Disclaimer: I don't own any of the copy-written material I reference. Didn't like where I left it last chapter-sorry to leave you all hanging there so long—finals are nearly upon me. But don't worry I wrote something I like much better to hold us all over until finals are over next week

( ･_･) hope you like it too! Please review if you can lmk your thoughts!

Chapter 10: I'll walk beside you, I'm alive in you

Sarah didn't think her night could have gotten any worse—but no. Of course the one person she bumps into at this moment is the semi-mythical and somewhat-dangerous man of her dreams.

"Jareth! What are you doing here?" Sarah quickly mopped up the remains of her ugly crying, hoping she didn't look as bad as she felt. He of course looked drop-dead gorgeous in his leather jacket and skinny jeans. Ultra skinny—sprayed-on jeans. Sarah fought incredibly hard to keep her gaze from gravitating towards his crotch.

"I believe I asked first," his stern tone snapped Sarah out of her sudden lustful thoughts.

"Um what did you ask me again?" She asked a little sheepishly, not meeting his piercing stare.

Jareth growled, obviously not used to having to repeat himself, "I asked you where you were planning to go."

Sarah was silent. She didn't know how to respond. She couldn't muster any of her usual pluck to combat his domineering nature. Jareth continued to stare her down as he folded his arms commandingly. "You are all alone." He pointed out. As if she hadn't noticed. Sarah looked up at him, his eyes were fierce, but when he spoke again his voice was gentler, "And it is quite late, calathea."

"Oh right umm," Sarah looked away trying to establish her whereabouts, but she had no clue where she was or how to answer him. Then she registered something, "Wait, what did you just call me?"

"I called you calathea," Jareth answered as his stance relaxed somewhat. He grinned at her when she just stared blankly back at him.

Then it suddenly hit her, "Oh right! Of course! Because it's my favorite plant!"

"Right," Jareth agreed, but Sarah thought she could detect some sarcasm.

"Beautiful—erm—flowers," Sarah said trying to cover up her blunder.

"Really? More often they are admired for their beautiful leaves," Jareth replied full on smiling now.

He may be amused but Sarah was starting to get annoyed now. What was he even doing here? And why were they talking about some dumb plant?

"Well how would you know? Do they even have clala—um—calalatheas in goblin land?" she huffed.

"Sarah," Jareth's smile vanished, he was back being grumpy. "Where are you going?" he demanded.

"Home," Sarah slumped and tears started welling up in her eyes once more. She didn't have the energy to act tough in front of Jareth, "I just want to go home."

"Then home we go," and he grabbed her hand in his walking back in the direction Sarah had come. Sarah's body was buzzing from the small contact. Just holding his hand was enough to stop her tears for good. As they crossed the street, he hooked her hand into his elbow. They were even closer now. A stray smile spread across Sarah's face when she realized that walking hand in arm like this must make them look like a couple to any random passers-by. The thought made her giddy, she felt so amazingly alive! All of her nerve endings were tingling, she was so close to him. She couldn't believe it! She wanted nothing more than to completely cling to his arm or rest her head on his shoulder, but instead she just leaned in and quickly took a discreet sniff, good god! He smelled amazing! Sweet, spicy, earthy. Sex. He smelled like mind-blowing sex. Apparently Sarah's libido had completely forgotten her earlier sorrow. They walked together in silence like that. The only audible sound was the delicate rhythm of their soft footsteps. And yet on the inside, Sarah's thoughts were a deafening roar. She was trying very hard to contain her ill-timed desire while trying to come up with something sexy and/or interesting to say, but no words were taking shape in the haze of pleasure blanketing her mind. When she finally thought of something that might pass for intelligent conversation, she turned to face Jareth. But when she saw that those magical eyes had already been intently staring at her, what she managed to say, or rather moan, was something close to, "Ahohhngod"

"Pardon?" Jareth was smiling again.

Sarah gave a small cough and muttered, "Flies," as if that explained her unintelligible outburst. Mentally punching herself for ruining the tranquil hush between by doing something so idiotic, she forced herself to say, "Um, you know you don't have to walk me home. I know the way from here." And yet her grip on his elbow automatically tightened as if to signal him otherwise.

"You may not realize it but you are in danger. Especially in your current condition." Jareth answered looking straight ahead, showing no sign of stopping or letting her go. Sarah even noticed that he had been gradually picking up the pace of their leisurely stroll.

"In danger from what?" But Jareth was still looking ahead and didn't answer her. Sarah pursed her lips in annoyance, "I have a right to know don't I?"

"My presence is keeping you safe. That is all you need to know," was Jareth's only reply.

"Really? And I'm supposed to feel safe in the company of a man who sent a killing machine after me when I was a teenager?" Sarah asked frustrated by his repeated warnings of danger and subsequent pig-headed refusal to explain said danger.

"Yes," Jareth replied completely stone faced, then he scowled, "You can't hold the cleaners against me. You were being a brat. And that stupid dwarf was there…" Jareth's voice trailed off. He was walking even faster now to the point that Sarah had trouble keeping in step.

"Ugh you are impossible," Sarah groaned, "Let me go I can walk by myself." His patronizing behavior was spoiling the illusions of bliss that she got from walking with him. But when she tried to disentangle herself from him, Jareth grabbed her hand again in a vice-like grip and began walking even faster. They were nearly running now. Heels pounding the pavement with a jarring force.

"Jareth! Let me go!" she demanded trying to yank herself free from his grip, but to no avail. "At least slow down. If you don't I'll fall and you'll have to drag me!" she threatened. Thankfully he slowed down a very tiny bit. But her reprieve was short-lived. Some dark shape that Sarah couldn't quite make out began to approach them from above and Jareth yanked her arm so that she fell into his urgent embrace. Then she heard him mutter something that sounded a bit like "F#$%* it," and all at once he lifted up into his arms. A sparkling cloud of potent magic overwhelmed her vision. Instinctively Sarah buried her head in Jareth's shoulder while clenching his jacket tightly, not caring that she was probably forever wrinkling the fine leather. Once the glittering dust cleared Sarah lifted her head to find that they were suddenly somehow in the middle of her bedroom. When Sarah finally began to piece together exactly what had just happened and exactly where she was now—and more importantly, who was clutching her to his chest—she began to panic. "What just happened? Put me down!" She squirmed until Jareth was forced to drop her none too gently. "How did we get in my room?" Sarah felt herself getting hysterical. She faced Jareth and began shouting, "You can't be here! Get out!" When he didn't move, she started to bang her fists against his chest, "Get out!"

"Sarah calm down," Jareth attempted to soothe her while capturing her flailing fists in his steady hands. His touch stilled her but the tears she had diverted earlier now returned full force. It was just all too much to handle. She leaned into Jareth's chest, crying into his shirt.

First her mom rejects her again, then Jareth shows up to give her the most romantic five minutes of her life only to ruin it by—well, by being Jareth. And that weird shadowy thing nearly attacked them. Was she really in danger like Jareth said? She should feel safe and glad now that they were in her own room. Alone. But getting Jareth alone in her room was one of the common subjects of her many daydreams. And now that he was here, all she could do was smear the remains of her makeup on his white shirt. "It's not fair," she blubbered.

Jareth softly whispered something in response but his voice so low Sarah couldn't hear him. She only felt the soothing vibrations from his chest on her cheek. He wrapped his arms around her and held her like that until she had completely calmed down. Sarah could have stayed like that forever, but suddenly an enormous stomach growl interrupted their comforting cuddle-sesh. Oh god that was the most un-ladylike noise that had ever come out of Sarah. Her cheeks were on fire with embarrassment but Jareth only chuckled and pulled her off of his chest, "Stay here, I will get you food." His command was stern and forceful, but Sarah was too exhausted to feel anything but thankful. She gazed into his mystical eyes and nodded, smiling. But when he reached the door she cried, "Wait! My roommates might be here. How could I explain you? Or how we got here?"

"Don't worry they're not here," Jareth assured her. Sarah merely frowned so he added lightly, "It's alright. Trust me,"

He remained frozen at the door until she nodded again. Now that he had her permission he opened the door to reveal an empty flat. He looked at her, his face inscrutable as he gently closed the door behind him. Now safely alone, Sarah took a moment to get completely calm. She was embarrassed that Jareth saw her tantrum. What must he think of her now? Oh well, after the week she's had Sarah felt entitled to a meltdown or two. She checked her makeup, it was nearly completely gone. She didn't think that she had been crying that heavily. Sarah cringed, a lot of it probably ended up on Jareth's shirt. She quickly applied some light mascara and chapstick all the while thinking about the man in her flat. He was in her flat! Jareth was in her flat getting her food! Was he cooking? Could he cook? Sarah didn't know. She thought it odd that she knew nearly nothing about this amazing man—if he was even human?— except that he affected her so much. Despite all of his mystery, Sarah found that after what just happened, he didn't seem so devious anymore. She tore off her dress, happy to be rid of it, but unsure of what to put on now. She was about to eat dinner with Jareth, was this like a date? Sarah banished that thought, no he was just being kind. A good friend. She slipped on her favorite black thong—it was honestly very comfortable—and matching black lace bra. Just in case. But more-so because they were comfortable. Then to even out the sexiness, she put on an oversize sweatshirt and footed leggings. Sarah looked in the mirror satisfied with her perfectly causal yet stylish ensemble. A soft knock indicated Jareth's return.

"Come in," Sarah said then quickly positioned herself elegantly in the tall wicker chair beside her bed. Jareth entered, holding a beautiful tray of delicious looking food and there was even a marvelous looking flower in her favorite Frank Sinatra mug. Sarah was amazed, she didn't even know that they had a serving tray. And there was no way he could have cooked up all that food in just a few minutes.

"Whoa are those tacos?" Sarah asked as he bent to place the tray on her lap with something close to reverence. Sarah was suddenly reminded of something he said once. Something about an offer of servitude? No it was worship. But she couldn't remember when he he ever said that. She must be confusing her fantasies with reality again.
"Japanese tacos," Jareth answered, bringing Sarah back to the present.

"Fusion?" then she couldn't help a giggle when she realized that both Jareth and Francis were apparently foodies.

"What's funny?" Jareth asked smiling. She looked at him, still leaning over her chair.

"Oh nothing really. You've made it so fancy, thank you. I didn't know we had a serving tray," she said, enchanted by how sweet he could be when he tried.

"Oh that's an illusion. It's actually your cutting board." he explained nonchalantly. Sarah's jaw dropped in amazement.

"And this," Sarah asked indicating the flower in the mug.

"Oh I forgot," Jareth's brows furrowed in concentration as he picked up the mug. And with a simple flick of the wrist he set back down a beautiful glass vase.

"That is so cool," Sarah said, staring in awe at his face which was struggling in vain to keep from looking very self-satisfied. Sarah smiled at what were his obvious attempts to nonchalantly impress her. She wanted more magic of his fun magic. "Can you change it back? I actually really like that mug. It's my favorite," she requested sweetly.

"Change what back?" Jareth asked just as sweetly with wide and uncharacteristically innocent eyes.

"The mu—" but when Sarah looked again the vase and flower were gone. "Wha—?" she looked back at Jareth and he the mug was back in his hand—minus the flower. He grinned at her and took a sip. Sarah laughed. Then she heard him chuckle back, as he placed her mug on her nearby nightstand. He was obviously pleased by her wonderment. Sarah's laughter died out and in the back of her mind she noted that this was was the first time she had ever heard Jareth laugh. She wanted nothing more than to kiss him but then his face grew more serious as he demanded, "Eat."

When he said that, Sarah finally realized how hungry she was. She picked up her taco and eagerly took a large bite.

"Mm this is delicious!" she moaned. "Is this magic too?"

"No it's delivery," Jareth answered, putting his hands on either sides of her chair, encircling her. Sarah didn't notice as she took another huge bite. Another moan escaped her. She was so hungry and this food blurred the lines of heaven and earth. When she finished moments later, she looked up to see Jareth now standing over her chair, arms leaning on her chair's arm rests so very close to her own.

"Are you not hungry?" Sarah asked, inhaling deeply. She was quickly overcome once again by his sublime scent.

"No," Jareth tersely replied. Then he reached for the mug on her nightstand and shoved it in her face, "Here drink."

"What isn't that flower water?" she asked, accepting the mug anyways.

"The flower was an illusion. This is tea." Jareth explained seeming a little impatient, his face hovering a few inches from hers. Sarah took a sip. Indeed it was tea.

"Too bad. It was a nice flower," Sarah gave him a flirty grin, "But of course not as nice as a clathela flower."

"You little liar," Jareth smirked, his elegant nose wrinkled slightly causing Sarah's arms to erupt in goosebumps. His hands slowly traveled up the arms of her chair until his body lingered longingly above hers, "That was a calathea." Then he leaned down to brush his lips against hers. They were so soft. They looked so delicate. Like the petals of the exotic flower he had conjured for her. And yet they were intensely hot and demanding. Their kiss was building steam quickly. Sarah was commending her foresight in wearing her sexiest black thong and bra when all of a sudden the door to her apartment flung open to a barrage of noise. Music was playing, bags were rustling, people were drunkenly singing, and Sarah could hear Masha loudly approaching, "Sarah! Sarah! Have you been taken by that Francis again?!"

Jareth immediately flew ten feet from Sarah, leaving her cold and holding what was once again just a cutting board and her mug of tea.

"Sarah we're going to watch—Oh!" Masha barged into Sarah's room but froze when she saw Jareth, standing in the corner. The noise was getting quieter in the living room, but Sarah could still hear Melissa loudly ordering whoever else was out there to set up the Netflix. "S-sorry!" Masha stuttered, visibly stunned by Jareth's presence.

"No need to apologize, I was just leaving," Jareth answered in obvious annoyance. Sarah cringed, hating Masha more than anything right now. He silently made his way to the door.

"Don't go!" Sarah shouted, jumping up. But of course she had forgotten that she had been holding several things. She managed to catch the cutting board and plate, but Sarah watched in slow-mo as her favorite mug fell to her floor and smashed into dozens of tiny pieces.

Snapped out of her daze, Masha immediately reacted, "Oh no! Don't move I'll go get the broom!" Walking out, she left Jareth and Sarah alone once again. Jareth was staring at Sarah hesitantly as if he expected her to cry or shout. "I can fix it," he offered. But Sarah was oddly calm.

"No it's ok. It's just a mug," Sarah reasoned, "Masha would notice anyways" Despite her outer calm, internally she was cursing the hazardous glass on the floor that prevented her from running into his arms right now. She wanted to continue where they had left off before they were so rudely interrupted.

"I should go," Jareth stated, scowling.

Sarah coyly smiled back at him, nonplussed, "Stay?"

Jareth's face softened, but before he could reply, Masha quickly returned, broom-in-hand.

"So you're Monte right?" Masha asked as she heartlessly swept up the sad remains of Sinatra-mug into a dustbin. Sarah cringed, her roommate had no filter. But then it got worse, "Right Sarah? The guy we Facebook stalked earlier?" Sarah's cheeks burned with embarrassment. This couldn't get any worse.

And yet it could, "Actually, Monte is a stage name," Jareth explained. Now he was grinning at Sarah, probably delighted to hear that she had been Facebook stalking him, "My real name is Jareth."

Masha burst into such a strong fit of laughter that she dropped the dustbin and the mug's pieces. Sarah stared and grimaced at the mug's many shards on the ground. She had a huge desire to punch Masha-right in the boob.

"Melissa! Melissa!" her roommate cried. Unable to lift her head, Sarah heard Melissa quickly thump into the room, "Melissa! You'll never guess who this is!" Then without giving their other roommate a chance to even make a guess, Masha continued with glee, "It's Jareth! Our mascot! Sarah's fiancé!" Then Sarah heard Melissa erupt into laughter too. This was too much, she finally looked up from the floor. Masha and Melissa were slapping each other they were laughing so hard. Jareth simply observed, looking only somewhat confused by the hysterical, and obviously slightly pissed pair.

But Sarah had had enough, "That's it! Out both of you!" She cleared her way across the broken mug pieces not really caring too much if she happened to cut herself on a stray shard. She yanked the broom from Masha's clutches and pushed her two cackling roommates from her room. The instant the two passed her door's threshold, Sarah forcefully slammed it shut behind them. She leaned on the doorframe for a second, sighing and trying to think something to say to salvage this situation. But when she turned around a moment later, her room was completely empty, save for a good-as-new Sinatra mug resting on her bed. And inside the mug, there was a single, beautiful red flower.

The title of this chapter is from Word on a Wing. Saddened to hear that Labyrinth 2 has become just a remake :( And yet it will probably be a huge hit and loved by the today's youth. I pity them. PS Happy Glenn Ford day everyone! Anyone else watching Gilda on TCM? I know I'll be. Until next time!