Darklady: How is everyone tonight?
Sarah/Jareth: Very well thank you, what about Ly?
Darklady: If I could get him to stay still long enough to ask . . . . I'd tell you.
Sarah: What's Ly up too?
Darklady: (shakes her head and shruggs) I have no clue . . . but whatever it is . . . I hope it isn't for me.
Jareth: You don't like surprises Lady?
Darklady: The last surprise that I got was my sixth little brother . . . don't get me wrong I love him, but I would have liked a little sister. You know BEFORE I was old enough to drink. . . . hahahaha Alright everyone enough about me. Time to read the chapter . . . catch ya in a few. Oh and don't forget BIG HANDS to my Sister and BEST FRIEND GraceRichie.
Chapter 14: Clean Slate
Jareth sent his subjects back to the castle as soon as they had finished what decorating they would do. James and Sarah would be at school for another 2 hours at least; just enough time to check on Sarah and Jesi at school. After a quick search of the house, to be sure that they had left nothing but decorations as a sign of their being there, Jareth appeared in Sarah's art class.
Sarah, Jesi, and James stood close together, each ones easel within talking distance of the other. Sarah was making a larger version of the sketch she had done the day before, while James was working on something completely new. Jesi on the other hand, did her best to LOOK as though she was doing something; painting had never been one of her strong suits. Jareth smiled as he watched Sarah paint his likeness.
She was truly gifted in many things, though something told him that she would never admit to being good at any of them. She seemed different today as well, more like the girl who had traveled the labyrinth, then the one who had been horribly abused by her uncle. As he sat watching her, he thought perhaps the punishment he had chosen for Mr. Matthews hadn't been severe enough, but no. The punishment fit the crime perfectly, he would rid himself of two stones with one bird…or whatever the mortal saying was.
Sarah had felt Jareth come into the room, but had yet to turn and acknowledge him. She continued with her painting, though she kept herself open to him. He was thinking about something, questioning himself. His mood quickly turned however, he seemed to now just be admiring something. 'Perhaps he's thinking of his chosen.' Rin pulled in her mind then, a feeling of amusement coming from her visitor.
'His chosen little one? How do you know that's who he is thinking of?' She asked with a smile in her voice.
'I can feel it, feel his love and admiration for her.' Sarah answered.
'Do you know who his chosen could be?' Rin asked sounding as neutral as possible, while smiling.
'No, for all I know it could be James.' Rin and Sarah both laughed at the picture in Sarah's mind, startling both Jesi and James himself.
"What's so funny Sar?" James asked, moving to Sarah's side.
"Oh nothing, just picturing you and Jareth together." James smiled at her answer.
"Oh YUMMY. Do me a favor and ask your man candy to pose naked for me?" Sarah bumped James with her hip at his ridiculous request. Then laughed as she felt Jareth's utter shock and horror behind her, for a moment she even thought she heard a crystal drop. She thought about actually asking him for only a second before shaking her head.
"Why would I ever do something like that?" She asked playfully.
"Because you love me, and it would SOO much fun, plus I'll be your slave for like FOREVER." Sarah laughed at him, confusing the poor boy.
"Forever isn't that long James." She said laughing as Jesi joined in.
"Not that long at all." Jesi added, enjoying THIS much more than painting.
"What do you mean 'not that long at all'? Forever is like F-O-R-E-V-E-R!" James said, confused and trying to prove something. Sadly for his ego, all he did was cause Sarah and Jesi to laugh harder. "Would you two STOP!!?" James said, smiling at the cackling witches.
"Sorry James…umm…inside joke." James narrowed his eyes at Sarah then Jesi, but ultimately shook his head and gave up trying to figure them out.
"ANYWAY…what are you going to be doing with you're lovely Mr. Do Me?" James asked, forgetting to duck when Sarah's hand came around to smack him upside the head.
"I don't understand the question." Sarah said, acting as though she hadn't seen, heard, or done anything.
"What are you gong to do with the painting once it's finished?" James asked, rubbing his head dramatically.
"Oh, actually I'm not sure. Maybe I'll give it to Jareth. It only makes sense, he's the model." James raised a suspicious brow, but said nothing more about where the painting would live once it had been FULLY brought into the world.
"So have you decided what/who Jareth, or the Goblin King, is looking at?" James asked going back to his own painting, which seemed to be a picture of his family.
"Umm…actually again I have to say I have no clue." Sarah turned and locked eyes with Jareth, who was left gaping when she winked and turned back to her work. "Maybe he has some ideas." Jesi turned when Sarah had looked at her, extremely amused, after her latest comment. She found herself smiling as she saw a very perplexed Goblin King staring at her young mistress.
"Miss Williams, who is this?" Asked Mrs. Bloom as she looked at the painting approvingly.
"He's supposed to be a character from on of my favorite books." Sarah answered somewhat nervously.
"Very interesting, Miss Williams. What character is this very attractive looking man supposed to be?" Bloom asked genuinely interested.
"The Goblin King." Sarah answered hesitantly. The teacher looked back to her from the easel.
"The Goblin King? He looks…almost human. Shouldn't he be more like…I don't know a goblin?"
"No Mrs. Bloom, in the story THIS is how he is described and he's more the King the Goblin Realm, HE is actually Fae. There are more than just goblins in this kingdom you see." Sarah said feeling more relaxed as she went. The teacher looked at her curiously.
"You've quite and interesting mind Miss Williams. Tell me did you draw this from your imagination or did you use a model?"
"A model." Sarah answered simply, Mrs. Bloom nodded.
"Well may I make a comment? One based on something I fear has really very little to do with your art?" It was Sarah's turn to look curious as she nodded to her teacher. "Do you have feelings for this man? The model?" Sarah hid her shock better than she had thought she could. 'What the hell is it about the DAMNED sketch that says…I LUUUUUUUUV him?' Sarah risked a glance to Jareth and wondered if he could hear the conversation. 'Screw it!' Sarah thought, straightening her back.
"Yes," she answered simply, careful to keep her eyes locked on her teacher and away from Jareth.
"Well I'm going to tell you the same thing my mother told me…when you see something you want THAT much sweetie, go for it." Sarah nodded and forced a smile to her face, grateful to any God that was listening that Mrs. Bloom then turned to Jesi, deciding to comment on her 'abstract' artwork.
Sarah was glad that James didn't try to talk to her, she didn't feel like talking; she felt like curling into a ball and crying every drop of water from her body. She risked a glance at Jareth, catching him looking in the opposite direction. For a moment she didn't care if she sounded childish or spoiled, IT WASN'T FAIR! 'I know what I want.' Sarah thought she thought watching Jareth as he started to juggle his crystals.
'Then why do you not 'got for it'?' Rin asked sounding amused by the term.
'Because he isn't mine to go for.' Sarah thought sadly. Not wishing to discuss it further Sarah closed her mind to Rin, not quite sure on HOW she did it, but glad that she could.
Jareth watched Sarah as she glanced back at him. He had never seen that look in her eyes before; never seen such sadness, such utter hopelessness in her fiery gaze. Instantly alarmed, Jareth dissolved his crystals and went over what had just happened. 'What had happened?' A moment ago she had been laughing and making jokes. Jareth watched as Sarah moved to the teacher's side.
"May I have the pass?" She asked sadly. The teacher looked at her confused and concerned.
"Of course Miss Williams, is something wrong?" Sarah quickly shook her head to the teacher's question.
"No Mrs. Bloom, just need to use the girl's room." The teacher nodded to the innocent request and sent Sarah on her way.
Jesi looked to Jareth slightly panicked, the teacher was still speaking with her and she couldn't leave the room without a pass even if she wasn't and in this particular class there was only ONE. Jareth nodded to Jesi, letting her know that he understood and followed Sarah himself. Jesi nodded, though the King noticed that she not relax a single muscle in her tiny body, she was ready if Sarah needed her. Jareth found himself smiling at this as he moved through the room, pleased that his Sarah had made yet another loyal and loving friend.
Though Jareth had started out the door only breathes after Sarah, he found himself having to use magic to catch up with her. She was upset that much he knew, WHAT had upset her and WHY was a completely different matter. He knew she felt him there, there seemed to be no way of hiding himself from her anymore.
"Sarah what is the matter?" He asked trying to keep the concern in his gut from his voice.
"It's nothing Jareth. Just go back and wait for me in the classroom." She answered, swallowing her treacherous tears.
"Sarah I will not stand you lying to me." Jareth said trying to sound stern, though even HE could hear the concern that was now dripping from his words. "Now tell me what's wrong." He paused. "Please Sarah." That was the last straw, Sarah let the tears flow. She mumbled and cursed under breath. 'Why does had have to be so nice NOW?!' She thought frustrated.
"Jareth please just leave me alone." Sarah said, running into the ladies room.
Jareth stood paused outside the door. He had imagined telling her tonight, had thought it would be part of her birthday present. But perhaps she needed to hear it now. Taking a deep breath, Jareth appeared in the ladies room. He listened carefully, no one was in the room besides himself and Sarah and with a quick flick of his wrist he was sure NO ONE would bother them.
"Sarah?" He heard her give a frustrated growl/sob.
"Jareth, have you NO concept of the word privacy?" Sarah asked, wiping the tear tracks from her face. Jareth found himself smirking at her question.
"I have the perfect grasp on the concept; we will not be disturbed here." Jareth said calmly, standing before the stall he knew she was hiding in. "Now please talk to me Sarah?"
"I don't want to talk right now." She said in a spoiled way.
"Very well I don't mind not talking, but only if you can keep my mouth otherwise occupied." He said with a smirk, knowing he would get something out her Sarah. '3…2…1'
"Occupy your own mouth Goblin King. Just make sure you aren't bothering me when you do it." Sarah snapped back, her voice giving away the smile on her face as she came out of the stall. Jareth smiled before he pulled her to him and crushed his lips to hers.
Sarah felt her body melt into his, even as her mind demanded she pull away. It seemed, however, that her body and heart had plans that did not include the consent of her mind. Sarah felt her arms wrap around his neck, felt the NOW familiar knot grow in her belly, as she pulled him closer. Forget what her mind wanted her to do, her body had a much more intriguing plan.
Sarah shut away the part of her mind that told her he was toying with her. Even if he was it felt good now, let the hurt come later if at all. She marveled at how she could feel the heat of his hands through her shirt and his gloves. Inwardly she laughed at how perfectly they fit together, at how the mere smell of him made her mouth water and the knot in her stomach JUMP for joy.
Sarah gasped, unintentionally, when he pulled her closer still. Both his hands firmly clamped on her bottom. Jareth gladly took advantage of the situation and slipped into her mouth, marveling at how painfully close and horribly far off her taste had been in his dream. Smiling as she moaned, Jareth chose that moment so slip his hand under her shirt. Careful to move slowly, his hand rested just under her shirt at the base of her back, his glove dissolving as he did so.
Sarah groaned and pulled away as she felt his bare skin on hers, every nerve in her body coming to life at the simple touch. Closing her eyes, she felt his smiling mouth rain kisses on her neck, causing her body to shiver deliciously. Sarah wondered how a mere touch could make so much of her body sing. 'Practice.' She though, he'd been alive for over 7 centuries…with women more experienced than she…and there it was, the memory that he belonged to someone else floated in the front of her mind. She pushed him away then, her heart aching and body screaming at the lost of his warm firm embrace.
"Jareth you can't do that." She said hugging herself, while trying to catch her breath.
"I can't? I believe I just was." He said sounding slightly out of breath himself.
"You know what I meant." She replied in a sad whisper. Jareth took a step closer to her, placing his once again gloved finger under her chin to raise her eyes to his.
"Yes, I know what you meant little love." He said whispering in return, as his thumb traveled across any part of her jaw it could reach. Sarah quickly pulled her face from his hand.
"Jareth STOP, I will not be some one night fuck!" Sarah said harshly. Her voice giving all the seriousness her eyes were glowing with. Jareth looked to his Chosen and shook his head.
"I have made one mistake after another with you my love. I should have told you from the beginning." He started, rightly beating himself up for not telling her sooner.
"Jareth what are you talking about?!" Sarah asked getting more and more lost with each passing second. Jareth took her face in his covered hands again.
"You and I. Sarah forgive me, I have mucked things up from the beginning. I wonder if even with my abnormally long life, I have the time to apologize for everything I have done wrong." Jareth looked down to Sarah, who was still painfully lost. "Sarah Williams, you are frustrating, you are stubborn, spoiled, and the only woman that I have EVER seen myself spending eternity with." Sarah shook her head at his testament.
"NO Jareth, you have someone. She's waiting for you…"Jareth laughed interrupting her.
"That is quite true, she is waiting for me…to take her away from this awful place." Sarah gasped, and Jareth smirked. "Didn't think I heard that, did you love?" She shook her head, in shock. "You Sarah are my mate, my perfect match, my only TRUE Queen. Please tell me that my foolishness hasn't taken you from me." Jareth said the last sentence looking more hopeful and desperate, than he had that night in the broken room.
Sarah looked at him confused. Not about what he had said or asked, but about herself. Was she ready to FULLY admit that she had feelings for Jareth? After only two horrible days was she ready to give up the possibility of any one else? Was she ready to give up her ….'normal' life?
She shook her head to clear it. Of course she was! Jareth was everything she had dreamed of, his life, his world was EVERYTHING she had dreamed of. "No Jareth. I don't even think your most foolish words could force me from you." She paused. "But Jareth, I'm too young to marry, to leave my family to rule a kingdom with you." Jareth shook his head smiling happily at the woman who had, on some level, just agreed to be his.
"Then we shall wait my heart, until you are ready to marry, to be my Queen. Just remember this ALWAYS Sarah, I would NEVER take you away from your family." He kissed her again, lightly this time and pulling away as a bell rang. "It would seem, my love, that I have kept you longer than proper for a gentleman." He said with a smirk.
"Like you give a flying pixie about being proper with me." Sarah said with a smile of her own. Jareth kissed her again, with only a bit more passion.
"This is our new start Sarah. A clean slate if you will, but I fear that Jesi is waiting outside the door for you and have an urgent matter to attend." Taking a hesitant step back, Jareth bowed over her hand and disappeared. "I shall see you soon my heart."
Sarah stood alone in the bathroom for what seemed like years. 'Did that really just happen?' She thought, some small part of her believing he would only say such things in her dreams. She found herself smiling, looking in a small mirror above one of the simple white sinks, smiling all the more when she saw her flushed face. That is how Jesi found her, smiling like a fool before an image of herself.
"Sarah? Why are you smiling like that?" Jesi asked, handing Sarah her school bag.
"I'm not sure Jesi, am I awake?" Jesi moved close to Sarah as she asked her question. For a minute Sarah thought she would do nothing but look at her until, that is, Sarah felt a sharp pinch from her Fae friend. "OW!!" Sarah said moving away from Jesi and rubbing the sting away. "What the bloody hell was that for?"
"Do you believe yourself awake?" Jesi asked, trying desperately to hide her smirk. Sarah nodded with narrowed eyes, as she noticed the woman's lips twitch. "Then I did my job." Jesi answered and Sarah rolled her eyes toward the ceiling as they walked into the hall. In the Underground Sarah wondered what she was doing. James had, apparently, left right after their last class saying that he would see them later. Sarah had originally planned on heading home to get a few things before heading back to the Underground, but Jesi had, had other plans.
Sarah stood in the King's garden, a light blue dress had been switched from her T-shirt and jeans, under the pretense that the servants would ask less questions. Sarah found that slightly unbelievable, she truly believed that it was Jareth's doing, but kept that opinion to herself. Jesi, on the other hand, stood in what Sarah had seen her in all day, dark brown leather breaches with matching tunic and boots, and a black silk shirt hiding beneath. "Is there a reason that we are here Jesi?" Sarah asked shortly.
"Yes Miss, actually there is." Jesi said, showing no sign of hearing Sarah's upset. "Today when that girl…Andorra threw that book at you." Sarah looked at Jesi confused…and slightly amused.
"Yeah? I reacted…" Sarah said let her words trail off.
"Who taught you to react in such a way?" Jesi asked with sincere curiosity.
"No one." Sarah said, shaking her head. "I've always reacted like that. Why?" Jesi shrugged as though she was never truly interested in the conversation, confusing Sarah to the point of going mad.
"Just wondering I suppose." She continued after a pregnant pause. "What would you like to do now miss?" Jesi asked, trying unsuccessfully to change the subject without suspicion.
"I don't know Jesi…do you have a library?" Sarah asked, startled when Jesi started to laugh.
"Do we have a library? Do fairies bite?" Jesi asked, calming down. "Of course Miss, come with me."
Jareth and James stood surveying their work. From the moment you walked into the house, you were greeted with midnight and moonbeams. The railing to the steps was decorated with swirling streamers of blue and silver. Pearly white balloons held up the 'Happy Birthday Sarah!' James had drawn for above the stair case.
On the floor of the walkway, which Jareth swore he would clean himself after the party, was silver glitter leading into the family room, where the main party would take place. The large room was heavily decorated, but tastefully so. The ceiling was no longer visible, because of all the balloons and streamers hanging from it. The furniture, thanks to James, was draped with a creamy white fabric, with various Celtic symbols in a silver shinning material. The piano was the only thing in the room not decorated in silver, blue, or white.
James now sat on the couch going over a list that he had made. Decorating hadn't taken nearly as long as he originally thought, thanks to Jareth working during the school hours. "The only things we have left are the food and the cake." James said, still looking at his list. "The food will be taken care of by Sam and the guys from 'The Underground', the cake is already done and waiting for us to pick it up. My mom owns the local bakery and was more than pleased to make a cake for her adopted daughter." Jareth nodded to the younger man when he looked up from his list.
"Forgive me for asking what may seem like a ridiculous question, but why must we worry about things that seem handled?" James looked at Jareth curiously, confused for a moment by the way he worded his question.
"Umm…well we have to make sure Sam remembers not to add anything Sarah is allergic to and to remember not bring anything that contains butter milk. We also have to make sure that everyone at 'The Underground' knows how to get to Sarah's house." Jareth nodded to the reminders of the fruit, but came up short at the mention of milk.
"Is Sarah allergic to milk as well?" Jareth asked curiously. James quickly shook his head.
"No, just sensitive to the stuff. She loves the flavor of buttermilk, just like she LOVES pineapples, but they make her sick…so we have to make sure the temptation isn't there." Jareth nodded again, somehow knowing that Sarah would be one to eat her favorite foods, whether they could kill her or not. James stood then, stretching quickly and walking towards the door. "Alright we go to 'The Underground' first, so we can talk to Sam and then we'll swing by my house to get the cake." James said as the left the house to finish their secret mission.
Hoggle stood at the gates of the labyrinth with Ludo and Sir Didymus. He had pretty much gotten through to the knight, but Ludo was proving to be a bit more of a problem. Perhaps they could glamour him into a younger looking human. "Jus' 'member, Didymus, tha' we aren' human." Hoggle said reminding the knight for what seemed like the thousandth time.
"Fear not my brother, the Lady Sarah's friends will never notice that I am even present." Didymus said, waving that ridiculous sword around for emphasis. Hoggle growled.
"She ain't the one worryin'…I AM!! Stop talkin' like tha', they don' sound like tha' Aboveground. Yeh canna embarrass the lady." Hoggle said sounding harsher than he had meant too.
"Ludo, barras Sawah?" Hoggle shook his head. 'Dear Gods above 'tis goin' ta be a hell of a day!' he thought, starting over again with the orange beast, making carefully sure that his friends were paying CLOSE attention. Hoggle had spent a good part of the day hoping that Sir Didymus would get his warnings through his THICK head, now Hoggle merely prayed that the he would get used to the Bog.
Sarah has asked Jesi for some time alone once she was in the library. She had then set to exploring the large circular room. This room was done in dark greens and equally dark mahogany. There was another large fire place on the far right of the room, with a few chairs and a couch sitting before it. The desk directly across from the door, was quite large with a rather comfortable looking chair perched behind it. Behind the desk was another set of glass doors that lead to yet ANOTHER balcony. 'Fae must LOVE their views.' Sarah thought with a smile.
The rest of the room was rather empty, save for the floor to ceiling shelves FILLED with books. She searched through the book for an hour, those she could reach at least since there was no ladder in sight. In her search she had found books written in, she learned from Rin, Elvin, Gnomish, Faire, Dwarf, and even a few in Mer, but it seemed that English was too far from Jareth's reach. "Is there not ONE BLOODY ENGLISH WRITTEN BOOK in this entire room?" Sarah growled to the walls in frustration. It was then she heard the door open and close behind her. Thinking it Jesi, Sarah kept to her search, until she noticed the signature magic wasn't right…AND…there were two!
Sarah turned and examined the two creatures that had appeared. One was definitely female, the other was male, both however appeared to be goblin. The female seemed older, her curly blonde hair had various streaks of white throughout it, her eyes were a dark brown like good rich soil. Her skin was more a pale lavender, then the normally depicted green. Even with the various warts across her face, arms, and possibly her legs as well, she looked very motherly and comforting. The other, the make looked younger, like…a young adult. His hair was short, spiky and black, with fierce electric blue eyes that were nothing but sweet. His skin, unlike the female, seemed leathery and had more a green tint to it than hers but both seemed friendly and nervous to be standing before the mortal.
"Hello my lady." The female said, giving a low curtsy. "I am Lilli, your personal maid." Sarah nodded with a smile and looked to the other goblin.
"And you are?" She asked trying to sound as friendly as possible, seeing that the little thing seemed frightened enough already.
"Name's Filx, milady. I am your personal goblin guard." He said with a perfect bow. Sarah was glad for her self control as Flix finished, for it took every ounce of her WILL to keep from laughing. Looking at the little goblin she couldn't imagine how he could guard anything, he and Lilli barely stood 4 feet from the ground.
"I'm quite pleased to meet you both, but I'm confused. Did Jareth send you?" Sarah asked, smiling. It would be interesting to learn that he was sending MORE people to watch over her.
"No Miss, Lady Jesi did." Lilli said with a smile of her own, one that was both alarming and comforting, thanks is part to the two rows of needle sharp teeth.
"And why would Jesi do that?" Sarah asked, questioning them both.
"Lady Jesi and Master Lyzander thought it best that you become…acquainted with your staff." Flix said looking to the ground.
"Ah, I see. Well I'm glad to meet you both." Sarah said stepping close to them. "I wonder though…" Sarah said looking to Flix, who looked up quickly upon hearing her unfinished statement.
"Yes milady?" He asked with pure curiosity in his young eyes.
"Ah see, you have gorgeous eyes, why do you insist on hiding them from me?" Sarah asked with a light tone and slight giggle, the sound of which relaxed both of her companions.
"I don't mean to upset you Lady Sarah. I just thought…thought that you wouldn't want to look at a filthy goblin." Flix said, sounding like someone had drilled the thoughts…the insanities into his mind. Sarah couldn't help the look of pure horror and shock on her face. Kneeling down to their level, she lifted Flix's gaze to her own, then glanced at Lilli to be sure BOTH goblins were paying attention.
"I don't think a single creature in this castle, in this world, or the next is filthy or foul or repulsive…well except for the Fireys." Sarah added with a smile, which both goblins returned.
"Only Fireys like Fireys." Flix answered and Lilli seemed to readily agree.
"Now no more looking at your feet, unless you ABSOLUTELY must." Sarah said, standing and smiling down brightly at the maid and guard. They both smiled up at their Lady and nodded. "Very good now, let's see if the three of us can find Ly and Jesi." Sarah said, surprised when Flix came to attention. Lilli, like Sarah, saw this and couldn't help the amused smile.
"Sorry miss, I can't come with you. There are a few things I must attend too." Lilli said with another low curtsy. "Good day, my Lady." With that, Lilli backed slowly out of the room and disappeared from sight.
"I'll take you, Lady Sarah. Follow me." Flix said, gleefully turning and leading his mistress to her destination.
Jareth felt the friendly atmosphere in 'The Underground' the moment he stepped through the front doors. Apparently the café had been closed, due to…'A Family Engagement', Sarah truly had an interesting personality. Sam, Bobby and Will were gathered around the bar when James had attracted their attention. "Hey Sam!" He said in a cheerful voice.
"Hey James…and Jareth." Sam said, her gaze traveling over Jareth with an approving gleam.
"So what are you making for Sarah's party tonight?" James asked Sam.
"I'm not quite sure yet and I only have 2 hours left, so no pressure. She likes chicken and turkey and beef. She can't stand pork . . ." James interrupted Sam then.
"And she's allergic to pineapples, pears, and buttermilk." Sam nodded to the information, her face thoughtful.
By the time they had decided on a variety of slicked meats and sweet trays, with a few fruit platters, Sam had just enough to time to finish them and call the rest of the band to pick up drinks. James followed Sam to the back, giving her a bit of help before he and Jareth had to run. Jareth stood by the bar with Bobby and Will, watching the two men drink what looked to be coke. It was Will rather than Bobby who started the interrogation, the opposite of what Jareth had thought.
"So how long have you and James been together?" Will asked, sipping his drink. Jareth looked to Will and answered truthfully.
"Since last night at Sarah's house, though I did leave him for a bit to check on Sarah." Will spit his drink as Bobby laughed.
"You and James got together at Sarah's house?" Bobby asked, seemingly shocked.
"I'm afraid I must have misunderstood the first question." Jareth said with an arched brow.
"How long have you and James been a couple, dating, doing the nasty, nasty?" Will asked with a grin.
"I'm afraid you are TERRIBLY wrong…I am NOT with James. As a matter of fact I'm courting Sarah." Jareth said defensively. He found he couldn't nor wanted to keep from smirking when both men sprayed the other with their drinks.
"What?! You look old enough to be her FATHER?!!!" Bobby said as Will began to choke.
"I am younger than I look." Jareth said keeping his voice light.
"REALLY!?" Will gasped harshly. "How old are you?" Will asked with a cough. 'Over 700 years old.' Jareth thought honestly.
"23." He said hoping that they believed the partial truth.
"23 is not that far from what I was thinking." Bobby said, looking Jareth up and down as though trying to find a good place to hit.
"It is a far cry from being her father, I would have been 6 when she was conceived." Jareth said, crossing his arms over his chest. "And I have to say that I am not impressed in the slightest by your faith in Sarah." Both Bobby and Will looked at Jareth, truly shocked. "Do you truly believe Sarah foolish enough to fall for some perverted, horny bastard who she felt had NO true feelings for her?" Jareth was sure his eyes were all but shooting sparks, he was so upset. "I don't care what you think of me, but do not DARE insult Sarah." Will and Bobby shared a look, then turned and smiled to Jareth.
"Good to hear." Bobby said with a smile.
"But remember if you do anything to hurt our Sarah, we've got a whole band that will be wailing on your foreign ass." Will said clapping Jareth on the back.
James appeared a few minutes after that and, THANKFULLY, whisked him away. The walk to James' house from the café wasn't that bad, but when they had the cake, James would borrow his mom's car. "The cake is kinda big and I don't think carrying it 2.3 miles would be a GREAT idea. Plus, if anything happens to that cake before Sarah gets to see it, my mom has promised a grounding that will last until John Travolta goes straight." James said as they stepped into his home. His parents had left a note saying they had some shopping to do for Sarah and would see him at the party. The cake and keys to his mother's delivery van were left on the table, ready and waiting to go.
Jareth stood staring at the cake, James had been telling the truth when he said the cake was large. Carrying the 6 layer cake to the van wasn't as difficult as either thought it would be. Getting Jareth to relax in the 2.3 miles from James' house to Sarah's was the real trick. Apparently Jareth didn't care much for cars.
"How can you get around the world if you don't use a car?" James asked as they set the cake down on Sarah's kitchen table.
"I suppose I'm not used to being in the passenger's seat." Jareth said with a shrug. James looked down to his watch and punched the air.
"YES!! We have ten minutes before Sam shows up with the real food and 5 before people start showing up." James said excitedly. "That means I have five whole minutes to talk with you." James added, with a wiggling brow. Jareth raised and elegant brow of his own towards the boy, something he found himself doing quite often as of late.
"And what pray tell do you wish to speak to me about for 5 minutes?" Jareth asked sounding quite bored with the idea.
"Well what is your present for Sarah?" Jareth looked at James, his face void of emotion. Inwardly however, Jareth found himself confused by the young man's question.
"Was that really the question you were going to ask?" James nodded. "Very well then, my present to Sarah is a bit of a surprise." Jareth said smirking as James deflated.
"Oh come on Jareth, you can tell me…I won't tell anyone…PROMISE!!" James said, appalled by how much like a 2 year old he sounded.
Jareth smiled, "I noticed that Sarah like animals." Jareth told him, only slightly changing the subject.
"Yeah she adores them. Cats are her favorite, though she loves all animals. Tigers are her ABSOLUTE favorite." James said quickly, hoping to still get Jareth's gift out of him.
"Cats? If Sarah cares so much for cats why does she only have a dog?" Jareth asked, sincerely using the information as the idea for his present. Since Jareth's birthday present for Sarah was such a surprise…HE didn't even know what it was.
"Karen is allergic to car hair and honestly she hates dogs, but Robert got Merlin for Sarah when she was 6, the birthday after her Mom left. So Karen can't MAKE Robert get rid of him, Merlin's old…he won't be around much longer and I'm not really sure Sarah will do once the living rug is gone. Doesn't stop Karen from trying though, but since Sarah does such a great job of taking care of Merlin, she really has no GOOD REASON to get rid of him." James said a bit frustrated.
"Then THAT'S what Sarah will be getting from me." Jareth said after a moments thought. James looked at Jareth shocked, mouth gaping and eyes wide.
"Are you really going to tell me that until 3 seconds ago, when you said 'surprise' you meant EVEN YOU had NO IDEA??!!!" Jareth watched James as he spoke, highly amused by his reaction.
"Yes. I believe that is exactly what I'm telling you." Jareth said with a chuckle.
"You are friggen unbelievable." James said shaking his head. "So WHAT exactly is that you're getting Sarah?"
"A cat, or rather kitten." Jareth said with a smirk, technically it would LOOK like a kitten.
"You know what…" James interrupted as the door bell rang, glancing quickly at his watch James smile. "It's PARTY TIME!"
Sarahand Flix had found Jesi and Ly in what appeared to be an office. The walls were decorated with maps…of the Underground Sarah assumed. There was a large desk, covered in papers and a pair of chairs in front of it. On the other side of the room was a table, where Ly and Jesi sat playing a game of chess. Jesi was the first to notice Sarah and stand. "Lady Sarah." She said with a bow. 'I really wish they wouldn't do that.' Sarah thought, and as though reading her mind Ly chose that moment to bow himself, a devilish smirk firmly in place.
"Is there something wrong my Lady?" Ly asked, moving to stand before her.
"Yeah actually, do you have a single book in this bloody place written in oh, I don't know…ENGLISH!!??" Sarah asked, rather harshly. From behind Ly, Jesi stifled a laugh.
"Sorry miss, I had forgotten that all the English writings are on the top shelves." Sarah rolled her eyes at the female guard, as she continued to laugh at the mental slip.
"Alright well I'll…" Sarah felt it then, the slight twinge of Jareth magic. She smiled and turned to the spot she knew he would appear in. "Hello Goblin King." She said once he had come fully into view. Jareth smiled at his chosen.
"One of these days you WILL explain how you do that." He said pulling her to his side and kissing the top of her head tenderly. "What were you three doing?" He asked looking to his Captain.
"Nothing, I suppose. Why do you ask Majesty?" Ly asked risking a glance towards a now very serious Jesi.
"I merely wanted to be sure I wasn't going to be stealing Sarah from something too intriguing., but seeing as you were doing nothing and nothing with you Ly I might add. These poor women must be bored out of their minds." Jareth said with a smirk, which Ly mimicked.
"I'm quite sure, Majesty, that the ladies would much rather be board with me than yourself, seeing as you have such interesting…'Ideas'…when there is nothing to do." Jesi and Sarah both laughed at Ly's comeback.
"Play nice boys. Now where are you taking me Jareth?" Sarah asked curiously.
"Away from here." He said with a smirk as they disappeared.
Darklady: Jareth said he loved her. Hehehehe everyone happy now?
Jareth: I don't know, I actually think we could have gone a little longer without her knowing.
Sarah: Not if you didn't want me to go . . . Lizzy Borden on your ass.
Darklady: (ROFL) OMG!!!!
Jareth: Lizzy Borden? Who the bloody hell is that . . . .
Darklady: (pulls Jareth aside) You've really never heard ? . . . Oh just wait a sec. (turns to all the readers) Hey guys the next chapter is being typed so it sshould be up soon . . . unless of course life happens. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think . . . only a few chapters left until the sequal. LOL Catch ya later . . . . (turns back to Jareth) you've never heard the nursery rhyme Lizzy Borden . . . GRACE!!!!! I need your help!!!!!!!!!! (shakes her head) FAE!!!