:Okay folks, as I said, I am going to see this through. That was weak of me, and I feel bad for it. I have a way of taking a good thing and ruining it, as any of my exs could/would tell you. Ta- for setting me straight and reading on.

P.S—You all are Aawesome! (2 A's even…lol)

"I will not chase you any further." Jareth repeated as he withdrew his hand slowly, seeing Sarah's lack of movement.

"You will not chase me any further then."

"Then I will take my leave." His voice was so cold that her spine felt the chill of a brewing storm.

He kept his eyes on her for a moment longer than needed, as if trying to read her, or maybe stare her down in challenge. Having felt any chivalry, he would have bowed, but he felt none. Instead, fading like the Cheshire Cat, his image weakened and the color faded until she saw the kitchen counter again.

Part of Sarah was emotionless and didn't react, but another part of her stuck in her throat. Her hands shook, but she refused to acknowledge them. Rather, biting on her nails seemed a better substitute. Barely able to breath after Jareth left, Sarah had another visitor. The door bust open and in came a tuxedoed man.

"Sarah," Nate huffed, as if he had ran miles in minutes. "Are. You. Alright?"

"Nate." Sarah was, at the minimal, stunned to see him. As if embarrassed, or trying to hide something, she walked over to him, meeting him in the doorway, where he was leaning against the threshold taking deep breaths.

"I'm fine." She sat him down on the sofa and grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator. Handing it over to him, she was lucky she didn't drop it.

Sarah had never noticed his looks beyond her attraction to him. Never having had to compare it before, it was odd to see know. Nate's blonde hair was mussed and hung the way after a workout. He wasn't the type for gel or mouse, but had obviously done so this morning. But now, strands hung randomly in his face, making him appear rakish. Usually in a hat is how he wore it. Concerned gray eyes stared at her.

Even his accent! She had never thought on it before…but it threw her now. In place of a posh British accent, hinting towards Brixton, there was a Perth from Oz! They weren't even remotely replaceable, and here she was, trying to fill it in for Jareth's. Why didn't she ever see--hear? She was using Nate as a Jareth replacement, from the blonde hair and devilishly angled features to the anything-but-American accent.

"Luv?" he asked her, concerned over the way she was acting.

"I-" she stuttered. "Uh.um."

"You don't want to get married?" his voiced echoed of doubt and trembled as he spoke. It was fairly obvious she was in doubt.

"No, I mean yes,-" Sarah winced, she couldn't say what she was thinking, it all jumbled out.

"I just need some time." she smiled, trying to play it off. He didn't look convinced.

"Sarah," Nate shook his head. "We should chat."

"Okay." Sarah's voice sounded unsure, but inside she groaned. Of course it had to come, what was she thinking--all her problems would go away?

And to think, she seriously considered Jareth's offer. But what would have happened to the rest of her worries? They'd still be waiting, undealt with, and the guilt would lurk in the back of her mind. How would they explain her disappearance? 'Sorry, she's not in her dressing room, nor her flat, we can't find her-'

"Sare-" Nate's voice brought her back.

"Yes?" She asked, unsure of what she had missed. Stupid thoughts got carried away with themselves…

"Sarah." He shook his head.

"Yes, we've established that's my name." She snapped.

Nate's eyes traveled up to her face, searching her own eyes. With his eyebrows bent and screwed together, he looked worriedly on at her. "What is wrong with you?"

Seeing Nate's face, his loving and worried expression, made her feel immediately bad. She turned, sighing. "I'm sorry, I'm just really stressed out."

"Which is precisely why we need to talk."

"If we talk right now, one of us is bound to get mad."

"Well, if we don't one of us is sure to go mad," Nate jerked his head, as he referred to himself.

"You ran out at the altar--before the bloody altar!" He responded to her huff. After a pause, he looked back over, his eyes pleading with her. "Talk to me luv."

"Nate." She leveled with him. "I love you-I do, but I'm just not ready for this."

The man seemed relieved and nerve racked at the same time. He knew it was coming, had goaded her into it. Some relief came with it-to have it out in the open. But that left them in an awkward place-what to do.

"I know babe," he nodded to her, it was plain as light on her that she was a mess of confusion and emotion.

"I-" Sarah started to speak, but knew she couldn't really say anything in the discomfort of the moment. Watching him, it was like he was suddenly aware that he was still in his tuxedo, and he shifted in place.

She did love him, but the reasons behind it now seemed clear. He was her mortal Jareth, though far nicer and more pleasant to be around. But she felt like it was a lie to have him believe she loved him for him. Though she did, it had a dodgy edge on it. How had she never seen Jareth still in her life before?

Nate was Jareth with smooth edges. Both handsome beyond repair, and quick as light. As Sarah thought it, she knew she didn't deserve him. She hadn't even spared him a thought early, and now he was before her still in his once pristine attire. And because of her, he looked wrecked, mentally and physically.

Now, beaten with guilt, Sarah didn't know if it was crueler to let loose his ties of her now, on their so-called wedding day, or to string him on longer, as if it would soften the blow. Would she love him if Jareth weren't in the picture, hovering over her like a doomsday cloud?

"Would I?" she mumbled to herself. It brought her attentions back to the matter before her, and a sexy pair of eyes on her, searching for answers.

Just seeing the penetrating gray eyes looking into her, she knew the answer. Beyond Jareth, she did love Nate. But it would never be--Jareth had stopped that course ten years ago.

Oh Jareth, she silently cursed him. Even when she was trying to sort out her muddle feelings over Nate, he was still in her thoughts. She needed to deal with it. Past telling him to piss off, past making deals. She needed to choose, and lose, one.

Gray eyes like a morning storm bleed into her and her choice was almost made. She opened her mouth to speak, and was interrupted by the knock on her door. Groaning, she nodded to Nate, "one minute."

"Don't get it," he petitioned her, but only received a small smile.

A step away from the door, it opened and Sarah could swear, the devil himself walked in. Jareth. Like the old saying goes, "speak of…"

"Jareth." Her voice caught between a hiss and surprise.

He kept his irregular eyes on her for but a moment, before flicking over to see Nate. Sarah whipped around to gauge the reaction of the man. But Nate's gray eyes took a blue tint, as if iced over, and his stare was cold on the Goblin king, his face neutral and expressionless.

: Seems like a nice, climactic moment to stop. Hee hee hee. Sorry, but since picking this back up and giving you guys what you want, I became inspired! But, I'll lay some options out for you…

We could have Nate and Jareth already know each other (ok I know its been done, but it's just a choice…)

Or maybe Jareth lets go of Sarah and lets her have her mortal beloved…

Or maybe something else….

Maybe surprises are best, because if you really knew what was coming, you wouldn't want to read would you?

Thanks again for keeping up my spirits and inspiring me.

(BTW- Oz is Australia…FYI and all…)

Stay tuned!