She was sure of it. Laying alone in the faintly beige room on the stiff sterile bed. She knew the time was coming. The apathetic heart monitor droned on its steady reports into an otherwise silent evening. Lulling her into a kind of full body awareness. Her eyes grew heavy, her limbs weak. Yes, she could feel the slow but certain ebb of her life. Succumbing to this revelation, Sarah whispered her discover into the listening darkness.

"I'm dying."

Surprisingly, the notion didn't frighten her. Her will was finalized. Her next of kin wouldn't have to grieve through expensive uncertainty and painful surprises. Her regrets had been thoroughly reflected upon and released. Everything was arranged. No knot left untied.

Well, except one.

Only one thing left to do. And it was now or never. Apprehension crept through the cracks of her peaceful indifference. What if he didn't come? What if none of it had existed? What would he do to her? What COULD he do to her? So long ago now since their battle of wills. Would he still be angry? Should she care if he was? No matter, to tell the truth was for her really. Not him.

Steeling herself for one last adventure, she called a name she had never spoken aloud.

"Jareth. I need you."

Meanwhile, in the Castle Beyond the Goblin City…

The Goblin King was pacing in his chambers. He was starting to get nervous.

Maybe, she really wasn't going to beg for his return?

The notion confused him. After his confrontation with the tenacious Sarah Williams he hadn't swayed in the thought that soon she would call for him. He had offered her everything she had every wanted and she rejected him, barely even registering his words. But once she got home and calmed down she would clearly see what he was trying to say. Surely. Right?

Time was a flux and mailable thing in the Underground. In the Above is marched like a soldier instead of flowing like a stream. His Fae mind struggled with it, but it was starting to feel like a while since he had seen his beloved enemy.

It had certainly been more than a year. But could it be as many as 5? 10? His blood ran cold at the idea of her forgetting him, then hot again as he considered anything an intolerable as a human rival.

Far more likely than that, realizing her mistake she had been consumed with by guilt and sorrow. Thinking herself unworthy and not calling him out of shame. Didn't she know how generous he could be? Yes, shame. That must be it.

As he paced a low growl started deep in his chest. Damn her! She had not only effectively banned him from entering her life but had rendered all his attempts to observe her completely useless. His crystals popped like childish bubbles. And every scout he sent was diverted into another part of the Labyrinth. Even those traitorous creatures she had called her 'friends' were cut off from her at sunrise after her victory. He couldn't get anywhere near her.

He hated it. Helplessness was a pathetic trait. And it didn't suit him at all.

Giving up pacing, he sauntered over to his liquor cabinet. The lonely clack of his boots on stone were the only sound. Perusing the expensive collection with a critical eye he finally settled upon a small bottle of elvish brandy. After pouring a small glass she lifted it to his waiting lips.

That's when he heard it.

Jareth, I need you

The glass slipped from his grasp and shattered on the floor.

Slowly his fingers came up to touch his mouth, as if checking to see if he had muttered the words himself. But slow feral grin that couldn't be contained overtook them as he manically looked around him in abject exaltation.

At long last. Enter the Goblin King. His regalia took the place of his evening loungewear. After all, he had expectations to meet.

"I'm coming, Sarah."

And with that, his rooms were empty.

Jareth was confused after he had transported to her location. He found himself in a stuffy grey place, the smell of entropy all around him. His Fae senses cringed at it, so vibrant a creature was he. Looking around he could see he wasn't in Sarah's house. He was in a small room with only one small window by a strangely mechanical looking bed. And in the bed, was a woman.

But she looked ancient, her long white hair fell around her shoulders in thin wisps. Her face held the telltale signs of many years laughing and crying. Her eyes told the story of a soul faced with many trials.

Her eyes.

Her vibrant green eyes.

This time, Jareth's blood felt as though it had simply stopped.

"Sarah?"

Sarah held her breath after she spoke the words. Nothing. She closed her eyes, sighing half in despair and half in relief. At least, now she knew. Smiling to herself she opened her eyes.

And he was there.

My god. I'd forgotten how beautiful he was.

He stood before her, showered in rapidly dissipating glitter. Open uncertainty written all over his body language as he took in his surroundings. He was just like he appeared that first time. Her heart soared and quailed at the sight of him. The ageless power rolling off him in waves. The heart monitor chirped faster, as if it too had taken notice. Then he looked at her, and she let him drink it all in. Watching his face she saw the procession of emotions.

Condescension. Confusion. Curiosity. Comprehension. Horror.

"Sarah?"

She smiled grimly at him. "Hello, old friend."

Warily he stepped toward her taking in her whole state, seeming to her all the sudden like a small child who didn't understand what was happening.

"Sarah, what have you done?"

She let out a breathy laugh. So dramatic.

"I got old, Jareth." Funny, how his name came so naturally to her now. "Nothing special."

She motioned with her hand towards the visitor's chair by her bed where he dutifully sat without thinking.

"But why? Why would you do that? I was going to give you forever. You were going to be mine." The words were strong and possessive but his voice was quiet and distant. He wouldn't look her in the face. She took his hand to get his attention.

Looking him square in the face she explained, "That's exactly why. It would have been your forever. I would have been a possession. I chose to live my life on my terms."

He blinked, barely holding back the defeated tear that threatened his left eye.

"But I wanted to tell you something, Jareth. You helped to give me my life. My time in your realm forever changed me. It helped to shape me. After that night, I treasured Toby. I supported my father, and made friends with my step-mother. I never took anything for granted after that, and I lived my life to the fullest. You taught me that. I called you here tonight to thank you. From the bottom of my heart thank you, for my life."

She watched as he inhaled deeply, trying to regain his composure. He held her hand to his cheek. She felt the magic simmering beneath his skin.

"Tell me about it. Your life. I've missed everything."

Smiling she took her hand from his grasp and gestured to the nightstand by her bed. Where several framed photos and cards stood in faithful vigil.

"That's my family. That one is my father and I at my college graduation. And then there's Toby and I at his high school graduation. That's me with the first award I won for a children's book I wrote."

"What was it called?"

"The adventures of Sir Didymus. And his faithful steed Ambrosious, of course."

"Naturally." She smiled at her. Oh wow he could level a city with that smile.

"And then this is all of us at Toby's wedding. The rest are of my various nieces and nephews on trips and such."

His brows suddenly knitted together. "No children of your own?"

She shook her head. "I was married for a few years, but we never could conceive. After the true odds were discovered he…well having children was very important to him. After that I devoted my life to my work and being the most awesome aunt that ever lived."

Jareth bristled, she could have sworn she saw electricity arcing through his hair.

"Where can I find this man?" he asked with a deadly tone in his voice.

She patted his leg chastising, "Now none of that. I've made peace with it and he's probably passed on ahead of me. After all I am 94."

He chuckled sheepishly, raising a teasing eyebrow "Oh well, then you're still a sprig of a…wait what?" His face dropped.

She gave him a sober expression.

"You called me here tonight. To make peace. Because you're…" he couldn't say it. But she understood and nodded slowly. She lay back, she was so tired now.

He shot to his feet. "NO! I won't allow it. Sarah, I forbid you to pass!" Power crackled all around him and the light in the room went out as it blew out several light bulbs. The faint moonlight through the window now the only illumination, the only witness.

Sarah spoke softly, it was getting harder to breath. "And just what, Goblin King, do you think you can do about it? My death doesn't belong to you."

He started to pace frantically like a caged animal. Running his hands through his hair and running through his lack of options under his breath.

He has so much energy, did I ever move like that? Does it mean so much to him that I live? Maybe I should humor him, my last gift to give.

Her breath was getting shallow now, and the heart monitor sounded weary. Her eyes drifted shut. It was almost time now.

Jareth was on fire with revelation and desperation.

"I've got it! Sarah! Sarah you can ask me for sanctuary. As champion of the Labyrinth you have the right to make the request as an honorary citizen of my kingdom. Just say the words!"

He looked at her. Her eyes shut in calm repose, the heart monitor audibly slowing down.

"No. Nononononono, Sarah! Stay with me Sarah!" he shouted at her gripping her lightly by the shoulders and shaking her a bit. Her eyes opened a little. For the first time, the Goblin King wept and begged.

"Please, Sarah. I can't endure a universe without you. Please say the words, please come with me. Please stay. Stay with me."

He looked into those eyes which he adored and saw strange mixture of amusement and resignation.

"Please."

He barely heard the words that came with her last breath.

"Goblin King…take me away."

"Close enough." He said, wrapping her in his arms as the heart monitor sang it's swan song in one long beep.