A/N- Regular disclaimer.

…words are binding…

"Honestly my dear Sarah, I was willing to wait until we were married, but if you're really so eager…" Jareth's voice was misleadingly flippant; the look he was giving her anything but. His tone martyred; his stare…

Sarah stiffened as the fury that had abandoned her returning with a vengeance under the heat of his gaze. She clambered to her feet, straightening with the relief of strained muscles, more incensed then grateful to be on equal footing with the Goblin King once more. Angry that he had allowed her to be on her knees, angry that it wasn't his fault, angry that he had enjoyed it. His eyes followed her movements, hovering on the curves of the dress, where the tight bodice flared into loose skirts, and then up, watching the rise and fall of her unsteady breath.

His eyes lingering on her was more then she could take. "You bastard! You lecherous, disgusting, cheating bastard! I'm only seventeen! Seventeen! You're- God- I don't even know how old you are! I have to marry you and I don't even know how old you are-" Jareth rose, as Sarah's voice began to become shrill. It was a sleek movement, graceful in painful contrast to Sarah's own irate, jerky motions. He approached her slowly, ignoring the desperate notes that were starting to break through into Sarah's voice. "But it doesn't matter! It doesn't matter because I don't have a choice, it doesn't matter what I want and you're just sitting there smugly because you know you're getting what you want!" He was close again; close enough for her to catch that intoxicating scent that clung to him, that infuriating smell, that thoughtless smile. The loose careless smile that she just wanted to wipe off his face, make him see. No, that wasn't the problem, he did see her position, he just didn't care. "I hate you!"

Sarah flung herself at him, covering the short space between them, her hands balled up into fists, pounding pointlessly against his chest. "I hate you- I hate you- I hate you!" Jareth's arms went around her, holding her loosely, giving her room to move her arms for the blows that didn't even make him wince. Gentle arms, safe arms, carefully brushing away wet hair from her face.

"If it makes you feel better, then go ahead and hit me." His voice was soft, betraying the smile that had been on his face, a deep voice, quiet but humming with the promises, the sorrows, the kindness she had been looking for. Suddenly Sarah found her anger dissolving, almost before she had realized it, bubbling away into the familiar burn of tears hiding behind her eyes, clogging her throat. Her arms rested uselessly against him, her head down, desperately fighting the sobs that threatened to wrack her body. Jareth's arms started to tighten around her, bring her closer, hold her tears against him.

"No- Don't-" It was of no use, he held her tightly, one hand running over her hair as he swayed back and forth, crooning to her.

"Shhhh… Shhh my beautiful girl, my beautiful Sarah…" Almost a lullaby, deep in his throat, rhythmic and kind. Sarah squeezed her eyes shut, even as the tell-tale warmth lodged in her chest, a salty tear making its trail down her face, choking her with suppressed cries. Jareth's grasped loosened a little as her body went limp, yet he still held her tightly, as if she were something fragile, something loved, something he didn't want to lose. "Shhh now Sarah, my precious, my pet…"

…words are binding…

Jareth had watched Sarah's retreating back with rather sardonic enjoyment. Very well… I did warn her. It wasn't his fault she was in for a shock. Well… Not completely his fault. Still, it would complicate matters later, they had much to discuss and- the sound of the bathroom door closing cut his inner monologue off abruptly. Not much he could do now but sit and wait, it was on Sarah's head now. Jareth strolled to the leather chairs surrounding the fireplace, idly toying with the shoe shine cloth. As he stretched out in one he turned his eyes to the closed door, wondering how she would make her eventual appearance, well, more appropriately, in what state of dress.

The noises in the bathroom startled him from his reverie, the telltale stumbling, the rattling of the door before it swung open. He turned to look expectantly at the door. Sarah isn't going to be pleas-

"Jareth! Jareth, what the hell is happening?"

"I warned you Sarah, a promise is a promise…" She dropped right in front of him, close enough that the disappointment over her complete state of dress faded fast. Very fast. He watched her as she moved, the stiff, awkward muscles lacking even the lesser mortal grace she usually had. Still… His Sarah. She was so beautiful, even now, hair falling around her, dripping down her back, turning the dark green almost black with water trails. The way her body hunched over, struggling with itself, almost buzzing with the effort. The way her arms curved as she moved them, how she was so close if he shifted he would brush against her face.

It happened so fast even Jareth was caught unawares. Suddenly Sarah's body lurched forward, her face brushing against his leg in a movement he had been playing over in his head ever since she had dropped in front of him. His eyes widened for a split second, the fire that started to tingle under his skin blazing, the brief contact a bellows. Sarah was starting at him and immediately his face fell into that easy smile. "Honestly Sarah…"

…words are binding…

Sarah clung to him, holding onto Jareth now, holding him as a drowning man holds the lifesaver that keeps him afloat. The sobs were slowly dying, losing their force until all that was left was the harsh sound of her breath against his gentle croons. Slowly Jareth pulled away, reluctantly leaving Sarah's arms, the fact she was clinging to him. Accepting comfort from him. Not even the fact he was holding her in his arms, but the fact she was willing to be there. He brushed his hand against the side of her face, gently wiping his thumb against a tearstained cheek.

"Sarah…" She looked up at him, warm brown eye still watery, almost resigned. Almost. "Let's sit down." Mutely she walked to the chairs, taking the one he had just vacated, looking at him as if she almost wanted him to object. Instead Jareth just sighed and took the chair next to her, turning to look at her as silence filled the gap between them.

Sarah stared straight ahead, although the tears had fizzled out the dull ache that lingered in her chest hadn't. She felt looser now, calmer, somehow detached, as if she was another girl, in another life, as if she was only reading a fairy tale. But it had felt so good to be held in his arms… To be wanted… That's not all he wants. Of course, internal dialogue, why not?

"Sarah?" The voice made her jump slightly, and she turned to look at Jareth.

"Yes?" Her voice surprised herself, detached voice, without a hint of the storm that had just come through.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh yes, I'm fine. I'm wonderful, couldn't be better."

"Be careful Sarah, I've been surprisingly indulgent, but you will watch your tone." For some reason Jareth felt anger beginning to rise in his voice. Watching her sit there, eyes glazing for a moment, her voice so… distant. It wasn't right, she wasn't allowed- she was his. His.

Sarah blinked, her eyes snapping back, anger flashing in them. "I will do nothing of the sort." At least now she was present. Jareth softened his tone, almost pacified by the anger he had summoned. His ability to control something about her.

"Now Sarah, is that anyway to treat your future husband?" A silky comment, almost a purr it was so self-satisfied.

"You're not- You- God! I hate you."

"No you don't." A light finger tracing over her arm, down the cloth onto bare skin, Sarah shivered. "Now, we do need to talk… When is your birthday?"

"What?" She looked up at him in confusion. "My birthday?"

"Your birthday." He said it slowly as if she were slightly dim.

"In three months." A scowl. She was not stupid.

"Good, that gives us barely enough time to start planning." A sinking feeling started in her stomach, she didn't want to ask. Didn't want to but had to.

"Planning what?"

This time he did look at her as if she was stupid, he said it simply, as if it was something perfectly natural. "Our wedding."

A/N- Eeep. I'm sorry. I know, I should be absolutely ashamed it took me so long to update. I had to bike from Erie to Pittsburgh, then go to a family reunion, lots of long car trips everywhere, then my birthday, plus I had to write a birthday present for a friend and… I'm sorry. I guess life happened. But it's up now. Short but it's up. Forgive me? Right… okay. So, I guess it's an okay chapter, more of a filler, i promise more will happen in the next chapter, review and I put it up, quicker this time. I have more incentive to escape what with school starting so soon. Thanks everyone.