Chapter Twenty-One
Shall We Dance?
"Maybe I do," she mused as they danced.
"Really?" Jareth smirked a little "it has nothing to do with-"
"Shh," she grumbled "you're making me mess up." She tripped a few times and he laughed.
"Well no wonder," he said simply "both of us can lead you know." Piper gave an annoyed stare but he pushed her in the right direction. "Now if you'd follow me," he muttered, grinning at her.
"But I don't want to follow you," she teased. "What if I want to lead?"
"Then your out of luck," he said and she fell into step with him. He dipped her, but kept her diagonal. She cocked an eyebrow, what was he trying to do? The only thing she could do (rather than slumping there in his arm) was to wrap her arms around his neck to steady herself. She had apparently done what he'd wanted to do because he lifted her back up. He was glad when she didn't move her arms from there new place. He wrapped one arm around her waist and if he hadn't been leading her, she would've stopped cold in her tracks.
"Jareth," she said simply "you shouldn't-"
"Shouldn't what?" he smiled at her. How'd he do that? Piper paused a moment, this was very much like what had happened moments before, only this time it was Jareth who was… he was trying to seduce her? He was better at it than the man she'd danced with before, but this was Jareth… this was her friend, he wouldn't do that to her… would he?
"Shouldn't," her mind wandered. She snapped back. "Stop it."
"Stop what?" he asked innocently.
"Jareth," she growled "whatever your doing."
"Oh," he laughed "Piper just because your attracted to me doesn't mean I'm using magick." She would have liked to slap that smile off his face right then and there. "I'm just helping it along."
"Exactly," she snapped and pulled away from him. Oh dear… Piper didn't wait another moment and just shook her head and walked away, out of the ballroom and locked herself in her room. How could he do this to her? Or was she doing it to herself? Did she like him? Better yet, did she love him? She shook her head, she hoped not. She'd never had someone so close to herself though, and Jareth…
"Piper?" he stood in front of her door. She didn't answer. "Piper I know your in there." She unlocked the door and looked out.
"Can I help you?" she asked.
"Come back down," he said quietly.
"Jareth I," she paused "I can't."
"Can't or won't?" he asked.
"Both," she said in haste "now if that's all-" she started closing the door again.
"Piper," he moved the door open "listen to me-"
"I don't WANT to," she growled "go away."
"Well too bad," he said "I need to tell you something." She started to protest but he sat her down and covered her mouth gently with his hand. "Piper I wasn't doing anything to you, I promise. And I was just teasing you when I said that you were-"
"But," she paused.
"But?" he asked.
"I was," she muttered "er, am. Sorta. I don't know." He smiled some, really wishing he hadn't rushed her like he did. "I'm sorry," she muttered.
"Why?" he asked, a little surprised that she'd be sorry for something like liking him.
"I'm just being stupid," she muttered "I'm being all… weird and messing up the ball and-"
"No your not," he said "and don't be sorry." He kissed her cheek and took her hand. "Now come on." She paused a moment and grinned at him.
"What if I don't WANT to?" she mused.
"I've had just about enough of your mouth young lady," he smirked and picked her up.
"Jareth, put me down," she growled.
"Will you come then?" he asked, walking down the hall, Piper slung over his shoulder.
"If you put me down," she muttered.
"Swear?" he asked.
"Cross my heart," she pushed him some "let me down." He set her back on her feet and she pushed him. "Don't DO that."
"Why?" he asked.
"Jareth," she growled.
'Okay," he rolled his eyes "I'm just kidding. Geez." He smirked a little. "You thought about me."
"That's it," she poked him in the side and he laughed.
"Stop it," he smirked.
"Then you'd better be nice," she teased "or I'll tell everyone you swallowed soap and had bubble hiccups."
"You would not," he stopped dead in the hall.
"I would," she smiled "so be nice."
"Nice?" he smiled "alright, I will be very 'nice'. In face," he took a step towards her and smirked. He grabbed her around the waist and she yelped.
"Kidding," she laughed as he dragged her onto the balcony.
"Uh huh," he smirked "this is what you get for trying to blackmail me."
"Blackmail?" she laughed "what is this blackmail that you speak of. I wasn't trying to do anything in fact-" He took her hand and she paused. She tried to remember what she was going to say but everything went blank. "I don't think we should…" He nodded.
"I understand," he murmured "until you are ready I will be nothing more than a friend." She frowned, not understanding what he meant. "Piper," he smiled a wiry smile "I care about you… not just as a friend." It was hard for him not to whip out a crystal right then and ask her if she'd just say yes, he'd give her dreams. But that wasn't the way to go and he knew it. She seemed to notice this too. She just seemed to know that this was as hard for him as it was for her and she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
"Okay," she joked "I won't tell anyone about the soap thing." He laughed.
"You know that's not why," he started and she pulled back.
"I know," she nodded "I'm sure your guests are missing you. You'd better go back."
"Your coming," he said.
"I'd rather not," she muttered, feeling slightly embarrassed and awkward now that they both liked the other.
"Piper," he sighed.
"Jareth," she rolled her eyes and he smirked some. "Okay," she teased "I'll go. Just, stop poking me."
"Of course," he promised and they both left.
Author's note:
YAY:smiles: they like each other. Finally, something! But uh, Sarah's coming back in and… it gets real complicated later. Don't worry though, you'll see what happens!
Conner: Told you I'd finish it, Amie. We updated all of our stories -
