My authors notes can be found at the end of this chapter.
Special thanks to my wonderful and talented beta, Scattered Logic.
Chapter 22: Maturity and Attraction…
Jareth felt a tingling sensation traveling throughout his body. It was an odd sensation, though it felt vaguely familiar. He searched his mind for an answer to what it could be, but drew a blank. His head was pounding and he tried to remember what he had been doing before he had fallen asleep when he remembered that his intention had been not to sleep at all.
He jerked his head up quickly, the muscles in his neck protesting and his eyes squeezing shut when they were blinded by bright light. He forced them open and his gaze fell upon the body of a young woman lying in a bed before him.
Her eyes were closed and she was unmoving. Jareth felt his heart begin to pound painfully within his chest. 'Sarah…oh gods…she can't be…' The previous night came flooding back into his mind and he choked on his own breath.
This was all his fault…He had brought her here. Why had he not just left her alone? She would have been home, healthy and alive, not dying in a strange land. The guilt assaulted him without mercy.
He caught a slight movement and noticed two hazel eyes were staring at him. His jaw trembled and his breathing quickened. "Sarah?"
She looked at him for a moment before she slowly closed her eyes and he knew that she was extremely weak.
But how had she survived? Everyone was certain that she was going to die.
He reached out a bare hand to touch her and his fingers began to tremble. The tingling in his body was growing steadily stronger until it finally stopped altogether, leaving a slight presence.
Jareth turned his hand to gaze at his shaking fingers and suddenly a crystal sphere appeared on his fingertips. He stared at it as if it was an alien thing to him, even though he'd seen thousands during his time. The crystal was clear and shiny, but extremely fragile. He was sure he had only to position his hand around it and the briefest of contact would shatter it into millions of tiny pieces. He twisted his wrist again and the crystal disappeared.
He gazed at Sarah and noticed that she was looking at him again. Her eyes held a sadness in them, but when she blinked it disappeared leaving an expression of hurt and anger.
Sarah studied him, feeling confused. She remembered being very sick, but she didn't remember Jareth returning. She only remembered terrible pain.
Jareth looked concerned, but she was still too angry with him to accept or acknowledge that concern. She felt betrayed, used and hurt. She had seen him create the crystal and she wasn't sure how she felt about it.
Part of her wanted to believe that Jareth was a good man. The one who helped her feed the animals, the one that took her on a birthday picnic, and held her when she almost had been raped. The other part of her believed he was cruel, foul-tempered and still desperately sought revenge for his ruined kingdom. That man could not possibly change.
To see him create a crystal reminded her of the Goblin King, the one who stolen her brother Toby, the one whom she had defeated and the same one that had brought her back in time.
Jareth saw many emotions in Sarah's eyes. He wanted to ask how she was still alive when everyone was certain that she would die. Did the small amount of magic that had returned to him have anything to do with her miraculous recovery? Or had that been a coincidence?
He'd been afraid that he would lose her last night and that didn't sit well with him. He had never needed anyone, yet he needed the mortal that lay before him. She was like air to his lungs…something he couldn't live without. The thought of that unnerved him and also strangely delighted him.
He gave her a slight smile, trying to contain the sudden joy that swelled within him. Sarah was alive when she should have been dead. He thanked whatever gods were listening for not taking her away from him.
He reached forward to stroke her cheek, eager to feel the warmth of her skin on his hand. But she pulled away from him, turning her head in the opposite direction.
Jareth frowned and he brought his hand back and rested it on one knee. Sarah had to be feeling better if she was still angry with him.
He decided that he wouldn't push her too quickly. There would be plenty of time to sort things out after she had recovered.
"Are you hungry or thirsty?" he asked quietly.
"No," she said quickly.
"You haven't eaten much in days, you-"
"My stomach is upset. I'm not hungry," Sarah told him firmly. She still refused to look at him.
Jareth cocked his head and regarded her. "You should drink something at least. You were extremely ill and it's been said that those who are ill should drink lots of liquid." He watched her brow furrow.
Sarah wanted to fight Jareth and protest anything he said, but she knew he was right. She had not kept anything down for two days and she'd lost fluids in other less than dignified ways. She finally turned her head to look at him and nodded slightly. He gave her a faint smile before he rose, moved across the room and opened the door to leave.
Jareth's brows rose in surprise when he opened the door and found Mrs. Henry standing there with red swollen eyes and a handkerchief in her hand.
"Is she…?" the older woman started to ask. She had obviously not slept that night and had probably spent the night crying and thinking that Sarah would be dead by morning. "Were you able to tell her how you felt about her before she died?" A tear escaped her eye and she dabbed at it with her handkerchief.
Jareth fidgeted nervously at the sudden turn of the conversation and hoped that Sarah had not heard Mrs. Henry's words. He frowned openly. How was it that this woman was so perceptive?
Mrs. Henry continued speaking. "We all know you cared about her maybe even lov-"
Jareth cleared his throat quickly, cutting Mrs. Henry's words off. He moved aside so that Mrs. Henry could look into the room. "Sarah is not dead. In fact, she's quite alive." He gestured with his hand toward the bed.
Mrs. Henry looked into the room and saw Sarah laying on her bed, staring at them both in the doorway. The older woman's hand went to her mouth and she began to cry as she rushed toward Sarah.
Jareth leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Oh, thank the lord. You're alive. How can this be? You were so ill. This is a miracle…" Mrs. Henry chattered. She looked over Sarah carefully, noticing that her color had returned and other than looking tired and weak, she looked well. "Lord, bless you child. You had us all worried." Beaming, Mrs. Henry turned to Jareth. "Isn't that right, Jareth?" There was a sparkle in her eyes that Jareth and Sarah didn't notice.
He nodded.
"Jareth wouldn't leave your bedside. He insisted on staying," Mrs. Henry told Sarah. "Now, have you told her, Jareth?"
Jareth had a sinking feeling he knew what she was asking.
"About…" Mrs. Henry smiled mischievously. "Well, you know…" She peered at Sarah and then at Jareth, smiling broadly.
Jareth knew exactly what she was talking about. He cleared his throat. "I'll return shortly with the water," he said and he quickly fled the room.
"What was that all about?" Sarah asked. Jareth had looked a bit uncomfortable, not to mention unnerved. Behaviors that she didn't easily associate with him.
Mrs. Henry smiled. "I'm sure he'll tell you eventually."
"Tell me what?" Sarah asked, interested. "Why don't you tell me?"
"Well, it isn't my place to say, child." Mrs. Henry lifted Sarah's chin with her fingers and looked into her eyes. "Now, look at you. Alive! Do you have any idea how badly you frightened us all?" Mrs. Henry put her hands on her hips, feigning anger when her expression was, in fact, relief.
Sarah shook her head slowly.
"You scared us all to near death. You and Jareth have become almost like family members and it would be difficult to lose either one of you. Jacob and Edgar will be so happy to know that you've made it through the night. Other than appearing tired you look like you're on the mend. I don't understand how it could have happened."
"I don't know," Sarah told her. "I've never had cholera before. How deadly is it?"
"It can be fatal if not caught in time, that's why I don't understand how you are alive. We didn't realize you had cholera until a day later and you had already lost a great deal of fluids." Mrs. Henry couldn't stop smiling. "It truly is a miracle. The rest of the family will be so happy."
"Is Jacob here?" Sarah asked.
Mrs. Henry shook her head. "No, child. He and his father have gone into Concord. They left before dawn this morning. It's been said that the Continental army will engage the British in Boston in a few days time. Jacob has decided to involve himself in matters of the colony again. He feels he left it for too long and he wanted to get his priorities straight," Mrs. Henry told Sarah, carefully watching her reaction.
Sarah nodded and looked away, feeling slightly disappointed.
The sound of footsteps could be heard on the stairs and moments later, Jareth appeared at the door with a glass of water for Sarah.
Mrs. Henry smiled, her tired appearance nearly gone as joy continued to fill her. "Well, I have things to do. Chores won't get done themselves, you know. I'll leave you two alone." She smiled and patted Sarah's hand. She grinned at Jareth as she walked by him and then closed the door behind her as she went.
"Did you have something to tell me?" Sarah asked as soon as Mrs. Henry was gone.
Jareth stood in front of the door for a moment and regarded Sarah. He wondered what Mrs. Henry had said in his absence. It was obvious to him that Mrs. Henry was attempting to play matchmaker and he wouldn't have any part of it. If he and Sarah were ever to be anything more than friends only time and patience would tell for sure.
"You're not ready to hear what I have to say," he answered truthfully.
"I'm always ready to hear anything you have to say," Sarah told him, matter of fact.
"Indeed?" Jareth's brows arched and an insolent expression appeared on his face. "I seem to remember warning you about other issues which you insisted you could deal with. I also remember having to search the woods for you after those issues were out in the open," Jareth said bitterly.
Sarah's eyes narrowed, but she had nothing to say to him. She had told him his words wouldn't push her away yet she had run as fast as her legs could carry her away from him as soon as he had finished.
Jareth sighed and immediately got his temper and anger under control. They would never get anywhere if they were both angry. "I've brought you some water."
Sarah tried to sit up, but found she was very weak and it was a struggle to inch up the pillow.
"Let me…" Jareth offered softy.
She nodded, having no other choice, and he helped her sit forward so that he could prop the pillow up against the wooden headboard behind her. Gently, he helped her lay back.
All the while, Sarah was aware of the warmth of his bare hands through the thin fabric of her nightgown and how close he was to her as he assisted her. Why did he have to have an effect on her? She was angry with him. She wasn't supposed to notice how beautiful he was.
He handed her the glass and watched her shaking fingers accept it. She drained half of it in a matter of moments.
"Don't drink so much so soon. If your stomach is upset, give it time to accept the water."
"Don't tell me what to do!" She shoved the glass back at him, nearly spilling it.
"I'm only trying to help," he told her as he took the glass.
"I don't want your help. Just leave me alone!" She turned her face away from him, unnerved by his presence and his desire to help her.
Jareth sighed and placed the glass on the bedside table. He sat in the chair by Sarah's bed and watched her.
Sarah kept her head turned away from Jareth. Why wouldn't he just leave her alone? She felt cranky and tired, not to mention weak, and decided she should try to sleep. Perhaps when she awakened later, he would be gone.
With how tired her body was from fighting the illness, it was only a matter of moments before she fell asleep.
* * *
She slept a few short hours, not nearly enough time for her body to recuperate. When she rolled over and opened her eyes, she saw that Jareth was still sitting in the chair looking like he had not even moved.
She stared at him briefly and looked away, unable to tolerate his intense gaze. She noticed a wooden tray on the table beside the bed. A plate full of food sat upon it. Potatoes, vegetables and meat.
"Did Mrs. Henry bring that for me?" she asked.
Jareth shook his head. "No, she brought it for me."
"Oh." She bit her lip. "Well, why didn't you eat it?"
"I'm not hungry," he told her. "You can have it if you wish, though it's probably cold by now."
Sarah shook her head and made a disgusted face.
Jareth chuckled softly at her expression before he became serious once more. "Is there anything that you want?"
'For you to leave me the hell alone!' Sarah thought immediately, but she didn't say it. For some reason, she only shook her head and with a sigh rolled over to look out the window. It appeared to be a beautiful warm late spring day. The sun was shining down, the birds were singing and she was in bed missing it.
"It looks so beautiful out," she whispered more to herself.
"It does." Jareth rose from his chair and crossed the room. Sarah watched him as he went to a few of the windows and opened them. A warm breeze swept into the room and the birds chattering outside could be heard more clearly.
Jareth turned to her and watched as she closed her eyes and savored the fresh air and breeze. When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her and her gave her a small smile.
"Are you sure there is nothing I can get you?" he asked again.
She shook her head and this time her reply was not sarcastic or angry. It was tired. "No, I'm fine."
He nodded and reclaimed the chair by her bed, watching her close her eyes and rest. He spent the afternoon lost in thought while Sarah slipped into sleep again.
* * *
Mrs. Henry entered the room at dinner to make sure that they were both all right and to attempt to offer them food. Neither had left the room all day, though she hardly expected Sarah to be walking around after her encounter with cholera.
She raised her hand and tapped on the door and Jareth quietly bid her to enter. She saw that little had changed from when she had visited around lunchtime. Jareth was still sitting in the chair by Sarah's bed and Sarah, no longer sleeping, was looking out the window. She turned her head to regard the older woman as she entered.
"How are you feeling, dear?" Mrs. Henry asked.
"A little better," Sarah told her.
"And what about you?" Mrs. Henry asked Jareth. "Did you manage to get some shuteye?"
He shook his head.
Mrs. Henry frowned when she saw the tray on the table. "You didn't eat the food that I brought you." She walked to the tray and leaning over, gazed at the plate. "Why, you didn't even touch it!"
"I was not hungry," Jareth replied.
"Not hungry? You've not eaten in days. You have to be starving by now," Mrs. Henry went off. Then she turned to Sarah. "And what of you, child? Are you going to starve yourself, too?"
Sarah shook her head. "I'd eat some soup if you had some."
Mrs. Henry seemed slightly satisfied. "I can make you up something right now, dear." She took the tray off the table and glared at Jareth. "And you are going to become skin and bones if you don't eat something. You're too skinny as it is." She left the room muttering about wasted food and stubborn men.
Sarah allowed herself to gaze at Jareth for a moment while he was busy looking at the door. He did appear thin and shadows were present under his eyes. His hair also didn't appear to look as wild as it usually did. Why hadn't he been eating and sleeping?
"You didn't tell me that you were hungry." Jareth said quietly as he turned to look at her.
Sarah quickly looked away.
"I would have gotten you soup," he continued.
Sarah noticed that he seemed upset that she had not asked something of him.
"I don't need you to wait on me. I'm fine," she told him, a little colder than she meant.
Jareth frowned openly and Sarah sighed, looking away. Tension once again filled the air.
* * *
Sarah tossed and turned most of the night, unable to find a comfortable position to sleep in. She noticed a silhouette by the window and when she saw spiky hair highlighted by pale moonlight she knew it was Jareth. She groaned softly as she moved on the mattress, which attracted his attention. He turned and the look on his face in the pale light was one of concern.
"Why don't you just go to sleep? Why are you still even here?!" Sarah yelled at him. There was no mistaking the annoyed tone in her voice.
Jareth crossed the room quickly and surprised Sarah by seating himself on the edge of her bed, leaning over so that he was only a few feet away from her. His mismatched eyes bored into hers.
"I don't sleep because I fear that if I close my eyes that I'll awaken and will find that I'm dreaming and you're really dead," he blurted out.
Sarah's brows furrowed and Jareth got to his feet, his movements suddenly erratic. He began to pace and then stopped to stare at her. His heart began to pound in his chest. "I'm still here because I care about what happens to you even though you think that I don't!" he cried.
Sarah's eyes widened and her mouth opened in surprise.
Jareth began to pace again when she didn't answer. He ran a trembling hand through his hair, fearing he'd told her too much.
The door to the room flew open suddenly and Mrs. Henry stood in the doorway with a candle in her hand.
"What in blazes is going on in here? Are you trying to wake the whole house?" She noticed Jareth's frantic pacing and Sarah's shocked expression. "Is everything all right in here?"
Jareth was about to stop pacing and yell at her that nothing was right, but surprisingly, it was Sarah who replied.
"We're fine, just a small disagreement. I'm sorry we woke you. There's no reason for you to worry," Sarah told her.
Mrs. Henry didn't seem convinced. "Jareth, is this true?" she asked looking at him.
He stopped pacing and turning to her, he nodded.
Mrs. Henry shook her head and sighed at the sight of them. Closing the door behind her, she left.
Jareth sighed heavily and went to stand by the window. He gazed out into the night, ignoring Sarah completely.
"I'm sorry," Sarah offered softly. "I…I had no idea that's why you've stayed. I spoke without thinking."
"Forget it," Jareth spat angrily, refusing to look at her.
Sarah frowned at his tone and thought his reply was rather childish when she suddenly realized something. She watched the way that he stood, gazing angrily out the window, his arms crossed over his chest.
'My god, I've hurt his feelings…'
Was it possible that he really did care about her as he claimed? His display just a few moments ago and his presence in her room seemed to prove that. Yet why was it so difficult to believe he could care for her?
"Jareth, I'm sorry," she repeated again.
Jareth turned to tell her to forget it and go to sleep but a glistening in her eyes stopped him. He moved slowly across the room and as he neared her, he realized that she had tears in her eyes.
"I really am sorry," she told him. "I'm impulsive sometimes. I say things without thinking. I say things I don't mean." 'I didn't mean it…' Her own words echoed in her mind. How many times had she said those words? She looked away. "Karen always said it was a bad trait." A few tears escaped from her eyes and streamed down her face. She was trembling slightly and, slowly, Jareth sat on the edge of her bed, the mattress sinking beneath his weight.
She looked up at him from where she lay on her back and when he reached over to wipe the tears from her face, she began to cry.
Jareth watched her for a moment. His brows furrowed as he thought about what he should do.
Sarah turned over to bury her face into her pillow, ashamed for breaking down in front of him. He probably thought she was such a child.
"Ssshh."
She felt his hands run along her arms and she trembled at the touch. He thought her trembling was due to fear and he quickly pulled his hands away from her. She turned onto her back again to look up at him, still sobbing softly.
Hesitantly, he once again smoothed the tears from her face, unable to withstand seeing her cry. She covered his hand with both of her hands, pressing it to her face before he could pull it away. She began to sob harder when he didn't resist her and Jareth slid his hand from her face to her back and using both hands, lifted her forward into his arms.
She buried her face into his neck, and gripped him tightly, as if she was afraid he was going to disappear.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her as she cried.
"I'm sorry…" she repeated over and over against the skin of his neck.
He pulled her closer. "Ssshhh. It's all right." He rested his cheek against her hair and moved one hand up and down her back in an attempt to soothe her.
Unknown to him and Sarah, Mrs. Henry watched through the keyhole beneath the door handle. Smiling triumphantly, she returned to her bedroom.
* * *
Sarah moved closer to the warmth that surrounded her and realized that the warmth had a solid form. She jerked her head up quickly and bumped it against something or someone. She heard a masculine groan and her eyes grew wide when she saw that Jareth was lying in bed with her and that the two of them were a tangled mass of arms and legs.
Jareth was still sleeping, his cheek resting on the pillow and his long golden hair spread out around him. But Sarah was suddenly very much awake and she was very aware of something solid prodding her stomach. She froze, unsure of how to react. Should she shriek and fly out of the bed, or should she do nothing and just wait until he moved?
She decided to do nothing only because Jareth had his arms wrapped around her and there was nowhere for her to go. She was literally trapped.
She gazed down between them and blushed beet red when she saw that their waists were pressed together intimately and that something was straining against the fabric of Jareth's breeches. That something was pressed against her, causing unknown and unwelcome feelings of warmth to develop within her. She wanted to move away from him, but feared any movement on her part would only make matters worse. It would have to be a waiting game.
A few moments later, Jareth mumbled something and rolled over, his arms releasing Sarah as he turned away from her.
Sarah didn't move, her eyes were wide and she pinched herself, hoping that she was dreaming. She winced when she realized that she was definitely awake. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she tried desperately to remember what had happened the night before. It all came tumbling into her mind at once, a jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions.
She remembered shouting at Jareth and him blurting out that he was afraid he was dreaming and that she was really dead. His words still moved her. She vaguely remembered Mrs. Henry checking on them and then leaving and how she had broken down and Jareth had held her. They had obviously fallen asleep and somehow had ended up locked in each other's arms.
Cautiously, she peered over his shoulder to look at his face. He was still fast asleep and totally oblivious to the fact that he'd been holding her and that he was quite aroused while doing so. Sarah didn't know whether to feel hurt or relieved.
She continued to watch him and when she was ready to lay back against the mattress and try to sleep, she heard him whisper her name softly.
Her eyes widened and she panicked. Was he dreaming about her? Then a terrible thought hit her. What if Mrs. Henry suddenly walked in with breakfast and found them lying in the same bed together? What if Mrs. Henry noticed that Jareth had something rather large straining against his breeches and what if she took it the wrong way?
Before really thinking any further, Sarah gripped Jareth's shoulder and began to shake him.
"Jareth? Jareth, wake up!"
He groaned and batted her hand away but she persisted.
"Jareth, wake up!"
He rubbed at his eyes and rolled onto his back toward the voice. He froze. Something didn't feel quite right. Actually, more than one thing didn't feel right.
First, he recognized Sarah's voice and while that was nothing out of the ordinary, the fact that he was lying in bed with her was. Then he recognized a certain sensation burning in his groin. Almost fearfully, he gazed down and felt his face burn in embarrassment at what he saw.
Cursing repeatedly in Goblin, he quickly tried to move off the bed, only to fall on the floor when his legs got tangled in the bed sheets. He fell with a crash, arms flailing wildly in an effort to brace for the impact with the hard wooden floor. He landed on his stomach, his feet still trapped by the sheets of the bed.
"Oh, my god, are you all right?" Sarah leaned over the edge of the bed to look at him.
Jareth laughed uneasily and drummed his fingers nervously against the floor. "I look just fine, don't I? Sprawled on the floor. I've completely embarrassed myself," he attempted to joke.
He prayed that Sarah had not noticed the erection he had. He'd been dreaming about her, a rather erotic dream and though his body only reacted naturally, it put him in an awkward position. He was afraid the sight of it might frighten her. Too much for her to deal with too quickly would most likely force her away from him. They had managed to come much farther than he'd hoped in only just over a day.
Sarah laughed softly.
Jareth's eyes widened at the sound, though he felt relieved that she had not seemed to notice. "You think this is funny?"
His question only made her laugh more.
"I'm glad someone finds this amusing," he told her, looking away.
Sarah stopped laughing, suddenly wondering if she was hurting his feelings. He was obviously embarrassed. The blush that still covered his usually pale face proved that.
"I'm sorry. I just didn't expect you and I and…us." She fumbled over her words suddenly unsure of what to say and what she was saying. She stopped talking before her curiosity got the better of her and her sometimes impulsive nature led to questions about his arousal.
Once before, she had thought about how old he was and how he must be well versed in sexual matters. Just the thought of what he must know and what he could teach her suddenly made her feel that the room was too warm and that he was too close. She tried to tell herself it was okay to think of him in a sexual manner. She was a healthy teenager, almost an adult and he was a very attractive man. She'd had erotic dreams and thoughts before. They just had never been about Jareth. She tried to duck her head when she felt her face flush again.
Jareth noticed and he frowned, looking concerned. "What is it? What's wrong?"
She shook her head and tried to find words. "Maybe, maybe you, or we should..." She paused trying to make some sense. "If Mrs. Henry finds us…um…like this. You know…in the same bed. It might cause a problem."
Jareth grinned. Her blush was spreading. Did she realize how desirable she was when she was embarrassed? He stood up, quite thankful that his arousal wasn't as noticeable as it had been earlier. "It's a valid concern. I'll go change and bathe. Are you feeling well enough to be left alone for a short while?" His expression became serious.
Sarah nodded. "I'll be fine."
Jareth untangled the sheets from his legs and feet and handed them to Sarah. She pulled them toward her onto the bed. Leaning over quickly, Jareth caught Sarah's chin with his fingertips. Before she could pull away, he leaned closer and brushed a soft kiss against her forehead. He released her and hastily fled the room without looking back.
Sarah watched him go, unmoving for a moment. Then slowly she raised her hand to her forehead and touched the spot where he had pressed his lips.
She was uncertain of the gesture and her mind immediately began to try to make sense of it all. She was also uncertain about what had happened just earlier in the bed. Waking up in Jareth's arms had been a strange but, surprisingly, not a negative thing. But his obvious arousal and the fact that he had whispered her name still shocked her and confused her.
Her mind felt hazy with all that had happened over the last few days. Her deep conversation with Jareth, getting sick, as well as the morning's events. She was aware of her impulsive nature and how many times it had gotten her into trouble in the past. She was still uncertain about the future and if Jareth really did care about her as he claimed he did.
Sighing, she decided she had to grow up eventually and it might as well be now. She didn't want to jump to any conclusions about the events of the last few days. While she wouldn't completely forgive Jareth, she decided she wasn't going to push him away either. She decided that time would make things clearer and from that clarity she would find the sense in the chaos that was around her.
To be continued…
AN: Some thanks are in order for those who have been reviewing my story. I regret that I was not able to answer comments that were left over the weekend. I was very busy with RL and I had also already typed up the answers to comments on Friday. My apologies to anyone who I missed, it was not intentional.
From FF.net
Beyondwords: *phew* no flying peaches. I'm sorry that the chapter made you cry. I hope that 22 was easier on you.
Anyastazya: Eeek! Runs away from the flying monkeys! I hope this chapter is more to your liking!
Blue Angel Samui: Sorry! I know last chapter was a bit heartbreaking and angsty but it was part of the story. I hope the update was fast enough for you!
Niffers: Last chapter was a bit sad. I had tears in my eyes when I wrote the end of it. Things will slowly start getting better from here on out.
Insane Dragoness: Gee, it sounds like you have the whole story figured out for me. ;) I certainly don't mean to kill anyone with the angst, but it is part of the story!
Jester: Suspense is good though, right? ;) I know even though suspense in other stories kills me, it makes me look so forward to the next chapter. Jareth's magic appeared just slightly this chapter, though he doesn't know if it had anything to do with Sarah surviving. All I an say as it that it will be discussed in the future. For now, Jareth is just glad that she's alive.
Serenity: Evil laugh, but I just did it. Bwaaahhhaa! *stops when she sees the strange looks everyone is giving her* Honestly though, it's part of the story. I just can't see Jareth and Sarah hooking up right away. They need tragedy in their lives.
Draegon_fire: As you can see, I didn't allow Sarah to die. I wouldn't do that. Things were a little better this chapter weren't they? Of course everything is not all sorted out because that would be too easy and the situation is too difficult for that. Jareth isn't ready to tell Sarah what he feels yet. He doesn't think she's ready and I have the feeling that he's right. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Lady Death: Ah! No more pounding me with fists! It makes me black and blue and then I can't write…;) At least you're not going to kill me. *wipes brow* I'll remember that threat when I continue to write the story, though I warn that the ending and the later chapters have already been planned out!
BatBLady: man, my readers are brutal…I get hit with fists, threatened with flying monkeys and now the threat to get tossed in an oubliette! Eeek. Ah well, I guess if I get stuck in the Oubliette I'd have lots of time to think about my story and maybe work on it. I just couldn't share it with others. ;)
Ginnymanytongues: Thanks! I'm so glad that you are enjoying the story! Just no peach throwing! Lol Thanks for your review.
Squeezystan: Oh thank goodness that I'm not hated. : ) And you have been reading my stories long enough to know that I love cliffhangers. Gotta have the cliffies. And see, I didn't let Sarah die so no reason for anyone to hate me. You may be right about the outhouse situation. I tried to find what they were called back then, but I haven't had a chance to stop at the library and look up a few things. So I might have a few small mistakes.
WinterFae: Oh, don't cry. Everything is getting better now. Sarah is alive and she and Jareth are starting to forgive each other. Thanks so much for your kind words about my story! They are greatly appreciated.
Daughter of Bast: Wow, thanks! Labyrinth really is a great story, isn't it? I think it's so creative. It's just a shame it wasn't received so well when it was released. But since there is no sequel it allows the fans to be a little creative and if it wasn't for that we wouldn't have all the great fan fiction that is around! Thanks agin for your review!
Terrie: Yeah, it seems to be a cycle. First Jareth and now Sarah. It was hard not to get hurt or sick back then. Guns all over the place, illness everywhere plus accidents on horses or wagons. It's inevitable. Jareth didn't really say what he felt aloud. He's only just realized himself that he loves Sarah. : )
CrystalUnicorn: I noticed you didn't say what else you were going to throw. I guess that's a very good thing! And you're right about 'last rites' I totally missed that one in the chapter. Thanks for letting me know! You have too many questions that I can't answer yet so…you'll just have to wait and see!
Aly: What's the matter, you didn't see that coming? And see, I didn't kill Sarah off.
Jareths girl-Moro Shapeshifter: Ah! *ducks from the incoming peaches* Sorry about the cliffhanger but it was necessary. I'm glad you are enjoying the story though!
Skyfire: I can't tell you if the ending will be happy or not because that might ruin the story for you… You just have to wait and see what happens. It seems that a lot of people were picturing Kathy Bates in their mind while reading Mrs. Henry's lines. I've had Kathy Bates in mind since the beginning so I used her voice in my head while I wrote. Sorry that you were not able to download the trailer. When you right click on the link a box will come up and you have to go to "Save Target As' and highlight and click that to get it to save. Thanks about my song. *blushes* "The Space In Between" is a great song and on some levels it does fit with the story. It always amazes me how many songs can relate to stories. Thanks so much for your review!
Queen Bonnie: I know I know. Everyone is waiting for Jareth to just kiss Sarah or do wonderful things to her in bed, but with how the story has gone so far it's not realistic though it is possible. You'll just have to trust me to take care of everything.
Sharkdiver: *waves to Jester's sister.* Thanks for reading my story. I'm sorry that the pace is a little long for you. Just in this particular situation with Jareth and Sarah and their backgrounds I didn't think it would be realistic for them to kiss yet or even dive into a relationship. Things are slowly getting better between them now and I hope that chapter 22 was a little something to tide you over. As the author I want to get them both together too but I have to be realistic to their situation. Sarah is realizing that she can't freak out about everything. She can't jump to conclusions and of course it took getting Jareth angry to cover his hurt feelings to get her to notice that. It also took the fact that she realizes that she is attracted to him and he might be attracted to her. Deep down inside, I think Sarah wants Jareth to love her and for them to get along and live happily ever after. But another part of her doesn't think that can happen. So instead of choosing a side, she's going to let time tell and I think that's some maturing on her part. Thank you for reading my story and thanks to Jester for sharing it with you!
Anne-Marie I know. I'm so awful to Jareth and Sarah. I guess I just like to torture them!
Goodness: Aw, sorry that I made you nearly cry. But look. I posted!
The Real Me: Thanks for your kind words!
From the guest book on the UC homepage:
Christina: Guess what, you checked today and it was posted ;) I know I don't have to leave cliffhangers, but I'm rather fond of them. I'm glad that you liked the twist in the story and usually everyone feels bad for Jareth, even if in some cases it's he who has messed up. I think we all just tend to feel bad for him. I hope that ch 22 was well worth the wait!
Angel Eyes: Thanks so much! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for leaving a review.
Lady Sorrow: Thanks Jennifer! At least I know I'm safe from the flying peaches when you review. ; ) Thanks so much for your kind words and I hope that you enjoy the trailer!
Melody: Thanks! Well now it doesn't end with ch21, because here's 22! I'm glad that you are enjoying the story!
Dearlady2002: Hi Andrea! Yeah, Jareth and Jacob bickering was getting old wasn't it? I mean it's fun to read about them fighting over Sarah but it does get old. Jacob has realized he has other things in his life that require his attention at the moment so Jareth has Sarah all to himself. I hope you enjoyed ch 22!
Winter: It seems to be agreed upon by all who are reading this story that I left last chapter at a bad place. But guess what, ch 22 is posted and so you don't have to be upset about it anymore. Hope you enjoyed 22! Thanks for reviewing!
From the jsfanfiction list:
Flyaway: As you can see Sarah's made it and she's recovering well. You just know me so well, don't you? ; )
Aynne: That's Jareth for you. It takes Sarah nearly dying for him to realize that he loves her. Hope ch 22 was happier
bluish clear: Sorry to shock you! But look, Sarah's fine now! Thanks for the review!
From Jareth_Sarah_Forever list:
Robin "Labyrinth Queen": I guess the little [HE] has saved me from a death by peaching! Lol. I hope this chapter was written quickly enough for you. Thanks for your kind words!
Helen: *dodges the fat Goblin and barely escapes with her life* I'm glad that you are enjoying the story and since you're new to it, Welcome! I hope that you enjoyed ch 22!
Lynsey" Pretty little owl" *pokes the little owl. It starts twitching and comes back to life.* Phew! I didn't kill anyone with the angst! And look, new chapter! : )