**Bonus POV chapter. It was time to let you all see this from Jareth's View**

Chapter Fifteen

~o0o~

Magic, sweet, blessed magic soothed his aching body and soul. Now that he was back, Jareth was able to think more clearly and realized how weak he had become. Days spent without the Magic of the underground had almost been his end he now knew.

Looking around the cave, a few loyal subjects and a single human slept. Jareth watched them, willing away every thought and worry that plagued his mind. Returned, a victory won, he found some shreds of hope, yet he was so tired. Sleep eluded him as his mind worried and worked over every aspect of his predicament. His shame and humiliation at being usurped, the loss of his throne to that woman who stole his kingdom, his power greatly reduced without the Key. It was all so frustrating, days spent just worrying about making it back into the underground at all. Now here he was, not quite sure how to proceed. Measuring the choices, the variables and the many outcomes that waited at the end of this. He was so close, and yet still there was much to do. Despite their successful return he still had to take down Corvina. Now he had a bit more help but in the end he would have to take back the key. Jareth sighed, when this was all done he was sure that he could sleep for eternity.

At his side Sarah moved, interrupting his thoughts, rolling over and curling closer to him she sighed in her sleep.

On instinct he brushed his hand over her cheek, smoothing away the silken strands of her dark hair. Jareth stopped the caress and pulling back his hand he looked away from the woman who now threatened to steal his heart.

Jareth sighed, glancing down at her sweet face in the shadows. Who am I kidding? he mocked himself. His heart was no longer his own, it belonged to her.

Looking into the flames he considered this realization, he didn't even know when it happened.

For Sarah, he was almost sure she had feelings early on, maybe even before his return. At first he was amused, of course she would pine for him, who wouldn't? But she would only be wasting her time, and would be putting herself in danger for a silly infatuation. Sarah was only setting herself up for disappointment, he planned to be gone from her life once he used her for the mirror, the end.

Then the mirror was ruined, he planned a new route, was set to go and she offered him a ride in her vehicle. He was too grateful for her offer to say no, so he used her again. He knew that he was being hunted before they even left for the woods but was sure they could make it before the Amarok saw her. He tried to get her to leave quickly but then it was too late, their fates were entwined.

Her life was then in his hands, he knew if she left his side she would be attacked, it was all his fault. Jareth snorted at his own stupidity, he should never have involved her.

Still he remained confident that she would stop looking at him with such gentle eyes, that she would let the infatuation drop. Despite his certainty, her affection was unwavering, no matter what he did. He had even spent their first few days together doing his best to remind her he was cruel. He mocked, he teased, reminding her often of the things he was capable of doing. Reminded her of all he had already done! Yet every time, despite her rising anger and annoyance of him she still looked at him with those eyes full of unwavering kindness and longing.

It didn't take long for him to feel the guilt of poking at her weaknesses and mocking her past self. She was grown, she was strong and gods help him, she was beautiful. Before he had given it much thought Jareth found himself dropping his mask, seeking comfort in her presence, even opening up to her. Jareth no longer wanted to be her villain at all. To his shock she seemed to want the same thing.

Jareth snorted. "No longer who we are, is it? Both so changed now?" he asked the still form at his side. Sarah slept on, unaware of his inner struggle.

The fact that she selflessly joined his fight, stuck by his side despite the dangers, helping him when his weakness brought him so low, was endearing and more kindness than anyone had ever shown him before.

Yet, he shouldn't have been surprised, this was her before, when she ran his Labyrinth. Despite her age, and the more selfish tendencies of a child, she was still full of kindness, understanding and even, (despite a complete betrayal by that dwarf) forgiving.

Somewhere between her offering him a ride and the painful shock of the Wraiths curse, that came too close to taking her life, Jareth had fallen for Sarah.

A shudder ran through him. Just thinking about that made his heart clench, like some vice threatened to stop its very beat. She was so close to death, if Ludo had not spoken out... If he had ignored the plea in the beast's words... If they didn't move fast enough... So many if's.

Jareth told her friends he knew what to do. Truth was, Jareth had no idea, no one had ever taught him any kind of healing magic. He didn't even know where to start but he knew he had to try.

It was mere hours ago and yet a lifetime seemed to pass. Looking down at his own hands he wondered again what had happened. Sarah had been so cold, no longer conscious, her body was going limp, her lips blue. He took her from Ludo and just held her. Unsure what else to do he focused on protection, hoping he could remove the curse that way. With every ounce of magic he could manage and every speck he could pull from the underground Jareth simply tried to warm her, keep her safe, remove the mark that cursed her. Nothing he did was the usual, he spoke no words, sang no song. It was more a plea, though to whom, he had no idea.

Jareth knew he lit up the small cave with magic, even though he kept his own eyes closed he could tell, they must have shone like the sun. He had no idea how long he held her but when she moved in his arms Jareth almost sobbed in relief, and when her arms moved around him returning his embrace Jareth knew only happiness.

Sarah never woke fully, though she did say his name. In the end she simply slept, quiet, warm and completely whole in his arms; and Jareth was left knowing that his feelings could no longer be denied.

Though he couldn't pinpoint the exact time when he had feelings for her, he now knew it would be impossible to resist forever. For her safety, for his sanity, he needed to finish off the imposter queen and send Sarah home.

Despite this knowledge, despite knowing it had to end that way, he didn't want to.

Jareth stood, moving away from her and the weakness she caused in his resolve. It was for the best, he was sure of it, sure Sarah would not want the future he could offer.

He was chaotic and wild, undefined by any norms within the Underground. Perhaps he was cursed? Was the darkness of his Father cursing him? Or maybe it was the goodness of his mother? Not for the first time Jareth felt torn between his two sides.

Bitter anger washed over him. Despite their supposed love, his parents ended at each other's throats, literally. The last war between the High court and the dark Court claimed many, his parents amongst those lost.

"Jareth?" whispered in the darkness and he turned to the voice. Eyes still shut Sarah's arm was reaching into the night, seeking him. When she found nothing she curled back into her bedding a pout on her lips.

Regret pulled at his heart and Jareth lay beside her again. It was foolish. She would leave, as she had before, as everyone else before her, and likely everyone after.

Jareth had once thought he was used to his loneliness, that he was fine with the cards fate had given him. Daring to put an arm around the woman next to him Jareth now knew his life would be nothing but an endless torture that he may not survive.

Despite this he held her, and the small bit of happiness she brought with her and somehow found sleep.

*End*

**Up next things become more real for our hero's. Jareth plans and Sarah dares to let her real feeling show.**

**Happy new year! Thank you all for your continued reading of my tale and I hope you are having a lovely stay :) Next chapter should be up soonish**