outside Twin Pine Mall like it's a normal Saturday?"

Sarah tried to look apologetic biting her lip and batting her eyes. Jareth was regarding Cameron with a slight smirk thoroughly amused by the silly boy ranting at the table. He frowned when he glanced at Sarah to see her flirty, innocent expression. "I know Cameron. I'm really sorry. I should have called or left you a note or something. That was really selfish of me. Please sit down. It's really good to see you again."

Cameron took her offer and occupied the third seat at the table. He had yet to acknowledge Jareth. A fact which irked said Goblin King. "I've missed you, babe. We were doing so well coming up on our six month anniversary. I just don't understand why you would up and leave like that." Cameron told her despondently reaching for her hand.

Across the table, the still being ignored Goblin King narrowed his blue eyes at the boy sitting beside him. He crossed his arms over his chest and glanced out over the parking lot trying desperately not to stare at his wife's right hand. Sarah smiled as Cameron intertwined their fingers. "It's complicated." She replied which received a snort from Jareth. She glanced at her husband curiously. My, my, my… he seems upset. Sarah thought to herself amused. Not used to being ignored.

"Well then explain it to me, Sar, because I want to know. I need to know." Cameron replied almost desperately leaning towards her.

Sarah sighed and pulled her hand from Cameron's placing it on her lap. "Well, first and foremost you should know that I have moved away. I am only in town visiting my family for a few days. Secondly…" she paused not really wanting to share this information with her recent ex-boyfriend. She wasn't sure how he was going to react. "I got married."

Cameron was so shocked he couldn't keep the emotions from pouring over his face. "You got married?! To who?" he practically shouted in surprise.

"To me," Jareth spoke for the first time since Cameron had joined them. Cameron's gray eyes turned towards the Goblin King, really looking at him for the first time. His expression very unfriendly.

"Who the hell are you?" Cameron replied angrily standing up from his chair trying to use his height to intimidate. Cameron looked over Jareth measuring him up; comparing them wondering what it was about this man that Sarah found so appealing. What made Jareth better than Cameron? Sarah hung her head silently wishing that Cameron wouldn't provoke Jareth. Jareth was unpredictable. Insulting him would not be good.

"Is that supposed to frighten me?" Jareth replied casually as he looked Cameron over from head to toe never meeting his eyes. The way Jareth had just examined Cameron wasn't entirely casual but predatory and a hint of sexual. This made Cameron uneasy and even angrier.

"You wanna go fruit cake?" Cameron said as he felt his temper rise. Something about this guy rubbed him the wrong way. Could be the fact that up until three months ago Cameron and Sarah had been 'in love' and now here she was married to another guy. A fruit cake by the looks of it. He squared his shoulders and puffed out his chest.

Jareth scoffed thoroughly unimpressed. Fruit cake, indeed. He was going to mop the floor with this kid.

Jareth just smiled lazily looking once again out over the parking lot. "I am not to be trifled with, boy." Something flashed in Jareth's eyes, a dangerous something. Up until now Jareth had appeared like a normal, human, middle aged man, but now his features had changed slightly. The contours of his face were more severe, his eyes shone much more brightly, his skin seemed to have an ethereal glow. Sarah's eyes widened. She'd only seen Jareth like this once, during their final confrontation after the Escher room.

Cameron's face turned a new shade of red but he backed down. There was something about this man that made him uneasy. The man's outward appearance was young but the tiny glimpse into his strange eyes showed years beyond comprehension of wisdom, and a ferocity that made the young man's insides curl with apprehension. He turned back towards Sarah, "this is your husband?"

"Yes, his name is Jareth and if you two are done having your pissing contest…" Sarah let the sentence hang showing both men just how annoyed she was with their bravado.

Jareth waved his gloved hand dismissing the previous conversation as if to say 'there's no problem here' looking as normal as ever. Just another normal human being sitting here. Cameron opened his hand wide also dismissing the confrontation between the two men. "Well, I think I better go. It was good to see you Sarah. Next time you're in town, we'll go to lunch."

Sarah smiled and hugged him. "Thanks, Cam. I'd like that. See ya." Jareth and Sarah watched as Cameron strode quickly into the mall. Sarah turned towards her husband, her smile fading instantly. "Let's go home," she said furiously not waiting for his reply.

Once they were inside the car and away from any prying ears Sarah rounded on Jareth. "What the hell was that?"

"What?" he asked flatly, knowing full well what she was referring to. In his, dare he say jealously, yes he had to admit he'd been jealous of Cantaloupe or whatever his name was; he'd gone all otherworldly to try and be intimidating. A tactic which worked, he thought smugly.

"Don't play dumb, Jareth. You know exactly what I am talking about," Sarah ground out heatedly as she clenched her fingers against the steering wheel turning her knuckles white. Without giving him a chance to answer, she carried on. "I have to watch you every day play kissy face with that whore. Cameron is a friend. He may have been my boyfriend at the time we were married but I'm not seeing him anymore. Not now that I'm married to you and living in the Underground with YOU. You didn't have to act like a child."

"Do we have to do this right now?" Jareth asked tiredly. He leaned his head against the window relishing the feel of the cool glass against his forehead. He didn't want to fight with Sarah. Ok, maybe he'd been wrong to pick a fight with the boy. And perhaps it'd been a waste of energy to alter his appearance. An effect, he was feeling in tenfold.

"Yes, I am your wife, Jareth. I am sick of playing second fiddle," Sarah rambled on angrily as she jammed down the gas.

Jareth sighed, "What are you talking about?"

"You know damned well what I am talking about. I am talking about Valentine."

"What relevance does she have to our conversation?" Jareth asked as the first trickling of anger found its way into his voice. Memories of his fight with Ardeth flooded his memory causing his resentment to rise.

"Don't you dare get mad." Sarah barked with a quick glance out of the corner of her eye.

"No, of course not. Why should I get mad when you are screaming at me like a lunatic?" Jareth replied sarcastically.

Sarah scoffed, "I have every right to scream at you. I'm hoping that you'll understand how I feel. The inferiority I feel to your precious Valentine. How it makes me feel to know that I am the laughing stock of the Underground because my husband cannot be faithful?"

"You cannot expect me to give up a 40 year relationship just because of a twist of events that caused me to wed a mortal?" Jareth told her defiantly. His hand was over his eyes as he continued pressing his face against the glass. He knew this day would come but up until the meeting with Cameron they'd been enjoying themselves. In fact, the last few weeks had gone so well for them.

"Yes, I do expect you to. I gave up everything to help you. I left my home, deserted my family, and disappeared from a six month relationship with a respectable man. I did it all for you. And you cannot even give me the common courtesy to break off a sexual relationship with a woman who could never have been your wife. A woman you have no other ties or prospects with except for the intimate bond you share. I don't think that is too much to ask, Jareth, not after what I sacrificed for you."

"I love her," Jareth whispered. Sarah felt her heart breaking. After all they'd been through in the past three months; he still loved Valentine over her. He still chose the red headed Fae over his wife. Sarah felt the tears pooling in her eyes. He'd never professed his love for Valentine before, not to her anyhow. She'd suspected it, been told by others of it, but never confronted with it by Jareth. Sarah sniffled violently trying to will away the tears but failed.

She took a deep breath, "I can't do this."

Jareth glanced at her his face an unreadable mask. The guilt he felt was almost overwhelming. He realized that Sarah had been silently suffering and he'd been the cause of her suffering with his own blind ambition. He didn't offer her any words. Instead, he reached his hand over to wipe away her tears. Sarah jerked away violently causing the car to swerve with her. "Don't touch me."

Jareth let his hand fall back onto his lap. How quickly their relationship had turned for the worst. Sarah continued to cry before she pulled over onto the side of the road unable to see through her tears. She started shaking her head. Jareth just watched unsure of what to do, unsure of how to console her especially when he was the one causing her grief.

"I can't do this," she repeated as she continued to shake her head and wiping her eyes with her sleeve. "I hope I'm not pregnant." She said suddenly. Jareth jerked his head towards her. Sarah glanced at him and almost let out a joyous crow at the pain on his face. But the part of Sarah that loved him, which was a rather large annoying part, wept at the pain she had just caused him with her words. She knew above everything else, Jareth was looking forward to being a father and denying him that one life ambition would destroy him. His eyes searched her face, waiting for her to revoke her words, apologize for them.

"I won't bring a child into a loveless marriage. Not now, not ever," she said driving the point home. Sarah was hurt and confused so she decided to drive the nail in a little deeper instead of apologizing which had been her first instinct. Jareth stared at her a few moments longer; his face contorted in agony, his eyes gleamed with what may have been unshed tears, then he disappeared leaving Sarah alone in the car. Sarah's mouth hung open in shock. Never in her wildest dreams had she expected him to leave. The tears came in wracking sobs now.

When Sarah returned home, Jareth had not been there. Dinner had come and gone and still Jareth had not returned. Night gave away to the dawn and still Jareth had not returned. Sarah had waited up all night, ready to apologize. Ready to give him the world but he never came back.

It was on the fifth day Aboveground since Jareth had left her in the car alone that Sarah resigned to the fact that Jareth had left her and he was not coming back. She missed him. She missed his spicy fragrance, the baritone accented voice, his wicked sense of humor, and she even missed his deliciously tight pants. She had a hard time sleeping without feeling his warmth just on the other side of the bed or his gentle breathing that lulled her to sleep. She'd been so used to falling asleep with the light on because Jareth read into the wee hours of the morning that she'd began leaving a light on all night.

Undoubtedly, Sarah had fallen into a depression, she didn't sleep, and she didn't eat. She wanted to go home to her husband. She deeply regretted the conversation in the car. But damn it, she'd been right. He had no right to treat her as second best but perhaps she could have approached the situation a little better. His arrogant way of dealing with Cameron had angered her though. As if he was some superior being who was above 'us mere mortals'. Then Sarah realized. She wasn't thinking of things from his point of view. Jareth was a superior being; ancient, powerful and wise. He wasn't human and the sooner she began regarding him for what he really was instead of comparing him to the likes of Cameron, the better off she'd be. She regretted telling him she didn't want his children. It was a lie. Sarah loved Jareth and nothing would make her happier than to bear his children. But she'd wanted him to hurt, the same way he'd hurt her. When he'd admitted he loved Valentine, Sarah thought she may die of a broken heart.

Feeling lost and depressed, Sarah ran herself a hot bath. For extra relaxation, Sarah poured some lavender scented bath salts into the water. After stripping off her clothing, Sarah settled herself into the water leaning her head back onto the side and closing her eyes. The hot water felt so good on her tired muscles. Sarah sat like that for a while until the water started to cool and the muscles of her neck became stiff. Opening her eyes, Sarah almost cried out when she noticed something amiss about her body.

Just below her navel was an unmistakable marking, a blue thumb print.

Inspiration strikes in the early morning! You guys are so lucky. A little angst in this chapter. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks again to all my reviewers. 176 reviews! Whew! That makes me so happy. I do read each and every one of them too.