My thanks to those who have continued to review this story on ff.net as well as e-mail me their comments.

Special thanks to my beta, Scattered Logic, for her editing skills, her patience and her inspiration. Also thanks to The Hooded Crow and Lady Jamie for their comments and enthusiasm.

Chapter 10: And two steps back…

Sarah noticed that something seemed different about Jareth and it was not only the fact that he had taken his hair down again. He was quiet, much too quiet for her liking. He'd been with her for a while now and he had barely said a word other than asking how her wrists felt. She bit her lip and finally asked, "Jareth, is something wrong?"

He grunted and got to his feet immediately, pacing at the foot of Sarah's bed. His actions answered Sarah's first question.

"Ok, what is it? Bad day?"

Jareth paced a few more steps and then spoke. "Rochester tries my patience."

Sarah frowned. "Oh boy. Did you two butt heads again?"

Jareth clasped his hands behind his back and his pacing grew more chaotic. "The man is insufferable. Entering my private tent whenever he sees fit, challenging my authority, presuming to counsel me."

Sarah frowned as she watched him. He seemed distressed and she had never seen him act like that before. "Jareth, you can't let him get to you. That's what he wants."

"I know that." Jareth told her, but the pacing continued.

Sarah's eyes settled on something and she snickered. The sound caused Jareth to stop pacing and he gave her a harsh stare. "I guess you really should have put the ointment on, after all. Pest control for annoying, lower ranking officers."

Jareth looked confused and then his eyes settled on the jar of ointment. Sarah's words sank in and despite his previous mood, he began to laugh. His laughter was contagious and Sarah joined in.

Outside the tent, Colonel Rochester stopped and listened. The General seemed as if he was having entirely too much fun questioning the prisoner. "So he ran off to you, did he? I should have expected as much." A smirk appeared on Rochester's face. "I guess only time will tell…" Grinning, the Colonel strode away.

* * *

"We have to be careful." Sarah told Jareth. After their laughing bout, things had turned quiet again. Sarah finally broke the silence.

"Careful?" He took a spoon and swirled it through his tea. Sarah was staring at him again. She'd been doing it all night. He met her gaze, pretending that he hadn't noticed and hoping that she had not seen him steal a look at the swell of her breasts every now and then. She looked particularly lovely this evening.

"I was thinking while you were away this afternoon. We've somehow gone back in time."

She was telling him things he already knew. "What are you getting at?"

"We should be careful of our actions so we don't change things."

Jareth nodded, suddenly understanding. "History. We need to make sure that we do not change history."

Sarah nodded.

"If I had my magic, I could protect us from such a thing," Jareth sighed. "But I can not."

"If you ever get your magic back and we changed something, could you fix it?"

"I can reorder time for short periods; hours, days and weeks. Certainly not years or centuries. We should tread very carefully. If we inflict serious damage, I might not be able to repair it. It all depends on whether my magic returns to me. If it ever returns."

Jareth lowered his head and instantly, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Sarah gave him a sympathetic look. He sighed and attempted to smile.

* * *

"For three days, Sarah enjoyed an unexpected friendship with Jareth. He treated her as well as he could given their situation. Baths became a daily event when he had a tub brought to her. And Jareth began to visit her three to four times each day, usually at mealtimes. He began to bring her books to help her pass the time and they would sit and talk for hours. Sarah usually called upon her knowledge of history so that she could tell Jareth what to expect in this century. Before long, Sarah couldn't wait until it was mealtime so that she could see Jareth.

* * *

Sarah sat back on her bed, daydreaming instead of reading the book about military warfare that was open on her lap. It wasn't the fact that the subject matter bored Sarah beyond belief that caused her to daydream. It was thoughts of a certain blond haired "General" that occupied her time.

She heard a bell ringing far off in camp and knew that dinner was being served for the soldiers. In a matter of time, Jareth would be on his way with food.

She jumped off the bed and moved to the table. Jareth had been leaving her untied after the incident with her wrists and gave her free reign of the tent. He had brought her a mirror and a brush, as well as a few new dresses. He sneaked these to her at night while most were sleeping.

Sarah brushed her hair, checking herself in the small mirror. She actually felt nervous about seeing Jareth. How silly was that?

"Preparing yourself for someone?"

Startled by the sudden voice, Sarah dropped the hand mirror she was holding and it shattered on the ground. She stood and saw a man with dark hair that was pulled neatly into a ponytail. His blue eyes, as well as his stance, held arrogance and triumph.

"Oh, come now," he purred. "I didn't mean to frighten you."

"You didn't." Sarah told him as she stood her full height.

"Leaving the prisoner free to roam her tent? Now isn't that a bit odd?" He smirked as she backed away.

Sarah bit her lip as the man walked to her. This had to be the Colonel. Who else would barge in like he had?

"What is it about you that fascinates the General so, hmm?" Colonel Rochester paced in front of Sarah, both hands joined behind his back. He stopped and raked his eyes over her form.

"You are a pretty thing, I'll grant you that." He arched a brow. "Perhaps despite his attitude, the General really is a man after all. And all men like pretty things. " He smirked. "I dare say, the General has fallen prey to the charm of a beautiful woman."

Sarah smirked in return. If Rochester knew of her past with Jareth he wouldn't be saying such ridiculous things.

Rochester moved forward and Sarah stood her ground. He gently lifted Sarah's chin with his fingers and looked into her eyes.

Sarah stared into his eyes and her gaze did not waver.

Rochester grinned. "A pretty thing indeed and so brave or perhaps just stupid…" He watched in amusement as Sarah's eyes filled with rage.

"You've disobeyed another direct order."

Both Rochester and Sarah turned in surprise to see Jareth standing in the doorway. Jareth's eyes were blazing with fire and he looked absolutely furious.

Rochester bowed slightly. "General Thompson, back from dinner already?"

"Do not attempt to change the conversation, Colonel," Jareth spat.

"I was not changing it, my lord, but simply making an observation." Rochester smiled pleasantly.

"You've disobeyed my orders. I made it clear that no one other than myself was to see or speak to the prisoner."

Rochester tilted his head. "You must be realistic. With all of your important duties, you can not possibly be here 24 hours each day to question her." Rochester gave a thoughtful expression. "Although, I do believe you would enjoy spending so much time with her, especially with her roaming free in here." He smiled viciously and once again raked his eyes over Sarah's form.

Jareth's eyes narrowed and, at the sight of Rochester glancing at Sarah's body, a streak of anger raged through Jareth so powerful that it made him tremble. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to calm down. Sarah was right, this man was baiting him. "Perhaps I am not able to spend as much time here as I would like, but that does not give you the right to take it upon yourself to question or speak to her! You seem to forget who is in command here."

Rochester smiled. "I have not forgotten, General."

Rochester didn't appear to be fazed in the least by the conversation, in fact it seemed to drive him further. "What is so special about her, my lord, that you would bend the rules by bringing her here? And what would make you be willing to waste so much time with her?" Rochester smirked and his voice became very low. "Are you sweet on her? Could that be it?"

Jareth's eyes widened in surprise, as did Sarah's. The Goblin King's eyes filled with amusement and he threw his head back and laughed at the absurdity of Rochester's words.

Rochester blinked and looked slightly annoyed.

Jareth stopped laughing and his tone became serious. "I spend time with her because she is valuable to us all. She lived and walked among the rebels. She knows their plans. I was getting close to getting information out of her. Surely, by having this very conversation in front of her, you have ruined my chances for success."

Rochester smiled wickedly. "Then she is useless and should be hung. Let her be a lesson to those who choose to side with the rebels."

"Are you mad?" Jareth demanded, his brows drawn low over his eyes. "She's a woman."

Rochester stood taller, his hands once again positioned behind his back. "Since when did that make a difference? Regardless of gender, she's a spy! She should be hung unless there is some other reason that prevents you from stringing her up. Your conscience maybe, or is it your affections?" He raised his brows.

Jareth forced himself to ignore this absurdity. "Colonel, may I remind you that we don't start hanging people just because they associated with the rebels. We are gentleman and we will act and fight like gentleman for his Majesty, King George."

"I know how it's done, my lord, but that doesn't mean that I have to agree." He tilted his head. "Times change and so must we. I'm certain his Majesty agrees. It's a beautiful evening, enjoy it." Rochester bowed ever so slightly. He shot a self-satisfied smile at Sarah. "My lady." He feigned pleasantry and was gone.

Jareth kicked at one of the poles that kept the tent standing. It didn't budge and he gritted his teeth to bite back the pain that now shot up his foot and leg. His eyes skimmed the room, seeing the tub, the books, the extra dresses. They must have made it seem as if he was sweet on Sarah, bringing her comforts yet she was a prisoner. He was so foolish. He wasn't even sure why he had brought her those things.

He glanced at Sarah and when he saw her expression, he had to leave. Her innocent eyes were looking at him with concern and fear. Without a word, he turned on his heel and left.

Sarah's brows furrowed as she watched him go. She sighed. Rochester had unnerved him. Jareth would be back in the morning when things had settled down.

* * *

Morning came with no sign of Jareth. Afternoon and evening followed and still he had now shown himself. John brought Sarah her meals. As disappointed as she was, Sarah realized that he must be busy and knowing him, he was still upset.

She kept herself busy reading, or daydreaming, but her thoughts always seemed to return to Jareth. Where was he?

Two days passed, then three, four. No sign of Jareth, no sign of anyone other than John, bringing her meals.

On the 5th afternoon, she sat staring at the food still left on her plate from lunch. She attempted to eat, but only succeeded in pushing the food around the plate once again. She had no appetite. She had not seen Jareth in 4 days. Had something happened? Was he hurt? Dead? She realized that she was worried about him.

Her thoughts were broken when she heard a voice. Jareth's voice. She rushed toward the entrance of the tent nearly falling out of the chair as she did so. A smile appeared on her face as she stood in the entranceway. There he stood, about 20 yards away shouting out orders to a group of soldiers on horseback. Sarah watched him, mesmerized by his ability to command with such ease.

Sarah hid herself behind the flap of the doorway so that the soldiers wouldn't notice her as she watched their commanding officer. Jareth finished his orders and strode toward the tent. Sarah felt her heart race in her chest. He was coming to see her, finally!

She clutched the fabric of the tent in her hands as he walked closer. He was coming straight for the door. She rushed from the entrance to her bed. She leapt up on it, smoothed out her dress and opened a book, pretending that she was reading so she could act surprised to see him.

Seconds turned into minutes and Jareth still had not entered. Sarah waited several more minutes, but the flap of the tent never opened to allow a fair haired visitor.

Confused, she rose from the bed and returned to the entranceway. Peering out into the camp, she realized that Jareth was gone.

Her brows furrowed. Why hadn't he come? Then she realized that it wasn't mealtime. Perhaps then he would come. That was it! She returned to her bed and sat, spreading her dress around her once again. Dinnertime could not come fast enough.

The hours dragged by, she heard the ring of the dinner bell and a few minutes later heard the sound of footsteps approaching her tent. She smiled, hardly able to contain herself now that Jareth was coming. She had missed him, actually missed him.

The flap of the tent opened and Sarah smiled broadly. That smile faded as John stepped in with a plate of food for her. He gave her a slight smile as he placed the food on the table and left.

Sarah sank onto the bed. She didn't understand. Where was Jareth? She'd seen him today. Why hadn't he come to visit her?"

* * *

Jareth sighed and moved to the entrance of his tent. He was met with the blackness of night. It was rather cold tonight and his thoughts once again turned to Sarah. He had almost gone to her today. He'd had to stop himself at the last minute, realizing what he was doing. He couldn't afford to see her, it would fuel rumors and make him look suspicious. How dare the soldiers spread rumors that Sarah was his mistress! That angered him…Yet still…

He glanced around the campsite and then, after realizing the path was clear, he took a brisk run into the nearby woods. Moments later, a white barn owl perched itself in a tree overlooking the camp. Its eyes focused on one tent in particular. The one with the guard stationed outside of it. The owl let out a deep breath; it's large eyes not once leaving the tent. Sleep well, Sarah.

Far below in the tent with the guard, a young woman buried her face into her pillow to hide her sobs.

* * *

Jareth furiously paced the length of his tent. Rochester kept pushing to talk to Sarah. Jareth didn't know how long he could hold the Colonel off. He was becoming persistently more difficult to get rid of. Jareth had not seen Sarah for a week, wasn't that good enough?

Jareth gripped a nearby table and threw it to the ground, watching as the papers and books that had been piled on it fell to the ground. This was ridiculous. He couldn't stand these games anymore. He was the leader here. What did it matter what one man thought?

Decision made, he strode out of his tent.

* * *

Sarah was barely aware of the voices outside her tent. She sat in her chair, her face expressionless. She didn't bother to turn and see who had just thrown the flap of the tent open. She heard footsteps and the sound of them disappeared as whoever it was stopped.

"Sarah?"

That voice…she once had enjoyed hearing that voice, but now she hated it. She got to her feet and spun to face her visitor.

"Sarah…" Jareth's hopeful expression fell away as a look of concern reached his sculptured features. "Are you not well?" he frowned, his brows furrowing as he noticed her pale face, her thin frame and her messy hair. He watched as she gritted her teeth and a look of hatred appeared on her face. He didn't understand. Why was she not happy to see him?

"How dare you come here," she snarled.

Jareth's brows drew together. "I thought you would be…" he swallowed, "happy to see me."

She snorted. "Why would I be happy to see you?"

"I-" Jareth started and his voice faltered.

"I trusted you and you abandoned me!" Sarah cried out at him. "I let myself believe that maybe you were different, but you're exactly like everyone else!"

For once in his life, Jareth didn't know what to say. Only certain words seemed to reach his ears. 'I trusted you." She had trusted him…She had actually trusted him. This discovery thrilled him. He licked his dry lips. "Sarah…" he started.

Sarah's expression hardened, her eyes cold as ice. " Don't Sarah me! You've been busy having fun playing commander and living like royalty while I sit here and rot away in this tent!" She moved toward him. The hatred had not left her eyes. "You left me alone for a week, now you come in here and expect me to be what? Glad? Excited? Happy to see you?" She snorted in disgust.

"Sarah, I did not abandon you. You must trust me on that." Jareth told her firmly.

"Trust you?" She chuckled and it was not a pleasant sound. "That trust is long gone and it's never coming back." She glared at him. "Get out." She pointed to the entrance.

"Sarah…" Jareth tried again. Why was she doing this?

"Get out! I never want to see you again!" She cried out, not caring that the whole camp could probably hear her. All she cared about was getting rid of him so she could put up the wall to protect herself from being hurt again. She had trusted Jareth and he had predictably let her down, just like everyone else had.

Her angry tone ignited a fire in Jareth's eyes. The man who had come to try and enjoy some time with Sarah was gone to be replaced by an enraged Goblin King hell bent on trying to disguise his own pain.

"Then rot in here for all I care," he spat. She wanted to play games like this, then fine. He would show her what true abandonment meant. Jareth spun on his heel and fled the tent.