It had been six years since her journey through the Labyrinth, and over the years her friends continued to visit through the mirrors. Even though she was happy they were a part of her life, she was unhappy. Jareth came occasionally to see her, the pair had become quite close recently, but as of late his visits became less and less frequent until finally, they stopped completely. He hadn't come in over two months, and slowly it was driving her into depression. She understood he was a king, he had duties to his people not here, but some times it didn't stop the loneliness she felt seeping into her.
Plastering a smile onto her face she opened the door after hearing a soft knock, the smile warming at the sight of her now 7 year old brother Toby.
"What's up Toby?"
Grinning the boy held up a piece of plastic jewelry Sarah recognized instantly as the ring she had given the wise man in the Labyrinth.
"Where did you find that?"
"Hoggle told me to give it to you." The boy explained, still grinning. It was the truth, the dwarf had asked the ring be delivered to her, but he just didn't feel like telling her Jareth retrieved it for her knowing it belonged to her mother. It was a simple costume ring, an obviously cheap piece, but what was important was it was given to her by her mother.
Six months ago Linda and Jeremy had been killed in an accident. Neither party was intoxicated, contrary to the belief of the police at the start of the investigation, a light had been run, and Jeremy's car had been hit sending it careening into the light. Linda was ejected, as she hadn't been wearing a seatbelt, while the air bag broke Jeremy's neck.
Six months ago Jareth had to be wished away from her side to take care of his kingdom. Now, he hadn't been seen for at least two.
"Hoggle gave it to you Toby?" She asked incredulously. The bird hat seemed quite adamant to get it as payment, and he didn't seem the type to relinquish his tokens.
"He just told me to give it to you, that he knew it was your moms." The child explained, holding it out to his sister.
Taking the simple prop ring she smiled softly. It was a silly little trinket, but Linda had acted like it was the Holy Grail when she had given it to Sarah so many years earlier. Chuckling at the memory she slipped the ring onto her pinky before pulling Toby close.
"Thank you Tobes. I...I really needed this. Remind me to thank Hoggle when we see him tomorrow."
The boy nodded and watched as she turned back to fixing the placement of her Goblin King statuette.
Despite Karen's insistence she grow up and change her room, the now twenty-one year-old resister. After days of arguing the agreed on a compromise. Anything unrelated to her book the Labyrinth had to be either packed away or given to Toby. With reluctance she did as asked, deciding to pack away her statuette as well. At first it caused to many memories, and then it had seemed almost creepy to have him visit, and know there was a statue of him in her closet, but after his disappearance from her life she decided to bring it back out, placing it once more on her vanity.
"You miss him, don't you Sarah."
Looking over at her brother the brunette nodded, sighing softly.
"I do Toby. I feel like...he doesn't want me around now. I know he's busy, but even simply having Hoggle or Didymus pass along a message would be nice."
"I'm sorry Sar..." Patting his sisters head he sighed nodding. He didn't fully understand but he knew the pair had become close friends over the years. He missed Jareth too, he always made time during his visits to play, or even try to teach him magic.
_
The days passed with still no sign of the fae.
Yawning Sarah pulled her sleeping shirt over her head before turning to her bed and crawling in, dozing almost instantly to the sound of the storm outside.
A tapping on her window made her roll over, jumping at the sight of a barn owl drenched from the rain. Quickly rushing to the window she flung it open allowing him inside. Latching it closed she turned, snickering at the sight of him. His white blonde hair hung limply into his eyes, it's usual spikes weighted down with water. His white poet's shirt was drenched and sticking to his body, causing a blush to form on her face.
"Does something amuse you Precious?" He snapped, obviously miserable. Smiling softly she shook her head, still chuckling softly.
"Not at all Jareth. Let me go find you a towel hang on."
Disappearing from the room she returned with two towels. Setting one on the bed she forced him to sit down, crawling behind him to dry his hair.
"What are you doing here?" She asked softly, dragging the towel through his hair gently.
There was silence from her companion, causing her to lean over his shoulder to see his face taken back by the stricken expression she found.
"I'm sorry...should I not have come?"
Green eyes widened before a gentle smile to spread across full lips.
"No Jareth. I'm glad you're here. Why...why did you stay away so long?"
The fae monarch was silent, looking down at his gloved hands. IF she didn't know any better, Sarah would have thought he was nervous.
"I was not certain if my presence was welcomed or not." His voice was soft, clearly uncertain.
Sarah stared at him in shock. She couldn't believe Jareth was nervous about coming to see her.
Taking her silence he stood, turning to her, a mask of arrogance poorly covering his rejection.
"I must return and see what those idiotic goblins have done Precious. I'm sorry I came unannounced as I did."
"Don't even! You didn't even give me a chance to talk!" Scrambling off the bed she approached him in a rush, green eyes soft and warm. Reaching up a small hand she placed it on his cheek lovingly.
"You're more than welcome here Jareth. The last two months without you...I've missed you so much. It's been hard not seeing you. What...what kept you away?" She asked softly, warmth lacing her tone.
"I...I figured you wouldn't want me here every moment of every day. I think...perhaps I chose a bad time to distance myself?"
Looking away Sarah was reminded of the day her father delivered the news about Linda and Jeremy. Immediately after she broke down into hysterics, barely calling for Jareth when he suddenly materialized in her room. Within seconds he had pulled her into his chest, holding her tight to him, whispering softly.
"Yeah...a really bad time. Jareth...I-I need you..." She whispered, unwanted tears falling.
Wincing the blonde pulled her close, kissing her temple.
"I am so sorry Precious. I never meant to hurt you. Not ever."
Long thin fingers curled tight into his shirt, tears soaking through the white material. Softly stroking her hair he winced when she let out a choked wail, her shoulders wracking with the force of her sobs. Pulling her towards the bed he sat down tugging her along with him, holding her tight. Kissing her hair he felt his heart clench painfully in his chest at the sound. He hated the cries and sobs coming from the woman in his arms, abhorred them with every fiber of his being. She had become his everything. In the six years since he suffered his first and only defeat at her hands he watched her grow and mature into the woman she had become.
Originally he had no intentions to see her again face to face. Content as he was to simply watch from his crystals, he couldn't fight the longing he had gained. As hard as he fought, he found himself irrevocably drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. Before he knew it, he'd been burned.
"Please Precious thing, stop crying. I'm so sorry I did this to you. I never meant for this to happen, ever."
Sniffling she nodded, arms slipping around his waist, resting her cheek on his chest.
Stroking her hair lovingly he smiled softly beginning to gently rock and back forth, still holding her tight.
"Jareth...your heartbeat is so strange."
Chuckling softly he kissed her head lovingly.
"I know. It's because of you thought."
Looking up at him, chin resting on his chest she blinked, a slow smile forming.
"Me?"
Nodding silently he moved her head so she could hear his heartbeat, watching her reaction. Green eyes widened, her expressions varying through an entire array before settling on amazement.
"It's changing...to match mine." She whispered, clearly in awe.
"Why?"
Sucking in a breath he looked away almost shyly.
"It's because my heart chose you. I fell in love with you."
Silence enfolded them, slowly becoming tension filled. Biting his lip Jareth looked to the ceiling silently wishing his heart had never began to slow it's beat to match the woman's. He couldn't help but feel as though he had ruined something by speaking to soon, it was normal for him though.
"Jareth?"
The timid voice of his companion brought him back to reality, looking down he swallowed. Emerald eyes wide and tear stained cheeks meeting his gaze, she looked every bit the fifteen-year-old girl he first fell in love with.
"Yes Precious?"
"I...I never said it was a really bad thing...I just...I don't know how to respond really."
Swallowing he forced a smile to his face, not wanting to worry her too much.
"Don't worry about it Precious. It's all...unimportant I promise."
"It's not unimportant if it's how you feel Jareth."
Sighing softly she watched him closely, searching his bi-coloured gaze for any hint of a lie. Finding non she rose up pressing her lips very softly against his.
Pushing her away he stood, making his way to the window.
"I don't want your pity Sarah."
Standing herself she lunged at him, grasping his shirt with a quiet noise. It wasn't pity! Didn't he see that? Did he really not see what she was trying to say?
"Wait for me."
Looking over his shoulder at her he was confused. What did she mean? Did she...want to be with him?
"I'm not a hundred percent certain what it is exactly I feel so please...wait for me to know for sure."
"Sarah..." Turning he pulled her close, burying his face in her hair lovingly.
"I've waited six years for you. I can wait a little longer yet."
Raising up once more Sarah pressed a gentle kiss to his mouth, whimpering softly when he deepened the kiss. Clutching his shirt she pressed her body closer before breaking the kiss with a loving smile.
"Please don't disappear like that again." She whispered slowly, her voice pleading with the fae.
"I don't intend to Precious. Not now that I have you."
Catching sight of the ring on her pinkie he smiled, holding her hand.
"I see Hoggle gave you my gift."
Smiling knowingly she nodded, a smirk quickly replacing the smile.
"I knew Hoggle wouldn't face that bird hat to get this back. But...why didn't you just give it to me yourself?"
Turning sheepish he smiled shyly, very out of character for himself.
"I didn't want you to think I wanted more. Someday I would like for you to be my queen, but I will wait for that day to pass, should it ever come to pass. If it does not, I am content to stay your friend. I would never push into anything Precious, this I swear to you."
Reaching up she placed her hand gently on his cheek, raising to place a quick kiss on his opposite cheek.
"I believe you. I know you wouldn't force yourself on me. It's alright, I understand."
"I should be returning Precious. If you should need me, just call my name." Leaning down he kissed her softly before disappearing in a shower of glitter.
Giggling softly Sarah flopped down on her bed, her giggling dying down to a soft sigh and a quiet smile.
The guy she really liked loved her, that was something she had never expected. She was nearly certain she loved him, she only wanted to be near him more often to be sure and to tell him. Smirking she was content to roll onto her side and curl up happily for sleep.