Just a short chapter for now. And yes, I have decided on what Jareth wants. Guess away!

Time Above - Time Below - Chapter (S/J)

Late 1987 – 13.8 Years (S & J)

Chapter 25

Sarah was stunned by Jareth's proposal. Part of her wanted to be outraged. Another part of her was silently approving of his evil genius. She put it down to too much time Underground; her mortal mind now bent with immortal concerns.

"That's… surprisingly fair," she admitted.

Jareth smiled the smile of a crocodile. Sarah knew better than to smile back.

"Isn't it just?" Jareth insisted, flicking his hair in smug triumph.

Gavyn thought the same, but remained wary on her behalf, "Are ye sure, me girl?"

"It's less than what we'll all lose if this war doesn't go our way," she reasoned with Gavyn, then turning back to Jareth clarified, "But we need to work out terms. I agree in principle."

"Of course," he sniffed, but the smile soon returned, "Terms can wait. I am satisfied for now. Only…"

Sarah rolled her eyes, "What?"

"Only what if… Merlin forbid, you don't, shall we say, make it, through this war? Hmm…"

"Your concern is palpable," Sarah deadpanned.

Jareth waved a careless hand, "Well, how could you fulfil our agreement if you're not here? Perhaps some assurance would not go astray."

"Well, if you cark it, I say the agreement is off. It's not like you'll be here to collect," she grinned at his expression, anc continued her jibing, "Everything with a beginning, has an end," she sing-songed, "I'm just saying. Perhaps you might get your affairs in order."

Jareth's lips moved between a smirk and a scowl, "You know what I want if you 'cark it'," he finger-quoted.

Sarah rocked on her heels, popping the 'p' as she replied, "Nope."

"Nope? What is this nope? Savage little mortal," Jareth groused, "It is only right I should receive due reward."

"Rewards are for heroes. This is a business negotiation," Sarah corrected, "And so here is the deal: if I live, our agreement stands. If I die, it's off."

"That is completely unfair."

Sarah was now smiling the smile of a crocodile, "Consider it an incentive, if it helps; something to inspire you to protect your investment."

Now it was Jareth who was silently approving of her evil genius. It was invigorating.

"Then we have an accord?" he asked, holding out his hand.

Sarah confidently took his hand to shake it, and when he suddenly yanked her to him she managed to stifle her yelp. Instead she gave a baleful glare into his mismatched eyes.

His eyes searched hers; flicking back and forth under the sharp swoop of his eyebrows that dared her to cower away from him. She was oddly aware that he was wearing gloves. Even still, she could feel the raw magic upon him. The feel of it crawled over her skin, as if searching for weaknesses in her metaphysical armour. She stood her ground, chin lifted in defiance as her own elemental abilities awoke with a warning growl. Her inner fire flamed momentarily, a natural reaction of its need to consume, sniffing at Jareth as if he were a seven-course meal with leftovers to spare. Her eyes blackened momentarily as the pupils dilated, and for once it was Jareth who stepped away. She couldn't help but track his movements, the hunger slowly fading from her gaze. When the hunger had gone she maintained her composure, filing that little incident away as something to deal with later. After a moment, she spoke to break the silence. Her voice was unnaturally husky.

"Agreed."

There was little else to say after that. Gavyn quickly ushered Sarah away, shooting warning looks at Jareth as they went. Gavyn understood the power of fire and was more concerned for Sarah's peace of mind than Jareth's health or safety.

"Stupid fae bastard," he muttered all the way back to the barge, "Dumb-arse teraks never know when to stop playing games."

Sarah was surprisingly okay; even a little elated on the journey home. The thrill of catching prey in her sights was a startling but not unwelcome feeling. Some small part of her wondered at how far she had come, and how much of her humanity she had left behind in the few years she had been Underground. But she did not so much regret it as understand it as a consequence of her choices. Perhaps had she stayed Above, she might have finished school and gone onto college where she would complete some study or other only to find a low-paying entry-level job afterward. She'd live in a rundown little apartment, and hope against hope that she'd be able to keep Toby with her. She would have done it, and she would have been damn proud of herself for keeping it together. But she hadn't stayed. She'd run away, and in the short time she'd been Underground she'd led a people to a new country, become their leader, and kept Toby safe. She'd gained unimaginable abilities, faced off against enemies past and present, and had become a political force in her own right. She was living her own adventure.

"Who needs Kansas!" she laughed to herself.

"Who's Kansas?" Gavyn asked behind her.

She laughed again, "Noone, oh great and powerful Oz."

"Lost ye marbles overboard?"

She nodded with enthusiasm before pointing ahead, declaring, "Second star to the left and straight on till morning!"

She laughed then, long and hard, till her sides ached and the tears ran down her face. Gavyn shook his head and called her crazy, but still smiled at her antics. It was best to laugh now, he thought. Because with the war coming they would undoubtedly all cry later.