SCENE 12

SMILE! YOU'RE ON CANDID CAMERA!

The next progression of days shifted from what they had previously been. For Jareth he felt as if some one had harnessed a set of invisible strings down and around his shoulder blades. With sadistic intent the strings were pulled taunt vertically. He blamed his cousin. Jasper wanted to know about humans. Jasper wanted to about female humans. Jasper wanted to know about Sarah Williams. Jasper was on the verge of finding the king's foot implanted in his backside. Praying for inebriation, he knocked back his fourth glass of wine after Thursday's dinner. He was looking forward to Friday evening when he could escape back to Sarah's.

For Sarah the time between Wednesday evening and Friday evening was calm and smooth. Firstly she had received a mid-week goblin fix. Their unexpected visit had brightened her mood, and despite Jareth's odd display upon finding his cousin about he had been civil for the rest of the evening. The second reason was actually Jasper- the disarmingly charm filled fae made Jareth seem a little more tangible. She had never thought about the possibility of him having family. 'Not that I figured he just appeared out of the cosmos.' The third reason was partially the romance novels fault. Allyson was proving to be something of an influence on her mood and self-perception.

She too was looking forward to what was becoming something of traditional Friday date night. After work she changed into a pair of black Bermuda shorts and a feminine green blouse. That morning she had taken Brianna up on her previous offer- underneath she wore the corset.

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Having bathed and changed Jareth eagerly made for the door. He paused straightening the cuffs on his soft grey shirt and smoothing the collar on his rich burgundy leather jacket. Fash came along next to him. He noticed the king fussing. "You look smashing sire." The compliment was well received. "Are you," he paused sniffing. "Are you wearing cologne sire?"

Jareth grinned. "Yes my little man I am. I want to make a good impression on our lady."

The goblin sniffed again. "Huh! You smell a lot like Lord Jasper does." Without another word Fash pushed through the door into Sarah's room.

Jareth stood stunned. 'Of all the people…' Jasper had better not be about this evening. He entertained the thought of making it a capital crime to compare him to his cousin. 'Go find your lady; you'll be put to rights in her presence immediately.' In her room he was pleased to find the gift box empty on the desk. He paused and took a deep breath. Yes, he felt calmer already. He saw Meep rummaging through a box on the closet floor. Another goblin followed in after him. This was exactly what he needed: an evening with a few subjects about and his Sarah.

He heard two distinct voices coming from the living room. One made him smile. The other voice made him frown.

Walking out of the hallway he was devastated to find his cousin sitting comfortably on the couch with his lady. And she was laughing! Normally that musical note would thrill him, but the fact that her merriment was as the result of an antic performed by Jasper made his blood boil. Even the goblins were amused. His cousin by way of some basic charm had a flower levitating in the air. What was making everyone laugh was the fact that the flower was dramatically singing, "Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match, find me a catch!" His fists balled tight at his sides. Clearing his throat he gained their attention.

"Greetings cousin," called Jasper pinching the flowers stem ceasing the singing.

Still smiling that achingly beautiful smile Sarah looked over at him. "Hello your majesty," she said teasingly.

Jasper chortled. "Oh please Miss Sarah! From what you have related to me you hardly need to be so formal with our Goblin King." He lounged back on the cushions smirking.

Sarah saw Jareth falter a step as if he had nearly clobbered him from across the room.

"Jasper. Private council," he ordered turning back down the hall.

"Not intere-,"

"Now!" With a sigh Jasper handed the flower to the nearest goblin, Blot, and joined his cousin. With a shrug Sarah went into the kitchen to telephone a Chinese delivery place for dinner.

In Sarah's bedroom Jasper was taken aback to find his cousin right in his face growling. Straight faced he took it though. His cousin accused him of tampering and interference, and threatened to make him disappear into a dimension where not even King Oberon would be able to find him. Jasper took a step back. "You haven't the ability," he stated flatly.

"Oh I have ways," Jareth assured him with a menacing gleam in his eye. "And with your reputation I should think not many would even bother looking for you."

Jasper shook his head un-amused by the dramatic antics. He flicked invisible dust off his cousin's shoulder. "What is the problem cousin? Are we feeling a twinge of…oh jealousy?"

It was Jareth's turn to look taken aback. "She is a very special woman and I will not have your sort taking advantage of her."

"Oh so you're merely protecting her from such wiles as I might conjure up out of the goodness of your heart? Really now Jareth, last time I check she was just a mortal."

That was all it took for Jareth to snap. He had his cousin tightly gripped by the collar of his shirt and pinned against the wall. He gasped for breath.

"You will refrain from such bigoted remarks cousin!" he sneered.

Jasper laughed mockingly. "O-o-h! I knew it! Tell me cousin is this the same mortal who bested you some five years ago or is this a new fascination? Eh? Going to give three swings at this one as well?"

Jareth knocked him hard against the wall and then dropped him on the ground. He had not let his composure ever slip so before. Taking a deep breath he tried to calm him self for fear Sarah would walk in. "Jasper you are meddling in something far bigger, far more important than you could possibly fathom."

His cousin found his feet. "Ach, you've still got an awful grip," he grumbled straightening his collar. "Look here Jareth: I see a beautiful, single woman who is unbelievably and quite possibly un-naturally comfortable with the fae. That is a packaged deal hard to pass up."

"You think I don't know that?" he countered. "Five years ago it was that very same trait that led me to her."

"So it is the same girl." He seemed to consider this revelation for a moment. "You fool cousin! That mortal, that girl, you offered your self three times to already. What right do you possibly have to offer again?"

"I only offered twice." His voice had grown quieter.

"Thrice!"

"No, I tell you only twice. The first time is the same offer I make everyone. She got…," he cleared his throat. "two extra special ones."

"Two extra special ones? I take it offer number two didn't go over so well? And you call me bumbling!"

The two regarded each other intensely for a moment.

"You know the decent thing would be to back off now," Jareth said pointedly.

Jasper scoffed. "And since when do I always do things the decent way? Why not let Sarah do the deciding. Her disposition already lends its self towards our kind, why not let her choose?" He watched his cousin nearly blanch. "Lacking in self confidence are we?"

Jareth rolled his eyes. "Hardly! I just hate to see you waste your time."

Sarah was calling to them from the living room. Jasper watched his cousin's eyes shift from threatening to longing. He blinked and the expression was gone. 'This ought to be fun,' he thought wickedly. Jareth conceded to his proposal.

The chopsticks that came with the Chinese delivery proved to be too difficult for most of the goblins. They stabbed at their food, skewering it triumphantly. When it came to the rice they opted for their fingers. Despite being disappointed that the egg rolls were not in fact misshaped eggs Dink still consumed several of them. Blot discovered that the flower from his Lord Jasper was quite tasty with soy sauce. Meep armed with a camera she had found in Sarah's closet took several pictures documenting the skewered food.

Sarah rarely indulged in delivery and was set on enjoying her self. When Jasper held her chair for her, she smiled appreciatively. When Jareth poured her a beverage she thanked him. Yet when they both began to simultaneously offer to put food on her plate she had to disapprove. "I'll get my own, don't worry," she told them. She let Jasper entertain the goblins so she could clean up the plates and put the left overs away. Jareth stayed with her in the kitchen.

It sounded as if Jasper was singing again. The words seemed to be something from the musical South Pacific. 'What is it?' she wondered as she snapped a lid shut. It was lovely. Jareth listened to his cousin singing, "Who can explain it? Who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons, wise men never try," and recognized the melody. He cousin was singing "Some Enchanted Evening" and he had to roll his eyes. Having placed in the refrigerator the last container she turned to see Jareth flicking his wrist at the table: the dishes, cups, and any trash vanished.

"A girl could get used to having you about," she commented impressed. Then adding thoughtfully, "I wonder where it all goes?"

"Garbage or cupboard respectively. Anything else need cleaning up?"

"Nope. That." She mimicked the flicking of the wrist. "Did it."

He chuckled amused with her. "All most, but with a little more flourish." He repeated the motion exaggerating the angle from forearm to hand. She did it again. "Very good," he praised.

"More flourish, you say?" He watched her pose spreading her legs wide, putting a hand to her hip, and confidently raising her head. "I want that and that done," she said her voice rich with refinery.

He smiled approvingly.

"You," she went on with the blatant impersonation. Her mind embodied the heroine Allyson form her book. "You shall do my biddings."

He swept his arms out and bowed. "My lady I am at your disposal."

Allyson would swagger, exaggerating every movement to draw attention to key physical points. Sarah found her self approaching him. She cocked her hip and dropped one shoulder. Seeing his eyes observe the curve along her waist and the glint that followed only encouraged her. "You will grant all of my wishes?" she pressed raising an eyebrow.

He matched her stance. "Just what would you wish for Sarah mine?" His tone had dropped slightly from acting to real.

She managed to keep her playful edge. "I want you to do the cleaning up every night."

"Done!"

"At ten o'clock promptly the goblins shall be dismissed, to leave me time to relax."

How could he possibly argue? "Done!"

She went on, words tumbling with an alarming ease, "I shall require a life time supply of bubbles for my baths and perchance a rubber ducky or two."

Chuckling he said, "Done!"

"Silk sheets for my bed and a goose feather pillow, scented candles and flowers around as well. Perhaps a few boxes of fine chocolate about. And before my own bed time every night I shall require a full body massage followed by you-," she stopped herself. Quite suddenly she was struck with the very detailed vision of laying naked face down on her stomach while Jareth's hands ran the length of her body. The sheer normalcy of the circumstance and the ease at which she had been ready to tell him, made her blush. Her stance relaxed.

Jareth tilted his head to one side quizzically. "Followed by what Sarah?" he asked softly. He took a step closer to her.

His hands running over her body leaving tingling trails. And then what? Was he naked too? Involuntarily her eyes slightly widened. "Umm," was all she could get out. He was standing closer to her now. "Umm."

"Flick your wrist Sarah," he told her lowering his voice so neither his cousin nor any goblin could hear. "I'd gladly grant any wish of yours."

'Yes, but what if that wish involves also fulfilling a fantasy?' she thought frantically. 'Whatever I'm supposed to be sure of, am I sure of it now?'

She took a deep breath. "Any?" she asked timidly.

He leaned in placing a hand to her hip, feeling the smooth curve of her waist provided by the corset. "Any."

"Lady! King!" A bright flash accosted them.

Momentarily blinded, Sarah shook her head in utter bewilderment. Jareth grunted, pulling away from her. Her eyes adjusted. Meep stood looking up at them holding what looked like a very familiar, very old camera. With a grin Meep ran off to the living room where she yelled, "Lord Jasper!" Flash went the camera and Jasper yelped. The other goblins "Oooed" and demanded to be flashed.

"What in the world?" demanded Jareth, rubbing his eyes.

"Camera. Apparently your goblins have been rummaging through my closet."

"Camera? Not some mid-evil torture device?"

Jasper was calling from the living room. "Sarah! Miss Sarah you must come here! Look at this marvelous thing that Meep has! Here Miss Sarah- come sit by me on the couch and Meep shall take a proper photo."

"But I want candid shots," objected the goblin.

Fash was fussing over Sarah's hair. "Here, just fluff a little. Someone turn on the over head light!"

Jasper scowled and wagged a finger at Meep. "Take our picture you little devil, or I'll-,"

"Or you'll what?" interjected Jareth with a mocking tone.

"It's fine," said Sarah. "Go ahead Meep." Feeling like a pose straight out of a Sears' Portrait Studio she smiled and allowed Jasper to put an arm around her shoulders. Flash went the camera a little less invasively.

"Now one with us!" yelled Blot.

Before Jasper could object Blot and the rest of the hoard were climbing, throwing themselves on the couch trying to get the closest to the lady Sarah. She laughed tickled at their enthusiasm. Someone elbowed Jasper and told him to "get out of the way!" He felt someone else's foot connect with his leg and another telling him that he wasn't goblin, "so get out of the picture!" Squabble popped his head over Sarah's shoulder. Meep turned her back to the crowd, held the camera at a high angle, and snapped the photo. Everyone laughed. "Wait!" she cried. "The king wasn't in the photo. Come on sire!"

Jasper glowered at the suggestion. His cousin had spent more time with Sarah this evening than him. Jareth smiled and shooed his subjects aside.

"I get the spot next to Sarah," he told them. "And Stench you will remove that brazier from your head for this photo. Thank you." He sat down. Without being asked Sarah looped her arm through his and leaned in close. He looked at her and flash went the camera.

"Candid shot," confessed Meep sheepishly. She then told them to look at the lens and for Jasper to hold the camera this time.

"Come along cousin," encouraged Jareth gloating. "Take this lovely family photo for us."

Unenthusiastically Jasper snapped the photo hoping his finger had made its way over some body's face successfully.

"You're very photogenic miss," complimented Fash proudly. "And sire you compliment her so well!"

"Lady and King look good together," proclaimed Blot.

Fash went on, "I should think Meep dear that one of just the king and the lady would be lovely."

"It's not candid, but," she paused squinting as if trying to visualize something. "All right. Everyone move!" The goblins scrambled away.

Sarah and Jareth sat comfortably next to each other each feeling a degree of personal enthusiasm. Fash led the artistic direction for this photo. The two were arranged to be leaning into each other: Sarah's head against the king's shoulder and his chin resting on top of her head. She could hear his heart beat. He could feel the lining of the corset. She could smell his spicy scent. He could smell her spring time fragrance. Thinking appropriate thoughts suddenly became a challenge for them both. Flash went the camera.

As the time passed with Meep and Fash directing and snapping photos of various poses- the goblins doing head stands, Jasper preening, Sarah laughing, Jareth juggling several crystals- the degree of normalcy also rose. Jareth continually caught himself nearly staring at Sarah admiring her beauty and ease with his subjects. For Sarah she could not forget his touch as he had held her for the photo or the erotic fantasy she had nearly confessed to him in the kitchen.

The clock on the VCR blinked and it was ten o'clock.

Jareth winked at Sarah and gained the attention of the room. "Alright lads and lasses, unfortunately there is a curfew tonight. It is ten o'clock and you all must bid our lady a goodnight. No fussing! Do as you are told!" When she asked him what he was about he whispered, "Just fulfilling one of your wishes my dear." He relished the widening of her eyes. Each goblin bid her a goodnight as they passed into the closet. "You too Jasper. It is one of Sarah's wishes to be left alone at ten o'clock sharp." With even more satisfaction he watched Jasper disappear into the closet. He turned to Sarah. "You will find a ready supply of bubble bath under the sink," he told her.

Was this the only wish he was going to fulfill? "Thank you."

Pausing at the door he continued, "I'll give you a good half hour to soak."

'What?!' exclaimed some inner voice that caused her stomach to flip flop. "And-and then what?" she asked breathlessly.

"I shall return with a ready supply of massage oils to use at your disposal." The closet door shut and the house was quiet.

Sarah swallowed hard.

I know words such as "cruel" and "miserable" are probably running through your head at this point, but please remember that my kung fo chickens are standing at the ready and will defend me. Anyhow IF indeed what you THINK is going to happen next happens then it should very well have its own scene, no? I should think so, IF indeed it is going to happen. I mean really- climaxes should be given a special place, sort of like the seat of honour. IF.