"You have thirteen hours to unriddle the Labyrinth," Jareth told her, "before your baby brother becomes one of us."

"Us?"

Jareth nodded.

"Forever."

The scene changed, and a rather darker Jareth appeared. He smiled, menacingly.

"I'm taking her this time, Toby. You lose your sister, and she spends the rest of her life in the Underground with me. Leaving you all alone, just as I have been for ten years. Because of you, she left me alone and broken. Because of her love for you, I became less than what I was. I have weaknesses. I think of nothing but Sarah. And, I don't have her. Unfortunately for you, unlike Sarah, you will not be given the chance to save your sibling. You do not have thirteen hours to unriddle the Labyrinth. I have no interest in you, any longer, Toby. What a pity, too… You would have made a fine goblin, Tobias. I'll say hello to Sarah for you," cackled the mad king, fading from Toby's vision…

Toby shot up in his bed, sweating. What a horrible dream… His dream! Toby jumped out of bed, ran to his bedroom door, slamming his head on the doorframe. He paused, cursing, and ran to call Sarah.

Sarah's Point of View

Sarah yawned, sat up, and stretched. She felt very well-rested. The sun was pouring in through her white curtains. She got up, and pulled back the curtain. A perfect spring day. Maybe she would call Toby, and they could have a picnic. The theatre's most recent show was over, and she didn't have another show planned for three months. Vacation was a marvel. She smoothed her cream silk nightgown, and went to the bathroom.

Her reflection did not have her usual ratted morning hair and purple bags under her eyes. She looked…refreshed. Her dark hair was wavy, long, though a tad poofier than usual, though not unpleasantly so. It looked like she had styled it. Her round green eyes had no bags, and looked very alert for the early hours of the morning. She smiled. This was going to be a good day.

Suddenly, the phone rang. Sarah went to grab for her phone by her bed, when she saw him. The source of her most horrible nightmares come to life. The Goblin King, Jareth. She jumped back in shock, barely holding back the scream in her throat. Another ring. Sarah's eyes darted from the door to Jareth, back and forth.

He looked exactly the same as he had, ten years ago, the last time she had seen him; with his wild platinum-blond hair and rather formal attire. She saw Jareth smile with that charming smile that had once made her heart flutter. Now, ten years later, Sarah loathed it, because she now understood what was behind the smile. Arrogance, satisfaction, and triumph. For him to have that smile on his face in her own bedroom made her very wary. Suddenly, Jareth waved a hand, and the door slammed shut, magically locking itself.

"My, my, my… you've grown, Sarah. You are even lovelier than the last time we met," he purred, seductively. He was a real fox, he was. He eyed her attire with interest, making Sarah feel self-conscious.

The phone rang, again. Sarah was trapped. Jareth's smile only widened as she cautiously walked towards her vanity, and sat down. She had to sit down, or her legs would give out on her, and she could not show any weakness before the Goblin King. He would take advantage of it, and he would make her pay for defeating him the last time they had met. Suddenly, the answering machine turned on. It was Toby.

"Sarah, you have to get out of the house! It's Him! I saw it in my dreams! He's coming for you! You have to get out of the house! Please, don't let him catch you!"and the message ended.

Jareth shook his head, chuckling.

"Poor Toby. His efforts have been in vain. It seems the tides have turned, hmmm, Sarah?" he asked. Sarah looked up at him through her mirror. He was right behind her. She jumped up to face him to find he was mere inches from her face. She took a deep breath, and spoke.

"You dare come to me, again? After what happened the last time, ten years ago? I still remember the words, Jareth. I'll send you back," Sarah warned, threateningly. He smiled, again, making her burn with anger.

"Those words only work once, Sarah. You cannot just banish me from your sight like you did, before. I have the upper hand this time. Just as I said, once before: You are no match for me, Sarah. Not anymore," he said in a voice full of confidence, his arms folded in determination. Sarah fell back on the seat in defeat, and turned away from Jareth.

Sarah was not sure what she should say next. It was a rare occasion for Sarah to be at a loss for words. But, if anyone could silence her, it would be Jareth. Sarah looked at herself in the mirror. Could the confident and successful woman she had worked so hard to be, have not been as strong as she thought? Jareth smirked.

"At a loss for words, are we, Sarah? How delicious…" he purred in her ear. Sarah felt soft hands on her shoulders and slightly leaned into the hands. After about a millisecond, she jumped up, away from his touch that sent fire coursing through her veins. She cursed herself for letting him get that close; giving him a window. She daren't look at his face, for she knew triumph would be written all over it. Now he knew how he made her feel. He had found her window, turned it into a door, and was heading inside. He knew that he had a chance. There was nothing Sarah could do to take it back.

"Why won't you look at me, Sarah? You know it's over. You know I have won," he said from behind her. She flinched at his words. He was right. She had lost the game. Jareth had discovered the fierce desire and longing she felt for him that she had hidden so well for ten years. She couldn't deny it, any longer. There was a reason why she had not been able to keep a decent relationship since she had left the Underground. No one could compare to that wretched Goblin King. No matter how hard she wished it were otherwise, she had strong feelings for the bastard. At that moment, Sarah knew what she had to do. It would cost her a great deal, but she knew it had to be done.

"You are right. You have won. My act has been ousted. However, this is far from over," she said, quietly. If the Goblin King wanted her to return to the Underground with him as more than his enemy, then she would make damn sure he was worth the loss her friends, family, and life in the Aboveground. She did not trust him. She never had. She looked up at the smiling Goblin King, and began to speak.

"Though I know I cannot banish you, I still have power over words, Jareth. I still have power over you!" she cried, then began to quote the words of her friend, the Wise Man:

"Sometimes, the way forward is the way back… the way backward is the way forward… it seems we're not getting anywhere, when in fact we are… all is not what it seems… to need is to let go…"

Sarah smiled, sadly. She could feel herself disappearing, slowly. This was the right choice. This is how it had to be done. With that thought in mind, she remembered something Sir Didymus once told her.

"Well, if that is the way 'tis done, then that is how thou must needs do it."

Sarah smiled at the memory. Her time in the Underground had been both the best and the worst of her life. Those few hours in a world of magic, dreams, and chaos. She hoped with all her heart that she was not risking everything and everyone she loved for nothing. Jareth's eyes suddenly became wide with realization.

"No! Sarah! Stop!" Jareth cried, grabbing her shoulders. Sarah stared straight into his eyes, and whispered.

"For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom as great... You have no power over me!"

Sarah continued to disappear, still staring into Jareth's eyes. He let her go, stunned that she had uttered the same parting words she had used to banish him the last time they had met.

"You once said to me: 'Just fear me and love me, and do as I say, and I will be your slave.'

I refused, as you will remember. You see, Goblin King: I was a child. I was a naïve young girl, and my baby brother meant more to me than anything you could offer, despite the strange feeling I had whenever you were near… I am no longer a child, your majesty. I am a grown woman, and I understand what it was I felt, ten years ago. I now know what it was you were offering me. How about I make you a deal? A sort of challenge, if you will. Much like your Labyrinth. If you can find me, and give back what was lost to me, then I will come to you, willingly. I will stay in the Goblin Kingdom with you, forever, if you wish. I can't promise that I will do everything you say. I have always feared you. And, love? Well, you'll have to find that one out, yourself, now, won't you?" she asked with a mischievous smile, and finally disappeared.

Jareth's Point of View

"No!" Jareth cursed, and beat his fist on the wall. He stood there for a long while, thinking about Sarah's words. A challenge? If he succeeded, she would stay with him… willingly, even. There was hope. He looked outside at the rising sun, and disappeared, just like Sarah.