Settling in on the plane, Sarah tried to relax. She hated flying but this was such a great opportunity. Stacy sat next to her, her eyes glued to a guide book, trying to decide what pub to visit first.

"Seriously, pub crawling your first night on the Emerald Isle?" Sarah teased. "Don't you have work to do?"

"I suppose, but all the famous writers were inspired by a pint or two," Stacy laughed. Sarah shook her head, pretending to be offended.

"You have real work to do, the castle should be fun to explore. I hear that it's cursed."

"Cursed? Really? Why didn't we come across that in our research - where did you hear that?" Stacy was excited. "Oh a real Irish curse. I'm so excited."

"You are certifiably insane, you do realize that don't you?" Sarah asked indulgently. "Must be why we're best friends. A friend told me that it was cursed but I was in a hurry so I don't have details. We'll have to figure it out when we get there."

"Sounds lovely," Stacy yawned. "We should probably get some shut eye. It's a long flight."

Sarah agreed and leaned back closing her eyes. Castle Blogmore had been hard to research, in fact most of what she'd found out couldn't be verified by other sources. Other human sources. Hoggle was a dear to get her those books from Jareth, he must have risked a lot to get them for her. She'd have to find a way to thank him. She yawned, stretching in her seat and smiling.

I bet there were a lot of balls in the castle in the 1800's, she thought dreamily. But I'll bet they weren't as magical as the one I was at. Oh Jareth, you have no idea what thoughts you put into my mind that night. And hopefully you never will.

JSJSJS

The ball was just as it had been before, but this time the guests were not wearing masks. They were beautiful, swaying to the sounds of a waltz Sarah had never heard before. She wandered the ballroom, searching for a dance partner when she saw him. A dark figure with black hair and piercing blue eyes walked towards her, smiling in a way that made her very uncomfortable. He stopped in front of her and bowed.

"I am Lord Ruhl, and I'm honored to have you here at my celebration. Shall we?" He took her by the hand and led her out onto the dance floor.

"I must say, Meredith - you are looking lovely." Sarah was confused.

"I'm - not Meredith," she said slowly, watching the man's eyes darken. "I think you have me confused with someone else." She started to pull away and he smiled showing sharp white teeth.

"You will be," he promised as he moved closer to her throat with fangs bared. Her eyes closed and just as his teeth were poised to break her flesh, a low growl echoed through the room and she was yanked out of Ruhl's arms into someone else's. Someone familiar.

"Jareth," she breathed as the Goblin King glared at Ruhl.

"You will not touch what is mine," Jareth hissed at the other man. Ruhl smiled and bowed.

"She is not yours, Goblin King. She rejected you, wisely so I'm told. She will soon learn my touch. And you will be destroyed if you dare try to stop me."

Sarah looked from one furious male to the other, stunned.

"I belong to myself and no other," she said angrily. "And I'm leaving." She turned to walk away and fell into a large black void in the floor, screaming into the darkness. She fell for what seemed like hours, in slow motion until at the last moment, strong arms encircled her body and pulled her close.

"I will not let him harm you, you are mine," Jareth whispered into her ear. "You are such trouble - I come to seduce you in a dream and find myself rescuing you instead. You will have to make it up to me soon." His lips, just above hers, lowered and he kissed her slowly, savoring the moment her lips parted and his tongue found refuge in her sweet mouth. Sarah clutched him to her, pouring every ounce of repressed loneliness and need for him into the kiss. It was only a dream after all, and if this was all she'd have of him, she'd enjoy every last moment.

He pulled back, his eyes burning into her soul.

"You are mine, Sarah - never doubt it. I will be with you, watching. And when you need me - I will be there."

Sarah woke with a start. Everyone in the plane's cabin seemed to be either reading quietly or sleeping. Stacy was snoring gently in the seat next to her and Sarah sat awake for a long time, remembering that last kiss.

She'd been working way too hard, she mused, laughing to herself.