Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. I do own Cory. Remember, reviews are welcomed, flames aren't.
Chapter 8: Fireworks
A shiver went down her spine as the music ended. They weren't in the club dancing. Looking around, she found herself wearing the white ball gown with silver and white leaves in her hair. They were outside the motel in the darken garden. Crickets chirped and fire flies floated on the night breeze.
Her eyes went back to Jareth with a questioning look as he faded into the darkness.
o0o0o0o0o
The days passed. Sarah formed a bit of a routine. Mornings she dealt with anything that came up in Cory's office, mail, press releases, phone calls. All the things a secretary slash office manager would handle. He showed her where everything was and how he wanted things done. Afternoons were spent in the garden under the oak tree reading and studying. Evenings were sometimes with her mother, sometimes with Cory. Jareth stayed away. Ever since that first night in the garden, he hadn't appeared to her.
June gave way to July. It was the Fourth of July and she was sitting in the garden late afternoon, alone and without a date. The theatre play was going well. Her mother was brilliant in her lead role. The young actors and actresses were in awe of her and tried to match her talent. Her mother had decided if she couldn't awe her own daughter anymore, she would look elsewhere. Sarah sighed, pulling down her book. Her mother could take a long walk off a short pier. She had other worries.
'He said he would be teaching me. He said he would be nearby. Why hasn't he?' she thought as she leaned against the trunk of the oak. Looking up at the cloudless sky, she sighed, again.
"Ah Sarah," Cory's voice broke into her thoughts. "Brooding on a such a lovely day? Why aren't you with the cast and crew down by the lake?"
Sarah waited until the Fae sat down beside her, leaning against the trunk. "I didn't feel like company," she said.
"You are missing Him, aren't you?"
"Maybe."
"Darling Sarah. How sweet," Cory smiled. "Summer can be busy sometimes for him. Between dealing with Wish Aways and High Court plus all those pesky goblins, I don't think he gets much sleep."
"Do you. . ." she licked her lips before continuing. "Do you think he'll make an appearance tonight? Is he busy right now?"
Cory chuckled. "Why don't you call him, Sarah? You know he'll answer you."
Sarah looked up at the swaying leaves and branches of the oak. She mulled over what he said. She really didn't want to if he is dealing with a Wish Away. 'Oh well, no time to be afraid. He can't hurt me.' "Jareth, I need you."
Jareth appeared on the other side of Sarah, looking just as handsome as he always does but this time, he looked a bit care worn. "What is it, Sarah?" he asked pinching his nose.
"You look tired Cousin," Cory said, peering around Sarah. "Not in the middle of anything are you?"
Jareth shrugged, closing his eyes. "Not really."
"Good. Sarah was missing you. I had to talk her into calling you," Cory said with a smirk. "She's been a good little girl and she deserves a night out."
Sarah groaned softly, hiding her face in her hands. Why? Why was she allowing these two Fae torment her like this? Hearing Jareth's chuckle, she groaned again.
"Alright. So I don't have a date for the fireworks tonight and I was hoping Jareth would take me. Satisfied?" she hissed through her fingers.
"Sarah. Sarah. All you had to do is ask. I would do anything for you," Jareth purred softly, placing a gloved hand on hers, slowly removing it from her face. His face inches from hers.
Sarah looked into his eyes and noticed the tireness in them. "You? You don't mind?"
He chuckled, reaching over to nuzzled her neck. "I don't mind."
o0o0o0o0o
Sarah and Jareth found a small secluded spot by the lake to watch the fire works. Using a crystal, Jareth had produced a blanket and a picnic basket at Sarah's request. The shadows were just right, no one knew they were there and the spot was prefect to watch the light show.
Jareth laid his head on Sarah's lap. She looked down and said, "Comfy?"
"Yes Sarah, I am," he chuckled as he stretched out on the blanket, closing his eyes.
She boldly reached out and started to play with his hair. Well, after all, his head was resting in her lap, right? He let out a sigh of contentment as his body relaxed.
The fire works started. She watched with childlike awe. Jareth grumbled a bit about the noise but didn't open his eyes.
When the last of the fireworks died away, Sarah shivered a bit from the cool night air. A good breeze was coming off the lake lowering the temperature. She started to move only to realize that Jareth had fallen asleep. For a moment, she realized just how handsome he really was. He didn't look frightening at all.
A soft chuckle startled Sarah as Cory stepped out of the shadows. "Fallen asleep, has he?"
Jareth said, without opening his eyes, "I live with goblins. One learns how to sleep through anything." He carefully sat up and formed a crystal. Sending it up into the air it came down around Sarah as a knitted wrap. "I felt you shivering," he said. His eyes looked into hers.
Cory came to sit by the couple, breaking the mood. "Since I'm not disturbing you. I thought you should know that Sarah is doing well in her studies and in her writing. I've read her first draft. It's quite good."
"Excellent," Jareth said, beaming at Sarah, who blushed. "Really Sarah. There is no need for modesty. I will try to see you later this week for a quiz. You better study hard, my dear."
"Just great! Just bloody great! A romantic night, fire works and what does he do? He falls asleep on me and now he's worry that I'll flunk some test," Sarah moaned standing, throwing the wrap at him. "I'm going to bed. Good Night!"
She marched off towards the motel, when she was grabbed from behind, spun around. Pulling her into his embrace, Jareth kissed her.
o0o0o0o0o
Dear Jareth,
Well, it's the Fourth of July. Cory said you've been busy.
Well, so have I. Mother can be quite a bitch when she wants to be. She's been holding court just about every night this past week now that the play is over. The next set of rehearsals for the next one will start next week. She's such a drama queen. She does like to make snide comments about me and Dad, jsut to see if I would rise to the occasion. Fat chance! You should give her lessons on snarkiness. On second thought, you better not. It would just go over her head.
I've missed our chats. I've missed you. The kiss after the fire works was everything I could ask for.
Sweet dreams.
I'm glad someone likes the journal entries. I wanted to do something different with this story that I hadn't seen done before.
LA: My library consist mostly of Anne McCaffrey, Lackey, Eddings and Toliken.
I hope I'm not boring anyone one. Until next time. --GF