Hi all! I know it has been SOOO long- but here is a super big chappie! Also, since the whole, shout outs rule hasn't come to code yet, I've decided to just put them on the chapters, for now. This decision was also reached because only one person was looking at the shout outs on my livejournal. Shows what good mates you are. I'm just kiddin. I'm so really super happy- I'm going to be a big sister soon! So the happiness means more chappies for you! I'm on school holidays now so I should be working a bit more on my stories- unless some mysterious guy asks me out to the movies- then I'll just let it slip…
(Jareth) taps foot Mysterious guy?
(Gabriel) Yeah- what we aren't good enough for you now?
(Lady) Oh, come on. You two have never been good enough for me; you're always bickering and that means you never have time for me.
Jareth grabs Gabriel and has a huddle with his brother. Whispering sounds.
(Lady) I have no idea what they're doing- so here are your shouts!
MistySatinDream- you may have to wait a little for the angus arse crunchin- but not too long. See, yuz guys are on, say, page 36 of my notebook (the one that started after Sarah got bashed) and I'm writing page 53, and I haven't quite written up to that part yet. Don't fret- I'm waiting for it just as anxiously are you are!
MordSith-Rahl- 5 MINUTES? THAT IS STILL FAR TOO LONG! If you come on a student exchange thing, there is an excellent program on that at Toowong- but wait, ITS CLOSING DOWN! The stupid government is closing down my school! Those damn jerks of politicians! I think mangoes in all its forms are disgusting- and I live in one of the most mango rich places on earth! If you kick my ass sometime in the near future, can you make sure it ISN"T in front of my future bro or sis? I know how it is to watch someone get smashed up when your little, and it isn't a very good thing. I just reckon it's weird that I'll be getting a sibling at almost the EXACT same time Sarah did! Except, it will be related to me from my mum and I'm actually happy about it.
No, the speaker is not a woman.
atsuibelulah- well, I wasn't around for the eighties so I think that the dress was super scary- I'm serious, I used to have nightmares about it eating me.
Websurffer- I like dun dun dun better, myself. You really think its confusing? Well, I guess she's just upset- I mean there has been a lot of stress on her lately…
Calendae- well, it's drop in this chapter.
SmeagulTheWeasul- I want one too. I adore peaches.
Eleanora Rose- here it is, oh, but you didn't threaten me, Severin. Your more polite half stopped you before you could. I'm glad that you could read this as I've always held you in highest esteem. You really have Jareth tied to a chair? I should try that sometime…
BatteredChild- I didn't know you were from Australia! That is so mondo cool! I know about the gum tree thing, I love em and I thought some of these Americans who are deprived of our superiorly beautiful flora should realise what they are missing out on. Don't you agree?
Petra15- her ya go!
bobmcbobbob1- Anything is possible, I spose. My mum wasn't around with armour hotdogs, so she couldn't tell me. I think Sarah's brain will heal faster. I can't believe you were going to quit reading! I really am persuasive, aren't I? Well, at least I gave you that option, many people like fluff- fluff that I just can't supply.
Silver Angel- really? My mum says that to me ALL the time. 'what is so funny in there?' 'Nothing you'd understand, mum' and that such
LabyLvrPhx- really? No-one else does, that's for damn sure.
Kat095- Jarry? Oh, dear, another nickname. I just call him Gobby.
Obsessor-of-inuasha- I'm happy u heart this, I certainly don't. this is the worst work I have ever done. I detest Sarah with all the fiber of my being. She must DIE! Ah, well, might as well make her happy before I shoot her down. Lovely child, aren't I?
Chapter 19
The Secret's Out
Jareth and Sarah looked up to see Hoggle storming towards them. He was so far away from the table that he hadn't realised who Jareth's dinner guest was.
Jareth stood up and moved in front of Sarah, shielding her from Hoggle's sight and keeping his word. 'Leave, Hoggle, you have not been invited and this is a private party,' hissed Jareth coldly.
Hoggle didn't pause in his rampant (A/N ? What the-? Can Hoggle even BE rampant?) stride down the hall. He halted, panting and glowering, in front of Jareth. 'You filthy wretch! What is this rumour I heard about Sarah (my Sarah!) being here? In the Underground! With YOU!'
'Hoggle,' growled Jareth menacingly, 'you will leave, before I do something I might regret.'
'I'm not goin' anywhere 'til you tell me what is goin' on! Where is she? Taking her was not part of tha plan- th' plan that you agreed to!' yelled Hoggle, his stout body bristling with anger and worry. 'I can't believe I trusted you! You're a despic'ble swine who only does thin's when they are in your interest- no-one else's! You aren't fit to clean th' scum from th' rocks in the Bog of Eternal stench!'
Sarah covered her eyes with her hands as she listened to one of her best friends shout obscenities at the Goblin King- for her sake.
Jareth quickly glanced over his shoulder at Sarah's weakened emotional state, then turned his blazing eyes back to his uninvited guest. He didn't mind the name calling- it actually amused him a little- but the stress that Sarah had to deal with at the moment… well, it was too much. 'GET OUT, HOGGLE! YOU-' he broke off as a slim hand wrapped with bandages touched his elbow.
Sarah stood up and looked at Jareth sadly. 'It's okay,' she said.
Jareth nodded and stepped to the side, allowing Hoggle to see Sarah.
'It's okay,' she said again as Hoggle's jaw dropped several centimetres.
'Sarah,' he breathed, 'what happened t' you? Did he-' Hoggle glared at Jareth, who glared back.
Sarah touched Hoggle's shoulder. 'No, Jareth saved me.'
'Then,' choked Hoggle, 'who?'
Sarah shook her head. 'Nobody worth remembering.'
Hoggle looked closely up at Sarah. 'He,' he jerked his head in Jareth's direction, 'didn't take ye', did he?'
'Not in that sense.'
Jareth cleared his throat loudly.
Sarah and Hoggle looked round at the noisy monarch, then they turned back to each other.
'I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was here, but I just didn't want you to see me with a broken wrist and three cracked ribs,' said Sarah warmly.
Hoggle nodded dumbly. 'But what about Ludo and Sir Didymus?'
Sarah looked sad and bit her lip. 'Please don't tell them. Sir Didymus would shout and take up arms to avenge my honour,' she giggled at the thought. 'And Ludo just wouldn't understand. I will see them eventually, but until then this must be a secret.'
Hoggle nodded. 'Can I see ye' tomorrow?'
Sarah looked over at Jareth, who inclined his head briefly. She smiled, 'Yes.'
Hoggle grinned and patted her hand. 'See ye' tomorrow, then.' He tottered out of the room.
Sarah sighed and looked round at Jareth. 'Situation averted.' She sat back down in her seat and stabbed a violet coloured piece of meat with her fork.
Jareth chuckled and resumed his own seat.
After a while Jareth laid down his cutlery and turned to Sarah, who was fiddling with her vegetables with apparently no desire to continue eating.
'So what about desert?' he offered.
Sarah looked up hopefully. 'Desert? What do you mean like brownies drowning in almost ready-to-melt ice-cream?'
Jareth grinned. 'If that's what you'd like.'
'Um, no. Brownies are gross.'
'O…kay. Well, what about a desert you've never tried before?' he asked.
Sarah smiled, a definite 'yes'.
Jareth waved his hand and the dinner plates vanished. In their places appeared two bowls.
'What is this?' asked Sarah, prodding the pie-like dish with her spoon.
'It's called scrappleberry jaffa pie.' He spooned some of his up, twisted it into the chocolate sauce at the edge of his bowl and popped it into his mouth.
'Your favourite, I presume', said Sarah.
Jareth smirked. 'Perhaps, but there are some things I like better.'
There was something in his smile that made Sarah nervous. She blushed and had some of her own desert. Apparently, scrappleberry was a mixture of the tastes of strawberry, orange and apple. Mixed with pastry, coffee and chocolate, the result was very pleasing.
Jareth raised his eyebrows. 'Well?' he asked.
Sarah grinned. 'It's alright.' She took another spoonful of desert, noticing out of the corner of her eye that he was still looking at her. She smiled inwardly and finished her desert.
Despite his preoccupation, Jareth finished his scrappleberry jaffa pie much faster than Sarah finished hers.
Sarah sighed and laid down her spoon. 'I couldn't eat another bite even if you threatened me with a dunking in the Bog of Eternal Stench.'
Jareth chuckled. 'You don't need to worry about that sort of treatment.'
'That's good to know.'
Jareth stood up and offered Sarah his arm. 'I'll walk you to your chambers.'
Sarah stood and took his graciously offered appendage.
Jareth lead Sarah through his castle to her rooms.
They stopped in front of Sarah's rather plain door and Jareth brushed a stray strand of hair out of Sarah eyes, tucking it behind her ear. 'Would you like to visit the city tomorrow? There is a market on.'
Sarah smiled. 'Sure. If Hoggle can take me- I don't want him feeling unappreciated.'
Jareth bit back the urge to look disgusted. The little dwarf had helped him, it was true, but Jareth just couldn't see why Sarah would want to spend more time with that little cretin than with him.
Instead, he just said, 'I will speak to him about it.'
'And… also, can I talk to Gwyn again? I mean, if she isn't busy?'
Jareth's brow creased. 'Why? Is there anything wrong?'
'Oh, no. She's just, well, I like talking to her.'
Jareth smiled. 'She has that effect on a lot of people.'
Sarah looked at him without speaking for a moment. 'Goodnight.' She leant up and kissed him on the cheek and then bolted for her room.
Jareth blinked and touched his face where Sarah had kissed him. He grinned and turned on his heel, clicking down the corridor.
0o0o0o0o0
Sarah sat down on her bed. 'I shouldn't have done that… I shouldn't have done that… I shouldn't have done that,' she whispered to herself. She laughed breezily.
Oh, my God. I just kissed Jareth…so why don't I feel terrible about it? Sarah hugged herself and then got ready for bed.
She went to sleep with a smile on her face.
0o0o0o0o0