Disclaimer: Labyrinth and The Wizard of Oz are not mine (but Raelle, Aetia, and Aralia are!) I make no profit from this, it is all for fun:) There is a hint of a reference to Twilight her also, though not a full fledged one.

A/N: I am going to go out on a limb and say this is probably my most favorite chapter to date. Firstly, I LOVE writing Jareth's POV, he is a blast, especially when exploiting his jealousy with Hoggle. (Cue "Bosom companions...friends...") I worked really hard on his characterization in this one (all his haughty, snarky, sexy, immature, frustrated goodness!), and you also get to learn some new stuff about him, his castle, and his relationships. I am super excited to post this and hear what y'all think. I hope you enjoy it as much I as I did writing it!

Chapter 12

To Irritate or to Instigate

Jareth's POV

There was a delightful little adage I'd once overheard on one of my numerous trips Aboveground that man could neither live with nor without woman. My initial reaction had been to dismiss the human saying as utter rubbish not even worthy of the addled prophet in the center of the Labyrinth; after all, it was a given that man could not live without woman, as they were the givers of life, and he certainly could live with them, as most of us had at one point lived with at least a female relation if not a lover or spouse. Granted, my own experience living with women was limited to the few years my mother was alive, and the time spent with my sister, but the equation still did not quite add up.

I had not thought of the expression in ages, but as I looked upon, no, frowned upon the human woman and the female hobgoblin across from her, both snickering most unbecomingly at my expense, the sage advice rang true and clear.

"You're one to talk…Jared."

Well, well, well, it seemed little Sarah wanted the cat let out of the bag.

I tilted my head and widened my eyes, the very mask of playful innocence; mask being the operative word, of course. "Why, whatever do you mean, dearest?"

"Just what were you doing at that restaurant anyway?"

Smirking, I tilted my head to the opposite direction, saying nothing. Realization dawned in her eyes nonetheless. "I was set-up."

"Took you awhile, didn't it, precious?" I chuckled lowly. "Did you really expect me to let you form any attachment to another man?"

The slight groan from the pesky dwarf and his accompanying glare in my direction did not escape my notice. He was no doubt recalling the less than pleasant 'chat' we'd engaged in after Sarah's stint in the Labyrinth. I was quite certain he would do all within his pathetic power to prevent my Sarah's lips from ever touching any part of his repellant self again. My lips twitched infinitesimally in his direction at the reminder and his eyes quickly dropped.

"But why that night? It wasn't the first time Ray dragged me off on a double date."

"Yeah, that and he needed to give you-" The hobgoblin's breath nearly choked at the soft hiss releasing from my lips. Now was not the time, and certainly not the place, to discuss the real reason for my date with the lovely Sarah. If her reactions to what had befallen her so far were any indication, I could very well be facing castration once she discovered she bore a part of my soul.

"Give me what exactly?" Sarah's eyes darted back and forth between Raelle and myself. I could tell from the clouds gathering in her expression that she would not forget that little slip any time in the next millennia.

"Perhaps I was just feeling impatient, my dear. After six years, or rather much longer in Underground time, that last night of separation was just too much for my poor heart to bear." I smiled widely at her, my eyes glinting with playful adoration.

The vile dwarf sputtered noisily while ale spewed unceremoniously from his bulbous nose.

"I know you're lying. I know you're hiding something. You're all hiding something."

I was quite surprised by how well she was managing her temper, in light of the fact that it was more than obvious by her flushed countenance and the rise in her breathing that she was growing more and more furious. Like watching a kitten pretend it was a tiger, I was more amused than anything.

"Are we?" I feigned an intentionally obvious expression of innocence and swept my gaze along each of our dinner guests before settling back on her blazing eyes. "Ah yes, I believe Hogbottom filched some of your roast while your back was turned. Do forgive the poor fellow. Dwarves are not known for their manners."

"Wuh? I swearz it ain't true, Sarah!" Despite my best efforts to remain completely sincere, I felt the corner of my mouth curve upwards at the look of pure consternation on Hoggle's face. He really was too easy to nettle, making it all the more necessary for me to rile him at every opportunity. Though he needn't have worried; Sarah's accusing eyes never left my face.

"Not. Funny." Her jaw tensed even more and a shiver of pure wrath emanated through our half-formed bond. The crueler aspect of my nature that generally delighted in the discomfort of others wanted nothing more than to continue instigating this reaction in her. After all, she was simply breath-taking when aroused in any form and I did have quite a penchant for games, particularly when the opposition was as worthy as she. But there was frustration and weariness residing in her as well, and damn that softness in my heart for wanting to take her in my arms and soothe every one of her concerns.

Her lips parted and it was clearly evident by her rather forceful gathering of breath that she was about to give everyone an earful. I cut her off swiftly. "Forgive me, dearest. I meant no harm." I reached out and placed my hand on hers, laughing inwardly at her slight flinch and appealing to her with my eyes to calm her temper.

She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly before muttering, "I suppose it can't be any worse than having a snake thrown at me."

"That old trick? I can't believe you still use that one." Raelle snorted before shoveling more food into her mouth, which unfortunately did not seem to deter her from continuing to speak. "Though I suppose it's better than when you used rats. Snakes don't make near the mess as rodents!"

"Rats? Are you serious?" Sarah looked at me with disbelief before her face broke into a stunning smile. If it weren't at my expense, I might not have minded the cause. As it were, I was shocked at the level of open disrespect launched at me from my subjects. At least the fox and the orange beast had the decency to look somewhat ashamed.

"Where'd yeh think I gots hiz nickname from?" The dwarf's toothy grin was the final straw.

"Enough!" I snapped. "This is hardly a topic of discussion appropriate for dinner." "Not to mention I'm sitting right here and could have all of you in the Bog in less than a blink!" I added in my thoughts. Honestly, this conversation was spiraling out of control.

The resounding silence felt like a chill wind and I nearly regretted my outburst, but only for Sarah's sake. The rest of the ungrateful, treacherous lot should be counting their lucky stars that Sarah was present or they would be so buried in stench that a rotted corpse would smell like a rose in comparison to them.

I took Sarah's hand and raised it to my lips, brushing a soft kiss across her knuckle before facing our guests. A change in topic was definitely overdue. "Raelle, tell me, how is your Scott?"

She hiccupped once before whining, "He's not sure he wants to come with me. I told him how awesome it is here, and he says he loves me and all, but he doesn't know if he can leave his family."

"Ah, well family is a treasure. But fear not, fair lady, all will right itself in the end," the tiny fox spoke sweetly with the hint of a blush on his furry cheek.

I smiled politely at the knight's comment while secretly grimacing, my thoughts traveling once more to my own hopes for family and that blasted time limit.

"Speaking of which…just where exactly does my family think I am? I know time passes more slowly Above, but I've still been missing for several days. I'm sure by now somebody's noticed." There was no mistaking the combined hope and threat in Sarah's voice.

My grimace worsened in my mind. While I knew this thread was inevitable, I certainly was not looking forward to it. "You don't exist," I spoke quietly, but with resolute firmness.

"What?"

"It was the kindest solution."

"You…you erased the memory of me? You can do that?"

"What else would I do to account for all the wished away children? Would you really rather your family thought something had befallen you?"

She was exceedingly quiet. A lone tear trailed across her porcelain skin and she did not bother to wipe it away. When she finally looked at me again, sad acceptance filled her expression.

My attentions had been thoroughly directed at Sarah, so the dwarf's throaty voice nearly startled me. I was not ashamed to admit I'd forgotten the presence of Sarah's motley crew.

"Iz for the best, Sarah. Everyone yeh love can go 'bout theirs business jus as if you wuz never born."

"And I can never see them again!" She snapped at her friend. The tears had instantly been replaced by shining fury. "I'm really never going home, am I?" Her voice broke on the last few words. In a whisper too quiet for any to hear but myself, she continued, "He really has won."

Her companions all dropped their gaze. Even Raelle was for once, wisely silent. In my periphery, Sarah's fingers twisted her napkin cruelly, and I felt the effect on my heart. Each beat was laced with the combination of her resigned sorrow and my own hurt as if the piece of me she carried was drowning in our mixed emotions. In my long, long life I had rarely experienced such utter turmoil in my countenance. Did I comfort her as she grieved or begrudge her for once again wounding me with her continued determination to refuse us?

I sighed and placed my fingertips to my temple as if to massage away my irritation. She had been doing so well! Though I supposed it was inevitable that her indignation would flare beyond her ability to dampen it. I stood calmly and affected a patient smile on my face. "Well, as delightful as this experience has been, I find I am still rather exhausted. Come, Sarah, shall we retire?"

"Together?" Her beautiful eyes widened. I shifted my stance ever so slightly, and as perceptive as she was, it was enough to remind her of our bargain. "Oh. Right." She turned to her friends and offered a nervous smile before standing to place her hand in mine. "Good night everyone, I-I'll see you tomorrow?"

Raelle jumped from her chair and took Sarah's other hand between her own. She leaned in to whisper, "Give it a chance," before stepping back and snapping her fingers, effectively causing both herself and our other dinner guests to vanish. The fork Hogwash had been holding clattered loudly to the china plate, and then there was silence.

"My! People come and go so quickly here," Sarah mumbled under her breath.

I tilted my head in amusement as I recognized her quote. "Really, Sarah; if you're so interested in Oz just say the word…" I let my voice trail off in a vague sort of invitation while my own thoughts pondered what the bloody hell the hobgoblin was talking about.

"Thanks, but no thanks. So, n-now what?" She stammered.

I wondered at her sudden bout of nerves. Where had all her bravado gone? "Just one more stop, and then to bed." I offered her my arm and smiled again when she took it. With a thought, we transported to the crystal room at the center of the castle.

"This isn't your chamber," her voice whispered cautiously after taking a moment to let her vision adjust to the dim lighting.

"No. This is…how to explain…I suppose the easiest translation would be our version of a telecommunication center."

Her jade eyes widened as she circled slowly, no doubt examining every minute detail of the crystal laden room. Fleetingly, I tried to see this chamber as a mortal new to the realm might. Thousands of crystal message spheres were embedded into the stone walls, giving the effect of a large, glittering insect with infinite eyes. The crystals were quiet and still at the moment, but with the turn of a thought they could reveal any and every subject within my kingdom.

"Why would you bring me here?"

"To present you to our kingdom, of course." I smiled widely at her while delight danced in my heart. Nothing, not even her resistance and lack of enthusiasm, could detract from this moment.

With a wave of my hand – a warning motion made simply for Sarah's sake – the crystals literally came to life, showing the gnarled masks of the goblins, the ethereal visages of the Fae, and the soft faces of the humans. Within seconds, nearly every denizen of the Labyrinth was connected to the room and thousands of eyes dropped in reverence at the awareness of their King. Silence hung palpable in the air as the collective held their breath for whatever tidings would be shared. Such public gatherings were not commonplace.

"Good citizens of the Labyrinth and its Goblin Kingdom. I call to you this evening to announce great joy for your King and kingdom. Our Lady Sarah has returned home to take her rightful place as my betrothed.

Wordless but for the expression of pure solemnity saturating my eyes, I placed the mate to my pendant around Sarah's neck on a delicate silver chain. "Let this always be a symbol of your bond to me and to our Labyrinth."

A resounding cheer echoed throughout the chamber, but it paled in comparison to the thundering of my heart and the overwhelming sense of pride and awe emanating from my soul's connection to Sarah.

"That…that's it? I'm the Goblin Queen now?" She whispered as I caused the spheres to once again darken.

"No, precious. This was merely a step in that direction. I have formally declared you as my betrothed. As we've discussed, you become my full wife upon our…consummation."

"And your queen?"

"Yes, well. It is a tad more complicated than that." I placed my hands upon her shoulders and ushered her away from the crystals, hoping a little diversion would end this conversation. "Come, Sarah. Let us ready ourselves for bed."

"But-"

"This is a conversation best left for another time. Trust me. You really needn't worry about a thing."

I took her arm and shifted us before she could question me further. "And here we are; home sweet home," I sighed contentedly as I deposited us in front of the hearth in our chamber. Our chamber. How I loved the sound of that thought.

She was very quiet as she stepped away from me and took in her surroundings. She'd been in here only hours earlier, but I suspected she had not allowed herself to really appreciate the grandeur of the suite amidst other…distractions. Her graceful hands trailed across the sheer fabrics adorning the walls as she circled the room.

"I hope you approve, dearest."

"It's very nice. These are actually my favorite colors." Her voice was so soft and hesitant that you'd think she'd just revealed a tremendous secret about herself. And I guessed in a way she had when considering this was the first personal bit of information she had willingly shared with me. My heart warmed at the sentiment and the approval.

"I'm glad. This is your home now too, and I want you to be comfortable."

She nodded once and continued her perusal. A heavy silence settled around us like a rain-soaked cloud ready to burst. Rain could be a blessing or a curse and it seemed neither of us wanted to upset the tenuous truce.

I finally found my voice again as she paused before the large mirror concealing our wardrobe. I brushed to her side and pressed the knob responsible for opening the door. "I had Aetia move your belongings here whilst we dined. I believe you will find your night clothes in the first drawer on your right."

Her head nodded again while her impossibly large eyes stared unblinkingly at the neatly hung clothing filling the space. I smiled both at her and the sight of our garments side by side, but her face was anything but happy. I reached down to take her hand, but she pulled it away sharply. A rush of unease flashed through me and I realized Sarah's stillness was not simply due to the awkwardness of our new situation, but because she was absolutely terrified. She would never say anything of course, certainly not to me, yet it was as clear as one of my crystals that despite our agreement, she still didn't trust me.

I was quite torn on how to act. It was as if the three parts of me – Fae, king, and man – each had their own agenda. Since reclaiming her for my own, this had been the moment I had been striving for. And now that she stood in my chamber, in our chamber, agreeing to be my wife, I had no idea what to do next. The Fae wanted to play on her fears and push her as far as the boundaries of our bargain would allow, simply in response to the irritation of her continued mistrust. The king cared little for the bargain, as it grossly interfered with duty, and was a breath away from taking what was rightly his, trust be damned. But the man was most problematic of all, because he was the most vulnerable. Of course I wanted her, but I wanted her love and faith more.

I stepped closer and placed a brief kiss upon her hair, still not sure which side of my personality would reign. "Perhaps you would like a moment to change into something more comfortable?"

Her eyes shot to my face as she gasped. I winced as her jolt of anxiety tightened like a fist around my soul. But it was enough to reunite my fractured psyche. A slow grin spread across my lips and into my eyes. "Relax, precious. I have no intent to ravish you…tonight that is."

The slightest release of the tension in her frame was her only response. I left her to her thoughts and slipped into the bathing chamber adjoining the bedroom on the pretense of giving her some privacy. Her silence continued to puzzle me. Where was the tiger from dinner? Or the fiery seductress from earlier? Was this cold, tense reserve of hers merely a manifestation of her anxiety over spending the night with me? In spite of my rather distinguished sexual history, I had never dealt with a true innocent, but I had made it clear that I would not touch her beyond her comfort level, so her silent treatment was rather infuriating. Did she not understand what a sacrifice I was making for her? How dare she act as though I was a pariah intent on stealing her virtue simply for sport?

I exhaled deeply as I met my own eyes in the mirror. Eyes were supposed to be a reflection of the soul, and mine were no different. One dark and one light – the product of my mixed heritage and the source of my constant inner battle. What was it I had told her once? "I have been generous up until now, but I can be cruel…" How very apropos. If only she knew the effort it took to control that darker aspect of my nature, a trial I only bore with regularity for her. Would she ever realize that? It was exhausting to live up to her expectations, particularly when she tried to deny them at every turn!

I splashed some cold water on my face in a last attempt to banish my irritation. Regardless of my desire to storm back through that door and make her just as miserable as she was making me, I knew I had to 'be the bigger person' as the Aboveground folk always tossed about. I was the more experienced, mature party in this relationship. But I wasn't going to allow her to shirk her end of the bargain. She could retain her virtue for another evening, but I would take away some of her innocence.

I returned to the bedroom with a new found resolve. Sarah lay huddled into herself on the far side of the bed with the sheets pulled tightly up to her neck. I felt her wide eyes stay trained on me as I turned to pull my shirt off and tossed it to the floor, my gloves quickly following suit. True, I could've simply willed my clothes away with magic, but this was one instance, one of many, in which I felt quite sure slow and drawn out would be far more advantageous.

"What…what are you doing?" Her meek little voice was equally fearful and flustered. I knew, should I look upon her, that her face would hold that delightful blush I'd become accustomed to.

"Ah, she speaks," I exclaimed as I kicked off my boots. "I'm preparing for bed, dearest." I hesitated for only a brief moment before sliding out of my breeches and turning to face my innocent wife. Her startled gasp at my nudity was well expected, but I had never been the modest type. "Did you think I slept in my clothes? Silly Sarah."

Her face flashed from pale white to burning crimson in a single blink, but her eyes refused to look away, roaming with a virgin's curiosity over that which I had never been ashamed to display. I felt myself begin to harden under her tantalizing scrutiny and slowed my steps towards the bed, a knowing smile curving my lips. "Haven't you ever seen a male form before, precious?"

I pulled the sheets up and slipped in beside her; propping myself up on an elbow and settling my full gaze on her shocked face. She stiffened and finally turned her face away. "No," was her soft reply.

I reached over and pulled her chin towards me. "Look at me, Sarah. There is no shame in us seeing one another's bodies."

"You promised you'd go slowly," her voice trembled. I stroked her cheek with the briefest touch of my fingers, feeling my magic tingle across her skin.

"And so we shall. But I also said I want you to be comfortable with me. All of me, Sarah."

She finally lifted her eyes to my face, looking at me shyly for a long moment before letting them drift lower to my exposed chest.

The swell of desire washed over me as if her eyes tracing over my skin were the same as a touch. I lay perfectly, painfully still so as not to frighten her further despite every fiber of my being crying out to crush her to me, rip her gown from her body, and finally make her completely mine. Her hand moved towards my skin seemingly of its own accord before she yanked it back. Always so stubborn.

"It's alright, Sarah; you can touch me."

Her delicate fingers hesitated before tracing the cool metal of my goblin medallion. While the shy motion certainly served to feed my imagination, it was not nearly enough to satisfy either of our curiosities. I wrapped my bare hand around her fingers, moving them until they rested just over my heart. She gasped, her gaze flew to my hand around hers and then to my face. "Here, Sarah. Touch me here. Don't be afraid. I am, under it all, just a man." I used my loose grip to hold her wrist steady and dragged her fingers over my skin until I could feel her nails scrape lightly through the faint trail of hair below my navel. Her silken touch nearly drove me mad. I kept our hands steady there, daring her to move in one direction or the other, and watched the play of feelings shadow her face, concentrating on keeping my own expression light despite my delight at the mortification and even stronger lust blooming across her fair skin.

After a quiet moment, she gently pulled her hand free of mine and spread her fingers wide over my chest almost as if she were measuring my heart beat. I had no doubt she could feel it thrumming solidly beneath her fingers. Her face was so close to mine. All I could see was her beauty; her haunting green eyes were soft and a bit frightened, but seductively intrigued in the same look. Her fragrant perfume made my blood heat and I once again had to fight the desire to…devour her. But it was so much more than lust. I wanted to crawl inside this woman until we shared the same skin. If only she knew how desperately connected we were, and how much deeper it could still become.

I gave in to the urge to trace my bare fingertips along the delicate skin stretching over her cheekbone, still somewhat in disbelief that she was finally here, in my bed, in my arms. Her breath hitched as remnants of my magic sparked against her flesh and her eyes fluttered closed. My hand trailed further across her face until fingers entwined in thick, silky strands of her dark hair. I leaned closer to her until naught separated us but the thin fabric of her nightgown and pressed my lips to hers, gently at first, but with gathering force as she allowed herself to partake.

Her hand moved from my chest to wrap around my shoulder hesitantly, and soon both sets of her fingers were as equally laced within my hair as mine were in hers. Her grip was nearly painful, making it all the more pleasurable, as she pressed her firm breasts even tighter against my chest. A groan unwittingly loosed itself from my throat. I forced her lips open with the pressure of my jaw until I could taste her, and her answering whimper only fueled my assault. My hands roamed down her back and then up over her shoulders as I pressed her flat to the mattress and slipped my knee between her thighs, effectively fusing our lower halves together.

"Do you feel how much I want you, precious? Can you feel what you do to me?" I growled between the kisses I was now spreading over her neck. I ground my arousal against her hip in emphasis. "You don't know how difficult it was for me not to touch you when you awoke this afternoon."

I bit back a groan as I recalled with perfect clarity the sight of Sarah touching herself and calling out my name with wanton abandon. True, I had manipulated her feelings with that dream, which in hindsight was probably the only reason I hadn't attacked her, but the scene was filled with promises of things to come, pun intended.

"Jareth…" Her voice was saturated with embarrassment, yet her fingers tightened their grip on my hair as I continued to spread kisses along the column of her throat, nipping gently where her neck curved to her shoulder.

I scarcely recognized the rough whisper loosening from my lips as I continued, "The sight of you then, of you now – your eyes dark and wild with desire, your skin flushed – steals me of all rational thought."

Slowly, I pushed aside the shoulder of her gown and traced her collarbone with my tongue. She gasped and gulped air as if she were drowning before suddenly pushing me away and bolting from the bed. "I can't do this!" She cried as she disappeared through the door to the bathing chamber.

I felt my fists tighten around the sheets as rage boiled in my blood. Her rejection fueled that darker part of me almost beyond taming. I had to leave, and now. If she were to come back while I was like this…

I used magic to don my clothing and transported from the room before I could even take another breath. I wasn't even sure where I had sent myself until I noticed Aetia startle awake in her bed.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

The concern shining in her eyes was a welcome harbor I could not refuse. I sat beside her wordlessly and nearly hummed in relief as her fingers worked through the strands of my hair. This quiet was so different than that shared between my betrothed and myself. The tension and hurt which had nearly taken over my countenance ebbed away as moments passed in this secret, tranquil interlude. This was the one place I could truly let down my guard and just…be.

Minutes, maybe hours passed before Aetia's soft voice broke my respite. "It's Sarah, isn't it?" She swung her legs around until we were shoulder to shoulder. "I thought things were beginning to mend between you. She knows who she is now, right?"

"It is much more complicated than that, as you well know." My weary sigh was completely inadequate to describe my frustration.

"Perhaps everything should just be explained to her," she offered cautiously.

I stood and paced the small space as I ranted like a petulant child. "Yes, because she will just calmly accept that not only is she married to me, but she also has to make a child with me within three months or forfeit our kingdom because I've fused part of my life-force to hers. I'm sure that will go over oh so well."

Aetia paused thoughtfully before adding, "I admit it is difficult for me to imagine any woman being unhappy at the prospect of family. But then, I do not pretend to understand mortal ways. Is there no chance she would be reasonable?"

"I don't see why she would be at this point. She barely tolerates my presence. Why should she jump at the chance to help me? If we do not do this, nothing really changes for her." I hated the defeated quality in my voice, but I truly felt quite hopeless. I dropped to a chair by the window and buried my face in my hands.

"Do not be so quick to dismiss her. I believe she feels more for you than she would admit."

The smallest glimmer of hope blossomed from her words, but I quickly squashed it. I had hoped upon hope that there would be something, anything, between Sarah and I on which I could build her trust and willingness. Now it seemed even lust was useless as she quite clearly desired to fight against it rather than explore it. It was all I could to control myself in her company when both our lusts raged through our connection, and yet she broke away as if it were nothing. As if I were nothing.

Sensing my misery, Aetia dropped to her knees by my chair and placed a hand on my arm. My eyes shifted towards her warily. She so rarely let the façade of formality drop between us. Taking a deep breath, she began; "Jareth, brother, forgive me for I know it is not my place. But I love you, and I do not want to lose you. You have to try. I beg of you to do what you can. If you won't tell her, then convince her in some other way. You'll have all of eternity to make it up to her."

I snarled. "I will not force her!"

"She would forgive you. If you would just explain-"

"You don't know her as I do, sister mine." I laughed darkly. The chance of Sarah Williams forgiving me for thoroughly smashing her trust and taking her…raping her…were comparable to Hoggle being named the most handsome creature in creation.

Her cool fingers wrapped around my hand and a rush of comfort assailed me. "What will you tell…her…" Aetia's voice twisted with pain as it trailed off.

I sighed again as I pushed to my feet. "For the time being, I believe I can convince Sarah to continue playing her role. I have little choice. I am already bound to her, all I can do is hope that she will one day reciprocate. And if not, what's sixty or seventy years of misery in the yawning span of eternity?" My lips twisted cruelly, my voice like a dead thing.

My hand had just begun to reach for the handle of Aetia's door when it burst open. Behind me, I heard my sister cry in frightened alarm, but it barely registered in lieu of the disgust twisting in my own body.

"If it isn't the precious twins. What? Not happy to see me?" The haughty voice laughed merrily.

"Aralia," I acknowledged the impetuous redhead flatly. "You're early."

A/N: A HUGE shout-out to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, and those who put me on alert, or their favorites. I am truly flattered and honored. Some of you said the nicest things and nearly brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad my intent to make you feel what the characters do is coming through. I am really quite self-conscious about my writing, and while I primarily write to amuse myself, it is beyond amazing to know other people enjoy my work too. So please, please, please, let me know if you are still reading and enjoying:)

Brownie points to anyone who can pick out the line in Jareth's inner musings that made me LAUGH while writing. I laughed because it is something my Jareth absolutely thinks is true about himself, while any of the rest of us - Sarah included - would immediately put him in his place. Honestly, my fingers didn't want to write it because my brain was like "LIE!", but this is Jareth speaking so... he he he.

I am moving next week, so I'm not sure when the next update will be (not to mention it is my birthday AND Eclipse! Woot-woot!). 'Til then, happy reading! Isn't Fanfic just amazing? I am so addicted to it!