Disclaimer: Same as always.

The Incentive

By Fou Fou

Chapter 23: In Which There is a Reconciliation, Corsets, and Much Getting Off Topic

Much to Mara's surprise, she found herself quite taken with the delicate art of potions. She never thought she'd like it. After all, what simple potions she had brewed in the past had always been fraught with boredom (waiting for the ingredients to mix their essences together for the right amount of time) or annoyance at the inane and seemingly random requirements for the preparation of the ingredients "Chop with a silver blade with a ruby handle under a blue moon in August," was all very well and good, but what if something important came up? Or what if you simply forgot (as Mara knew she was prone to do at times, if not reminded constantly). While its true that immortal's sense of time is different than mortals, a lot could happen. For one thing, the other ingredients would spoil, or the occasion for creating the potion would no longer be of consequence. So really when it came right down to it, there was no real reason to make potions. Better leave it to people who actually enjoyed the "delicate art." People like Uncle Rawthorn.

She would have asked her Uncle Rawthorn to help her, but somehow she doubted he would approve of the potion, or her reasons for it. She had been quite surprised he had the book for it at all, and she amused herself that he had obtained it to quench the thirst of some unrequited love. Or some jolly nonsense like that.

Perhaps the delicate art had finally gotten to her. That she had finally matured enough to understand it and appreciate it.

Perhaps it was the nature of the potion that finally made the art quite so appealing. It was the first time that a potion could truly make her happy.

Perhaps it was because there were no insane requirements for the ingredients.

Perhaps it was because she could deal with the repressed anger she had been dealing with since Ari came, since she began to believe she would never truely marry for love, since she discovered that she liked the one person she never thought she'd like . .

All this anger . . . on a very unassuming Ashwinder Root.

TWHACK!

"Stupid Council and their stupid laws!"

THWACK!

"Who do they think they are anyway?"

THWACK!

"A bunch of nosy bureaucrats who . . ."

THWACK!

"Think they can just send Garith to . . ."

THWACK!

"Be incredibly handsome and . . ."

THWACK!

"Appreciate a delightful taste in dark humor . . ."

THWACK!

"And in general just be so perfect . . ."

THWACK!

"In a very annoying way . . .

"I think perhaps you should take pity on that pour mile of mush that you have insisted on slicing in such a crude and barbaric way. I highly doubt it could be useful in such a state."

Mara jerked with surprise, not expecting anyone to enter her room, and ended up bringing the knife that she had been maiming the root with onto the side of her finger - not lethally, but enough to make it bleed. Crying out, she threw the knife across the room before sticking her finger into her mouth in an attempt to make it better. She then turned to see who it was that had entered her room.

"Oh bloody hell," muttered Mara. "I knew I should have locked the door."

It was Ari.

"Hello, Mara," Ari said. She stood awkwardly in the doorway, halfway in the room, as if she wasn't sure if she should come all the way in, even if Mara did throw the knife across the room (or maybe it was because of that).

"What to what pleasure do I owe this pleasant invasion of privacy, sister dearest? I was under the impression you were out riding with my brother-in-law and Garith."

"I was. Now I'm not."

"Such a pity. I was rather hoping you'd be a bit longer at it."

"And let you not only maim that plant and your finger, but the table as well, I think not," said Ari, coming into the room and handing a spare handkerchief to her sister.

"I wouldn't have hit my finger if you hadn't sneaked in," said Mara sourly, reluctantly taking the offered handkerchief. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"

"I did knock. Several times. I think you were a bit involved with your ritual sacrifice to the gods of vegetarianism. What exactly are you making? I wasn't aware you liked potions."

"There are lots of things you don't know about me."

"So I've heard," said Ari, coming over to look at the ingredients Mara was preparing. "So what kind of potion is this?"

"Oh, just one I found lying around," said Mara casually. "You know, something to pass the time.

"Ah," said Ari. She picked up a crows feather and examined it, saying nothing else.

After a few minutes of impatiently waiting for Ari to say something intermingled with worry that Ari might figure out the purpose of the potion and guess something she'd rather her not figure out Mara blurted, "Why are you here?"

Ari sighed, and placed the crow's feather back on the table. "I'm here to talk to you. That was the whole purpose of this trip in fact. And I must admit it's been rather hard finding you alone so we can talk."

"Well, you're here. We're alone. We're talking."

"No, we're antagonizing. Something that the two of us seem to have become quite proficient at."

"Then why are you complaining?"

"Because I want to talk, not argue. Just for five minutes. Because I want to see you happy."

"I am happy," said Mara. "I'm perfectly peachy, in fact."

"No you're not. No matter what animosity the two of us have gone through, I can tell at least that. You wouldn't be happy with a future married with Jareth, and I know Jareth doesn't love you. At least not the way two people who are getting married should love each other."

"What of it?" asked Mara.

"You'll be miserable! What if you end up loving elsewhere? You'll be stuck in a relationship with a person you don't love. The Underground isn't like Aboveground, you can't just divorce someone if you get tired with them. You're stuck with each other until death do you part. Could you be really be happy with Jareth forever?"

"I get along with Jareth well enough. You might as well give it up. I've quite given up the idea of marrying for love. It was a childish dream, and there are worse people I could be with. In fact, out of all the possible candidates, Jareth is the best. We both know what kind of relationship we're entering into. We know each other's faults and pet peeves, so there will be no surprises there. And we know that we can at least tolerate each other on our worse days and still live in the same building. So what if we don't love each other in some soul-shattering way? That sort of love is extremely rare and there is no point waiting around for it."

"What is wrong with you?" demanded Ari angrily. "What happened to the girl who swore that she would never marry except for the deepest of love?"

"She grew up, Ari. She realized that life doesn't always work that way."

"What do you mean it doesn't work that way? You could have just refused Jareth's offer . . . unless . . you're not pregnant are you? Is that why you're marrying?"

"Good Heavens no. Please, do not give me that mental image."

"Then why are you marrying him? Are you still so upset about Nomar that you are refusing to let Jareth go even though it's plain as day that he loves that Sarah girl?"

There was a tense silence as Mara realized that her sister knew about Sarah, and Ari realized that she had just spilt the beans - she had meant to ease into that particular topic, convinced that it must be a sore topic for Mara. To not have just one fiancé have a lifebond with another, but two? That's just horrible karma in general.

The two sisters stood on either side of the table. Mara was still combining ingredients in the goblet in front of her while her sister stood awkwardly, wondering what the response would be.

After a minute or so, Mara answered quietly, "Father and the Council arranged it. I didn't find out until I returned home a few years ago, and by then, everything was already set in stone. Jareth and I both have enough enemies in the Underground Council that no matter what we try to do, we can't get out of it."

"Do they know about Sarah?'

"Yes, though I must admit I am not entirely sure how you know. Garith was . . . is . . . working for them, and he told them about her."

"And?"

"It makes no difference. Daddy Dearest said that since Sarah's mortal it doesn't matter, since she'll die within a century, and that's pushing it."

"But there are ways to change that! You have a vampire living here!"

"There are several problems with that solution. Sarah doesn't want to spend the rest of her life living off the blood of others - something I don't particularly blame her for. Second, the Council would know if Sarah was the spawn of Garith. And considering that Garith is the Council's dog, that are too many ways for that to backfire for us. Finally, Sarah isn't even sure if she wants to become immortal."

"Why in Heaven's name would she not want to be immortal?"

"I don't know. Something about her family and she doesn't want to leave them."

"Well most beings do tend to have close relationships with their family, present parties excluded."

"I know I don't, but I wasn't aware that you were avoiding Daddy Dearest as well."

"Now quite to the extent you do, but I manage fairly well, or did you not notice the seventy five years I managed to spend Aboveground?"

"I noticed when you came back. That day is rather etched into my memory."

"Mara, you would never have been happy with Nomar, and you know that. As nice as he is, he's not capable of reading people very well, and he lacks some social skills. He would have driven you crazy. Drives me crazy sometimes, but that's to be expected in marriage; even in life-bonded ones. The plus side is we tend to get a vibe that gives us a heads up when the other annoyed; sometimes we even get an inkling to the reason why. Otherwise, much as I love him, I think Nomar and I would have needed years of Aboveground marriage counseling. Nomar just can't read people very well - which is why he never does well in politics."

"So why are you here, other than to tell me that Nomar isn't suited to politics?"

"Uncle Rawthorn told me the situation wasn't as ideal as others would make it seam. Add that to the fact that I saw a rather interesting cover of a tabloid featuring not you and Jareth, as one would assume, but you and a rather infamous vampire playboy. I decided then that I must come here and see for myself what the situation was. After watching Jareth and that Sarah girl make moon eyes at each other and give all the signs of a lifebonded couple, even when just talking over a magical connection, made it quite clear to me that Marrying Jareth would be the worse idea for you in the world. Especially considering the fact that Garith looked ready to kill Nomar when he suggested that you and Jareth wanted alone time as a couple."

"Garith was probably just hungry. That tends to make him a little disgruntled," said Mara, trying to seem only mildly interested in the fact. Judging by the shrew look on her sister's face, Mara suspected she failed.

"Disgruntled is an understatement. Borderline elvincidial would perhaps be closer to the truth."

"Mostly like the vampire in him. They are known for their killing tendencies. Comes with the territory."

Ari rolled her eyes. "I know the difference between bloodlust desire to kill and jealousy desire to kill, and Garith was definitely leaning towards the latter."

Mara shook her head, and dropped another ingredient into the goblet. "You're being ridiculous. May I remind you that Garith is a known player? He doesn't suffer from fits of jealousy."

"Jareth was a player before he met Sarah. Since then, I've heard he's been celibate, and I doubt it's because he's saving himself for you. People change, Mara, it's a part of life."

"Not Garith," said Mara firmly, refusing to let herself believe otherwise.

"Is that why you're pushing Garith away?"

"No, I'm pushing him away because he's a crazy vampire who is working for Daddy dearest."

"You're making a delusting potion because Garith works for the council? That makes perfect sense," said Ari sarcastically.

"I'm not making a delusting potion," said Mara after a moment's awkward pause. The denial was weak at best, and both of them knew it.

"Mara, I specialized in potions, and I've been watching you make that potion for the past five minutes. Add that to the fact that I can see the recipe on that torn out piece of paper over there that I highly suspect is out of one of Uncle Rawthorn's books."

"So?"

"So why are you making a delusting potion?"

Mara sighed. "I have a problem. I find myself attracted to Garith."

"I could have told you that," said Ari. "Though I fail to see how that's a problem."

"It's Garith! I could give you a whole list: he's working for dad, he's a player, and . . ."

"A vampire, you've mentioned this. So what?"

"He's bad."

"So you have a thing for the bad boy. That's not too bad. A lot of people do."

"It isn't a 'thing.' It's a problem. There are too many things that could go wrong . . . that have gone wrong."

"Mara , you like him. You're warm for his form . . "

"I can't believe you're saying this."

"... You fantasize about him . . ."

"I draw pictures of him dying in violent ways."

". . . You obviously feel comfortable around him - if you ignore the sexual tension."

"You've been talking to Aphrodite again, haven't you?"

"That's besides the point. You like him. So do something about it."

"I am. This potion is my solution," said Mara.

"That's not doing something. That's avoiding the subject Mara. It's ok to like Garith."

"No it's not!"

"Why ever not?"

"Because I am freaking getting married to JARETH. Not GARITH! As much as their names sound alike, or Sarah and mine for that matter, I doubt I could just go in a do a switcheroo."

"Well, all four of you do tend to have pretty distinct features from each other. but we can figure out a way to make it work."

"Really?" asked Mara scornfully.

"Sister, you're talking to a lifebond here. If there is one thing I know, it's a lifebond. And I happen to know several lifebonded couples. Also, unlike you, I have not alienated most of the Underground."

"So?"

"So, we're going to do the one thing Daddy won't expect us to do."

"Which is?"

"We're going political. Now for heavens sake put that potion away. You need to learn to accept your feelings. It's time for some lessons in seduction."

"That sound like a bad romance novel."

"Shut up, Mara. and clean up this mess. We have work to do."

"Do you think they killed each other?" asked Garith as he Jareth, and Rawthorn stood in front of Mara's bedroom door. Several hours had past since anyone had seen the resident twins. All other possible locations had been searched - every nook and cranny of the Castle Beyond the Goblin City as well as the rest of the Labyrinth. The only place not tried was Mara's room which had been locked. Now that is was official that both sisters were MIA and Mara's room was the room unchecked, odds were high that the girls lay within.

Now whether they were alive or dead was quite a different matter.

"It is possible they killed each other," said Jareth.

"You don't seem terribly concerned," remarked Garith sourly.

"I'm not."

"I thought Mara was your friend."

"She is, and while the thought of her being dead pains me, there is the simple fact that I will no longer have to marry her if she dies."

"You have a peculiar sense of humor," said Rawthorn.

"I can see where Mara gets it from," said Garith. "Though if it is all the same to you, I would prefer if Mara doesn't die. Just think how bad it would appear in any recommendation letters that the Council writes for me, 'Scary guy. For the most part did his job well, but let his charge die when his back was turned.'"

"And here I thought they'd write something along the lines of, 'Pretends to be a bad ass, but actually quite fond of fluffy little bunny rabbits and a sappy romantic at heart," said Jareth.

"Ha, ha, ha. You're absolutely hilarious, Jareth."

"Children, please refrain from fighting," said Rawthorn. "We have more important things to worry about."

"Like the dichotomy of good and evil?" asked Garith.

Jareth rolled his eyes. "Well we can all see who the class clown is."

"The moral dilemma of good and evil is a very important question we all should ponder on."

"It's a wonder that anything is ever done here. Everyone has the most amazing ability of getting off subject," said Rawthorn. "May I remind everyone present that we are currently worried about the well being of my two nieces?"

There was a pause as Jareth and Garith looked at each other.

"So who wants to open the door?" asked Garith.

From beyond the locked door something made a loud crash, followed by muffled yelling.

"Put me down as and over worrying old elf," said Rawthorn, "But that did not sound good."

"I vote Jareth opens the door," said Garith.

"What, are you chicken?" asked Jareth.

"No, but you are the ruler of the Labyrinth. Doesn't this sort of stuff fall under your jurisdiction?"

"Mara is not part of the Labyrinth. She's a natural disaster that sweeps in every once in awhile. There is no jurisdiction for natural disasters."

"So you've said, but she's your fiancée!"

"Not by choice. Believe me, if I had any say in the matter, the only woman I'd be marrying is Sarah Williams. Of course, the question is if she wants to marry me."

"She's confused."

"So I've been told. Repeatedly. It's seems like I've been told this for months now, possibly years."

"Yes this whole affair does seem a bit drawn out . . ."

"And it only continues to be drawn out the longer you two prattle on about nothing!" said Rawthorn. "Oh for the love of all things in Heaven, I'll open the door. Perhaps then something will actually happen."

He reached for the door knob, and was confronted with an unexpected dilemma:

"It's locked."

"Why would Mara lock her doors? She never does. That's how Sarah was able to take all the tampons out of there," said Garith.

"Please, Garith. While I understand that you have 'fully embraced your masculinity and comfortable about all that crap,' but for the rest of us, it's too much information," said Jareth.

"Chicken."

"Mara? Ari? Are you in there?" asked Rawthorn, knocking on the door. Something crashed again.

"Is anyone alive in there?" asked Garith, half joking.

"There is no way in hell I am wearing this, Ari!" came Mara's muffled yell from beyond the door.

"Come on Mara, you look lovely in it!"

"My boobs feel like there about to pop out of it!"

(Here Garith looked at the door with something akin to wonder and annoyance, wishing he could see through the door).

"Your breasts are not going to pop out of the dress."

"Well, they feel like it!"

"That's the corset. Corsets tend to do that."

"I've worn corsets before. The never did this before. I now have stuff I never remember having before. I could get lost in there. Couldn't you pick out a dress less . . . revealing? And where did you find this? I definitely don't remember this being in my closet."

"Mara, you need help."

"I realize this, but I don't think a low cut dress is the answer! I am beginning to suspect my method of dealing with my problem made more sense."

"Ridiculous, Mara. I have already told you that making a delusting potion is not the way to solve your problems."

"A delusting potion?" said Rawthorn to himself. "That would explain why she was going through that book."

"What book?" asked Garith, finding himself very interested at the sudden turn of events.

"She was going through Love Spells for the Young and Old when I caught her in my private workroom. None of the love spells had been tampered with, so I thought she hadn't gotten what she wanted. I didn't think to look at the delusting spells and potions."

"Perhaps the potion is for Nomar," said Garith sullenly.

"Then why would Ari try to get her into what sounds like a low cut dress?" asked Jareth. "Also, why is Ari trying to get her into a low cut dress?"

"THAT HURTS!" came Mara's voice from the other side of the door.

"Well if you'd hold still . . ."

"Well I happen to like breathing. I'm not the undead who don't need breath. Breath is very much a part of me."

"You're fine."

"No, I'm quite sure I'm turning blue. This is a setup. You're trying to kill me."

"My dear sister, if I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead."

"Oh, that just makes me feel safe. Help, Jareth, help, I'm being murdered!"

"Well then unlock the door!" said Jareth on the other side.

There was a surprised pause. "That was odd," said Mara.

"Yes, I wasn't aware he was there."

"Jareth?"

"Yes, Mara?"

"Are you outside the door?"

"Yes, Mara."

"How long have you been out there?"

"Long enough. We've been looking for you."

"Why ever didn't you knock then?

"I did. Now will you open the door?"

There was a pause, as Mara seemed to consider the question. "Why not, it's just you anyway."

A nudge from Garith ensured that Jareth failed to mention his companions. There was some scuffling on the other side the door, before locks were turned and Mara swung open the door. "Alright, what do you want?" she demanded. Noticing however that it was not just her future fiancé on the other side of the door, but Garith and her uncle as well, she let out a screech and moved to shut the door. She was too late, however, and Garith grabbed the door, nearly getting his fingers pinched in the process, and pulled it back open so he could look at her.

In the amount of time Garith had known Mara, (as an individual, not as a relatively unknown personage who occasionally made the front pages of a tabloid for whatever her latest scheme was) he had considered her to be somewhat of a conservatively dressed individual. That wasn't to say she didn't wear pants or and dress in a 'manly' fashion – she had worn jeans and a t-shirt often enough back Aboveground. What he meant by 'conservative' was that Mara didn't feel the need to wear clothing that left little to the imagination. He had always rather liked that in her. The whole thing with Cossette and the rest of the Barbarian Horde of Whores had always seemed a bit too obvious, truth be told. It wasn't like he was complaining. After all, what warm blooded (or in his case, cold dead blooded) male did not appreciate a beautiful willing woman offering her body to him? It was only nature after all.

The same goes with outfits of a very visually . . . simulating nature. And Mara just happened to wearing one of those said outfits.

"Hi Garith," she squeaked. "Didn't realize you were there . . ."

"Why, Mara, I don't believe I've ever seen you turn that shade of red before," said Garith, a predatory smile gracing his features. "I must say you look quite lovely, especially with the blush."

Mara glared at Garith. "I don't particularly like that evil glint in your eye Mr. Garith."

"You know you like it," said Garith taking a step towards her, and placing his hand over Mara's on the doorknob, further making sure she couldn't shut the door. Her hand burned deliciously under his cool one and he watched with a certain amount of male pride as she shivered. Gently with his other hand he cupped the side of her face, caressing her lower lip gently with his thumb.

"You like it when I'm evil," he whispered in her ear. Dimly he was aware that his canine teeth were elongating as the vampire bloodlust began to pulse through his entire being.

Mara closed her eyes, breathing heavily as she felt Garith's mouth began to work its way down from her ear to the curve of her neck, bestowing kisses as he went, making her skin feel as if an ice cold fire had taken hold where his lips had been. She felt her limbs go weak as the hand Garith was using to pin hers to the door wrapped around her waist to support her as she leant into him, a subconscious attempt to encourage him to continue what ever it was that he was doing to her neck. A small moan escaped her lips as she sighed with contentment.

"I don't believe that sort of behavior is entirely suitable in mixed company," said Rawthorn. "Or any company at all, for that matter."

Talk about awkward. Instantly any and all of the little warm stirrings Mara had felt disappeared as the full weight of Reality seeped in. She was Jareth's fiancé. What in the world was she doing . . . well, whatever it was she had been doing with Garith. For that matter, what did Garith think he was doing? And in front of her uncle, and Jareth, and Ari! The shame! Really, it made her no better than one of his Barbarian Horde of Whores!

She pushed away from Garith, taking several steps away from him, all the while trying to look anywhere but at the offender. Behind her, she vaguely heard Ari snort with amusement. For the life of her she could imagine how the situation could get any worse.

"Did I just see Garith kissing Mara?" came Nomar's confused voice.

Ok, that was worse. Mara's brain tried in vain to come up with a witty comeback through the post lust fog, which didn't seem to be working very well. So she did the only thing she could think of. Summing up all her strength, she pushed Garith out of the door and shut it behind him, then locked it for good measure. Really, sometimes a strategic retreat is the only real option you have.

Especially after a scene like that in the hallway in front of your entire family (that you talk to at least)..

"That's it, Ari. I don't care what you say. I've had enough of low cut, suffocating dresses. Dangerous things come from them. Now, give me the goblet. We're going back to my plan."

Outside the door, the four adult males stood looking at each other awkwardly, while back the door.

"Well, that went rather well, didn't it?" said Jareth. "Though you might have come on a bit strongly."

"What went well?" asked Nomar. "Why was Garith kissing Mara? I thought she liked Jareth."

Garith merely rolled his eyes and stormed off, clenching his fists tightly together with frustration.

Author's note:

So this chapter has gone up is the rough, un betaed version. Megs did beta it, but in a very long story the edited version got lost before it could get to me. Since this has been sitting on my computer for over two months, as well as the half of the next chapter, I figured I better post this. I'll put up the beta read version as soon as I can.

Garith's comment about the dichotomy of good and evil is partly inspired by POTC 2. So sue me, I've been watching that a bit too much lately.

The whole Ashwinder Root thing is me poking fun of Harry Potter Fanfiction. If you've read the type, you know what I mean.

And yes, Mara and Gareth got their Romance Novel Moment. There will be a larger Romance Novel Moment next chapter. Those two have had enough beating around the bush (or rather, the other character or getting tired of watching them, and shall take action).

THANK YOU TO REVIEWERS:

Ceriona: I'm glad you like the story. Hopefully this chapter lives up to your expectations.

Kenseikan weirdo: So how is this chapter for teasing sexuality? And there is more next chapter as well for Mara and Garith. As for Sarah and Jareth, their big get together is happening in the chapter following that, and trust me it shall be full of excitement.

Dontyoudarecry: I write this with a rusty spoon in my eye as I apologize for the long wait. Hopefully the next chapter will be sooner.

Ariel stormcloud: Thank you.

Sweetbabby33: Mara is going through denial. Thankfully, she is on her way to recovery.

MysticalStar1: Nope not Garith, but Ari.

Jarethcat: I'm glad you liked the Jareth/Sarah interaction. I'm really hoping if I get a chance to edit this to put more of that in the story. Sometimes I feel as if I've ignored those two a bit. Unfortunately, Sarah can't show up in the Underground until the chapter after next. Ari has to go through with her threat to go political first.

LadyAnivel: Mara and potions are dangerous things. She should stay away from them . . . and sharp pointy knives.

TearsOnIce: Yes, she does. She's suffering from too much sexual tension that she really does not know how to deal with.

Notwritten: Thanks!

Crystal13moon: Nomar actually reminds me of a guy I once dated. Nice guy, just wasn't the most observant guy in the world. Dumped me on the phone, came up to me the next day when I wanted to do nothing less than stab in the eye with a rusty fork, and proceeded to introduce me to every guy we met in the hallway. I'm not kidding. We had just broken up and he was trying to set me up with another guy. (We get along now, however, its been over four years). Needless to say, I see Nomar a bit that way, sweet guy, just really doesn't get what's going on sometimes.

LovelyLadyJem: Hope you liked this chapter.

Ohiowriter: I live, yes. Amazing isn't it. Sometimes I forget I live and head off for la la land for large periods of times but I have returned!

WhiteInfinity21: I have almost fully plotted out the last remaining chapters of this, and believe me, Sarah and Jareth are going to be getting their butts into gear, as Sarah realizes that she likes Jareth and is willing to try to make this whole thing to work.

InuLvr7: Yeah, I have a soda addiction . . trying very hard to get off it, but it is too hard. Glad you liked it, hopefully this progressed a wee bit more . . . or at least sets up Garith and Mara for the BIG MOMENT OF TRUTH, available as soon as the next chapter is posted.