Ch 10
Once again, Sarah quickly pulled her head away from Jareth. She was extremely irritated at her friend for her bad timing. Well, she supposed it wasn't really Julie's fault her timing was so bad. But Sarah could at least be angry that Julie hadn't knocked, something Sarah asked her again and again to do.
Sighing, she got up to greet her guests.
"Well, hello Jareth, I see you spent the night?" Julie asked Jareth with a big grin on her face. She hated to see Sarah lonely all the time, and she was delighted that she could finally tease her about having a man stay the night.
"For God's sake, Julie, it wasn't like that. We just…talked," Sarah said quickly, trying to save herself yet more embarrassment.
But oblivious friend that she was, Julie didn't give up. "You guys look pretty tired…you must have been up awfully late last night…" she let her voice trail off suggestively.
"Jules…" Sarah's voice held a warning tone that Julie knew all too well. She knew when it was time to back off.
Sarah decided it was time to change the subject. "I certainly didn't expect to see you here so early," she said to Julie. "Did things not…work out…with you and Bayron?"
Julie laughed. "Hell, no, last night was terrific! If I look like I didn't sleep a wink it's because I didn't. Let me tell you, that man-"
"Ahem," Jareth cleared his throat, seeing the look on his friends face. Bayron wasn't the type to kiss and tell. He was a romantic, and he didn't make love to a woman he didn't feel he could love. He could see Bayron didn't appreciate where Julie was going with her conversation.
Julie looked guiltily at Bayron. "Sorry hon," she said with a dazzling smile. She realized how sensitive Bayron was, and she hoped to keep seeing him. Obviously not blurting out the details of their sex life was a key factor in doing that.
Bayron looked at Jareth. "Could we talk for a moment? In private?" He flashed a smile at Julie to let her know he wasn't upset with her.
"Sure," said Jareth, getting up from the table. He led Bayron away into the living room.
Jareth sat on the couch, Bayron across from him on an armchair. Bayron looked at Jareth expectantly. "Well?"
"Well what?" Jareth asked, knowing full well what Bayron wanted to know.
"Did you tell her you love her?"
Jareth sighed. "Of course I did. You knew I wasn't going to come here and not let her know how I feel."
Bayron heard something in his old friend's voice. "I sense there's a 'but' coming along soon."
Jareth gave a half-smile as he agreed. "Yes…but I'm afraid it was all for nothing. I can tell she loves me, she's all but said so, but something's keeping her from just saying it."
Bayron felt a rush of pity for his friend. For a decade now, he had heard no other woman's name pass through Jareth's lips. Never had he seen his friend like this before. He wasn't even interested in the occasional fling with a beautiful fae woman; he always claimed he only wanted Sarah. He knew how bad Jareth had it for the girl.
"Is she scared to admit she loves you?" Bayron asked, leaning forward in his chair.
Jareth sighed again. "Yes, I think so. To be honest, I wish our conversation last night had been more productive. I barely feel like we got anything accomplished."
Bayron laughed. "Hell, Jareth, you're talking about a relationship here, not a business meeting!" Jareth smiled at that. Bayron continued on a more serious note. "Did you tell her what has to happen?"
Jareth shook his head. "No, I didn't get to that part. I can't just tell her, then she might rush into something without thinking. Or at least, the old Sarah would. This Sarah seems quite a bit more cautious."
Bayron was silent, thinking about his friend's predicament. Jareth was only able to stay Aboveground for three days, and if in that time Sarah didn't profess her love for him, and mean it with every fiber of her being, he would be forced to go back to the Underground, alone. Bayron hoped that Sarah would sort out her feelings quickly, for he alone knew how desperately the Goblin King wanted her as his Queen.