Chapter 9, The Lost And The Lonely

Jareth placed his hand under Sarah's chin and lifted her head to look at him. A sad smile, and heartfelt eyes greeted her.

"I have an idea." He spoke as he whisked them around, vanishing in a cloud of purple glitter. They reappeared just as they were, lost in each others eyes. A pale light shone on Jareth's face, and a quiet breeze flowed through his hair. Sarah shivered as the cool air hit her skin. They were outside.

She looked around to see them standing by the edge of a lake. The night air made the water ripple, and the moon hung low leaving a serene glow on the land.

"Jareth? Where are we?" She asked, part of her had wanted him to take her back to the castle, another assumed he would take her back to Hoggle's. He never took his eyes from hers. The midnight air made her skin shine and her eyes sparkle.

"I used to come here a lot when I was younger, when I wished to be alone." Jareth said and looked over the lake. "You said you wanted to see the beauty of the Underground. I'm going to show you." He took her hand and led her away from the water. Sarah reluctantly followed, pulling her gaze from the shimmering scene.

When Sarah turned around she noticed a faint glowing light amidst the darkness. As her eyes adjusted to the night she started to see the outlines of a small house. Jareth opened the door to the cottage and led Sarah inside. It was warm, the glow she had seen was coming from a small fireplace illuminating the room. Everything was quaint and homey. It reminded her of Hoggle's house, only newer and cleaner.

"You can stay here if you'd like. Or, I can take you back to Hoggle's or...where ever you wish." He choked back the option of taking her home.

"Are you sure? I mean, you said you come here to be alone, and if I'm here..." Sarah trailed off, not sure what she really wanted to say.

"I come here very rarely anymore, Sarah." Was all he said as he looked around the room. Sarah wondered what he was thinking. Many thoughts played across his face. She wondered what memories he held here.

"I see. So that's it then? I'm to be left alone here?" Sarah's sadness and uncertainty was turning to anger. Deep down she wanted to talk herself into staying, but she needed a lot of convincing, and Jareth wasn't helping the way things were going.

"I wasn't planning on leaving. But, if that is what you wish." He said and turned slightly as if to leave. Sarah stopped him impulsively. Her hand encompassed his arm, as her fingers dug with a frantic binding.

"No. I don't want to be alone." She was pleading, but she didn't want him to view her as desperate. "I mean, if you could stay just for a little bit, I'd really enjoy the company." She was afraid to meet his gaze, afraid of his rejection.

Jareth turned to her. He brushed a strand of hair from her face with a slight smile. His hand trailed from her ear, and down her neck to rest at her shoulder. He nudged at her gently and turned her around so that her back was facing him. Nimble hands gently unfastened the knots holding Sarah's corset in place. She blushed furiously. She was excited. Is this really happening? She screamed in her head. When she felt the dress loosen considerably, his touch left her. Sarah's mind was a whirlwind of confusion and anticipation. Jareth stood behind Sarah, staring at her back as the dress slowly revealed the pale skin beneath. He stopped himself half way down. She was responsive enough, or she wasn't stopping him at least. He wanted her with a passion he had not known existed. He desired nothing more than to wipe away all her troubles, her fears and worries. To make her decision a clear one. To give her a reason to stay.

But he couldn't, not yet. She wasn't ready, and he needed it to be perfect. He pulled his hand away from Sarah and saw her head twitch ever so slightly. I am such a fool. He thought.

"You must be exhausted. There is a bath just beyond that door. Take all the time you wish, I'll be here." He spoke softly, stepping away from the moment he could seize everything.

Sarah pouted. She wanted nothing more than to give in to it all, to become lost in her own desires, to not think about her actions for one night. She looked over her shoulder, clutching the front of her dress so it wouldn't fall to the floor. She gave him one look, one final attempt to let him take everything from her.

Jareth's heart was crushed the moment she looked at him. She gave him a sideways glance that held such longing, such love and sorrow, it nearly killed him. He knew they both wanted this, he didn't know why he kept telling himself no.

"Alright." She whispered, turning away from him and slowly walking to the bathroom, throwing herself against the door once it shut. Silent tears rolled down her face as she sank to the floor. It seemed hours had passed, as each contemplated the other.

Sarah emerged sometime later, feeling warm and refreshed. She quietly shut the door behind her and spotted Jareth stoking the fire. He looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"How was your bath?" He asked, leaning away from the fire to sit on the floor.

"Good, I needed it more than I realized." She said, walking over and sitting next to him on the rug.

Jareth had watched her cross the room with interest. She had clearly been rummaging around the room as she no longer wore her gown, but a simple white night shirt. He laughed when he realized it was one of his. He looked forward to seeing her dressed like that more often.

"What's so funny?" She asked. Jareth quirked an eyebrow and gave her an obvious once over.

"My shirt is a good look for you. I hope to see it often." He snickered. She gave him a scowl and teasingly punched him.

"Watch it. This was all I could find, and I wasn't about to put that dress back on." She caught herself, cutting off what she was saying to correct herself. "Not that I don't love it, it's beautiful. Wheat I mean is, well. This just seemed more comfortable." She was trying hard not to act like a fool. Why was she so nervous all of the sudden?

"I much prefer this look over corsets and lace. Everything is so...suffocating." He said with a menacing grin. With a flick of his wrist, his shimmering ensemble was gone, replaced by simple black pants and a white night shirt similar to that of Sarah's. He gestured for her hand. She lightly placed her palm in his as his fingers tightened around hers. She had a quick flash of her dream making her face grow hot. Jareth noticed the instant blush that spread across her face when they touched. His mouth curled on one side as he pulled her to him.

They laid side by side, staring at the fire. Neither said a word for a long time. A crack from the fire finally woke Sarah from her daze. She shifted her head to rest more comfortably in the nook of Jareth's chest and arm.

"Jareth, who are you?" She asked. He looked down at her from his position, a confused look on his face.

"What do you mean my dear." He replied.

"I mean, I feel as though I know you. As though I've always known you, and yet I know almost nothing about you. I mean, for heaven's sake I've been telling myself you were the evil villain in my life for the past five years and now..." She trailed off.

"And now?" Jareth said with concern.

"And now, now I'm laying here with you besides a fire completely content. And...and I want...to know you." Her voice was thick with caution as she uttered the last of her sentence. The lump in Jareth's throat was at ease after what she said.

"What exactly do you wish to know Sarah Williams?" he said in a charming way.

"Everything. How you became King, who your parents are, your favorite food. I don't know, just stuff like that." She tensed a bit as she felt the warmth of his breath against the back of her neck. Jareth was only half paying attention to Sarah at this point. He was too caught up in the way the light of the fire flickered across her skin, making shadows that danced along her form. He was mere centimeters from her skin. He used every ounce of control he had not to kiss her. He decided to take in her smell instead. She was sweet, and fresh. There was a slight hint of peaches, probably due to the bath oils she used. His lips teasingly touched the back of her neck as he spoke, sending shivers down Sarah's spine.

"I was a prince once, I was born to become a King. My parents are named Oetheron and Linae. Before you ask, yes they are still alive. And I will take my father's place once he passes, though that will not be for a very, very long time. My favorite food? Well, I think you can guess that." a low rumble of laughter escaped from Jareth, the vibrations making her tremble. "And as for Everything, we'll take it one step at a time. I wish there to be some mystery between us."

Jareth was about to give in. He felt the hairs on Sarah's neck stand on edge like razor blades. And, just as he was about to let go, he heard a light yawn escape from Sarah's lips. He pulled himself away and settled them into a comfortable position. Sarah, on the verge of sleep, curled up beside him resting her head on his chest and placing a hand over his heart. There was only the sound of the crackling fire, and the hum of crickets outside the window as Jareth watched his Sarah drift off to sleep.

"Goodnight my love." He whispered into her hair. Sarah mumbled,

"Heh, goodnight...m-love...ye-I-wish..." Jareth snickered one last time before he too was lost in a dreamless sleep.