Breathing deeply she tried to control her heart, that had been way too close for comfort. And she didn't know whether she was reacting to Mick's sudden appearance or the predicament she had been in with Jareth before that. "Wallflower." Mick growled, it was his nickname for her, although not exactly flattering when he had given it to her they hadn't known of its true meaning.
"Mick please, can I just calm down a bit." Worry filled his eyes and she soon found herself in his comforting embrace. She let him hold her, letting herself warm to his embrace, the closest thing she had come to accepting comfort in years.
"Are you ok?" She nodded against his shoulder. "Sarah you don't have to talk about it." She could hear the strain it was causing him, he wanted to know, but didn't want to force it out of her at the same time. He knew her value of privacy, but also of how she kept her problems to herself and usually tried to deal with them in the same way, even when it was wisest to accept defeat and call on assistance. His consideration for her way of things made her eyes water, made her come so close to letting go. It warmed her heart to know someone loved her, Toby was young, he was her brother, it wasn't the same. Some part of her couldn't forgive herself for what she had done months ago, she doubted she ever would. How could she forgive herself for such a deed, when she couldn't find it in herself to regret it?
"No, you deserve to know, I think. I think I may have put you in danger."
"And pray tell how would you do that?"
"Association mostly, Jareth isn't one to share. He considers me his, he didn't like the way you touched me when you were training me."
"But, I didn't see anyone? And who's Jareth? Some jealous ex of yours?"
"No, Mick you know that book I always read and acted from?" He nodded and she pushed him to sit down on the couch, taking her spot beside him she tried to figure out how to tell her tale and not sound insane in the process. "You're not going to believe this." She moaned not finding any solution.
"Sarah, I just saw a weirdly dressed man disappear in thin air after barging in on you while he kissed you. I'm ready to believe anything."
"You have a purple elephant on your nose." She let out not thinking about her words, it was an old joke to him and she had never let up on teasing him about the old dream.
"But that. Stop joking Sarah."
"Fine, well that man you saw. He, I, Mick you will think me long gone after this. Don't interrupt until I finish and please, don't ask me any questions. The book, The Labyrinth, all of it. It's real, I wished Toby away I ran the land of the Goblin King and I won Toby back. Unfortunately the book leaves out a few minor details. I made it to the center in time to save Toby, but had none left to get out myself. Jareth, the King, gave me the hours he had taken from me on my way in. I had that long to get out. I was so close!" She felt her nails enter her palms and forced her hands to relax. Sucking on the blood for a moment she tried to calm down. "Just as I made it to the exit my time ran out. I by the laws of the Underground, belonged to Jareth, completely." She saw her friends eyes widen with worry and fear for her. Placing two fingers over his mouth she continued. "Not until I finish Mick. Anyway, for the most part I had to reorder a library and take my meals with him. You can imagine how fun that was when I didn't have my reading glasses." Her friend winced; he wore contacts to see daily and knew the pain of straining eyes that could occur. "He had me pretty much trapped, a room far from the ground, and work that left me dead tired each night. Too bad I never let little things like that stop me before, I researched maps and found a way to escape. Even then I waited a month to try, I knew I would have to lay low for a time so I found out what kind of company I would be keeping, what to avoid be it creature or food. What I could eat and where I could sleep. After all that work climbing down the side of the castle was a cakewalk." He grinned, having seen her scale the side of her house many times, from the tone of her voice he could tell that she had found many handholds. "I waited a week and ran like hell for here. So basically if I stay in this house for a month he has to leave me alone for the rest of my life. That including all of my family now and to come."
"Then why was he here?" He worried about Sarah. She was not as social as most girls her age, she would rather dance or act than go to the mall. She was a dreamer but still maintained a good grip on reality. He knew her to be strong; she had survived too much to be broken by the ways of a willful man. But she was not in control of everything. And he had seen how she had been at the Jareth person's mercy. He probably couldn't make Sarah want to leave her house, but he could hurt her in other ways than harsh words and threats, he could make it hell for her in her home. 'As if it isn't already.' He thought bitterly.
"To tell me that you were basically in deep shit for having touched me during the lesson. He thought you were hot for me." He felt his face drop and then smiled.
"Wellllll." He started. "If you're hair were a little shorter, chest a little flatter, and…"
"Male?" She cooed sweetly."
"Yup."
"Hate to break it to you, but guess what."
"What?"
"It's a secret." She mock whispered, their childhood antics still running through their blood.
"I keep it quiet." He solemnly promised, eyes twinkling.
"I'm, a, GIRL!" She whispered. "One hundred percent female." Standing up he began to 'shout' out her 'secret.' Taking care not to be too loud. Laughing she pulled him back to the couch. "Do you think we'll ever grow up?" She muttered resting her head on his lap.
"God I hope not, turning into our parents would be a fate worse than death." But at his words he saw the thoughts cross Sarah's eyes.
"I'm not so sure about that, mom is happy enough. Thing is, when you think of no one but yourself and don't give a rats ass about others. No one can hurt you." His heart tightened, she had thought much like this one time before, and had almost succeeded in cutting of her heart. He had only broken through her shields by using all his wit. Leaving gifts to remind her of their happy times. Writing notes, mock plays of their escapades. Finally she had fallen into his arms. Crying her heart out into his shoulder. It was the last time he had seen her cry, the last time he thought she had ever cried. Looking down he saw her eyes closed, brows meeting slightly. By reflex he shifted his weight and began to massage her temples.
"Oooh now I remember the reason to feel jealous of all your boyfriends." She murmured.
"Not so many as you think."
"Bound to be more than me Mick, considering I have walloping zero as my record. I ought to fix that, I ignore the boys. I'm not blind or as ignorant to think that the books are being held before them for their health."
"Nope, just their pride." She snorted at his mention of the male ego. "You'll find someone Sarah. Even if I have to marry you myself."
"Make a girl feel loved, you sound as if I would be a shrew." She bantered, poking fun at him.
"You have a party to get ready for. They get here at seven; right now it's three. If I know girls the way I do."
"From bad teen movies." She interrupted voice chipper and teasing.
"You will take forever…with your nap then run around like a chicken with her head cut off and throw something on at the last minute."
"I hate you." She growled unconvincingly.
"I'll take Toby to the sitter. I arranged for him and Angie to be watched."
"So you have custody now?" She looked to him in wonder, his sister had been of less than amiable traits and had left her brother to take care of and raise her baby girl. He nodded, an odd joy in his eyes. She smiled knowing how proud he was of being able to continue his relationship with Bernie, care for his niece, and still follow his dreams as a performer.
"You have a party to get ready for Sarah. I have to get the chow and Toby to the sitter. So until then my dear I'll see you at six."
"One of these days I'll prove you wrong on your predictions about me." She growled forcing herself to get up and to her feet.
"But not today?" She blushed at his words.
"Probably not. Oh well, later." Not worrying about him she took the steps two at a time. A bath sounded heavenly to her at the moment. Rushing into her room she searched her clothes for something fitting a party that would be tonight. She had to be able to dance, she could move in almost any type of shoe but she wanted to look nice. Meaning sneakers were out of the question, she settled on a pair of fancy black shoes with only a slight heel to them. Some black stockings found their place atop the shoes. Searching for something nice to wear she made a noise through her teeth. 'I thought I would never say this, I should shop more often.' The taboo of the thought made her shudder. Looking into her not so large closet she found a blood red jumper. Smiling she pulled it out, a dark blue turtleneck to wear beneath it and she was finished. Throwing the ensemble onto her, for once, made bed she left for her tiny bathroom. Pulling her hair free from the bind she had put it in she made a face at the sweat that had dampened it, she loved to dance, but she was by far too out of shape. 'By my measures at any rate.' She didn't feel Jareth around or spying on her and wasted no time in settling herself in a bubble bath after a quick shower. Relaxing she felt aches in places she had forgotten pain could exist. Closing her eyes she hardly noticed when she drifted off to sleep.
Looking down at her he couldn't help but scowl at the bubbles floating on the water, hiding her from his eyes. Returning his gaze to her face he took note of the relaxation and peace she displayed. He had watched her as she talked with her friend. He had encouraged her to open to him; she had only allowed him a slight insight to her troubles. They had spoken of her past, and it was obvious that they had known each other for a while for so much to be exchanged with so few words. She had told her story to him; he had not thought her mad. Instead having accepted her word and truly believing her. They had talked of him, parts of his life and the mention of a babe. Some part of him wondered if the child had been born of Sarah. He was truly not sure; the way she had spoken of it had been as if it were not hers. But the joy she had displayed at the knowledge that the boy cared for the child had been true. He had teased her when their time for chat ran short. Within the next blink of an eye her eyes fluttered open. Moving slightly he watched the bubbles move, but still all from beneath the waters surface. When her eyes slid to him they narrowed. The water moved as she adjusted her body to hide it from site should the bubbles vanish.
"Miss me Sarah?"
"How can I miss you?" She growled, looking as if she very much wanted to get into his face and stand up to him on an equal battle. "You never leave. Not long enough at any rate." Her blazing eyes brought a smile to his lips. She was far from pleased. He didn't care.
What do you think? Want more? I haven't heard too many requests for scenes in my fic so I guess that you wither don't care or you like what you already see. Any way have fun REVIEW and tell me what you think.
~BUM~