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Rationally she didn't expect to see Gerard perched in her usual seat at the coffeehouse, but her heart hoped, when she acknowledged it, the he would be waiting for her the next morning. Or stalking her as the case may be. Kicking him out the night before:
hardest thing ever; not calling his sister's number to beg his return:
second hardest. But one needed one's standards didn't they? Can't be allowing gorgeous, naked, sexy men to twist her up, make her cross lines, settle for less. One had to set boundaries and so on and so forth...blahddy, blah, blah.
So why'd she feel like utter dog crap all night? The crying and the ritual eating of the Ben and Jerry's (2 pints) and the crying... Shouldn't standing up for one's self, waving the pennant of righteous indignation breed deep seated self-confidence and the inborn knowledge of principles? She was right to have defended her beliefs, or at least her freedom to have beliefs. Not like she paid for membership in the myth-of-the-month club, but she had the right to not be mocked.
Especially by the man who she wanted to believe in...
The man that she felt she might be...
"Damn it! Why is he so...so...?"
"Arrogant?"
Sarah snapped her head up at the sound of his voice, which was rather desolately woeful, not at all his normal level of conceited sultriness. Gerard sat in the chair next to her usual, currently empty, seat with two cups of coffee placed on the small table between them. He looked...
dreadful. His pale skin now pasty, his eyes dull with dark circles while his hair appeared uncombed. He even wore the same clothes as last night. Her heart thudded with a pang of sympathy at the vision of male destruction before her, and internally she sagged a bit. Her resentment fading with every second his pitiful eyes drilled into hers.
God, the last time she saw a look that sad from such a man was fifteen years ago. A vision of Jareth standing, nearly crouching, with a crystal offering flashed in her memory...
'
Just let me rule you and you can have everything you want.' "Well, I was going to say pompous," she said with just a touch of sarcasm, her face softening as she released her anger.
"I see."
"Or maybe condescending."
"Sarah." Gerard stood and she noticed he wavered slightly.
"Disdainful?" she added without the sting not having the heart anymore.
"I'm sorry; I was a right bastard to you yesterday. You trusted me with something crucial and I scorned it and you. I would do anything for a second chance if you're able to forgive me." His mismatched eyes pleaded and Sarah got the sense his hands would wring if he possessed more energy. Difficult to see a confident man brought low and by her, by his feelings for her, by what she said to him.
'
Isn't that generous?' Jareth's words from her childhood echoed in her mind. Was Gerard's gesture, his apology, generous?
"Oh." She coughed, uncomfortable, and shifted her computer bag to the floor. His intent gaze never left her as she glanced around the café, considering. "That was...beautiful, Gerard."
"Please, Sarah." Stepping forward he grasped her hands, "please forgive me, I would reorder time if I could to take back what I said, but I am an ordinary man."
"H-hardly ordinary." His words pierced her heart, peeled layers to her soul. How did he do that? Say such particular words? If...if he wasn't him...then how...
how?
"Sarah, I can't explain it but you've turned my world upside down. I can't go back to before." Sarah felt his hands trembling in hers, his voice stripped bare of artifice, and sincerity flooded from his eyes to drench her. How to refuse such a man? Could she? Again? Pulling him into her embrace she said:
"I forgive you, Gerard." And he shuddered, cleaving to her, his mouth moving up her neck to whisper in her ear.
"Thank you, precious Sarah, thank you." Her head spun, the thought of Jareth begging her forgiveness—inconceivable. Yet Gerard did so without hesitation. Perhaps Gerard had the right of it; perhaps the Goblin King
was imaginary and she deluded herself by believing. Meanwhile, a man lived in her real world who wanted her, a man who fulfilled her childish dreams as well her adult. Perhaps...
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Sarah completed her morning ritual in Gerard's company with reassurances to him of his forgiveness and reinstatement of their plans that evening to go out with Kathy and her husband, Todd. Gerard again expressed his fervent desire to meet her friends and agreed to arrive at Sarah's home after her work to meet all three before their dinner out. Meanwhile, they parted on improved terms; he to his sister's home and Sarah to her job.
Gerard's first order of business upon returning home was to collapse upon Cassie's couch as he gained little sleep throughout the night. There he slept soundly for the first time in forty-eight hours, still in his clothing, until Cassie making a late lunch woke him several hours later. His head felt like a sadist packed it with sharpened sticks and pebbles while his pillow mimicked a rock and his stomach protested movement.
"Feeling any better?" His sister asked as she knelt by the head of the couch. Refusing to open his eyes to the scorching light of day, Gerard threw his arm over his face and mumbled an incoherent reply.
"That good, huh? How 'bout some lunch, Jer?"
"No."
"Coffee."
"Bugger off."
"At least drink some water, you're dehydrated from last night."
"Fine, then leave me alone to die."
"Don't be so dramatic. You'll survive a hangover." He mumbled something else which Cassie suspected was highly derogatory and aimed specifically at her. "Did you see Sarah this morning?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"And she doesn't hate me anymore."
"Oh, well...good, then."
"Hmmm."
"So, about you and Sarah..." Cassie said walking back to the kitchen to retrieve Gerard's water. "I'd really like to meet her."
"Yeah, okay."
"How about we all go out this weekend?"
"You, me and Sarah?"
"And my friend, Jeff, sort of a double date."
Gerard groaned, "What the bloody hell is up with double dating this week?"
"What'da mean?"
"I'm meeting her mates tonight on a double date, too. God help me."
"Huh, weird...Jer?" Cassie said his name in such a way that he risked the sun and lowered his arm to meet her concerned gaze as she sat on the coffee table near him.
"Yeah?"
"What happened last night? The sleepwalking, I've never seen you do that. And what you said, it creeped me out." He replaced his arm over his eyes and shrugged.
"Don't know, first time I ever sleepwalked, I think. Don't remember what I said."
"You said, 'The world is falling down.'"
"Really...that's wonky. Must be stress."
"Don't do that!" she said, irritated. "Do be blasé about this."
"Bloody hell, Cassie; what'da want me to say?" he snapped instantly regretting it as his headache protested. He groaned, but didn't see his sister's worried eyes.
"Jer..." she stood up and paced a few steps, "maybe you should see a doctor."
"For
what? One bout of sleepwalking, hardly a medical mystery, luv."
"But you've been..."
He moved his arm again and looked at her, "I've been what?"
She bit her lower lip and lowered her gaze, "Different."
"Forget it, no hospitals, and no doctors. I'm fine."
"But Jer..."
"No! Now sod off so I can get some kip," he said, snapping at her again then rolled presenting his back to her.
"Asshole!" She snapped back, then went to her room and slammed the door causing him to flinch bodily.
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Late afternoon arrived before Gerard woke again and discovered Cassie gone, no note explaining her absence. He supposed he deserved it having spoken to her so harshly. She was only concerned about him and he had been feeling odd the last week what with the constant headaches, nightmares, lack of sleep, and visual disturbances (he refused to think of them as hallucinations anymore). However, he refused to burden his sister with such information; she would only worry further and likely once his stress reduced improvement in his health was sure to follow.
Having the flat to himself, he took his time cleaning up and dressing for his evening out with Sarah and her friends. After hours of sleep and two large glasses of water after waking, his headache fled and his stomach no longer wished to evacuate. A new man freshly risen from a davenport grave, Gerard looked and felt immensely improved and practically jogged to Sarah's.
His arrival was preceded by Sarah's friends who sat comfortably on the same couch they luxuriated and cavorted on, nude, less than twenty-four hours ago. He restrained his urge to smirk; if they only knew. Then it occurred to him that Cassie was an adult female homeowner who dated and owned a couch...and his urge to smirk swiftly faded.
"Gerard." Sarah greeted him with a wide, genuine smile and a chaste kiss to his lips before stepping back to allow him inside her home.
"Sarah," he said, dipping his head returning the kiss and slipping an arm around her waist. Odd how hesitant he felt, his earlier confidence traumatized by they're quarrel.
'You're in the dog house, Jer,' he reminded himself, '
best be accepting it.' But Sarah acted happy, if not as passionate, and he suspected the presence of her friends may be dampening her enthusiasm. But then he could hardly expect her to repeat her previously wanton behavior with others present; in fact the thought rather upset him if she were to do so. No, he preferred a sedate Sarah once he considered the circumstances.
"Gerard, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Kathy Evans and her husband, Todd." Sarah presented him to the thirty-something couple who stood from the desecrated sofa. The dishwater blonde, blue-eyed woman ogled him appreciatively, her face lightening up as she perceptibly winked at Sarah—
one down... But the man, a bulky, brunette with a slightly dusky skin tone presented him with an apprehensive glance whilst offering his hand.
"Kathy, pleasure to meet you," he said bowing his head slightly.
"Gerard," the man said, "Sarah's talked of nothing but you since we got here."
"Todd," Gerard replied shaking his hand firmly, observing Todd sized him up as the established male of the group. "I know the feeling. I can think of little else besides Sarah these days."
"Really? Huh..." Gerard observed the wariness of Todd's expression: his narrowed eyes, thinned and slightly frowning lips. This man took no prisoners when dealing with strangers amongst his friends. He respected protectiveness in another towards his loved ones, but something about Todd set his skin on edge.
"So you're Gerard!" Kathy said, her voice pitched high enough that Gerard half expected her to clap her hands gleefully. "Sarah, he's even more divine in person!" Sarah's embarrassed coughing pulled Gerard's attention from her excitable friend; he tightened his arm around her waist to convey support and offered a small smile. She seemed to understand as she blushed and smiled back. Kathy flitted closer to Gerard, flirting a bit.
"Gerard, tell me. Did you ready stalk our Sarah?"
"Oh...well, stalking is such an unforgiving turn of phrase don't you agree, Kathy. I prefer to view my endeavor to meet the lovely Sarah as determined pursuing, don't you?" He grinned when he heard Sarah laugh and felt her hand press his back, apparently they were in accord. Kathy joined in their laughter immediately, but Todd hesitated before politely chuckling.
"An interesting viewpoint, Gerard."
"Yes, I think so." The two men stared each other down for several seconds until Kathy broke the tense silence.
"Now that we've explored differing dating opinions, how about we head off to dinner, would hate to miss our reservations!" She said with forced levity grabbing Todd's arm, and leading him to the front door. Oh boy, this double date idea started off on the wrong foot. Already the men were ready to toss gauntlets and chalk lines on the ground. Testosterone, ugh!
"Yes, great idea, Kathy. Off to dinner!" Sarah said cheerfully, tugging Gerard around to follow her friends. Both men agreed saying little else on another along the way; instead each couple spoke privately as they walked to the restaurant.
"Oh my God, what is wrong with you?" Kathy asked her husband. "All I asked was that you scare him a bit not pick a fight."
"Sorry," Todd ducked his head closer to his wife and whispered, "but there's something off about this guy." Kathy lowered her voice, too.
"Like what?"
"Not sure, but I've got one of my feelings."
"Really?" Todd was descended from gypsies, and a few generations back they like to claim full-blooded lines. His paternal great-grandmother always asserted she possessed the Sight, and that as a boy Todd showed a sensitivity for it as well. As he grew up he didn't believe his grandmother, but occasionally he'd see things or get a good or bad vibe about something or someone. After a few times of ignoring these insights with negatives results; Todd learned to accept his gift—however, muted compared to his grandmother's. He also learned to keep it a secret from all but his closest family; neither he nor Kathy ever told Sarah. As for Sarah, she always believed Todd to be a keen judge of character never suspecting otherwise.
"Good or bad feeling?" Kathy asked.
He shook his head, "Unsure yet, but this guy...he's...I don't know...fuzzy."
"Fuzzy?"
"I can't explain it any better. When I do get a vibe, people are usually sharply defined as good, bad or very gray, but Gerard is...fuzzy around the edges. I can't quite get a bead on him."
"That's weird."
"You're telling me. Whatever is the deal with him, it makes me nervous for Sarah. I'm going to see what I can dig out of him during dinner; you get Sarah away for a bit alright?"
"Okay." Kathy nodded and clenched Todd's hand tight, disappointment for her friend flaring in her chest. Hopefully Todd might find out what made Gerard so odd and alleviate the concern because she'd never seen her friend so happy. Gerard worked wonders on her constitution.
'Please let this be the guy for her,' Kathy prayer to whomever might be listening.
'Please let Todd's vibe be good this time.'
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An hour or so later they sat enjoying a family style Italian dinner, one bottle of Merlot already consumed with the second half down. Sitting next to each other, the ladies chatted incessantly while the men attempted polite conversation.
"So, what is your employment, Todd?"
"I'm an Administrative Engineer for the City's Environmental Protection Services."
"Really?" Gerard said in a bored tone.
Todd laughed, "I know it sounds exceptionally dull, basically I work for the water treatment agency. I oversee city wide drainage plans. I worked my way up from water treatment plant operator years ago while I finished night school."
"Impressive, you've done well for yourself," Gerard said.
"Thanks, I was never so glad to get rid of a job then as treatment operator," Todd replied then smiled to himself and added, "Funny story actually; you know what we used to call the plant back then?"
"Hmm?"
"The Bog, yeah it you should smell the sewers when they first hit the plant. Lord, the stench of raw human sewage is unbelievable!"
"The...
Bog, you said?" Gerard repeated, his eyes unfocusing for the fleetest of seconds. Only Sarah noticed the change in his demeanor and shuddered at the strange impassivity that fell over his face.
"Yeah, Gerard, you should've heard some of the stories Todd brought home back then!"
"I can well imagine, Kathy." Gerard said tactfully glancing in her direction.
"So...this sewage drains into the plant, but before we start treating and purifying it we have to contain it in large tanks. The plant's got acres of these tanks filled with sewage in various stages of filtration and treatment and the smell! Damn, you would not believe the smell of this stuff!" Todd explained to his unusually rapt audience of one. Sarah, having heard these descriptions ignored them and knew Todd would continue talking about raw sewage during their meal regardless of her pleas. Kathy chuckled with Todd; however, Gerard appeared equally disgusted and fascinated.
"If you even got a drop of this stuff on you, you'd smell for days."
"Is that so, Todd?" Gerard asked, swallowing, his eyes glazing. Abruptly Sarah felt a chill down her back. She'd always laughed off Todd's nickname of his old plant as an odd coincidence, hardly worth noting. Afterall, raw sewage
was very much like the Bog of her Labyrinth adventure, why shouldn't it be similarly named. And while she never told anyone about it, was it so improbable that others might experience it? But as she observed Gerard's appalled reaction to Todd's dog-eared story she decided to intervene.
"How about a change of dinner topic, Todd? Your old work stories are rather gross, don't you think?"
"What, oh, right..." he said, trailing off the remarkable scent variety discovered in The Bog. Conversation paused for a few minutes before naturally flowing into another topic. Sometime later the men watched the ladies walk away to the restrooms, twittering together as women do, and then faced one another again over the table, their postures tense.
"An architect, huh?"
"Yes."
"You think you'll win the memorial contract?"
"One can hope."
"So you'll know more in a couple of weeks."
"Approximately."
"You hangin' around 'till then?"
"Yes."
"Then what?"
"Depends upon Sarah's wishes."
"Not a big talker are you, Gerard?"
"Depends upon my company."
Todd smiled wanly, "You don't like me, do you?"
"I'd say...I like you as much as you like me."
"Well, at least we agree on something."
"Quite."
"I want to be very clear..."
"Do go on."
"You ever hurt Sarah and I'll toss you into the Bog. It's the perfect place to hide a dead body," Todd stated without any hint of humor, his eyes staring down Gerard. The Brit sat so still Todd thought he ceased breathing for a moment before he responded with a crooked, devilish smile made more so by his unusually sharp teeth; it did not reach his eyes.
"I understand your concern. You wish to protect Sarah; she is precious as well I know."
"Look buddy," he said in a low, threatening voice, leaning over the table. "I don't know who the hell you are, but I've had a weird vibe about you all night." Todd glanced quickly over his shoulder to check on the status of the ladies' return, all clear, "Neither Kathy or I can make Sarah stop seeing you, but there's something off about you and I don't like it."
"I'll be sure and take your
very important opinion under consideration." Gerard sneered, his fingers tightening around his wine glass until his knuckles blanched. "Your wife feels the same, I'm sure."
Todd leaned back in his chair, aware of the implied threat, "You leave Kathy out of this. This is between us."
"Indeed it is."
"You just treat Sarah right and I'll leave you alone."
"Duly noted,
Todd," Gerard replied, saying the man's name as if it were a piece of filth to be spat. A few moments later the ladies returned, laughing and smiling, oblivious to the tension generated in their absence.
"You two getting along?" asked Kathy.
"Brilliantly," Gerard replied with any inflection in his voice, "A toast to new friends, perhaps?"
"Yeah, new friends." Todd raised his wine glass tapping Gerard's offered one, the men smiling broadly.
"New friends!" Sarah and Kathy echoed with their glasses raised and they all tapped and drank deeply while Sarah met Gerard's eyes over the rims, her eyes sparkling.
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Aphrodite observed the thread indicated to her by Lachesis and frowned in dismay. Having arrived upon the heels of the Fate's summons, the goddess of love and beauty rapidly became dismayed at the unraveling of her own plans. How dare he? Zeus, her own father, should be slumbering away the modern ages due to lack of belief, and yet evidence lie before her of his tinkering.
"Damn him to Hades," Aphrodite muttered under her breath, "have you any idea how difficult this will be to mend?" Lachesis gifted her with a droll look. Yes, of course she did. "I'll have to meddle with time while you reweave fate, not to mention how free will might undo our work all because of his need for exaltation." Aphrodite stood from her hunched position over the Great Loom. "Why couldn't the selfish oaf remain asleep?"
Lachesis rolled her eyes then ground her teeth, "We did our best to keep him contained. But even the Fates are not truly all powerful. Apparently someone believed enough to stir him."
"I know." She sighed, thinking of the immense work, "Begin reweaving and I will fix what I can in the mortal realm. I only hope we'll not be too late." Lachesis nodded and set to work, her sisters assisting her.
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A/N: Moria- Glad you didn't bite your tongue but glad it threw you for a loop!
FYI: CHAP 3 OF MY ORIGINAL FIC 'DREAMS OF THE QUEEN' IS POSTED!
