Threats and Promises

By: CreativeImagination

Edited By: LadyArwen

Inspired by: Jareth's Goblins

Chapter Two

He didn't bother answering me, or perhaps he would've if I hadn't gritted my teeth in pain again. But everything hurt so much! I wreathed in pain, closing my eyes to keep the tears from falling, though they seemed to slip out nonetheless.

"Be still," he ordered and I attempted my best to keep as still as I could manage. Gently, he pushed me into an upright position and slipped in behind me. I stopped breathing until he slowly eased me back, pressed up against his chest.

"What are you doing?" I managed to whisper but he hushed me.

"Go to sleep," he said simply "this takes a great deal of energy and I don't think I can manage with you roaming about." A sharp pain filled my head and he sighed "I wish I knew what was wrong with you Sarah." He touched the back of my neck and suddenly the headache faded. I took in a deep relived breath.

"Why are-" I started but he cut me off.

"Sarah," he growled "either be still or go to sleep. I'll answer questions later, you have my word." My eyelids started to droop, and I became more relaxed as Jareth healed my body. I couldn't think anymore, all I knew was relief and I was fine with that. Sleep began to overtake me; peace filled my body for the first time in what seemed like forever. Finally he stopped and took a deep breath, he was tired, I could sense it.

"Take a break," I whispered falling asleep against him. He looked me over carefully and seemed to shift into a more comfortable position.

"That would cause it to take longer," he informed but I shook my head, though my eyes were still closed.

"If your tired, then take a break," I ordered in a more strict tone "I don't want to be a bother." There was a long pause "why are you helping me?"

"Because you asked me to," he replied.

"That seems to be a dumb reason to help someone," I whispered and looked up at him "doesn't it?" His expression softened and he just kept looking at me in a bewildered way.

"I suppose," he muttered and shifted again. "Perhaps that isn't the only reason." When he went quiet, I started to wonder if he'd ever tell me what the other reason was. I'm sure the look I was giving him urged him on but he only gave a cocky smile. "But now's not the time for that."

"That's not fair," I muttered and then added when he gave me a sly look "but then you never are." His eyes flashed a fierce warning.

"I think I've been very fair," he growled "I've done everything you've asked, is that not fair?" I froze for a moment and took in a ragged breath. I knew that once I started talking to him we'd get into it about what happened last time,

"If you're referring to Toby," I said plainly "then your right." He looked nothing less than shocked, and who could blame him? I don't normally admit such things you know, especially to Jareth of all people.

"Come again?" he teased and I yawned and gave an annoyed look.

"I'm not saying that I'm pleased with it," I growled "I'm simply stating that it was my fault for wishing Toby away and everything else, you were just doing your job." There was a pause "so the only thing I can be mad at you for is you taking my time away and never visiting."

"Visiting?" he repeated.

"Did I not say that I needed all of you?" I asked looking up at him with an amused smile.

"Well," he admitted "yes but, I didn't think you meant me." I yawned again and nodded. Somehow, I fell asleep when I awoke, I found myself no longer in the hospital room, but in a room I'd never seen before. Jareth had curled up next to me in his overly large bed; he was now in his full garb and seemed to be dreaming. Stretching, I felt an odd tingling sensation which I figured was the magick working. I felt so much better that I actually smiled and turned over, only then did I notice that Jareth had been holding me in his arms. I attempted to wriggle out of them without waking the sleeping king but he just pulled me closer to him. I turned my head to look at him and he was grinning cockily.

"Are you trying to be a pain," I teased "or does it come naturally?" he pulled me tighter and shrugged.

"I'd assume that you'd be a little more grateful," he mused "I mean, me saving you from such agony." I tried to wriggle away from him again but it seemed the more I pulled away the more pressed up to him I became. It was all very embarrassing actually, for I started to wonder what parts of him I might be pressed up too.

"I am," I said blushing "but that doesn't mean you've got to clinch me to death." A low chuckle escaped his lips and I suddenly recognized it from the hallway at school. "You were watching me," I accused and he smirked.

"I had to be sure you were alright," he admitted "I could sense your sickness once you awoke yesterday morning."

"Yesterday?" I repeated still trying to get out of his embrace "you mean I've been sleeping all this time?" He nodded and I sighed "could you possible stop trying to kill me here?"

"Why?" he asked simply and I growled.

"Jareth," I struggled "let go." His grip became firm around my waist pulling my lower back uncomfortably close to his pelvic regain. I stopped thrashing about, knowing that though he may not hold power over me, he was sure as hell stronger physically.

"What do you say?" he said in a singsong voice and I narrowed my eyes, which only made him pull me closer.

"Alright," I growled "alright. Please let me go."

"I will on one condition," he smiled and I looked at him "you must stay here."

"Oh," I whispered and lowered my eyes "I can't. Its not that I- ugh." Playfully he'd pulled me so close to him that I could feel his every muscle move. "Maybe for a little while."

"A week," he ordered pulling me closer, if possible.

"I can't," I muttered pushing him away the best I could "I've got to go to school."

"A week," he ordered again and I sighed, he was being difficult again. "A week or I shall not let you go."

"You will sometime," I teased, big mistake. His eyes flashed an amused glimpse and his mouth twisted into an arrogant grin.

"Believe me Sarah," he breathed "I can hold you for a very, very long time."

Author's note: Well, there's chapter two, and I really hope you like it. It may seem that Sarah and Jareth are both chummy right now, but wait for my plot twist! MUHAHAHA! -

And to my wonderful reviewers:

Moonjava: you're always the first one to review any of my stories! Your so great!

Angelic Moonlight22: oh thank you, love your name too.

Well, that's all. Next chapter will be up really soon (probably tomorrow depending on how well my goblins behave). Well, I'm off to finish my Geometry project. ::dances with goblins::