AN: Sorry it's took me so long to get this chapter out but I've been really sick. And as soon as I started to get better the kids caught the bug one by one. And I can't concentrate with kids being grossly sick all over the place, (Sorry for grossing everyone out.) Also this is a transient chapter, and I hate writing these waiting for the real action to begin. So here goes.

Mine

Temptations

Sarah sat on the window seat in her room, looking out over the Labyrinth; it looked so big from up here. How she had ever managed to solve it was a mystery to her. Looking at the labyrinth brought back memories, memories that were better off buried.

A sudden knock at the door startled her out of her musings.

"Um, hang on a minute. I'm er not decent." she stuttered, oh damn if that was Jareth back already. She had still not thought of a suitable plan to explain why she didn't want to see him.

"It's Thea My Lady, may I come in?" At Sarah's affirmative reply, the old gray haired woman that Sarah remembered from the previous night entered. She gave Sarah a puzzled look.

Sarah looked down at herself; she was wearing the robe that she had found at the bottom of her bed that morning. She remembered her excuse for delaying to open the door.

"When I said that I wasn't decent I meant that I wasn't decently dressed you know in. clothes" she finished lamely.

"Mmm, Yes well, I've actually brought you some clothes. His majesty, has asked if you would join him for dinner? If you are feeling well enough that is?" So saying Thee spread a cream brocade dress out for Sarah's inspection.

"You may tell his majesty," Sarah sneered the word majesty. "That I do not feel like going anywhere tonight. That I feel like an early night I'm extremely tired." She knew that she was just prolonging the inevitable, but she just couldn't handle a scene with him tonight. Anyway she reasoned to herself, it wasn't a complete lie, she really was tired. "If I could just have a bath, and clean night clothes I'll just go straight to bed."

"Yes my lady, I'll arrange for a bath immediately, would you also like a tray sent up?"

"Yes okay, Thank you Thea."

Thea nodded her head and left the room.

'Well' Sarah thought "That took care of that, for tonight at least.'

"She's tired?" Jareth asked Thea for the third time in as many minuets.

"Yes, my lord, she asked if she could have a bath, and when I said I'd arrange it, she thanked me, and that was that.

"Mmm, Okay Thea you may go now," Thea curtsied and turned to go.

"Thea wait. did you say she is having a tray sent up?"

"Yes, your majesty, I was just about to prepare one for her now."

"When you have one ready, bring it to me and I will take it up myself." Jareth dismissed Thea again. What was all this about? First her reaction to him this morning, and now she was refusing to dine with him. He would sort this out tonight he determined.

Holding the tray with one hand he knocked on Sarah's door, without waiting for an answer he let himself in. She was sat on the bed, facing the window, a towel wrapped around her. Not bothering to look round she said. "Just put the tray over there."

Jareth put the tray where she had requested, saying as he did. "Your wish is my command, my lady."

Sarah whipped round to look at him, standing she pulled the towel tighter around her, backing away as she did so, "I thought you were the maid with the tray." Was all she could think of to say?

"Well," Jareth chuckled slightly, "I have your tray though I'm not a maid- well not since the last time I looked."

Sarah forced a small laugh. "No, you're defiantly no ones maid." She frantically cast around for a neutral topic of conversation, finding none she chose to remain silent.

Jareth gave her a puzzled look; her face was so easy to read. He stepped toward her, she stepped back, with a sigh he again stepped forward, she again stepped back. Each time he advanced she retreated until she was backed up against the wall. Even then when he stepped forward she slid along the wall away from him.

"Enough," Jareth said finally. "Sarah do you want to tell me why you are running away?"

"If you'll tell me why you're chasing?" Sarah shot back.

"I'm not chasing. I would just like to be closer so that I can talk to you, as apposed to shouting across the room." Jareth took a slow step forward, this time she did not move away.

"You have not answered my question." He prompted.

"What question." She seemed genuinely confused

"Sarah are you okay?" Jareth was worried, why was she so flustered

"I asked why you were running away?"

"I'm not running away, I-I Just like my own personal space." She prefabricated hastily.

"Your own space, Sarah you have at least five feet surrounding you." Jareth couldn't figure her out. Last night she had been so warm to him. A thought stopped him. Maybe she was embarrassed about last night. Or even this morning.

"Sarah there is no need to be embarrassed about the kiss this morning, I turned over in bed, and there you were. It seemed natural to kiss you." His voice was soothing.

"I'm not embarrassed about the kiss. If I'm embarrassed about anything it's the fact that I'm standing here in next to nothing on. So if you would please leave. I can put on some clothes, then I'll eat my dinner, and go to bed." Sarah turned from him, hoping he would do as she'd asked.

"No Sarah I don't think so. I want to talk to you, I have some questions that I would like you to answer."

Sarah wanted to tell him to go to hell, but her curiosity won out. "What kind of questions?" she said turning back to look at him.

"You'll find out as soon as you sit down, and we can begin a conversation like adults. Instead of yelling across a room at each other."

"Okay, if you will just leave while I change." 'Best get this over with.' Sarah's reluctant mind conceded.

Jareth gave her a wide smile, "Leave, Sarah, It's not like I've never seen you naked before." Jareth was hoping for a reaction, he was rewarded by the telltale blush that spread over her cheeks.

"W-well times change, and so do people. A-and that was a very long time ago." Sarah was annoyed at herself. What was it about this man that made her forget how to talk, think, and act. 'Please,' she thought 'just let one sentence come out like it's supposed to.'

"Jareth I'm not going to get changed with you standing there, so please leave." 'That went well.' She mused, quite proud of herself. Then she spoilt it by half screeching "W-what are you doing?" Jareth was walking toward her. As he reached her side he put out his hand and placed it on her huge stomach.

"I'm just checking on my son." So saying he closed his eyes, the baby started moving gently under his hand. Jareth hand started to caress her bump gently.

Sarah was sure he could hear the thudding of her heart, as her traitorous body reacted to his touch. Jareth heard her breathing falter, smiling slightly he widened the circles his hand was making, turning it into a caress. He needed to touch her, catching her unaware he slid his hand into the towel to touch her bare skin. Sarah almost groaned at the intimate touch. And when his hand moved up to touch her already sensitive breasts her knees gave way, if not for Jareth holding onto her she would have slid to the floor.

Jareth was delighted, she wasn't pulling away.

He lowered his head, and claimed her lips with his own. The kiss was deep, her mouth was soft and demanding at the same time, she smelled of soap, Jareth noticed as he broke the kiss, and lowered his lips to her neck, brushing open the towel as he did so.

Sarah's hands came up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer.

Jareth steered them over to the bed, and lowered her gently onto it. Laying himself beside her, he began to kiss her again, his hands skimmed her body, barley touching, but to Sarah it felt as though he was touching her very soul.

Jareth drew away from her, his eyes caught hers, holding them captive. He whispered, "I've missed you Sarah."

Without his touch Sarah's mind began to clear. 'Oh god what was she doing.' She brought her hands up to push against his chest.

Jareth moved away confused as Sarah grabbed at the coverlet on the bed, and pulled it round her. Her shoulders shaking as tears streamed down her face. Jareth moved back to her, and tried to take her in his arms. Sarah shrugged him of, and stood up.

"Sarah, please tell me what's wrong?" Jareth stood and walked round to the front of her. Putting his finger under her chin he tipped her face up. "Maybe I can help."

"How can you help, you have to stop touching me, It's turning me upside down I can't think when you touch me." Sarah tried to control herself; she took a few deep breaths. "Okay, here's how it ha to be if I'm going to stay here. No more touching, you have to keep your distance or else find me somewhere else to stay."

Jareth was astonished. "And just where would I send you Sarah, there is nowhere." "Okay then we really have to sort out the rules of my stay here."

"The rules?" Jareth raised a mocking eyebrow at her.

"Yes rules." Sarah took a deep breath.

"One; this Childs going to be confused as it is, what with his mother and father living in the same home-um castle, but not living together."

"Not together. but Sarah I thought." Sarah held up her hand to silence him. Jareth was astounded, he wasn't used to being treat like a child. However he decided to let her continue.

"Two; One day I'm going to want someone for myself," 'This was the hard bit' Sarah reflected, to convince Jareth that she no longer loved him.

"You what!" Jareth snapped. Sarah looked up at him, and quickly looked away, his eyes were murderous, She swallowed her voice seemed to be stuck in her throat.

"I'm not going to spend all my life alone. One day I'll want someone to share things with. Someone who I can talk to, someone to keep me from being lonely." She hung her head her voice was a whisper. "Someone I can love." Tears threatened, by will alone she didn't let them fall.

"Someone to love Sarah." Jareth felt like his heart had ceased to beat. "Do you even know what love is?" Without waiting for an reply, he went on, "I'll tell you what real love is should I. Real love is a trap, you can't get out, and you don't care that it's ripping you up inside, real love is having your pride torn to shreds and still going back for more." Jareth paused to take a deep and unsteady breath. And in a much quieter voice said. "Real love is standing here, and listening to the mother of my child tell me that 'one day she hopes she can find someone SHE can love' And STILL loving her."

Sarah couldn't seem to breath properly. The hurt went so deep, but she still had to stop him before she gave in. She said the damning words.

"You have no hold on me Jareth. No right to love me."

Jareth gave a shout of out rage, produced a crystal and threw it at the bed; it disappeared in a blast of lightning.

Sarah stepped back visibly shaken, "Fine!" she said her voice trembling. "But it doesn't change anything. I meant everything I said."

AN: Tell me what you think. I still don't like this chapter even though it's taken me four days to write. If you don't like it tell me. Oh and a bone to pick with everyone, why did no one tell me that chapter 15 hadn't been spell checked? Mmmm. Though you probably all noticed that I haven't got a beta reader. (Hint hint) I am looking for one for my next story if you want the job please e-mail me (don't leave it in the reviews.) at LadyJamie@fsmail.net