"Damnit Jake, every time you tell me you've changed I believe you, and every time I end up disappointed. I can't keep doing this." Sarah said, slamming the front door as they walked into the house.

Jake moved closer to her, cradling her face in his large hands.

"I'm sorry; I was just trying to protect you."

She wrenched her head away, walked into the kitchen and dumped her purse. "That's just it Jake. I don't need to be protected. You embarrassed both of us for no reason!"

He grabbed her arm and pulled her close. "How can you say that? He had his fucking hands all over you. Am I supposed to just watch while some asshole gropes my fiancé?"

She rolled her eyes. "I was handling it."

Jake stalked away from her furiously, running his hand through his dark hair. They had been at a cocktail party at a prospective client's house, where the client, being incredibly drunk and finding Sarah alone; had tried to put his hand down her dress. Jake had walked in, and promptly broken the man's nose.

He tried again. "Baby I'm sorry-"

She snorted. "You say that all the time Jake but you never change. I don't' need to be rescued; why can't you let me look after myself? You not only lost a potential client, you opened yourself up to a giant lawsuit."

Jake sighed and rubbed his temples. He knew what was coming next.

'I love you Jake,I do. But I can't marry someone who smothers me- you make me feel like I need to be some damsel in distress.' Her eyes filled with tears and he felt like slime. "I'm going to go stay at Dads."

"Don't do this Sarah. You leave in the middle of this and I'm not taking you back." They both knew it was an empty threat.

"That's your choice Jake." She shook her head and backed away, rubbing at her eyes and smearing her makeup. "I need some time alone."

As she left, Jake grabbed a plate and threw it against the wall. He didn't feel any better.

Sitting down, he dropped his head in his hands. 'Shit.'

They always did this. They fought, she walked out, and he convinced her to come back. But this time felt different. He didn't want to lose her over something so stupid.

He walked into the kitchen and noticed Sarah had left her purse behind. Jake smiled wryly. She was always leaving everything she owned everywhere. He made himself a coffee and was about to take it into the living room when he noticed a small book next to Sarah's purse.

"Where'd this come from?" He opened it and scanned the page. It looked like one of those fantasy novels Sarah used to read before she graduated. After graduation she had focused on work and Jake, and he hadn't seen her read anything like it for a few years. He snorted as one line jumped out at him. 'How appropriate, I actually wish the goblins would take Sarah away right now."

He was interrupted by the opening of the front door. Sarah walked in, eyes red and face blotchy.

'Forgot my purse.' She muttered before focusing on the book. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened as she backed away from him.

"Where the hell did you get that?' she asked, paling.

"It was sitting right here beside your bag."

"Tell me you didn't read any words from it.'

Jakes face reddened and she knew instantly what he had happened.

"Oh my god what have you done?" She asked.

Jake frowned at her overreaction. "Sarah what's going-" He was interrupted by an amused, aristocratic voice.

"Well…this is unexpected."

Sarah tensed as Jake turned to face the owner of that smooth voice.

"Who the hell are you?"

The Goblin King smirked. Ignoring Jake he turned to Sarah.

"Didn't you teach your boyfriend not to make foolish wishes? I expected better from the victor of the labyrinth."

Sarah said nothing, just studied him. He was dressed imposingly in black, just as he had been ten years before, but his hair was different; slightly darker and shorter, but just as wild. His eyes were the same though, and she shivered at the look in them.

Jake stepped forward. "Didn't you hear me? How the hell did you get in here?"

Jareth looked at him as if he was a particularly nasty bug.

"No introduction Sarah?" She remained silent, frozen in shock, and he smiled widely, as he turned back to Jake "I am the Goblin King. And you've just made a very big mistake."

Jakes face darkened.

"Is this one of your old theatre friends Sarah? Because I'm really not in the mood."

Sarah grabbed his hands and looked straight into his eyes.

"He's going to take me away." She said quietly, voice shaking slightly. "You're going to have to run the labyrinth. Find a dwarf named Hoggle and tell him you know me-he'll help you. You have to solve the labyrinth in thirteen hours or I'll be turned into a goblin."

Jareth smiled, although his eyes were cold.

"Still taking things for granted I see. I have more than enough goblins." He stalked closer.

Sarah contemplated Jareth. He seemed different; like a snake poised to strike.

He studied her in turn, his eyes traveled from her feet, up her long dress, lingering at her cleavage. Sarah crossed her arms over her chest, and narrowed her eyes, almost laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Here she was, in one of the worst moments of her life and the Goblin King was acting like a typical male.

"Ah there's that defiance. I wondered if you'd turned docile in your old age."

She scowled. Twenty six wasn't that old.

"How do you know him Sarah?" Jake demanded.

Jareths eyes narrowed dangerously.

"That's a story for another time boy; however I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to get to know one another. Come Sarah." He held out a hand.

It wasn't a request, and Sarah was starting to feel panic creeping like ice up her spine. She grabbed Jakes hand and looked into his eyes. "I'm so sorry I never told you about the book. If I had trusted you to believe me this never would have happened."

Jake frowned. "It's ok babe, just calm down."

She laughed bitterly. It wasn't at all ok.

"Please, no matter what happens, know that I love you. She pulled his head close and kissed him deeply; savoring what could be their last kiss.

Jareth stalked towards them, eyes burning, and his face a mask.

"Unless you want to forfeit the game and any chance of salvation, I suggest you come with me now Sarah."

Jake stepped in front of her, blocking her from view.

"She's not going anywhere with you, freak."

Sarah looked at Jareth and knew Jake had gone too far. She stepped in front of him, breaking their stare-down.

"Jake I have to go with him. You can save me though ok? Just solve the labyrinth and we can come home together."

"Enough." Suddenly Jareth was behind her, arm circling her and pulling her tightly against him. His fingers were like claws at her hip and she winced, her head spining, as she felt herself being transported to the underground.

A wave of the Goblin Kings hand and a clock appeared.

"You have thirteen hours." He told Jake, who had gone a dull grey color, as he stared at the entrance to the labyrinth.

Jake swung his head around and started for Sarah, but they disappeared in the blink of an eye.