"Kenneth, I miss you," Sarah sighed, stroking the framed wedding picture on her night stand. Kenneth–her husband of two years–was spending the week in New York City to promote his new novel and visit his publishers. He would be back in two or three days, but for Sarah it was like an eternity.

"It sure looks like you need us now," said the familiar voice that came from the vanity mirror.

Sarah smiled. It had been a while since she'd seen her friends from the labyrinth. Her husband didn't know about them, though she wanted him to meet them.

"You're right, Hoggle," she said despondently, "I could definitely use some company."

When she turned around, the stout little goblin man was sitting on her pillow and offering the accustomed grin.

"How is life in the labyrinth these days?" Sarah inquired.

"Unpredictable, like always," Hoggle replied, "Ever since you left, Jareth just hasn't been his vicious self. The labyrinth is actually a peaceful place...well, for the most part anyway. There's still a few fireys causing trouble."

Sarah chuckled as she remembered how the bird-like creatures tried to see if her head would come off. "Oh, Hoggle," she said contentedly, "you're my best friend " She trapped him in a warm embrace. "How long are you staying?"

"Until you fall asleep, Sarah," he promised.

And he did just that. Sarah awoke later that night when she heard something at her window. It was something tapping, like a bird or a rather large insect trying to get inside. She sat up and rubbed her eyes as she tried to recognize where she was. Her first reaction was to reach over and touch Kenneth's shoulder, but there was nothing in his place. That's when she remembered she was alone. She didn't know why, but somehow that made her a little more afraid.

She gingerly stepped out of bed and slowly walked toward the window. A spark of recognition went up in her brain when she saw a white and tan barn owl trying to force its way into her room. This has to be a dream, she thought. Realizing this, she opened the window and let the owl in. Once he was inside, he transformed into a far more menacing apparition.

"Sarah, you haven't aged a day," the goblin king said sincerely.

"Nor have you,"Sarah said softly.

"Not in any way that you can see," Jareth retorted. "Why did you do it? Why did you toy with my emotions, knowing how I felt for you? How did you know you were special? How did you know I would never hurt you?" The once fearsome king was befuddled.
"Jareth," she whispered, "I didn't know anything. I was just arrogant and lucky." Why can't I wake up?

His diminutive fingers were searching her face, looking for a smile or a frown that the darkness did not betray. When they found her mouth, he felt the warm breath coming from between her lips. She's short of breath, he thought to himself with satisfaction.

He cupped her face with his other hand and advanced closer. "Sarah, you know you love me," he said in that alluring way of his. Sarah tensed. She did, but how could he tell? Was he reading her mind, or was it just that obvious? No, she screamed internally, I love Kenneth! I want to wake up! I want...

"Of course I do," were the words her mouth formed, but those her mind formed were No! What am I doing? But if it's just a dream, then maybe...

Sarah felt her nightgown press into her back as she was pushed closer to the wall. Jareth's right hand snaked its way behind her head into her hair, and he planted a soft kiss on her lips. He was much too close.

"Then why are you still running away?" he asked.

He was immensely pleased when she kissed him back. This kiss was one of invitation. "I thought you enjoyed chasing me."

"Now you're finally starting to understand," he smirked. He returned her invitation with a series of stronger, hungrier kisses. Sarah knew it was a dream, but it felt so real. Jareth left Sarah's mouth for the moment and started burying his lips into her neck.

"Do you want to continue this some place where you'll be more comfortable?" he asked politely. Sarah nodded tentatively.

"I thought so," he said.

"Jareth, this is all happening too fast. You're so persistent," Sarah pleaded.

"You're right. I'm sorry, Sarah, but when you've waited for something as long as I've waited for this..." He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed. "I don't mean to overwhelm you. I've waited this long, and an hour or two more won't do much difference."

He reclined next to her on the mattress and enfolded her in his arms. "Can I at least hold you for a while?" he inquired innocently. Sarah made no protest. He snuggled next to her and sighed.

"I've thought of you every hour of every day that we've been apart. I don't think you realize how much I love you," he said.
Sarah allowed herself to become fully enveloped. Somehow, she felt as though when she woke she would still be dreaming. It was too good to be true. This was the man she'd wanted for all of her adult life. She even married her husband (subconsciously at best) because he reminded her of Jareth. They looked, talked, and acted alike. Now that she was with her king once more–even if it wasn't real–was the most amazing thing that had happened to her since her first visit to the labyrinth when she was tender fourteen-year-old girl.

This is comfortable, Sarah thought, I could fall asleep this way. She knew Jareth wouldn't allow it. He wanted much more... She rolled on her side, lying on the edge of the bed and staring at the floor. What kind of dream was this? It had to be a dream... The Jareth Sarah knew before could never be so compassionate. Yet even in his compassion, he was impatient and selfish.

"You're so beautiful," Jareth cued. His voice breaking the silence made Sarah jolt. "Shall I describe you? I'm in awe and admiration of your slender waist, your smooth fair skin, your lovely dark hair that feels like silk..." He touched every part of her body as he spoke of it, caressing her torso, stroking her arm, and seductively tugging her hair. He embraced her upper body, trapping her arms. "How much longer are you going to make me wait?"

She turned back to face him and gave him an emotional kiss. "The wait is over," she said as though she was a succubus in Jareth's dreams, rather than he being the incubus of hers. Without a moment's hesitation, Jareth smiled and claimed the treasure he'd always wanted, making his dreams as well as Sarah's come true.

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A/N: Okay, so there is much to be said. First of all, I replaced this chapter not just because I found it too explicit for this website, but because I felt that I had written it poorly. Second, I haven't updated this story in almost three years, and the eigth chapter still isn't finished, so I thought a minor update would be better than nothing. However, I still have every intention of finishing this story. The only problem is I've written myself into a corner, so to speak. I knew exactly how I wanted this story to end when I began it three years ago, but the more I think about it, the more I dislike the unrealistically happy ending I'd planned. I could really use your help and feedback with this. As you read, if you come up with ANY ideas for how you'd like this story to end or if there is anything you'd like to see happen, PLEASE do not hesitate to tell me, and I will consider all of your input. Thanks in advance.

~Marius C.