Once again, very little actually happens. Plot advancement next chapter, I promise! Though there are, of course, giggles to be had, and Jareth being awesome. As per usual.

Again, I've never been bungee-jumping, I don't know how to spell carabeena, and i didn't have internet to check it, so hopefully you can forgive me for my lack of knowledge extreme-ness wise.

I do not own the Labyrinth or any related wotsits. I am considering investing in an Oubliette of Really Pointy Things. It sounds like a lot of fun ;)

Reviews are my happy!

Chapter Thirteen

Jareth kept his arm around Sarah's shoulders until they were at the base of the ladder, where he assumed an expression of extreme distaste while Randy helped them both into their harnesses and reminded them how to use the carabeenas. Jareth scowled as the chirpy blonde pulled Sarah's straps tight, fighting hard to resist the urge to Bog him on the spot. He also changed his harness from a gaudy red to a regal silver as soon as Randy's back was turned.

"Alright! I'll go up first, and you two can follow after me! I'll be up there to give you a hand if you need me, ok?" Randy started the climb with lightning swiftness, transferring the carabeena attached to his harness between the loops that occurred every four rungs.

Jareth moved closer to Sarah with the pretence of double-checking her harness. He used the loop at the front to pull their bodies together, leaning forward to murmur in her ear. His breath tickled her throat and sent electrical chills running down her spine.

"Nothing is going to happen to you." He purred. "You are completely safe as long as I am here, understand me? I would never let anything happen to you."

She nodded weakly, leaning her head momentarily against his chest. His lips brushed her hair for the briefest of seconds, then he stood back and made a sweeping gesture to the ladder, bowing mockingly.

"After you, Milady." He smirked.

"Not yet, I'm not." She replied with a shaky bravado.

"Yet."

Sarah shot him a dirty look, then pulled herself onto the ladder. she advanced slowly, clinging desperately to the metal frame. Jareth patted her backside as she rose above him, and she whipped her head around to glare at him.

"You're doing wonderfully." He grinned wolfishly up at her.

Sarah secretly thanked him, focusing on her anger rather than the thought of falling and dying horribly.

Fluffy git, fluffy git, fluffy git...

Before she knew it, Randy's tanned arm was reaching down to pull her up, and she was crouching on the platform, drawing deep, shuddering breaths.

There. Piece of cake.

"Hey, that was swell!" Randy grinned at her. "You did really great, Sally!"

"Sarah." She corrected.

"Sure." Randy peered over the edge. "How you doin' down there, Jack?"

Sarah thought she heard something that sounded like an insult, then Jareth was climbing over the edge of the platform with all his usual grace and elegance.

"Boy, you sure are a fast climber!" Randy clapped him on the back, making Jareth stiffen. "Are you sure you followed all the safety precautions?"

Jareth gave him a withering look, then bent down to help Sarah to her feet.

"I am going to have to come up with something even more horrendous than the Bog of Eternal Stench for him." Jareth whispered to her. "Something really nasty. I'm thinking some kind of Pit. Or maybe the Oubliette of Really Pointy Things."

"Original." Sarah clung to his arm, not trusting her own legs. She stared pointedly at the floor, not brave enough to risk a peek at the view.

"Come on, kids!" Randy called to them. "You can get those harnesses off now! We're just about there!"

Jareth shuddered delicately, waiting for the instructor to turn before making his and Sarah's harnesses fall to the ground with a subtle wave of his fingers. He stepped out of his with his nose in the air, a regal look on his features.

Sarah was somewhat less elegant, but Jareth didn't seem to mind.

He slipped his hand over hers, squeezing tightly. She clung to him as though he were her only lifeline, taking shaky steps towards the bridge. She looked up into his face, his elegant profile lit by the sun in such a way as to almost dazzle her with his beauty. Then her stomach faltered as she realised he looked... nervous. What did the Goblin King have to be nervous about? Was it something she should be nervous about as well? What was going on?

Sarah's breath became ragged, her palms sweaty. Jareth shot her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hand. He seemed confident, with maybe an edge on anticipation, but nervous? No. She'd been imagining things. A trick of the light. But there it was again; as he'd turned his head, the unmistakable signs of nervousness had clearly been there on his face.

Sarah took a deep breath as she shuffled across the bridge. It was nothing, nothing to worry about. He was probably just a little nervous about how high they were.

He can turn into an owl, you twat. I don't think he's afraid of heights, her inner voice reminded her (rather unhelpfully, she thought).

So what was it? What on earth did Jareth have to be nervous about?