Chapter Four
Friends at Last
"What about you?" he asked.
"What ABOUT me?" she stopped sweeping a moment.
"What do you believe?" he asked sitting on the counter.
"What do you care?" she mused and went back to sweeping. He didn't say anything for a long time and jumped down from the counter and stood in front of her. "Can I help you?"
"Do you believe in magick?" he asked and she laughed. "I'm being serious."
"I believe in a lot of things," she muttered and moved away some but he caught her hand. She didn't move for a moment and turned and faced him. "I don't like talking about what I believe."
"Why?" he asked.
"When I was sixteen," she paused a moment "I changed religions. And what I changed to, I felt better doing that than what my parents wanted me to be. But soon Karen got to be obsessively religious and covered the house in crosses and started saying we needed to celebrate Passover because Jesus celebrated Passover and watching nothing but preachers on TV and always telling me the end was coming and eventually… she noticed I wasn't Christian anymore. And she took everything out of my room, and made me read the Bible after I finished my homework and tried to force me to be what she wanted me to be and I mean… she just wouldn't accept me for how I was. So I hid all my stuff and acted Christian again. And it kinda killed me in a way I guess… having to live in this box she put me in. But I did that for two years and… after I just never told anyone what I was again." Jareth was quiet for a long time and he let go of her hand. She went back to sweeping, trying to ignore her embarrassment of telling the story and finally he spoke.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly and she shrugged.
"We all go through things," she took a deep breath "sometimes good, sometimes bad. We just have to learn from our experiences. Whether we make a mistake or if someone is hurting us, doesn't matter, you've just got to…" She paused and gave him a defeated look "I'm sorry."
"For what?" he asked surprised at her unexpected apology.
"A lot," she managed and he put his hand on her shoulder.
"That was eight years ago," he said "whatever happened… it's in the past. Both our actions were probably… probably not the best. But like you said, we learn from it." He was quiet for another moment "I'm sorry too." She set the broom aside and shut off the lights, before grabbing her keys. "Going home?"
"Yeah," Sarah grumbled locking the door behind her.
"Get rid of him," Jareth sighed.
"I want to," she said quietly "but…"
"But?" he mused.
"If I kick him out," she paused again. "I… he'll do something."
"You're scared of him," he said dryly.
"Hell," she snapped "I'm scared of a lot of things." He gave a puzzled look. "What?"
"You don't ACT like you're afraid of anything," he said and she let out a small sigh.
"Exactly," she agreed "I don't act scared. I am."
"What about me?" he asked simply as they started walking.
"What about you?" she asked and he gave her a look. "Am I afraid of you?" He gave a short nod. "Intimidated, yes, afraid, no." She paused a moment because he was giving her a funny look. He'd stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and she went back and stood in front of him. "Not all the time mind you, only once and a while. When you do something stupid like-" He grabbed her hand and pulled her to his chest. "that." He grinned a cat-like smile, he was toying with her, yes, she knew. But then… he wasn't really toying with her. It was more like he was testing her.
"Can I ask you something?" he asked.
"If you let go you can," she gave him a sly grin. He sighed and let go, they resumed walking. "Okay."
"The other night," he paused a moment "after I let you go, why did you, uh-?" Sarah blushed, she'd tried to forget it but, apparently it would leave her alone. Why had she kissed him? Even if it was a small kiss, she'd still done it. Jareth was waiting for an answer.
"Probably the same reason you were going to do it in the first place," she said simply and he merely grinned. He wasn't about to push it any farther, she'd shared enough personal information with him that day for her liking and… he figured he'd lay off of her a bit. She noticed it too, and was glad he didn't press for a better answer.. She found it strange he hadn't asked if she had a car (she didn't) nor had he pressed the whole religion matter. He was being… terribly civil. She didn't say anything when he walked closer to her, nor had he glared at her when she pushed him jokingly. He merely went back to his spot next to her and gently nudged her back. She stopped in front of her house. Neither of them spoke for a moment.
"Should I go?" he asked. She paused a long moment, trying to decide for herself.
"Don't you rule a kingdom or something?" she teased.
"Oh," he laughed "they don't even miss me. My world's time moves SO much slower than yours. I could be here for days and I'd only miss a few minutes there."
"But when I came back-" she started "the clock… it was midnight."
"It was," he nodded "but you remember, I reordered time for you." She fell quiet again. "Don't feel bad," he comforted her "I already told you I forgive you." He smiled "and you forgive me, right?"
"Of course," she nodded "I did a long time ago. Though last night I can't say I was to thrilled being attacked by you, thanks." She paused. "Which brings up something else I was thinking about, how come, eight years later, you randomly figure, oh hey, let's kidnap Sarah?" Jareth just looked at her, not wanting to answer.
"Technically I wasn't kidnapping you," he stalled "if you said the words, even if I caused you to say them, it'd be legal."
"Answer the question," she said simply.
"I, uh…" he paused a long time. This threw Sarah off, seeing him embarrassed to say something. She unlocked the door and then paused a moment.
"Are you hungry?" she asked "I really doubt Blaine will be home until… meh, three in the morning. Something around those lines." He didn't say anything, he was still slightly confused from her changing the subject. "Good," she smiled and locked the door again "come on."
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"To get food," she smirked "we have no food in that house anyways. Come on." She grabbed his shirt sleeve and led him down the sidewalk, her walking backwards. She tripped over a piece of concrete that was sticking out of the sidewalk. Jareth tried to catch her but he ended up going down too. He opened his eyes and she was on top of him, he gave a sly smirk.
"We've got to stop meeting like this," he teased and she rolled her eyes. She moved off of him and he sat up, trying not to look disappointed. "Are you okay?"
"I think I landed wrong," she muttered messing with her ankle. Jareth moved over to her and touched her leg. "Ouch."
"Sorry," he whispered and stretched her leg out across his lap.
"What are you doing?" she asked but he ignored her. He placed his hand over her ankle and closed his eyes for a moment. Suddenly, Sarah felt a wave of relief flood over her body. It was then followed by an odd tingling sensation that felt like some combination of when your foot falls asleep, and tickling. She laughed and rubbed her ankle, trying to get the tickling feeling to go away.
"That's the magick," he smirked "I'll stop tickling in a few minutes." Soon it stopped and he helped her up. "Better?" She moved her foot around and nodded.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"Hum?" he smirked at her "I'm afraid it didn't catch that."
"Thank you," she growled at him and started walking again.
"Thank you what?" he teased.
"Jareth," she growled.
"I'm waiting," he gave her a sly smile.
"Thank you, Jareth," she grumbled "for healing me." She shook her head and walked on, only to have him appear in front of her. She stopped abruptly so she wouldn't run into him.
"Your very welcome," he smiled at her "of course this would technically mean you owe me more." He paused a moment taking in her annoyed expression. "But I'd be happy to forget it if, of course, you'd be willing to do something for me."
"Getting into one of your teasing moods again, are we Jareth?" she mused.
"Maybe," he smirked at her and he seemed to think a moment. He promptly picked her up in his arms and kept walking, as if nothing happened.
"Uh, Jareth," she paused "could ya, put me down?"
"I could," he nodded and kept walking.
"Will you?" she asked.
"Will I what?" he smirked.
"Jareth put me down!" she growled. He only smirked at her. "I swear, if you don't put me down, I'll…" she paused "I'll bite you."
"Better reason not to put you down," he laughed. She sighed and leveled her eyes with his. "You really want down?"
"That's what I've been saying," she grumbled.
"Well, what do I get if I put you down?" he asked.
"How about I don't sock you in the nose?" she mused and he shook his head. "What do you want?" He gentle set her down and took her hand in his, and started walking again. She looked at their hands for a long moment, wondering how exactly she got this way. Jareth was watching her expression, hoping dearly that she wouldn't look disgusted and pull away. She closed her eyes for a moment, as if she was trying to settle her thoughts and then gave him an annoyed kind smile. They'd picked up some fast-food and Sarah brought them to the park afterwards. It was eleven already by the time they'd gotten there and Sarah sat by the water.
"Hum," Jareth muttered to himself as he sat next to her.
"What?" she asked and he shrugged. "How old are you?"
"Why?" he asked, feeling a little worried.
"Just wondering," she shrugged.
"Few hundred years," he managed. He paused a long time and then looked at her "does that bother you?"
"Should it?" she asked.
"I guess not," he muttered "I mean, I suppose it's just, most humans aren't used to the whole, immortality thing."
"No," she shook her head and she paused a moment. "I'm only twenty-three so, I'm sure that weirds you out."
"Why?" he asked.
"I'm so much younger than you," she explained.
"So?" he asked.
"Doesn't that bother you?" she asked and he shook his head.
"Not really," he smirked "as you've noticed, I don't act my age."
"You don't act even MY age sometimes," she teased.
"Hey," he nudged her some and she laughed. "I," he paused a while "I'm glad you let me stay today."
"So am I," she agreed "even though you're probably the biggest pain I have ever met in my life."
"Thank you," he grinned "I take pride in annoying you." He smirked "mostly because you end up blushing, and you're very lovely when you blush. Did you know that Sarah?"
"Shut up," she grumbled. She looked at her watch "Oh damn," she whispered and stood up. "Gotta go or I'll be late." She started in one direction and Jareth sighed.
"Sarah?" he called her and she stopped. He motioned for her to come back and worriedly she did. He held out his hand and slowly she took it, not understanding. He pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'll see you tomorrow, love," he whispered in her ear. So soon found she was in her living room, Jareth was gone and Blaine was JUST coming in the door at twelve o' nine at night. She didn't care though for some strange reason.
Author's note:starts singing: do you believe in magick… :quickly stops: TEZ! You've corrupted me! Geez, now I'm gonna be singing that all day.
Conner:laughs and starts singing:
hippie99: Wow, sounds fun. I already had my spring break. Yeah that's a good thing, I wanna see Blaine get is block knocked off. Hey, I LIKE David, he's just, wow. Anyways, loved your review, thanks.
Chaimera: Glad to have made you smile. Irish education system… hum. Interesting. Glad you like the story:laughs: yep, lots of places.
Magic and sparkle Thank you, I will.
LadyLuck321: Ady is based on a good friend of mine. Thanks.
Acantha Mardivey: AIM stopped working again. :sighs: Anyways, thanks so much for the review. And she IS like my mom:laughs:
Conner: Don't throw things at me :sticks out tongue: na
ItsACrystalNothingMore: He says its okay. Send Conner back soon, Okay? Oh, and AIM stopped working again. :sighs:
Theshadowcat: Homework, homework, blah. :laughs: Anyways, you'll see, if I hadn't already explained, I eventually will. You'll see why. Don't worry.
Lasaireigh: Wow, thank you. Bright? Me? That's funny.
Conner:laughs:
Hey:throws shoe at muse: Anyways, no, I like Jareth its just… not when he's ticked off at me. Its kinda… dangerous.
Lady of the Labyrinth: No, alone with Jareth when he's ticked off. I'm proud but I'm not stupid. BAD idea. :grins:
Conner: Ha-ha… three lefts make a right.
word junky: Aw thanks. And no, I don't think she's PMSing, but, well you'll see.
LadyAniviel:laughs: you love Jareth in EVERY chapter. I guess I get it from hanging around him so much. :sighs: I've got the weirdest friends, a muse, goblins, Jareth… geez. :laughs again:
BOWIEgirl: Crying would have defeated the idea of me writing this. I mean, maybe I'll add in a sad chapty somewhere but… yeah, anyways. Glad you liked it. YAY COFFEE!
Lhiata: Thank you:laughs: risqué, nice word. Anyways, thank you again, loved the review.
Conner:laughs: Oh I'm sorry, it sounds like I'm weirding you out.
Top of Form
Anime-Moon-girl16:laughs: Well, go figure. I mean, okay, I gotta lot of weird friends, muses, goblins, their king. But uh, when Jareth's ticked at me… that's a bad thing you know. :laughs: its alright though, he always ends up blowing off steam and then he's his charming self again. Meh… lets not try and make his head any fatter than it already is:giggles:
Innogen: I feel pretty, oh so pretty, I feel pretty and WITTY and gay. Well… maybe not so much gay but:laughs: Thanks for the review.
Rosakara: Oh its okay. Thanks for review at all -
musicgirl141: Your welcome and you shall see.
