Chapter 2

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Notwritten, hazlgrnLizzy, phoenixkid, tu, FireShifter, Pop Dragon, Princess of the Fae and Aysh you get virtual cookies for your fabulous reviews!

Time may be a bit off... this entire story is set in the modern day.

I spent ages thinking about this but when you prop your head up on your elbow it's like putting your head in your hand and leaning on your elbow right? Well that's what I mean anyway. Just wanted to make sure no one had any images of Jareth somehow putting his head actually on his elbow. Bwahahaha. READ ON!

Sarah opened her eyes slowly wincing at the bright sunlight. She jumped as something soft touched her face before she remembered the cat she had taken in last night. "Oh Jasper" she mumbled smiling sleepily as the cat pawed her cheek lightly. "Good morning what is it? You hungry?"

"Mew"

"Me too, come on then kit cat." She slid out from her bed and grabbed her dressing gown from the back of the chair by the dressing table. She laughed as Jasper pounced on the trailing belt "Your rather lively this morning!"

"Mew"

"Mew indeed. I don't have any cat food but let's see what I can rustle up" Sarah pulled on her robe and went to the kitchen area switching on her computer as she passed. Opening the cupboards she searched through them without much luck. "What do cats eat apart from cat food?" she muttered as she leant against the fridge and surveyed Jasper thoughtfully. "Milk?" The cat blinked at her from beside her feet. "Scrambled eggs?"

"Mew!"

"Is that a yes?" Jasper nuzzled her calf and purred. "Okay then eggs it is!"

Hurrah. Human food!

Sarah clicked on the radio singing along softly as she started cooking. Jareth swept his tail from side to side from his position on the table. Not just a pretty face. Her voice is beautiful! Jareth felt strangely disappointed when the soft ballad changed to a more upbeat song.

"Smile! Like you've got nothing to prove, no matter what you might do there's always someone out there cooler than yooou! I know that's hard to believe.." Sarah twirled while getting the butter from the fridge and laughed at the cat's look before she paused and studied him for a while. He self consciously straightened up and stared into her eyes before winking quickly.

"You remind me of someone..."

Jareth pawed the air lightly. Go on! Go on!



"Oh right sorry, eggs!" The moment was lost as the humming girl continued cooking. Jareth twitched his ears and prowled over to slip between the living room curtains and onto the window seat. Outside it was a horrible day. Rain splattered the glass and everything was a steely grey. Jareth stretched and shook his head. Focus Jareth. You have to come up with a game plan.

"Jasper?" Jareth could hear Sarah's footsteps as she looked for him "Eggs are ready" It was tempting but Jareth stayed where he was waiting for her to find him.

Sarah pulled back the curtains and grinned down at the tabby "Boo! What you doing puss?" Jareth nuzzled her out stretched hand and closed his eyes as she stroked his head. Sarah sat down beside him and gazed out the window at the rain that pattered on the windowsill lost deep in thought.

"Last night I..." she muttered to herself "I...had a dream" Jasper looked at her expectantly. "I can't quite remember but... He was there. He was there in my room! It was him!" Sarah stood up suddenly and ran into her bedroom the cat close on her heels. Sarah looked at the window her eyes wide. I shut the curtains. She thought walking hesitantly over to them and touching them lightly. It was real he was here!

"Goblin King." She whispered staring out of the window and running a hand through her hair. Jasper watched her for a while before growing slightly annoyed.

I want to ask her what she's thinking, to talk to her after all these years and yet...wait...is she crying? A single tear slid down her cheek Sarah's cheek and dropped onto her lap. Her green eyes glistened, Jareth felt his heart break all over again. Please Sarah, please don't cry. I'm here. He jumped onto her lap and butted her shoulder lightly. Don't cry. Please! I can't bear it, I can't even hold you in my arms! Sarah rested her forehead against the cool glass and wiped away the tear although it was quickly replaced. Sarah!

"Meeeew" Sarah was jolted from the depths of her thoughts by the heartbreaking mewl of the cat on her knees. His eyes were full of an impossible sadness as he looked up at her tears and Sarah felt her heart melt as she felt the desire to embrace him tightly. She wrapped her arms around the cat as tightly as was possible without causing the animal discomfort and smiled through her tears.

"Hey, Jasper no need to fret pet, I just sometimes think I might have made the wrong decisions in life and wish I had followed my drams from when I was younger. Silly huh? A grown woman like me wishing she was a child again but I had so many aspirations. I wanted to be an actress, marry a wonderful fairy prince would whisk me away on his white horse and I would live happily ever after. Princes these days are disappointing and some dreams just never come true. Life, real life, isn't a fairytale"

It is Sarah, believe me, it is.

"Oh shit the eggs will be cold by now!" Sarah stood abruptly unconsciously tipping the cat off her lap and heading for the kitchen scrubbing at her eyes furiously. I'm twenty five for god's sake!

I HATE cold eggs... Jareth thought grumpily skulking into the kitchen.

After a fairly uneventful day Jareth watched as Sarah's eyes closed for sleep. She had been typing away all day and he had kept himself occupied by simply watching her. He glanced at the bedside clock which blinked at him in the darkness. 3 minutes. Jareth listened to her deep breathing and purred. She was so beautiful.



Sarah shifted slightly and regained consciousness, her throat felt horribly dry. She swallowed and opened her eyes a crack. Jasper purred happily beside her. Sarah closed her eyes and thought how nice it was to have some company for once. Unknown to her the clock flashed 12.59 for the last time and changed to 1.00 or as it was known in the Underground 13 o'clock.

The purring stopped abruptly and instead Sarah heard a very human sigh come from beside her. Someone is in my apartment! Oh my GOD! Breathe Sarah, breathe. Pretend you're asleep and they'll ignore you...wait. It's probably just Jasper, better check. She shifted slightly and felt the presence beside her although now it was definitely not a cat. Gloved fingers stroked the hair from her eyes lightly. Gloved?

Sarah stayed completely still and waited. He couldn't have left could he? But if she opened her eyes he would probably just vanish and Sarah desperately wanted this dream to continue. Come on Sarah she steeled herself mentally and moved slightly continuing her deep breathing, her ears especially alert for any sound from beside her. There was no doubt someone was beside her but just because they were gloved didn't mean they weren't a burglar or even worse a rapist. Eeek!

She opened her eyes a fraction and had to stop herself from making a noise. Beside her looking as perfect as ever was The Goblin King with his head propped up on his elbow and gazing out of the window in silent contemplation.

Well look who it is!

Jareth gazed at the starry sky before glancing down at the mortal girl. She stirred in her sleep and somehow managed to drape an arm across his waist in the process. A chuckle rumbled deep in his breast.

Well that was rather skilled! Sarah thought triumphantly He's not getting away now! Without really noticing she snuggled up to his chest and sighed deeply feeling warm and safe so close to him. Jareth felt like crying but didn't. Goblin Kings never cry but he was sorely tempted. She was so close, was actually touching him! How he longed to wrap his arms around her and hold her tightly but couldn't. The frustration was unbearable.

As softly as was possible Jareth touched Sarah's forehead with his lips breathing in her scent ad feeling the warmth radiating from her. He lingered with his lips against her smooth skin, his eyes tightly closed in anguish. Sarah's eyes snapped open. In an instant Sarah had captured his lips with her own and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jareth grunted in surprise his eyes flying open. They broke apart for a split second and the two's eyes met. Jareth's heart soared as he felt her fingers tangle in his hair pulling him deeper into a kiss. Sarah moaned as she felt Jareth nip her bottom lip gently and caused shivers to ripple through her body.

Of course Sarah had been kissed before but nothing compared to the passion and sensitivity she was currently experiencing in the arms of the Goblin King. All other men paled in comparison, at that moment in time there was no where Sarah wanted to be more.

Jareth felt his heart swell with love as Sarah moved her hands to his back and shivered as he kissed her. He wasn't dreaming was he? After a long time Jareth broke lip contact and pulled Sarah into a tight embrace. Sarah breathed him in and allowed herself to simply be held, enjoying his presence and warmth. Something major was obviously happening to the Goblin King and Sarah didn't want to interrupt. Time passed and Sarah lay in Jareth's arms asleep. Jareth sighed. Tomorrow would she think this all a dream or finally come to her senses? He could have taken her, that he certainly knew, but as he had kissed her all he had wanted was to hold her close. Just to feel her in his arms was enough.



This revelation shocked Jareth. He was a passionate Fae always prone to act first and think later when it came to matters in the bedroom. The sun rose, Jareth shifted shape and once again became the tabby. Will she remember?

A while later Sarah awoke and smiled happily remembering the night before. Surely she didn't imagine the whole thing, her mind wasn't that good! Her heart sank as she opened her eyes to find the space next to her was empty. Where did he...? Jasper was curled up happily on the floor by the radiator and observed her sleepily with one eye open. Brushing back her long dark hair from her eyes Sarah climbed out of bed and stretched. Either I'm hallucinating about the whole thing or he just...left.

"Mew"

How could he just leave? Did he get what he wanted? What kind of sick game is he playing?

"Mew" Jareth nudged her leg as she stood staring out of the window.

Arrogant ass! Does he think he can just waltz into my apartment and turn my world upside down just to leave?

"Mew"

"Not now Jasper"Sarah snapped angrily grabbing a towel and heading for the bathroom. I need time to think.

Sarah took a ridiculous amount of time having a bath. Is she stupid? Jareth though annoyed. How can she not see that the cat she took in is actually The Goblin King! There have been enough hints! I picked the book 'Labyrinth' out of her bookshelf for God's sake yet she still doesn't get it!

Looking up from the sofa as the bathroom door opened Jareth's eyes widened. Sarah, wearing only a towel wandered into the kitchen her wet hair clinging to her bare shoulders. Well I suppose she can't have brains and beauty, although she does look pretty deep in thought so there must be something in that head of hers!

Jareth wrinkled his nose as a bowl of cat food was plunked before him, it smelled dreadful.

"What's the matter? Aren't you hungry?"

Jareth aka Jasper was hungry but it would take something very special to make him eat this rubbish. My god what is this jellied bits of cardboard? Ugh! It smells awful.

"Come on Jasper just eat the dam stuff! It's chicken!"

That is NOT chicken!

"Look" Sarah held the tin out to him "Chicken pieces covered in gravy..." she trailed off and looked at the ingredients. "You're right it does sound pretty disgusting...but surely you like these things!"

Jareth shook his head forcefully. "Well it's cat food and you're a cat so... did you just shake your head?"

Jasper nodded. "Oh my god!" Sarah whispered and clutched her forehead "I've cracked, I knew it would happen one day! I really do see things!" Jareth blinked at her.

Idiot.



"You...you just eat the crap and I'll...I'll just...oh my god" Sarah went into her room still clutching her head as if afraid it would fall to pieces if she let go. Mid life crisis at the age of twenty five!

Jareth shook his head and pushed the bowl away from him with his paw. I bet the Powers love this! Sarah emerged from her room an hour later and looked suspiciously at the cat.

"I'm going out for lunch with my editor okay?" Jasper nodded "Holy shit stop it I already feel crazy enough!" she skirted around him and pulled on her coat checking her reflection in the mirror. "I am not crazy! I am not crazy!" she repeated over and over again as she pulled on a pair of suede grey ankle boots and checked her makeup.

"See you later Jasper" Jareth waved and laughed inside as Sarah glared at him before stumbling out of the door muttering about cats that waved goodbye.

Now what am I supposed to do?

"Jareth, Jareth, Jareth" tutted the Power as it materialised in mid air before him in all its blue smokiness.

Great just what I need, what on earth am I doing here?

"I have come to inform you that your little stunt last night did not go unnoticed."

My little stunt?

"The kissing etc. Did we not say you were to leave her to recognise you without you interfering?"

I'm a cat, how is she supposed to realise I am actually the Goblin King?

"Goodness I don't know! Surely if the bond between you is as strong as we think it is than she should notice sooner or later"

Sooner or later? How long do you propose I stay like this for? What about my kingdom?

"The Goblin City is fine. You don't honestly think we would leave it ungoverned did you?"

Okay then who is in charge?

"Sarah's friend that little dwarf guy"

Hogwash?

"Hoggle"

Of course. Him? He's an imbecile!

"He's pretty good actually I've never seen the throne room so clean before. Anyway how is it going with Sarah?"

Pretty shit actually.

"Such language from a royal I'm shocked!"

Is there any reason why you're here apart from to taunt me?



"Of course! For fun and giggles!"

WHAT?

"Is that the time? I'd better run!" With that the shadowy form vanished with a smile.

Bastards!

Jareth prowled around all day glaring at Sarah's furniture and occasionally sniffing at the cat food. Eventually his hunger drove him to take a tentative bite. OH MY GOD! THAT'S AWFUL!

Jareth forced himself to swallow and stuck out his tongue in disgust Yeuch! What do cat's do all day? Apart from eat vile bits of jellied whatever.

Padding into the laundry room Jareth slept on Sarah's freshly ironed clothes for a while getting hair everywhere. Perfect, just like a cat. Next he decided to knock something over and so returned to the living room just as the door opened.

"Hey Jasper" Sarah smiled tiredly closing the door behind her kicking off her boots and flinging her coat over a chair. "You haven't eaten your food. Fancy some tuna then?"

"Mew!" Jareth decided not to nod; she probably couldn't take it. Sarah made tuna pasta for herself and gave Jareth a bowl of tuna all to himself. Jareth gulped it down happily whisking his tail and glaring at the bowl of cat food that still lurked near the table. I can't believe any animal would ever willingly eat that. What I wouldn't give for a nice glass of wine right now!

The two of them settled down on the sofa to watch television. The phantom of the opera happened to be on and Jareth winced as the girl on screen burst into song again. Poor phantom I would be insane too if that girl was singing away at me 24/7. Sarah drifted in and out of sleep as she lay on the couch with the cat purring beside her.

BANG BANG BANG.

Someone was hammering on her door Sarah woke with a jolt.

BANG BANG BANG

Jareth leapt off her lap and eyed the door suspiciously.

BANG BANG BANG

"Who's there?"

"Sarah" a male voice slurred from outside the door "Sarah honey let me in!"

"Leave me alone Seb!" Sarah tried to keep the terror out of her voice but it was a lost case, she trembled violently.

"Don't be like that sweetie, I just want to talk!"

"Go away or I'll phone the police!"

"You wouldn't do that to me darling, not after all we've been through together hmmm? Dumpling just open the door"



"No!" Her heart fairly stopped as she spotted the door wasn't actually locked. She sprung towards it but it was too late the door swung open.

"There you are!" Sarah could smell the whisky fumes from where she stood. Seb had always like his drink a little too much, a fact she found out when they had been dating. It was just over a year ago that he had first hit her.

Seb swayed into the apartment ignoring the hissing cat and fixed his cloudy blue eyes on Sarah clumsily pushing his brown hair from his face. "What no greeting kiss Sarah? Even for an old friend?"

Sarah backed away quickly until she felt the sofa behind her. Seb's eyes darkened dangerously. "You little bitch!" he hissed advancing towards her "think you could just walk out on me?"

"Seb I told you" Sarah whimpered shrinking back and looking desperately for the phone "It wasn't working out, I just needed some space"

"Yeah it wasn't working!" Seb growled grabbing her arm roughly and pulling her towards him "I saw you eyeing up every man we passed in the street. You just wanted some more didn't you little slut!"

He slapped her, hard, tears sprang to Sarah's eyes. She tried to fight him off but he crushed her against his body. "You'll get what you want pretty whore. I happen to be in the mood and no fucking head ache is going to stop me from getting what I want!" Sarah screamed as she felt his fingers fumbling with her clothes.

"Seb! Let me go!"

"Or what? What you going to do hmmmm?"

Sarah tried to kick him in the balls but drunk though he was he forced her to the floor. "Help!" Sarah screamed as Seb took her by the shoulders and bashed her head against the floor her head swam and she almost lost consciousness.

"OWWWW!" Seb yelped as claws scratched at his face "Fucking cat!" he pushed the furious cat away but it only doubled its efforts to bite and scratch ever inch of the man. "Get off you bloody fur ball!" Jareth was flung against the wall and miraculously landed on his feet his sides heaving as he sprang again.

"Leave him alone!" Sarah screamed frantically trying to get out from beneath the large man. She watched horrified as Seb pounded the cat before throwing it aside. Jasper stood shakily before collapsing helplessly on the floor. I'll kill him! I'll...Gods my leg...

"Care more about that cat than me huh? Well I think it's about time we got reacquainted dear" Seb snarled wiping blood from his cheek and tearing at Sarah's shirt.

"Jareth!" Sarah screamed desperately "Jareth help me!" Jareth crawled forwards slowly inching his way towards the fighting pair. Seb had Sarah pinned. "Jareth" Sarah sobbed "Jareth please" to her anguish no tall blonde appeared from nowhere to save her.

Jareth was in agony and not just from his physical wounds. Sarah! Collecting all the strength in his body he flung himself once again at the man bashing Sarah's head against the floor. He tore at his face with his claws momentarily distracting Seb so that Sarah was able to struggle free.



Her head pounded but she still managed to grab a lamp and hit Seb hard on the back of the head. He collapsed onto his face. The flat was silent apart from Sarah's heavy breathing.

"Jasper!" she cried and rushed over to cradle the limp cat in her arms. "Jasper you'll be alright" tears flowed down her cheeks as she knelt on the floor stroking the cat's delicate head. "Jasper!" The clock in the kitchen clicked as it struck one.

A breath of wind stirred Sarah's hair and with a dull light the feline body in her arms was replaced with the form of the Goblin King. "Jareth" Sarah whispered looking down at the blonde whose head she cradled in her lap. "You can't be..." Her heart wrenched in agony and sobs wracked her entire body as she leant down to kiss him lightly on the lips.

"Jareth" she moaned holding him tightly defying anyone to try and take the man from her arms.

"Jareth..."

Yes I'm an evil girl. You'll just have to wait for the next chapter. How can Sarah possibly carry on without Jareth? Will he actually be alive? Hmmm it's not looking good from my point of view for our favourite Goblin King.

Review my lovelys! The next chapter is likely to be the last!