AN: Sorry that this is being put up so late tonight, but I had the day from hell at work. I didn't even get home until 8:30 tonight! Anyway, this part is a bit longer, so enjoy it. And please, R & R. ~ Saphire
Disclaimer: Do I have to do this for every chapter? You should know this by now….
Part ten: I Will Not Beg
Sarah couldn't get interested in the movie on TV. Instead, she snuggled closer to Ben. He started to slowly rub her shoulder, kissing the top of her head,
"Feeling better?" he asked gently, referring to her odd behavior the past two weeks, especially yesterday.
Sarah looked up at him and nodded. He brushed his lips gently across hers and she sighed,
"How do you put up with me?"
Ben laughed softly, "Patience. Miles and miles of patience."
Sarah giggled and he pulled her into a deep kiss. Sarah had almost lost herself in the kiss, but she felt somebody watching her. Glaring at her was more like it. Still kissing the insistent Ben, she opened her eyes. There, behind Ben, stood Jareth, arms crossed and glaring at her. She gasped and broke her kiss with Ben. Her fiancé looked at her inquisitively, then turned to follow her gaze. Sarah held her breath, waiting for Ben's reaction. Seeing nothing, Ben turned back to his fiancée.
"What's wrong, Sarah?" he asked.
Sarah blinked at Ben, "N - nothing," she stuttered.
Ben shrugged and leaned in for another kiss. Sarah had just closed her eyes when she heard someone clear their throat. She glanced over Ben's shoulder to see Jareth, who had moved a few steps closer. He still looked angry, but now there was an amused glint to his gaze as he raised his eyebrow. His typical mocking smirk was on his face. Ben sighed, seeing he had lost Sarah's attention once again. He turned once again, but still saw nothing.
"What are you looking at, Sarah?" he asked, exasperated.
He reached his arm out and passed his hand in front of him as if looking for something. Sarah gave a surprised little cry as his hand passed right through Jareth without resistance. She had to remind herself of his similar trick in the Escher Room all those years ago. The amusement in the Goblin King's eyes grew so that his gaze seemed to dance. Sarah blinked deliberately, but he was still there, head cocked to the side, watching her intently.
Sarah stood up abruptly, gaze fixed on Jareth, "I - I'll be right back, Ben," she said hurriedly, rushing to her room and shutting the door.
Ben sat for a moment, completely bewildered, but he could've sworn he heard a man laughing. Yet, when he turned his head, no one was there.
"Maybe I need some air," he said to himself, hastily heading for the door.
Sarah glared at Jareth as he leaned against her bedroom door.
"That was - amusing," the king said finally.
Sarah exploded, as he figured she would, "Amusing!?!? What the hell do you think you're doing!? Why are you even here?!"
Jareth didn't move a muscle and showed no sign of regret for walking in on Sarah and Ben. Sarah paced in front of him, trying to get some handle on her anger so as not to strangle the Goblin King leaning so nonchalantly against her door. She could feel his eyes follow her as she walked, the anger to his gaze returning, and she blushed at the situation he had found her in. He was indeed angry with her, and she was even angrier with herself for feeling guilty, like she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't have been doing. She raked a hand through her hair, and spun on her heel to face Jareth.
"Answer me, dammit!" she demanded.
Jareth's jaw clenched. He wasn't used to anybody demanding anything of him. Add to that he upset at finding her kissing her deplorable fiancé…he was finding it hard not to walk to her and shake some sense into her beautiful head. But, that wouldn't help his cause. As if her demanding tone wasn't enough, he actually had to try and be humble before her.
After a moment to compose himself, the Goblin King decided to speak, "I came here to talk to you about the Labyrinth."
Sarah did a double take; he had just ignored what she'd said.
"W - what? The Labyrinth? What does that have to do with you just barging in on Ben and me?!?" she exclaimed, frustration mounting.
Jareth's gaze bore into hers, causing Sarah's face to flush, "Believe me when I say that was as unpleasant for me as it was for you."
Sarah's mouth dropped open. That bastard! How was she supposed to respond to that?
"How - how dare you?!" she shrieked, not being able to think of anything better.
"I am a king, Sarah, as you tend to forget. I do as I please," Jareth responded coolly. "Now," he continued holding up a hand to stop Sarah before she could interrupt him, "I didn't come here to discuss that pitiful excuse for a fiancé -"
"Stop it! Just stop! You don't even know him."
The king raised an eyebrow, "Do I have to?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sarah asked accusingly.
Jareth pushed himself from the doorframe and advanced toward Sarah, speaking and gesturing all the while.
"It means, Sarah, that I don't have to know him to know what he's like. Let me guess. You met in a public place somewhere, maybe and office party. You were by yourself and he came over. He started a conversation, fed you some lines, snuck his arm around you and left with your number. He waited for you to tell him you loved him first before he'd say it. When you fight, he buys you cheap trinkets to pacify you. He does the same for holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries - when he remembers them. He doesn't like Toby, but grins and bears it to stem off a fight. And, for a proposal, he took you out to dinner, the same tiny, over-priced place from your first date, then to a park where he fed you more meaningless lines - no LIES - about his love and asked 'will you marry me', presenting you with that pitiful excuse for a diamond ring to show his supposed undying love. Am I right?"
By the time he had finished, he had Sarah backed up against the bed. Sarah flushed a scarlet red, he mouth hanging open. She had first met Ben when a few of her co-workers had dragged her to a bar. She hadn't been looking for anyone, but somehow, Ben had left that night with her number. He had taken Sarah to the same restaurant as their first date the night he proposed…in the park. But, the rest, it wasn't true, it couldn't be true. Jareth was standing mere inches away from her, his eyes glowing with his anger. She could feel his warm breath fan across her face, smell his unique scent of magic and something else she knew only as him, and could feel the aura of power around him. She couldn't think like this, it was dizzying, he was dizzying, and she needed space. But, when she went to back-up, her legs hit the bed and she lost her balance, landing in a sitting position on the bed. Sarah felt tears burn her eyes and quickly looked down, willing them away. Jareth watched her carefully and sighed, letting the anger fade from his body. He moved and sat down next to Sarah, but she wouldn't look at him.
"Sarah?" he questioned.
Nothing.
He sighed again, chasing his remaining frustration away as he heard her sniffle. Gently, he reached and cupped her chin in his gloved hand, turning her to face him. Sure enough, small tears escaped her eyes, rolling down her still flushed cheeks. He reached with his other hand and wiped them away softly, wishing he wasn't wearing gloves and could feel her skin, then quickly chasing that thought away.
"I'm sorry," he said suddenly, surprising even himself. He never apologized…at least not that easily. "I should keep my opinions to myself…I will in the future."
Sarah looked at him blankly, more tears rolling down her face.
He used both hands to cradle her face, using his thumbs to wipe her tears, "Don't cry, please. I'm sorry."
Finally, Sarah found her voice, "It's - it's ok."
She pulled from his grasp and wiped at her face. Jareth watched her quietly, astounded at his own words, and pleased that Sarah had forgiven him. He had taken his speech too far, letting his anger get the better of him…he truly hadn't mean to make her that upset. After a stretched moment of silence, Sarah decided to speak,
"What - what did you want to talk about, Jareth?"
The Goblin King shook himself from his thoughts at her voice, "Oh.. The Labyrinth."
"Why? I already know I'm responsible for everything…you've made that crystal clear."
"No, there's more," Jareth started.
"What more could I have possibly done to it? It's already gone…my friend's hate me….you hate me -"
"I don't hate you, Sarah. I am angry with you, yes, but I don't hate you."
"But why are you angry with me? I didn't do it on purpose! I had no idea -"
"You would if you had thought about it. But, that's not the point. I want you to come back with me."
Sarah stared at him in shock, "You what?"
Jareth had predicted her shock. After all, their last conversation…and most of this one, hadn't given her any reason to believe anything other than he did hate her. He was glad he'd at least been able to clear up that point.
"I said, I want you to return to the Labyrinth with me. There is something I wish to show you. It's vital that you come back."
"Go back? With you? Why should I? What could I possibly -"
"Sarah, please, I will not beg you."
"Then it can't be that important, can it?" Sarah snapped, hating the arrogance that had seeped back into his voice with his last statement.
Jareth's eyes widened; a moment ago, this girl - no this woman - had been crying and confused and now she was back to being just plain stubborn. Honestly, he had never understood women, he didn't think he ever would.
"Sarah, it is important"
"Give me one good reason why, Jareth."
He was tired of being humble, and still surprised at her sudden mood swing.
He stood up and towered over her, hands at his hips, "Because you were the one that destroyed the Labyrinth and you are going to help rebuild it!"
Sarah opened her mouth to answer him, but found she couldn't argue his horrible logic. Still, she'd be damned if she went on his command. She couldn't believe this was the same man that had moments ago been holding her and speaking to her so gently. She folded her arms and glared at him.
Jareth sighed impatiently, "Please," he spat the word out.
"Fine," Sarah said.
Before she had even finished, she found herself back in the Labyrinth with Jareth.
