I still own nothing, except Moira.
"Where am I?"
"Where you were when you passed out," an amused, dry voice informed her. "I didn't think people really said that, but you have ever defied expectations, Sarah."
"Jareth- your mother just claimed you were the compassionate kid," she sniped. "It is so not compassionate to tease people who just fainted." She began trying to sit up, finding it difficult at best. "Feathers? Why am I in a feather bed?"
"Because I brought you to the castle. Since I am the more compassionate of mother's sons, I needed to keep you within easy range to check on you or be available if you woke up needing something. However, as King, I can't just sit in your apartment and watch talk shows while I do that, so I brought you with me."
She knew there were holes in that logic, but trying to decipher them at present was entirely too much to do. "I need to go on back home- what time is it?"
"I'll return you at a time that is convenient for you- and explain again how time is more like a road that one can intersect at varying points than ..."
Holding up a hand, Sarah shook her head, "I get that. What I don't get is why I must die."
"You won't die, Sarah. You will age at a rate of about one hour per century, since you are fully grown. Did you strike your head when you passed out?" Jareth asked, instantly crossing to her side to pushing back her hair to examine her skull for a missed bruise or some other injury.
"No..I mean, die to that world- it'll hurt so many people," Sarah protested, not realizing how vain that sounded.
Jareth sighed, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. She was right, the feathers were entirely too soft. He'd have to correct that. "Because your world does not comprehend the ways of this one easily, for one thing. We withdrew, for the most part, from closeness to that realm long ago because your people tended to elevate us to deific status, and that is entirely too wrong. Secondly, now they might not worship us, which is fine, but becoming lab rats has about the same level of appeal, none. Third, think on it, Sarah. You will not age in a way that is readily perceived; yet those you know- Toby, your friends, Sean, Mary, Charlie, your parents, even your dreadful aunts, will. Can you bear to see them so degenerate? Could they bear to see you so little altered by time?" Unconsciously, he intertwined their fingers as they lay on top of the quilt.
"This is so not fair," Sarah returned to her old mantra.
"I wonder what your basis for comparision might be?" he gently teased. "There is nothing fair or unfair under heaven."
"God has been good to us," she finished the quote.
"Indeed He has. "
Bending forward, he kissed the tear that left a silver trail down Sarah's face.
"Jareth."
"Hm?"
"Can you give me some time? A week without seeing you or Moira or any of this?" Sarah raised her face to look at Jareth seriously, and did not miss the flash of pain in his eyes.
Eternity passed between them. Then, slowly, the king nodded. "I can deny you no wish, ma couer. Though it cuts me like a knife. "
Though she resented the manipulative tone, Sarah's will was as strong as his still. "I need a space to come to peace with losing everything I've known, even if it is the price of all I want."
Keeping a mask of resolve on his face, Jareth reaffirmed his consent. "As you have asked, it shall be done."
"Not even one dream sent from you," she went on resolutely, though a catch made her voice falter.
"No," he agreed, then a teasing smile danced in Jareth's eyes. "But, love, I can not prevent you from dreaming about me."
"Who says I will?"
In lieu of words, he kissed her fully on the lips, meeting no resistance.
"I believe I just gave you something to dream of."
"Or at least yourself?"
The king did not deny it, but did steal one last kiss before the world shifted and returned Sarah to the mundane world from which she came.
"You never will play fair will you, " Sarah asked the silence, "my love?"