Jareth opened his eyes. He could tell that Sarah was awake next to him. While he couldn't hear her thoughts, he sensed that her mind was active. He could feel that she was consciously guarding her thoughts from him. Judging by her anxious energy, he guessed that she had been awake for some time. A knot twisted in his stomach over what she could be stewing over so intensely. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like it.

"Precious," he started, eyeing her, "what is it?"

Sarah startled and glanced over at him, then looked away. "Nothing," she said sullenly, "I'm fine." Her hands twisted in the sheets in her lap nervously, belying her statement.

Jareth frowned at her. "Precious," he began again, "I can tell you are, in fact, not fine. Talk to me."

Sarah scowled. "I hate that you can do that. I hate that you can crawl in my brain."

"I wasn't. Your body language alone is enough."

She took a deep breath. "I can't do this, Jareth. It's too much, all at once. I'm sorry."

"Sarah, if you're frightened, after—"

The emotional dam broke then, her words spilling forth in a rush. "Of course I'm scared! I'm in love with the fucking Goblin King, for crying out loud. Do you have any idea how intimidating that is? I'm just a human, Jareth. I'm supposed to somehow absorb that I have magic that is only going to grow, in a way neither of us can predict. That I have the momentous task of choosing between immortality in a world that isn't mine while my loved ones age and die, or staying human and withering away while you stay perfect and beautiful forever. I'm expected to accept that you love me, me! For what? What have I ever done for you?"

"Sarah, slow down, please—"

"No," she continued, "it's true. It's always you rescuing me, showing up for me, supporting me, teaching me. What can I possibly offer you aside from my body?"

Jareth recoiled, shocked. "Is that what you think? That I only desire you for your body?" He looked at her, hard.

"No," she said, quickly, "I know you better than that. I know you care about me. I just don't understand how you can love me. I have nothing left to give you." Her voice caught and tears beaded in the corners of her eyes.

"You are all I need. I am uncertain what you mean when you say you have nothing else to 'give' me, but if you mean last night—"

"Don't," she cut him off, "please. Can we just not talk about it? It's too overwhelming."

Jareth frowned. "Sarah, it's normal to feel confused after making love for the first time. It was intense, and emotional, and there are feelings involved. I can understand—"

She exploded. "How can you understand? You can't honestly tell me you understand when you're thousands of years old and have been with countless people." She really looked at him then for the first time that morning, pinning him with something close to a glare. "Am I wrong?"

He sighed. "No, you're not wrong. I am certainly not inexperienced, Sarah, but I did not have feelings for all of my partners. It changes things. I didn't mean to imply I knew your exact feelings, I only meant that I recognize them for what they are and that I empathize."

She stared at him for a long while, not saying anything. Finally, she said, "I love you, but—"

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" He asked, sadly.

"I'm sorry," she let out a small sob, "but I can't do this. I need you to go."