Chapter 7, Infatuating Afflictions

Sarah didn't have much time to think, soon after Jareth had left, she passed out like a rock. Her mind settled into a void as she sank deeper and deeper into a dreamless slumber.

Jareth paced through the castle halls, antsy and irritated. Not knowing what to do with himself, he reentered the room, and was now sitting on the edge of Sarah's bed. At first, he was careful not to wake her, but it soon became apparent that not even a hoard of Goblins could disturb her sleeping form.

He sat for a long while, watching the way she twisted slightly, and the shallow rise and fall of her chest. He wondered what she was dreaming about, if she was dreaming at all. He'd never seen her so peaceful. Up until now, he'd seen her either screaming or crying. He reached out as if to touch her cheek, but froze and pulled his hand back. He'd never felt this before, at such a loss. He had no idea what to do when she awoke, and no idea what she would do in return. There'd always been options, different courses of action to take. But this was different, no matter how he chose to handle it, it seemed the end was always the same.

What is it that gives you such power, you precious creature? I'm finding it harder and harder to hate you. Something in his mind twitched. Hate...no, not hate. Sarah sighed in her sleep, causing him to drift from his thoughts. She was so beautiful when she wasn't trying to tear him apart, hell, she was just as beautiful even when she was. He allowed his hand to run along the fabric of the bed, inching closer and closer to her creamy pale skin. I've wallowed into the den of a sleeping lion, I wonder if it's bravery or foolishness that urges me so. He joked to himself.

As he observed the woman before him, he tried to figure out what the hell had happened that day. They'd been so angry that morning. He'd wanted to strangle her and he assumed she wanted to do far worse to him. And yet, he felt such panic when she was in danger, and such relief once she was safe in his arms. All this time, he been so focused on anger, he'd forgotten to pay attention to any other emotion. For eleven years...I've masked my pain with hatred. And in just a few days, you've ripped it clean off. And in just a few days...You'll leave once again. He paused on that thought, and became angry. No, this changes nothing. I will not let this go to my head, she was weak and emotional, I merely took advantage of her threatened state. I will not give in to my impulses with this woman again. She is nothing more than an infatuating affliction.

His emotions betrayed his thoughts. He wanted to be angry, to wipe the indiscretion away, but he could only mask it with false declarations.

He turned his body, and reached for a blanket that had been cast at the end of the bed. He gently laid it over her body and tucked her in, wary not to wake her. His hand lingered on her shoulder, and made its way down her arm before returning to his side. My dear, things have gotten infinitely more complicated.

Jareth rose from the bed and made his way towards the door. He was careful not to let the door creak as he opened it. He got one foot out, into the hallway, before stopping dead in his tracks.

"Jareth? What are you doing?" Came the soft voice of a sleepy Sarah.

Regaining his composer in a split second, he turned to her in the doorway.

"I came to check on you, but you were asleep. I'm sorry if I've disturbed you." He spoke plainly, and turned to continue out the door.

"You didn't" She called. Though she hadn't said it, she was asking him to stay. Once again, he paused mid-stride.

"I take it you're feeling well then?" He asked, not fully turned to face her. She was now sitting up in the bed, watching him intently.

"Yes, great actually. Thank you, whatever you did." She added. Her voice held a trace hint of guilt. She felt indebted to him, like she now had to make up for all the terrible things she'd said and done.

"I assume you must be starving then?" He shot her a quick glance of his charmingly boyish grin.

She glanced down and clasped a hand over her stomach as it let out a growl. She had to laugh.

"Heh, I guess so." Her laugh faltered as her eyes rose to meet his. Jareth's expression softened. That was the second time she'd smiled for him.

"Well, I'll be sure to have dinner sent just as soon as you're finished with your bath." He gave her an implying eye. She looked at him, a bit confused, before looking herself over.

She was filthy, covered in dirt and dust from the cleaner. Her clothing was shredded from the hands, and her hair was frazzled and distraught. All of the sudden, she felt embarrassed, which was soon replaced by that of pissed off.

"Well, thank you for that wonderful compliment, ass-hole." She said mockingly. He chuckled before slipping out the door.

Sarah grumbled to herself as she made her way towards the bathroom. That cocky son of a bitch. Ugh, of course he would say something like that. I must look like such an idiot. Ah! She glared at the door as the water filled the tub. He's right though, I look disgusting, and I probably smell even worse...Arrogant bastard.

She started to remove her dress, and wondered if Jareth would return. He came to check on me? How long was he there? What was he doing? She gave a mischievous smile as she pondered the mystery. No, stop it Sarah. You're not going to go all googly-eyed over him now. He's a cocky, self-absorbed ass. Everything's a game with him, he ENJOYS fucking with me. That's all this is. Yes, he saved me, but I can't let it go to my head. Just because he doesn't want me dead doesn't mean he wants me in any other way either. She shook her head as she lowered herself into the tub. But he kissed me... Chimed a whisper from the back of her mind. He kissed me. It grew louder. Why the hell did he do that? We were about to rip each other's throats out an hour before!

she sank deeper into the water. Ok...emotional time line- confusion, anger, rage, panic, relief. That's what I felt, maybe that's what he was feeling too? Was he so relieved I was ok that he kissed me? That it just happened? Did I let him for the same reason? Or, was it something else? She didn't let herself answer, and submerged under the water.

"Urgggh" She groaned.

Jareth heard the sound of sloshing water and could only assume what Sarah must be thinking. He laughed as he stoked the fire. He'd left initially, but had turned around and came right back in once she closed the bathroom door. He knew he probably shouldn't be there, but he was sick of fighting himself. He sank back in a chair, and laid his feet up on the table in front of him. I'm going to end up regretting this decision. He leaned his head back and smiled.

Sarah was in a hurry, but didn't know why. She felt rejuvenated, clean at last. She slipped on a light green night gown, and took one last look before opening the door to enter the main bed chamber. She walked casually at first, expecting to see a dinner cart in the middle of the room. She'd walked all the way to the end of the bed before noticing the black leather boots perched on the coffee table. Sure, she had made sure she looked primp and pretty incase he came back, (not wanting any further ridicule from the ever-so-lovely Goblin King), but she hadn't actually thought he would, did she?

"You're still here?" She asked, wary to walk over. The fire cast a dark shadow over him, she couldn't tell if he was looking at her or not.

"Would you prefer it if I left?" He asked sarcastically. She gave in, and took a seat in the chair next to him.

"It's your castle, I can't exactly make you leave if you don't want to. I just wasn't expecting you to still be here." She diverted from actually answering his question, not trusting what she might say. She could see him better now, the light from the fire made his eyes sparkle.

"Well, you could eat here and I could eat in my own chambers, but I don't see the harm in consolidating. It's less of a walk." He said, very matter-of-fact. "And..." He paused, making sure their eyes met. "I was curious to see what you look like beneath all the dirt and grime." He said all dark and charming. "A decision well made." He added.

Sarah sat back in her seat. Is he actually trying to flirt with me? I can see this getting awkward fast.. She mustered a nervous smile as she waited for something to happen.

Jareth glanced towards the door, and with a snap of his fingers, a Goblin came strolling in with a cart. He looked back at Sarah with a small swoop of his hand.

"As I said, dinner is served." He gestured toward the covered trays that were now between them.

Trying to be as much a lady as possible, she opened her tray and fought the urge to devour it in one bite. Jareth watched with amusement as she picked at her food the way she thought she should. Hm, trying to live up to my expectations now? Dear Sarah, if you only knew what they were. He thought.

"Ya know." She said between bites. "The food here has always been really good. It's surprising." She said.

"And why is it surprising?" Jareth asked. Her eyes were on her food, but Jareth's were on Sarah.

"Because your kitchen staff consists of a bunch of Goblins." She laughed. "It's hard to believe they can actually cook." She added. She watched him from the corner of her eye, trying to mimic the way he ate with such proper grace.

"You don't know much about this place." He said flatly, but let a small grin escape behind the shadow of the fire.

Jareth meant it lighthearted, but Sarah took it as yet another stab to her guilt ridden conscience. She'd always just assumed thing's about the Underground, when it seemed she was always wrong. She assumed Jareth stole Toby, she assumed he was the villain, she assumed she was the victor...She assumed Jareth had taken her, she assumed he could just bring her back, she assumed Jareth had ordered his Goblins to kill her, and she assumed he hated her as much as she assumed she hated him. Maybe I would like to... She thought.

Jareth watched the dozens of thoughts race across her face, and interjected.

"Sarah, are you sure you're feeling alright?" He asked. She blinked a few times before responding.

"Yes, yes I'm fine." She stuttered. "Thank you, for staying to eat with me. It's really lonely, being by myself." She glanced towards the fire. Jareth watched the glimmer of guilt that plagued her eyes. She clearly felt bad about that morning, and he thought this was her way of apologizing. Always so stubborn. He masked his creeping smile.

"Why dine alone when I have such a turbulent woman right down the hall?" He asked rhetorically. Sarah smiled at his joke, no matter what he was saying, it was always charming. She couldn't deny he had a way with words. She drew her attention away from the fire when she saw he had started to move.

Feeling the need to get more comfortable, Jareth had decided to remove his bulky leather jacket. The thought or implications of which hadn't even crossed his mind. It wasn't until he was about to drop it to the floor, that he noticed Sarah's wide eyes glued to him.

He was wearing a simple white poets shirt under the jacket. It had a deep neckline that opened up his bare chest. His Goblin's crest pendant laid between the muscles of his chest. It was a small and casual gesture, but for some reason it caught Sarah completely off guard. He'd always been fully dressed, fully enclosed when she saw him. And now, it was as if he was disarming, not just removing unnecessary apparel, but actually opening up. She saw more of what was actually him, and not sparking glitter. She saw his skin, and the contour of his body beneath the thin material of his shirt. She saw what was behind the flash and flare and armor. She saw the man behind the king. Everything had become very intimate all of the sudden, and it made her a little uncomfortable.

Jareth saw the way she looked at him, and his thoughts went from a moments confusion to pride. She was checking him out. His expression turned dark and predatory. Sarah's eyes darted away once she realized what she was doing, but the deed was done. Jareth's ego had hit a green light.

"Sarah, with what you are wearing, I think it is perfectly appropriate for me to remove my jacket." He said with a pleased grin, looking her up and down. She looked down, remembering she was only wearing a thin nightgown, and grew more uncomfortable.

Ugh, why did he have to do that? And of course he would catch me giving him a once over. How could I be so stupid! Relax, relax. He only took off his coat, that's something most people do when they first enter a house. This is his castle, it's not like he's striping down to his boots. Her face noticeably reddened at the thought. Jareth quirked an eyebrow, curious as to what she was thinking. For a moment, he thought he should just put it back on, end her suffering, but he was having too much fun.

Deciding to break the awkwardness, Sarah spoke up.

"So, do you happen to know how I ended up in the Labyrinth earlier? And what about the two Goblins whom you said you had no idea tried to kill me?" She asked, with a hint of irritation. She didn't like the way he had put her in a corner just then, and she was determined to break the sinister sensual aura that had grown around them. Jareth became more focused with her question. Truth was, he'd forgotten all about the devious duo once he'd rescued Sarah. He'd be sure to call their attention the next day.

"They thought you were upsetting me- I wonder how they got that idea?" He gave her a devilish grin. "- So they thought teaching you a lesson would please me." He sneered.

"And did it?" She asked. Jareth sighed.

"Tell me, are you enjoying your dinner, Sarah?" He asked, ignoring her question. What? Sarah was openly confused.

"Um, yes. Are you going to answer my question?" She asked with stern seriousness.

"Good, so am I." He said with a grin. Sarah was starting to get annoyed. Jareth eyed her with amusement before leaning in with a larger smile. "I think the ends justify the means." He said, just above a whisper. "But rest assured, they will be dealt with." She felt a slight urge to slap him back all the way back to the throne room for his initial statement, but she could only laugh.

"Real smooth, Goblin King. But if anything like that happens again, you can rest assured that your end will justify my means. " She giggled. Jareth didn't move back to his seat, if anything, he moved in closer.

"I adore it, when you smile. I adore it even more when it's because of me." His eyes locked onto hers.

She looked away bashfully, and he continued to lean in. She almost lost herself for a minute, almost gave in to the joy of being charmed. But the fire caught her gaze, and brought her back to reality.

"I think it's time for bed." She said. Jareth was about to give some crude retort when she cut him off. "me to go to mine, and you to go to yours, I mean." She clarified, giving him a playful glance.

His flirtatious smile turned to a humble grin, as he sat back in his seat. He paused for a moment, deciding if he should push his limits with her, but decided it was best to not.

"Sleep well, my dearest." He said. And with that, he was gone, leaving nothing but a lingering shimmer.