Disclaimer: The Labyrinth is a wonderful movie that isn't mine- I just pay tribute to it by writing this little story
Disclaimer: The Labyrinth is a wonderful movie that isn't mine- I just pay tribute to it by writing this little story. The plot as well as Connor and Lili are mine.
A/N: So I've been hyped up from everyone's encouraging reviews (I can't belive there are over 100!) and this is what I have for you. …even though it took a long time. –sigh-
Within
Chapter Eleven: Thrill
Jareth's grin only widened. If anything, her display of eagerness only made him want to kiss her more. He wanted to relish this moment as best as he could. Slowly, his lips made their way to hers. At first, he softly pressed them against hers, teasing her with his touch. Or perhaps, teasing himself.
Overcome with the impulse to further things faster, Sarah couldn't resist the temptation to draw him in. Her hands slowly wrapped around his neck, pulling him toward her. Her lips parted, taking his lower lip into her mouth just a bit. Then hoping to spark a little more enthusiasm out of him, she bit down softly on his lip. Soon enough, Sarah got what she wanted. Jareth's lips parted and their tongues finally met.
The kiss lasted for quite some time. Sarah's hand slowly drifted from Jareth's neck to his jaw. The way her fingers traced his jawline… the way her other hand fit so perfectly draped around his neck… Her touch was all the encouragement he needed to deepen their kiss.
Sarah felt as if she was melting. Her emotions and senses felt like they were slowly meshing into one. Everything fit perfectly, even if it was just for this moment. With each second passing, troubling thoughts of current life problems and future concerns disintegrated from her consciousness.
Before she knew it, Jareth's arms had wrapped themselves around her in a strong embrace and their kiss ended. As her eyes slowly opened, Sarah found that Jareth's expression had softened and for the first time there was no arrogance about him. 'This man is full of surprises,' she told herself, 'I hardly know anything about him.'
"Jareth?" she asked softly. This time, her eyes didn't avert away from him. He liked the way his name sounded escaping from her lips. In response, all he did was raise a brow. Sarah's expression had changed then. She shot him a puzzled look. "I don't know anything about you."
All he did was grin.
"Don't be so concerned, love." Jareth was proud that he was a step ahead of her. "That will be resolved during our little trip together. Anyway," he continued, "it seems that there are a few things I don't know about you." And with that, his hold on her released.
Her eyes narrowed for a brief moment when she realized what- or rather who he implied. "What ever could you mean?" her mocking tone challenged him.
"Well," he rested his arm right next to her head on the tree trunk. "It seems that you and that writer have quite the chemistry."
The corner of her mouth began to stretch into a grin as she cocked her head to the side. "Jealous, are you?"
'It only makes me want you more.' His brain commented.
Conner sighed. Once again, he sat in front of an empty computer screen. He thought he found happiness. 'So much for that.' His mind ridiculed, 'How many years has it been?'
His fingers began to type rhythmically. With each stroke, beautiful prose began to appear on the blank white space. "For what felt like an eternity- and it was, he was doomed to be alone for all the years of his life… or so it seemed." He said as his fingers listened. 'Melodramatic, isn't it?' he sighed. "For thousands upon thousands of years, I have seen remarkable things."
Connor couldn't help laughing at himself, "Falling in love with such beauty is always my mistake."
A few minutes passed since she mentioned that word. Still, there was no response for him. Jareth's mind was too busy- Connor was a threat to him… and a threat no matter how big or small, was still a threat.
"Jareth?" Her brows knitted together and concern was clearly visible in her eyes. When this attempt to gain his reaction failed, Sarah's worries began to take over. 'Is he mad?' was one thought that came to her. 'Maybe he's hurt…?' was another possibility.
After mustering up some courage and energy, she placed her hand around his. "Hey.."
His hand slipped out of hers and in turn, his arm wrapped around her. 'Finally!' she thought. "What were you thinking about?" curiosity got the best of her.
Jareth shook his head. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with." He attempted to reassure. 'Though it does concern you,' his brain chimed in.
Sarah let a frown show for a brief few seconds. Then as if an idea came to her and brightened the moment, a smile reappeared. "I must be out of my mind," she said particularly to herself. "I was going to meet one of my friends for dinner. She's a really good friend… but anyway, would you like to come with?" In a way, she hoped that he was turned off to the idea. Maybe then she could stop and think about this future he proposed and he wouldn't be around to influence her. Yet, a part of her wanted him to stay. After all, the unknown was the most thrilling.
"Possibly," he put a gloved finger to his lips.
It seemed that ever since she admitted it, he grew more and more attractive. His pose with his finger on his lip set her in a trance.
Slowly, as if he was unsure, Jareth spoke, "I've got to take care of things for a moment… but yes, dinner would be nice."
A smile crossed her face. "So…would two hours be too early? I was going to meet her by six."
"No, no. That should be enough." He said taking a step closer to her.
In a way, she expected him to move toward her. She knew by now that he'd try to impress her or leave her with thoughts of him. So instead of giving him this opportunity, she decided to take her own chances. Just when he was close enough, just when he was going to act suave and make his move, she kissed him. She wasn't sure if he was surprised or not, but it didn't matter. 'Maybe there's magic in his lips…and its just so relaxing. Like a drug…' her brain commented as it was melting.
It was over almost as soon as it started. His gaze stayed on her for a moment. Shortly after, a grin crossed his face. She could imagine his potential words, 'Interesting, I'm amused,' her brain tried its best to mimic his accent.
Jareth knew what she was thinking. He could tell so easily. It wasn't because he could effortlessly tap into her psyche, but it was easy to read her actions. Her posture, her expressions, and all her little tendencies to do certain things when she was feeling a specific emotion were easy to distinguish. "Interesting? I'm amused?" Jareth let a small chuckle escape him. "No, rather, …I'm quite impressed, love." Before his words could process in her head, he had disappeared.
Jareth was proud of both himself and his future queen, but this wasn't the time to relish such thoughts. After making his way to the throne room, the Goblin King began to utter specific orders to his subjects. "Clean up! I want this room spotless!" "Make sure the whole castle is presentable!"
Finally, it was time for the most crucial part of the plan.
"Azan?" Jareth called out.
"Yes, your highness?" responded a large burly Dwarf.
Jareth bent his knees and lowered himself to talk to Azan. "I'd like you to find the dwarf known as Hoggle. I think you should know his whereabouts. Bring him back to the castle."
The dwarf nodded. "Of course, your highness."
As the dwarf made his way to the door leading to the Goblin City, a grin emerged from Jareth's lips. "Perfect," he said softly. "She'll be mine soon." He laughed. It had been a long while since he laughed like this. Perhaps since the little boy, Toby had been in his arms.
The goblins in his throne room stared at him, not knowing exactly why their king was in such a good mood. When Jareth noticed this, his laughter subsided. "Well? Laugh." He commanded. In less than a second, laughter filled the castle beyond the Goblin City.
"Lili?" Sarah asked, pressing the phone receiver to her ear. "Do me a favor please? ...No, I'm not canceling my plans with you." Sarah sighed. Lili seemed always extra paranoid when it came to last minute phone calls. Especially if something was planned for the day. "No, Lili. No- Hey! I said I wasn't going to cancel. Yeah... So I was going to ask if I could bring a friend along?" Another sigh escaped Sarah's lips. "No, not the writer guy. No...he's- Well, you know what Lili? I still have to get ready so if you really are dying to hear about him then just come over for a bit. The door is open."
An almost high shrieking sound could be heard from the opposite end of the line, followed by a 'click'.
Sarah laughed. "I guess that was a yes," she said hanging up the phone.
A previously packed box was sliced open and had its contents spilling out. It seemed as if the shirts, dresses, skirts, and pants packed in the box ripped their way out and were trying to escape. Two different options were awaiting Sarah's decision. She had them in her arms.
"Which one?" she asked to her reflection in the mirror.
On one hanger was a little black dress. "Because every woman should have a little black dress! I just happen to have more than one." she commented to no one in particular. From the front, the dress would appear to be normal, but from the back it was another story. The simple tank top sleeves went from, well, simple to crossing x's until her lower back. In a way it was a bit risqué,
but it still had a nice, elegant look. If all else failed, Sarah planned to bring a light jacket with her.
On the other hand, her other option begged to be given attention. Though it was less flashy than its black counterpart, the loose coral tank-top-style dress was very flattering. Not to mention that the color of the dress brought out the color of her lips too.
In midst of her decision making, the doorbell rang.
"I'm upstairs," she yelled. Surprisingly, Lili must have heard her because she could hear footsteps rushing her way.
"Since when do you get so excited about things like this?" Sarah asked as Lili made her way through the doorway.
"Since my best friend who I hardly talk to ends up with a special friend who isn't gorgeous writer guy!" Lili responded, laughing. "So who is he?"
A wide smile emerged on Sarah's face. "Well, which one do you think I should wear?" she asked holding up both of her alternatives.
"Who is he?" Lili put a hand on her hip this time. A smile was still on her face, but she was getting more serious with every answer-dodge Sarah gave.
Sarah hesitated to answer. "He's a ...king...of sorts." she said, cautious with her words.
Lili had a tendency to wear her emotions on her sleeve. Her brows furrowed together and she shot Sarah a look of disbelief. Lili pursed her lips together before speaking, "A …king?"
"Well, not a king!" Sarah laughed partially out of her own insecurity. "He's kind of odd at first, but well, you'll see for yourself. Anyway, which one?" she held up the two dresses.
"Oh you mean he's foreign? Well, honey, if he's foreign I'd pick that little baby." Lili pointed to the black dress. "It looks like it'll reveal a little and still leave him guessing, ya know?"
Sarah took this opportunity to shoo Lili out of the room. That way there would be time to really consider the choice and plan out how to approach certain things in the evening-should they occur.
Endless thoughts made their way through her mind as she slipped on the black dress. Lili was right on the dot. The material of the dress hugged her curves and the back was especially eye catching. "I should cover this up and surprise him with it later."
A/N: Its so hard to believe that this story has over 110 reviews! You've made me so happy! Thanks for your encouragement everyone. I look forward to reading more of your reviews! Again, I have to apologize! I'm sorry I took so long to update. I guess we can look forward to updates every other week for now. School has been piling on exams and such so my attention was geared toward taking care of those things.
Thank you to- aaanderson, animetvgirl, TheBabeWithThePower9, carrie132, CoffeeKris, futrCSI1490, Ginabella59, HappyDepressive, hazlgrnlizzy, Irene Sharda, jojo661538, notwritten, Percy McNeal, SuicidalAphrodite, Violetcarson,
