Chapter 12: The Party is Over

Jareth looked up and saw Sarah trailed by four frat brothers. Disengaging his arms from the clutches of Cindy and Paris, he interrupted the chattering girls coldly. "As enjoyable as this has been... for you," he added, "I'm afraid you must excuse me now." He stalked over to Sarah and mutely handed her the ginger ale. He arched an eyebrow at the sight of her entourage and began counting them aloud. She giggled and cuffed him lightly.

"Hey Sandra, why'd you walk away?" Ben asked her plaintively. "You involved with this guy or something?"

Involved. Sarah considered the implications of that word briefly before she answered. They were not in a relationship, and they were certainly not lovers, but she thought that "involved" might cover the highly enjoyable mutual flirtation and possible friendship she and Jareth had shared for two days. "Yes, actually I am rather involved with him. Sorry, guys."

"And I don't share," Jareth told the boys with a dangerous smile as he put his arm around Sarah.

"Neither do I," Sarah informed the four girls who had drifted after Jareth like flotsam in his wake. Paris clucked her tongue and turned away in disgust, rolling her eyes at Cindy.

Jareth turned his back on the girls, focussing only on Sarah. "What would you prefer, my dear -- one more dance? Or are you ready to leave now?"

Sarah, strangely emboldened by his display of possession, leaned in and gave him a brief kiss. "We can leave when ever you like."

Not taking his eyes off her, Jareth led her to the door. "Should we take leave of our host first?" he asked.

Sarah glanced over her shoulder to see Raoul glaring drunkenly at her. She smiled sweetly and wiggled her fingers at him before the door closed behind them. "Oh," she said. "I think he knows we're gone."

Jareth smirked and glanced around. Seeing no one, he waved a hand and transported them back to Sarah's apartment. "Welcome home," he said. Eyes gleaming, he continued, "Now, about that wager. I counted four. Were there more?"

"No, just four. Looked like that's how many you got, too," she said.

"Four," he agreed. "Then it's a draw. We could either declare a rematch, or we could both claim ourselves winners."

Sarah groaned and threw herself down on the couch. "I don't think I could stomach a rematch. I'm not big on frat parties,usually.I guess we both won." She placed the back of her wrist against her forehead in a classic tragical pose and said, "Oh, dear! You mean I get a new dress for the wedding, and a long visit in fairyland? Horrors! However shall I manage?"

Jareth narrowed his eyes. "That's sarcasm, isn't it?"

Sarah bounced up again, unaccountably happy. "It takes the king a little longer these days, but he eventually catches on!"

"Now you're mocking me," he accused, sounding a bit petulent.

Sarah's smile disappeared. "Jareth, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you -- that was just meant as some friendly teasing."

"I am not offended, but Sarah," he hesitated, then asked, "Are we friends?"

She nodded and pulled him down to sit next to her. "I think we are," she said. "We're definitely on the right track. The only reason we didn't get along before was because of, well, circumstances beyond our control."

"And shall we stop at friendship then, my Sarah? Or shall we travel beyond it into uncharted territory?" Jareth's voice sounded whimsical, as if it were a rhetorical question he was idly putting to himself.

"I -- I don't know," Sarah replied, all her uncertainty and self-consciousness returning in a rush.

Jareth heard the tremor in her voice and wanted to reassure her. That was all, he told himself as his lips caught hers and clung. He only wanted to show her that her insecurities had no grounding in reality, he thought as he drew her into his arms and slanted his mouth to get better access to hers. It was simple reassurance, as he claimed her mouth again and again.

Then, as she parted her lips and Jareth suddenly had the taste of Sarah on his tongue, he recognized it for what it was.

Desire.

Desire slammed through him and left him reeling with its power. He forced himself to break the kiss, to back away. New sensations skittered over his body as he gazed, panting, into Sarah's wide moss-green eyes.

Sarah stared at him in shock for a moment before darting her tongue out to lick her lips. He closed his eyes and drew a deep, shaky breath.

"Sarah, I… " What should he say? What could he possibly say to distinguish himself from the frat boys who had been lusting after Sarah all night -- much like himself. She was going to think him no better than those rude, brainless children who had plagued her at the party. He drew on his dignity like he put on his gloves. "Sarah, I apologize for that. As enjoyable as it was, I should have had more restraint. Will you excuse me until tomorrow?"

Sarah nodded her head in a jerky motion, and Jareth disappeared. Still in a daze, Sarah stumbled upstairs and fell into her bed.

More to come soon.