It had been a blast trying to explain things to Alana. Not. It had finally become more evident that she and Jareth were family. While Sarah insisted they just happened to fall asleep in the same bed after they got completely wasted, Alana just kept insisting that it was okay. That she'd figured Jareth and her had more going on than just a platonic friendship and, just like Jareth mentioned, people needed outlets in time of war. While Sarah had been desperately trying to save face, Jareth had simply danced around it. Mostly figuratively but he also seemed keen on his sister believing more had happened.

At this point Sarah just hoped Alana would keep it to herself and never bring it up again.

Sarah had happily insisted on helping the baker. Supplies were still limited with the increased amount of mouths to feed. Besides that several camp members would be leaving tomorrow and would need food during their travels. Hesitantly, Jareth agreed provided she would be dropped off and picked up.

So today Sarah found herself blissfully distracted by assisting in the bakery. She'd been so busy and driven to help that she'd barely had lunch. By the time she pulled the last bread out of the oven it had already gotten dark. It wasn't until she heard the baker profoundly and humbly welcome 'His Majesty' that she realized the day was coming to an end. After a brief word with the baker Jareth took her outside, casually brushing some flour off her arm.

"Long day?"

"The longest. How are you doing?" Sarah rolled her shoulders tiredly, allowing herself to lean into him a little. Her feet felt heavy and her mind a little hazy as her exhaustion caught up with her.

"I am well enough. A little light on sleep, as I am sure you are too," he said with a grin. His hand moved to cover hers as she held onto his arm.

"Oh god, don't get me started. Can humans hibernate? Because I am all for it." After she let out a deep sigh, she perked up a little bit. "Actually," she started carefully. "I was wondering if I could join some training."

"Training? Of what sort?"

"You know… Getting in shape… Maybe some combat coaching." Her words floated carefully in between them. Slowly her eyes shifted over to him to see his reaction.

Jareth looked down at her dryly, but Sarah didn't miss the way in which his lips subtly curled upwards. "As per usual you are as subtle as a brick through a window."

"Please," Sarah begged. "There's no harm, right? Should anything happen, at least I will know some basic things to defend myself."

"Nothing is going to happen to you, I will make sure of that." His amusement slipped from his face and he stopped by the door to the house, turning to face her.

Sarah was going to say something stupid. Like some sort of instinct she could feel it bubble up inside of her. Before she knew what it was going to be or when it was going to happen it was already halfway past her lips. "Does a strong woman intimidate you, Your Maj-"

Jareth's anger flared at her moody tone and in a split second he slammed his hands against the front door, trapping her. Sarah's heart leapt into her throat, eyes wide as she looked up at his stormy gaze. "Why must you always test my patience, Sarah?" Her heart raced as his uneven eyes pinned her down. Despite what just happened a small smile played around his lips. Sarah would be annoyed at his amusement if it weren't for the fact that she'd gotten a sudden dosage of adrenaline in her already exhausted system.

"That wasn't a rhetorical question, darling." He brushed her hair out of her face, gloved fingertips whispering past her temples.

Sarah's mind had gone to a complete blank. She'd completely forgotten what he'd even asked. Despite his unnerving reaction to her stupid remark his touch was gentle or perhaps even…

No. Sarah willed herself to break away from her thoughts. The brunette could feel his hand come to rest on her shoulder, his touch warm. She became incredibly aware of his proximity. His earthy smell invading her senses. Her hands peeled off the door and she hesitantly put them against his chest. Currently she couldn't tell if the thrumming against her fingertips was his heartbeat or hers.

She needed to say something. Anything.

"I-I don't know."

Jareth grinned, sharp teeth baring between his thin lips. She visibly grew nervous once his hand trailed down her arm and she bit her lower lip. Something that had caught his attention and despite him not looking her in the eye anymore she still couldn't look away. "To answer your question, no." His fingertips brushed past her elbow onto her waist. "A strong woman does not intimidate me. Quite the contrary." He circled his hand to her back.

Sarah couldn't breathe. The magic wielding Goblin King, former nemesis turned friend, was slowly but undeniably getting a little… cheeky. More so than she was used to. His hand on her lower back caused every inch of her body to stand to attention, especially when she felt a faint yet unmistakable pressure as he tugged her closer.

While they'd previously had their playful bouts and teasing moments this was a completely different ballpark. So far she'd never had the feeling he might actually make a move on her. But now she was so sure he was going to, that if he wasn't...

His eyes searched her, quietly observing with the calculating intensity of his animal form. His hand moved up her back ever so slightly, no more than an inch. Even though it was only a small movement he felt her fingers curl just the tiniest bit, a hint of nails against his skin. He needed to tread carefully. The full force of those hazel pools looked up at him.

In the thick mists currently clouding her mind, Sarah tried to figure out where things were going and if she liked it or not. She wasn't sure if he was teasing her. It was hard to tell after all those times he had made suggestive remarks in the past. At every beat of her racing heart she was jumping back and forth between liking the current situation and wanting to run for the hills until her legs stopped working. The faint brush of cool air on her face made her realize just how much her cheeks were burning. Panic very slowly started to rise in her.

His hand moved higher then, resting between her shoulder blades. He softly uttered her name. He cradled her name so gently that those two syllables were enough to ease her anxiety, her eyes slipping closed. The unmistakable sensation of butterflies in her stomach erupted as, even with her eyes closed, she felt him leaning in. His breath whispered along her cheek. Suddenly every intention was clear.

He shifted his weight forward and moved his free hand up from the door to rest his lower arm next to her head. Slowly he took a deep breath, inhaling her scent. It was intoxicating. The hand on her back moved so that his arm was fully wrapped around her waist, resulting in less than an inch between their bodies. Her fingers tensed, nails gently grazing the skin of his chest as her digits closed around the neckline of his shirt.

The tension was so high that Sarah almost forgot to breathe. Against the knuckles of her fingers she could feel his heartbeat. His scent reminded her of a warm autumn day. It reminded her of a light rain or early morning mist.

His cheek softly brushed along hers. Involuntarily Sarah tilted her head back and to the side, welcoming the touch of his skin. He pressed a slow and soft kiss to her cheek before leaning in a little closer still. The moment she felt his lips touch the corner of her jaw with a feathery light touch, gravity shifted.

Literally.

The woman gasped in shock as the support from the door suddenly disappeared. It happened so quickly that by the time her frazzled mind caught up she was practically on the floor. Suspended, Sarah gasped for air. In front of her she could see Jareth who'd luckily not only caught himself but her as well.

Jareth's surprise turned to anger when he looked up. Alana was standing in the doorway, wide-eyed and shocked. Pulling Sarah up he straightened himself and held her against him with one of his hands cradling the back of her head. By the way Alana started to blush and fumble over her words Jareth was sure his eyes openly reflected his anger. Uncomfortably the pale lady hurried back into the hallway towards the kitchen, running from the scene.

Sarah was stiffly staring at Jareth's chest. She had subconsciously held onto his shirt while she fell and was still holding on to it. Mortified, Sarah struggled to determine what to do next. Was he going to try again? Did she want him to?

Forcing herself she looked up at him through her lashes. He was looking at her. Slowly his arm loosened and let go of her. The man moved past her, heading down the hall, leaving Sarah alone with her mind a complete mess.

Once he had disappeared she released a quivering breath. Behind her she could hear Jareth going off on a tirade directed at Alana. While he spoke in a foreign language and spoke relatively hushed Sarah did have a pretty good idea what it was about. The adrenaline wore off and she couldn't help but giggle. Things definitely were going to be awkward now. With a sigh she turned to the dining room.

Time for the most uncomfortable dinner she'd ever had.