Chapter 1: Here, there, in and out

They had been together for five years since her return from the labyrinth, now twenty-three years of age she had a steady job a wonderful apartment and an otherworldly boyfriend who made love to her like no one else could what more could she have asked for. Jareth divided his time between the underground and the mortal realm the goblin king was still a king after all and had an unruly, chaotic kingdom to rule but the modern world had grown on him allot in recent times, but he assumed a certain dark-haired temptress was responsible for that.

Today he had to return once more "my apologies precious but duty calls I shan't be long", he hated leaving her but enjoyed the exceedingly warm welcome she gave him when he returned. Sarah was fussing around getting ready for work she slipped on a tight pvc pencil skirt and tight shirt, Jareth's jaw almost hit the floor.

"It's ok darling understand but remember my friend Alicia is coming to check out the spare room today so no poofing in unexpectedly". Jareth hated the word "poofing" it sounded so childish and he was the most beautiful elegant creature or at least he thought so.

"Alicia? Have we met before?" not that he cared much for Sarah's chosen circle of friends anyway. "No you don't know her, she's flying in from London today to do some shows for our friend Michael" Michael was one of Sarah's ex-boyfriend's Jareth had met him once and maintained a hateful opinion of him "ah Michael that snivelling excuse for a man always fiddling about with those buttons and nobs it's disgusting".

Sarah rolled her eyes at him "he's a D.J is what he is supposed to do idiot" Jareth sighed and pulled her close to him claiming her mouth in a long passionate kiss "just remember that you are mine, I will be back before long try not to miss me too much", Sarah tugged his shirt and slid her hand over his groin "I'll make sure you have something to look forward to".

She gently rubbed the thin fabric of his trousers and leaned in to kiss him but just as their lips were about to touch she smiled and walked away Jareth hated when she did that now he was going to be randy all day he knew he wasn't going to be able to concern-trait on his duties, he growled in frustration and in a poof of glitter he transformed into an owl and glided out of the window.

When he arrived back at his castle it was in such a mess and there were chickens everywhere, goblins began scurrying about in a futile attempt to clean but Jareth was already fuming "WHAT IN THE NAME IF MAGIC HAS BEEN GOING ON IN HERE! I leave for two days and this is what I return to I shall have you all thrown into the bog of eternal stench immediately"

All the goblins screamed and scurried and in no time at all the place was spotless except the one chicken who had recently learned to fly, Jareth took a seat on his throne and called for his royal adviser, he was an old elven fellow with a faded to glow to his wrinkled skin but had been with Jareth since childhood.

"Your majesty such a pleasure to have you back I trust you enjoyed your time off?" It was no secret that Jareth visited Sarah often but no one dared ask directly "yes Hugo I had a wonderful time that world is so unlike our own but so noisy and crowded".

Hugo chuckled "well your majesty I'm afraid the time has come for you to choose a woman to be your queen without a male heir your throne is in jeopardy".

This was not the first time the subject of marriage had arisen Jareth just didn't want to discuss it, "So dramatic Hugo none of the other kings would dare try to overthrow me, but I have been thinking about it for some time and now I feel the time is right to ask Sarah to be my wife she has grown into such a fine young woman".

Hugo looked shocked at the king he always though Sarah was merely a distraction, a mistress not a potential queen "eh….um…I hate to be the bearer of bad news your majesty but I'm afraid you cannot marry miss Sarah".

Jareth was just about to take a sip of his wine when he stopped and turned "why on earth not she is the woman I love".

Hugo swallowed hard, "yes your majesty I understand but she is not a virgin and the laws of magic clearly state that a king must wed a maiden who has never known the touch of a man for her to be his lawful wife, taken only by one so that she becomes his entirely".

Jareth dropped his wine and stared into space, it's true that Sarah was not a virgin when he first had her she had a few "boyfriends" with whom she had sexual relations in what she called her "rebound" phase but the truth was she had a sexual awakening and couldn't get enough not uncommon in the women from her world apparently "I understand Hugo I shall think this over very carefully I assume you have a few suitors already?"

Hugo nodded "I do your majesty they are waiting for you in your study" Jareth sighed "fine I shall look but don't expect an answer from me today". They both walked up to his study in silence and Jareth wonders how he would break the news to Sarah.

Sarah who was home from a long day at work was in her kitchen making some sandwiches when there was a rhythmic knock at the door, "who is it!?" she shouted happily still gleeful from her teasing session with Jareth "the only English person you know idiot" Sarah laughed and opened the door "I thought you British were all polite and reserved?" Alicia pulled Sarah into an exhausted hug "Not when we have been on a long ass delayed flight with the one crying baby, why is there always a crying baby?" Sarah chuckled "ha you brits always say ass so funny how does anyone take you seriously"

Sarah had always liked Alicia she was the only friend from England she had stayed in touch with and she always made her laugh and she was the best looking, she had long black hair, big bright blue eyes and a body to die for it's a wonder she never had a boyfriend. "Ok so you have the guest room its nice and big, four poster and plenty of storage space oh and we are only five minutes away from the club you can go unpack if you're..."

Alicia gasped "Oh shit I forgot about Michael what time is it?! I have to run and do a rehearsal, the show is at ten don't forget!" She scrambled her things together and ran out of the door.

Sarah just sat there blinking "….not too tired".