Chapter 11. Sarah's unwanted suitor

The third weeks of the play's run was coming to an end, and still there were sold out houses each night. The paper had sent out the reporter and her photographer yet again for more interviews and more pictures of the cast. Sarah had been requested to pose in the now famous hand bra costume. As the photographer was setting the shot up, the reporter was concentrating on Hayden. She looked at the costume that Sarah was in and commented that she wondered where they got such expressive hands to model. Hayden knew that Dido would never reveal the model's name.

"Well," He said quietly. "Who do you think they used?" He asked the woman knowing she was enjoying his flirting with her.

"Hayden, are you saying they used you?" She gushed excitedly.

Hayden put a finger up to his lips, making a hushing noise. He had not really answered the question, but he was enjoying that she was so willing to go where he was leading her. He gave her one of his wistful smiles, knowing the woman was already taken with him. "I don't want to brag." He murmured softly. "But who else's hands would they wrap around my lovely Sarah?" He cast a soulful, or what he hoped would be read as soulful look in the direction of the pretty young actress being photographed. He turned back to the reporter, "I'm sure you've many questions for the rest of the cast, and I've kept you much too long."

The photographer motioned Hayden over wanting a shot of him with Sarah. He smiled down at her, looking what he hoped would come off as smitten. His hands moved over her shoulders lightly as the man with the camera set up the shots.

Kevin and Puck were standing in the wing watching. Kevin shook his head, "I wish he'd stopped trying to hog the lime light. Sarah does not need his hovering over her, pawing her."

"Sarah is not that interested in the lime light." Puck assured Kevin confidently. "Don't worry too much about Hayden influencing Sarah, Kevin. She's chosen elsewhere."

Kevin smiled. "Good for her," he murmured.

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The evening's performance ended and the players scattered like leaves on the wind. Sarah rushed to her dressing room, hopeful, only to be disappointed upon opening the door. She recovered quickly, not wanting her mother or other cast members to see her distress or let down. She kept a happy face up for most of them.

Her rituals at the end of a performance were becoming second nature to her. She would find Magda in the dressing room waiting to help her out of the now famous bra and the rest of the Fairy Queen costume. Magda would carefully remove the metal work and return it to the costume department for maintenance and what repairs were necessary. She would then sit with Linda, both draped in kimonos and side by side they would remove the stage makeup. Once they had cleaned off their faces they would dress in their street clothes and meet up with Jeremy for their ride home.

This evening was the same as it had been for three weeks with the exception that at the stage door, Hayden was lying in wait for Sarah. He moved toward her as she and Linda walked his way. "Sarah, let me take you home." He said softly.

"No thank you, Hayden." She said without emotion of any kind. "I'm fine with my mother and Jeremy."

"I really think you should let me take you home." He insisted.

"No," she glared at him. "Thank you."

Magda nudged Peter Hobbson. "He's at it again, and she's still shutting him out."

Puck looked at Hayden, "I pity the fool." He said to Magda. "He can't take a hint."

Magda agreed.

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She appeared in the dark recesses of the backstage area, from her vantage point she could observe without being observed. Her cold, dead eyes scanned the area, and focused in on the woman and her younger mirror image being held up by a young man whose aura suggested he was accessible to her suggestions. It was always helpful when mortals were base and without principal. This man was as base as they came if she was reading his aura correctly. He was self involved and hedonistic, and a completely self-gratifying pleasure-seeking scoundrel. She watched the girl rebuff him, moving off with the older woman. She also saw the Hobgoblin and another female mortal watching. At this distance she knew she was stealthy, but would have to take care, not wishing to alert the High King's henchman. What the High King didn't know could not hurt her, she thought. And if the High King didn't know what she was up to, surely the brat didn't know either.

The Hobgoblin and the mortal he was associating with moved out the door following the mortal women who had rebuffed the debauched mortal with the fair hair and cold blue eyes. Allison stepped carefully out of her hiding place, as she did so she made sure she was dressed for the mortal realm. Her cool exterior was draped in the colors of ice and snow. "You didn't have much success with her, did you?" she addressed the man whose back was to her.

Robin Hayden spun around startled and angry; his face betrayed the anger for only the briefest of moments. "Are you off course? This area is for company employees only." He noticed her expensive garments and wondered if she was the wife of one of the play's backers. "I'm sure your party is waiting for you in the lobby, Madame." He suggested politely.

Allison's face showed no sigh of interest. "This is not the first time she's frustrated your attempts, is it?"

Not seeing a reason to lie to this cold and remote creature, he raised a hand to his hair, smoothing it into place. "No, and it most likely will not be the last before I wear her down."

"So confident," Allison purred. "I like that in a man." She moved closer, an iniquitous gleam coming into her cold eyes. "And once you've had your way with the little creature?"

"I'll have satisfied my hunger." He assured the woman, wondering why it was he wanted to speak the truth to the stranger. "Once I've released her from her virginity…"

"You're already too late to do that." Allison interrupted. "That was done for you on opening night."

Disbelieve showed on Hayden's face. "Impossible, her mother and Eden were like guard dogs over her."

"I assure you, the object of your scheme is already deflowered." Lady Allison pursed her lips, speaking coldly, as if discussing weather, not a girl's virtue. "Still no reason you can not make the most of this situation."

Hayden felt his temper rise and he could not control his growing anger at having been duped by Sarah. "Are you certain?" He asked hotly. "You've reliable information?" The cold beauty nodded, and he fumed. "Why that little bitch! Pretending to be all pure and virtuous, and here all along she's nothing more than a little whore."

Allison watched his aura grow dark, and develop thousands of dark tentacles. She fed off his negative energy. "Yes, indeed, just a common little whore." She agreed, now enjoying how easy manipulating this mortal fool was going to be. "You should teach the little whore a lesson she'll never forget." She suggested. Her body now moved against his, and she rubbed against him suggestively. "I'm sure you could."

Hayden's lips turned into a sneer. "Yes, but how, and where? Her mother and Eden are always underfoot."

Allison turned his face to hers, "I will help you."

Alarms finally went off in the mind of the actor. "At what cost to me? And what do you get out of this? I don't even know who you are, Madame…. What do you get out of this?"

"What do I get? Why I get the pleasure of rubbing it in the face of the one who took what should have been your jewel that his precious Sarah is nothing more than a common whore." Allison said truthfully. "And it will cost you nothing; I will do this for you without taxing you one single thing."

Hayden didn't really believe her, "I'm sure."

Coldly she smiled at him. "You and I are much alike; consider it a pledge among rogues"

"Tell me your plan," Hayden growled.

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A gloved hand closed in about the crystal it was holding. There was the clear sound of glass shattering before the shards went flying, sending Goblins scattering in every direction. A low growl began in the back of his Fae throat, and his eyes burned like coals. He was no longer lounging in the throne as he had been, but now was sitting up right and at full attention. He stood heaving heavily and looking as if he were about to roar an order. Goblins gasped waiting, holding their breath. Nostrils flared and his hands began to clench. Any Goblin within boot reach moved discreetly back.

"Temper, temper," A voice advised.

Jareth turned ready to roar at the speaker, but calmed down when he observed the woman who stepped out of the shadows. "Nicole." Slowly he took his seat on the throne. "Welcome… to what do I owe the…pleasure of your company?"

The dark colored Fae female moved gracefully and unhurriedly toward the King. "I've come to keep you from doing something stupid."

"Come to play my life guide?" He became amused, and leaned on elbow placing his chin in his hand. "Now why would you wish to take on such a task?"

"Because I'm really rather fond of you," she stated calmly. "You and I are two of a kind when it comes to the rest of the Court… We are really rather like brother and sister in a twisted way of thinking." The Fae woman responded to the thought with a gentle smile. "Besides, I rather like the idea of you taking on Allison in our courts, not in the mortal realm." Nicole sighed. "She's gone too far, and is breaking the very laws she pretends to defend against your actions."

"She told that mortal my Sarah is a whore." Jareth complained.

"And is that not just what you wanted the world to think of her?" Nicole argued softly. "You cannot have it both ways Jareth. You should have thought of that before you decided to use my mother's history to punish your little mortal."

"It's not just punishing her, it's far more complicated, Nicole." Leaning back, he closed his eyes. "I cannot allow that man to touch what is mine. However I am not allowed to have contact with her, and I'm not sure Puck can thwart whatever plan Lady Hiver concocts. Do you have a suggestion, Nicole?"

"Trust your Sarah." The woman advised softly. "She beat you at age fifteen; she's not fifteen anymore, Jareth. She's a woman now; I think she can handle one plotting mortal male."

Stormy eyes turned to his Fae kinswoman and the King spoke with passion. "Were it but one mortal man alone I'd agree with you. However with Lady Hiver in the mix…"

"I shall make sure her help is not that helpful," promised the woman now at the side of the King; "If you will trust me."

Jareth pursed his lips, frowned, and then sighed. "I trust you with my most precious possessions."

Nicole inclined her head, accepting the responsibility.

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Sarah was adjusting her costume before going on stage, Hayden stood off to the side watching her. Moving closer, he whispered in her ear, "I want to take you home tonight."

"Go to hell," she whispered back.

"You'll leave here with me, or I tell the world what a little whore you are." He warned coldly.

Sarah's head snapped and she looked at him. She almost missed her cue, pursing her lips she moved away. Just before she reached the stage her face changed and she was Tatiana.

Hayden stood in the wing, smiling thinking he'd found a chink in her armor.

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Magda was moving through the backstage area, headed for the dressing room. Nicole saw the woman and recognized her as the mortal that Puck was interested in. She hoped both would understand what was about to happen.

Hayden was pacing in front of the dressing room, waiting for his little victim.

Magda saw that Sarah was upset by something, "Sarah, is there something I can do for you?"

"Reorder time," Sarah whispered tensely under her breath before saying louder. "No, Magda. I'm fine. Just a bit tired."

Linda, who had kept her thoughts to her self for weeks turned to her daughter. "If you need to talk, I'm here."

Sarah looked at her mother, the woman who the world saw her as the mirror image of. "Mom," she began hesitantly.

Linda looked at Magda, "Honey, could you let us have a mother daughter moment?" The costume designer nodded and left the dressing room. Linda gathered her daughter's hands in her own. "Go ahead, say it and it will be no more a secret… and you can breath easily."

Sarah cocked her head to one side, raised a brow. She nodded thinking it over. "Mom, something happened opening night."

"I'm listening." Linda held the hands tightly.

"The love scene that Jay and I performed was more than an act…" Sarah blushed. "We… made love… out there on the stage…."

"Your first time?" Linda asked softly.

Again the younger woman nodded. "My only time," she looked down at the little ring that Jay had left for her. "Every night I come back here to the room thinking maybe this will be the night I hear from him again."

"Sarah," Linda's voice was strangely calm. "What happened between you and Jay was a lovely moment. Something special. Don't let anyone tell you different." Sarah took a deep breath and looked as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Linda smiled at the girl. "Now, lets get out of makeup and go home… I'd like a nice bowl of chicken and rice soup, how about you?"

Hayden paced thinking of the fun he was going to have teaching Sarah a lesson. He was shocked when she strolled past him as if he were not there when she exited her dressing room. Her head was held high and she looked as if she were a Queen. "Where are you going?" he bellowed at her.

"Home, Hayden. I suggest you do the same." Sarah said over her shoulder. "You're getting dark circles under your eyes… that will show up even with makeup."

As the girl neared the stage door, he bellowed. "One more step and I tell the press boys what a little whore you are."

"Do that," She said taking hold of the doorknob. "And I'll tell them about a certain little society boy you've been dallying with… I wonder which story will do the most damage, don't you?" She opened the door and stepped out.

Nicole who was hiding in a dark corner saw the face of rage on the actor. He was going to be more trouble, of that Nicole was sure. However, this night went to Sarah who had defeated the actor on her own. Nicole wondered if the spunky human would need her. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Lady Hiver moving across the stage to the actor's side giving him her sympathy. Nicole didn't like what she saw on the face of the cold woman.

Lady Allison touched the face of the actor, "I am so sorry, but not all is lost…I've a plan… and a potion." She held a dark vial out to the man. "Give her a few drops in a cup of some liquid, like tea…. And she'll change her tune toward you."

"Are you sure?" Hayden looked at the bottle. "It won't do anything else will it?"

"No," assured the Fae woman.

Nicole could feel the anger of the Goblin who was watching. "Be at peace, Jareth." She whispered. "I'm here to protect your little mortal, and I've a plan of my own."

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The principals of the play were invited to a morning show interview. It was a common occurrence in New York, and arrangements were made for the costumes to be ready for the Television cameras. Sarah helped Linda with her makeup as did Linda with Sarah. Everyone was excited, no one even minded coming in to the theater early.

Puck sniffed the air; he could swear he smelled Fae perfume. He looked about the stage, but saw no one. A moment later he saw Hayden stopping the young man who was taking tea into Sarah's dressing room. He saw Hayden put something in the tea, and knew the actor was up to no good.

Puck's were not the only eyes that witnessed the deed.

Puck sniffed the air again; he knew that was a Fae. He looked about a bit franticly, and prayed it was a kindly Fae.

Sarah looked at the tea cup, longing for a sip of the tea. Magda was coming toward her with a costume piece for her to put on, she tripped suddenly as a heel on her shoe broke and she toppled over the table the tea was on. It went crashing on the floor.

Magda held the costume up so it didn't get spattered. "God, I'm sorry Sarah." She looked at her broken boot heal. "I've had these boots forever! I never lose a heel."

Linda looked at the costume, "I don't see any damages to the wardrobe."

Magda sighed, "I'll get a stage hand to clean this up while you're being interviewed."

Sarah finished dressing; she took her mother's hand as they exited the dressing room.

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Lady Allison frowned; the girl should be overcome with passion. Yet she sat on the stage calm and collected. The Fae woman wondered what had gone wrong.

Hayden moved closer to Sarah, placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked up at him but not with the expression he'd envisioned.

The interview asked if there were any truth to the story of backstage romances. Jeremy placed a hand over Linda's and laughed. It drew attention away from the younger couple. The Interview asked Sarah how it felt to be in her first major production, and if being with an actor like Hayden had fritened her.

"Well, I was raised around actors," Sarah said offhandedly. "I'm really not a stage struck kid, and Hayden, is just a fellow cast mate."

Hayden took a seat next to the girl, teasingly he nudged her. "Oh I'm a bit more than that!"

Sarah looked at him, and pitied the way he seemed to crave the spot light. Being generous she gave in a bit. "Well, he is Robin Hayden…."

The interviewer snickered at the private joke.

When the cameras were gone Hayden followed Sarah toward the back stage. Grabbing her hand he pulled her into a dark corner. Surprised she looked at him, and when he moved to begin kissing her she struggled. "Get off me!" Quickly she slapped his face and was released.

Hayden held his face as the girl moved swiftly away. "What went wrong?" he asked aloud.

"She didn't drink the tea." A voice answered him.

Hayden headed for a mirror to see if there were damages. Seeing none, he turned his attention to some thing more important than Sarah Williams.

In the evening paper was a small story in the entertainment section about the play. At the end was a question. It asked just how close a certain couple was getting. Beneath the story was a picture taken a week before of Sarah and Hayden. When Linda saw it she discarded it as a stunt by Hayden's press agent trying to stir up publicity for the actor.