Lydia made her way downstairs and saw William waiting for her in the library. Entering the room she smiled and he took her hand, guiding her to one of the long sofas lining the walls. They were silent for a moment as he rubbed the back of her neck, releasing tension she hadn't realized she was holding in till then.

"Is she all right?" he asked softly.

"He's here," she said, rolling her eyes partly from mild annoyance at Sarah's stubborness, partly from the massage. William tilted his head, listening as he stared up at the ceiling.

"I do not hear glass shattering - this is good, oui?"

"Oui - so far," she laughed, stretching to give him better access to her shoulders. "But the look on her face was priceless. I'm thinking he should have worn his battle armor. William, she's changing."

"Yes, I know - she's starting her transformation into Fae. Physically she is nearly there, but magically -"

"I know all that, I mean I can see she's changing, her eyes are glowing green. I'm human, how can I see she's changing?" Lydia frowned, not sure she wanted to know the answer, but if there was something wrong, she needed to know. She turned to look at him wondering at the shock on his face.

William sat in silence for a few minutes, mulling something over in his mind. He nodded to himself, muttering in French. Lydia stared at him, waiting for him to share his concerns with her. He smiled a few times, seemed to argue with himself, then decided to just stare at her. Finally she lost patience.

"Well, am I sick or something? Did I catch some kind of Fae flu?"

William laughed and took her hand in his. "No, ma cherie, you did not. What you caught was my heart." At her confused look he grinned.

"I don't understand," she said slowly turning to look at him.

"You are my chosen one, I should have realized what the rest of that meant. We are how you say, bonded to each other's heart. What I am able to sense as Fae, you now can also sense. What emotions you choose to share with me in your heart, I can now feel. Is - is this a problem, my Lydia?"

"We can read each other's minds?" she asked, amazed. He leaned in to kiss her nose and she blushed.

"Not yet - but we can sense each other's emotions - and our - I suppose you'd say 'sixth sense' is in tune with each other now." He grinned sheepishly. "I suppose you are stuck with me, my Lydia. You are the other half of my heart for all of time."

A slow smile crossed her face as she realized what he was saying and she flung herself into his arms to kiss him wildly.

Somewhere in the house a door swung open and voices carried to the library.

"William - are you all in the house? We are here," a male voice boomed. William broke away.

"Father," he said quickly, jumping up and grabbing Lydia's hand. "We have to distract them so Jareth can get away."

The adults came into the library, smiling at the two young people holding hands. William's mother had a knowing twinkle in her eye and William inwardly groaned. A Fae mother always knew when her child was in love.

"Where's Sarah?" Robert Wiliams asked. Lydia shot a worried look to William who shrugged.

"She was feeling a bit tired so is resting in her room." Karen looked concerned and put her purse down to leave.

"Is she not feeling well? I should go up there and check on her."

"No!" Lydia almost shouted. At the blank stares of the adults, she grinned weakly. "I mean, she might be sleeping. She said long plane rides always do that to her."

"Well, I'll just check on her quickly," Karen said rushing from the room followed by William's mother, Selia. Lydia sighed.

JSJSJS

Sarah sat on her bed, quickly wiping tears away. She should have known he'd be back, the man hated to lose an argument. He walked slowly towards her, and she drank him in, white poet's shirt halfway opened to her gaze, tight grey pants and black boots. Part of her enjoyed the view but most of her just wanted him to go away and leave her to her misery.

"Sarah, love. We need to talk," he said, kneeling beside the bed, reaching for her hand. She pulled back, putting the bed between them.

"No, I think we said everything that needed saying. You think I'm a distraction from your important kingly duties - a pet to be carried around and coddled."

"I think you are a stubborn, headstrong young woman who feels before she thinks," he said smoothly getting to his feet to circle the bed. She jumped on the mattress and quickly went to the other side. If she could just keep distance between them, she could think rationally.

"I think you're a bully. If everyone does what you ask, you pretend to be generous," she spat out the last word. "But if anyone around you tries to think for themselves you send them away. I bet that is what those oubilettes are really for," she said, backing away from him as he came around the bed, smiling at her. "And stop smiling. I'm angry with you."

"Of course you are, I was unfair," he said, lingering on the last word. "I wanted to protect you, protect Valeria - and instead I cursed her to an endless stream of nightmares because her mind is trying to remember the night my parents died. And I pushed you away - the one person i should never wish to push away." He was closer now, almost close enough to grab her, to pull him to her and kiss her within an inch of her life. If he could just get her to lower her defenses.

Sarah muttered a spell and teleported away from him. Suddenly she was outside the room, staring in from the other side of the locked window. Her face registered where she was and she swore. Jareth was amazed that her magic was gaining strength. He had to find a way to remove the original spell but he needed her consent. Hard to get when she was standing on a ledge outside the mansion.

"I so did not see that coming," she said to herself, trying not to panic. The window was locked from the inside. What would happen if she tried teleporting again? She could end up anywhere.

"Sarah love, come back and talk with me," Jareth pleaded. Sarah shook her head.

"No, you leave my room, then I'll come back in," she called back and almost lost her footing. She gasped and reached out to hold onto the stone wall. Jareth ran to the window and unlocked it, pulling it open to reach for her. Sarah shook her head again and slipped. Jareth grabbed her arm and pulled her inside to safety.

"Let me go, I was doing fine on my own," she almost yelled at him.

"Your spells are impressive, but you need help," he growled, holding him to her. He could hear her heart racing and annoyed as he still was with her for not listening to him, he was relieved that her heart still beat. He hoped it still beat for him.

"I don't need anything from you," she said shakily as he reached down to tilt her face up to his. His eyes darkened and he leaned in, lips moments away from hers.

"Yes, you do," he whispered. "You need more from me than you care to admit right now, but you are mine. Nothing has changed."

"You banished me," she whispered back. His smirk came closer, willing her to meet it halfway. Her breath became shallow as her eyes started to close. No, what was she doing? Letting him distract her? Her eyes grew wide as she read the intention in his.

"I sent you home so that I might fight a ruthless enemy without worrying for your safety," he reminded her. "I long to protect my beautiful queen." He kissed her under her right ear, sending chills through her body. "I long to keep her safe from all who would harm her." His lips gave tiny kisses down her throat as his arms tightened around her.

"Jareth," Sarah sighed. "Why did you come here after sending me away?" She pushed him away and walked backwards towards the door, him following like a predator, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You are mine. And I missed you," he said simply.

"I'm yours, am I? I think I told you that there were other boys who would be happy to spend time with me," she said, watching as his eyes narrowed. "Boys who won't push me away for saying what I think. You should go back home - I wouldn't want to distract you or anything."

"There are no other boys, Sarah," he growled, reaching for her. She struggled in his arms even as her body sang to his. "There can never be another for either of us."

"I haven't forgiven you and you can just go back and bully your sisters. I'm going to have a wonderful Christmas whether you are here or not."

His expression became dangerous and he leaned in to kiss her again.

"Sarah - are you all right? Is that a man in there?" Karen's voice came from the door. The doorknob turned and Sarah pushed Jareth away from her.

"You have to leave," she hissed. Jareth glared.

"I think not," he said, "you need my help. I'm trying to explain." The door started to open and Sarah waved an arm muttering at Jareth. He found himself transformed into an owl. Hooting angrily he flew to the top of her canopy bed and glared down at her just as Karen and Selia walked into the room.

"Hi Karen, Mrs. Rousseu, I was just listening to the radio," Sarah said, trying not to look up at Jareth. Karen came in and felt Sarah's forehead.

"You feel warm, are you all right?"

"I'm just a little tired, I heard you come in. I was getting ready to come down to say hello to everyone."

"You do look a bit flushed dear," Selia said glancing up at the owl who was doing its best to hide on top of the canopy. She shook her head slightly and smirked.

"Well you just get back into that bed and rest. I'll have someone come up later when dinner is ready." She kissed Sarah's forehead.

"Your heart is racing, are you sure you're all right?" Karen asked, eyes clouded.

"I'm sure - thanks Karen. I think a nap is just what I need."

Karen left the room slowly followed by Selia who turned to Sarah as Karen walked back down the stairs.

"Give his majesty my regards," she purred.

JSJSJS

Valeria received the summons to the High Council and frowned. What could they want with her? Had she displeased them in some way? She called to her aide, Simmons who bowed to her.

"I am called away, you have the command," she explained.

"Aye my princess, have no fear - I'll guard us well until your return."

"Thank you Simmons, but I have no idea," if I'm returning, she thought to herself, "when I'm returning. I'll try to be in contact with you soon."

Saluting, the princess made her way to the waiting coach. If they had not teleported her directly to them she could not be in deep trouble. But the coach was used for people they thought might not come of their own free will.

She sighed and entered the coach. There was no point in speculation when it came to the Council. They were almost as unpredictable as Jareth. And twice as dangerous when provoked.