AN: Here's the second of three parts, so the next chapter will be the last one. I hope everyone's enjoyed this so far, so here's more. Have fun! Oh yeah, still don't own anything. Sad, that.
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"Oh, how cute… The King of the Goblins is in love with a mortal. Not just any mortal either, but the girl who defied him multiple times over and solved his unbeatable Labyrinth. That's just precious. You can't stay by her side forever, Jareth. Give me an opening, just one, and I'll have taken your kingdom before you can say 'goblin'."
A woman entered the room. "Milord, our preparations are complete. We await your orders."
"Yes, very good, Contessa, thank you. I'm sure the Goblin King will give us the opportunity we need soon enough. That mortal girl he's so fond of is the very key to his undoing."
The countess bowed and left.
"Really, Jareth, you should have more sense than to fall for a mortal. She's so very fragile. You'd do anything for her, wouldn't you?" A cold laugh echoed through the room. "You've wasted so much of your power caring for her already."
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Jareth slipped back into his bedroom. He'd only been gone for ten minutes to give his goblins a few orders regarding Sarah's stay, but it was obvious that Sarah was already fast asleep. For a girl who had slept for six months, she was remarkably tired.
He glanced down at his elaborate clothes, frowning. They obviously weren't suited for sleeping, but he wasn't comfortable changing around Sarah, even if she wouldn't know. He pulled out a crystal and used that instead of a more conventional method. Instantaneously, he was wearing a loose-fitted tunic and slacks of soft black cotton, and, strangely enough, no gloves.
Jareth sat down and watched Sarah for a few moments, savoring her beauty. It was amazing for him to have her going back to normal. After about two minutes of just studying her features, he moved to join her.
As soon as he had lain down on his side of the massive bed, Sarah moved toward him, still asleep. A look of shock crossed the Fae's face when she pulled herself right up against him, her head lying on his chest, tucked right under his chin. He watched her again, wondering if he should move her away, then shrugged. If it was what she wanted, it was fine. He wrapped his arms around her slender frame, holding her close.
"Good night, my Sarah," Jareth murmured. "Hopefully, there will be many more of such nights, too."
After kissing the top of her head, he closed his eyes and composed himself to rest. Even once he fell asleep, he never let go of her, cradling her softly in his arms.
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Sarah woke up to find her head pressed against something warm yet firm. Shifting a little, she turned to see that she'd been lying against Jareth's chest. A light flush covered her cheeks as she realized that she had most likely been there for some time. As she tried to move away, she also noticed that he had his arms wrapped around her. Sarah decided she needed to get up, so she attempted to slip away.
"Going somewhere, my dear?" Jareth drawled, one eye opened and fixed on her face.
Sarah blushed again. "Umm, I was just stretching," she muttered. "Would you mind letting me go?"
"Does stretching generally require that charming flush?" he smirked in amusement. "And no, I don't think I want to let go of you quite yet…"
"Jareth! You rat!" she exclaimed, pushing against him. "Just what are you up to?"
"Nothing at all, love. I'm simply comfortable and don't feel like moving quite yet. Now, if you'd be so kind as to lie still again, I may go back to sleep," he murmured, taking little notice of the endearment he'd used. It felt so natural for them to be around each other.
"Don't you have a kingdom to run or something like that?" she asked, continuing her ineffectual bids for freedom.
"Do stop squirming, precious. My kingdom can go a few more hours without my watching over everything. There's not even in a runner in the Labyrinth right now. Are you saying that you'd rather I leave you alone?" he questioned, kissing the top of her head again.
"Well… no… but you can't stay in here all day…" she replied, trying to remember what she'd been planning when he'd woken up.
"My dear, that's one of the perks of being King. I'm allowed to do whatever I want whenever I want. Right now, I would prefer some more sleep, but that won't happen if you don't cooperate," he yawned. "Would you please put your head back where it was? I was comfortable with you lying against me like that."
"This is hardly proper behavior," she argued. "Can I get up now?"
"Sarah, you're twenty-five years old. Surely by this point in your life you've realized the benefits of sleeping in on occasion," he said, easily pinning her so that she couldn't move.
"Get off of me, lazy oaf," she protested. "According to you, I just spent six months sleeping. I don't really think I need to do more."
"Enchanted sleep doesn't really count, love. After all, it wasn't voluntary, since I somehow doubt that you asked for it to happen. Now be a good girl and stay still," he whispered against her ear, purposefully, it seemed. "We can talk later."
"Jareth, I want to get up," she persisted. It was getting unnerving to be so close to him since he was obviously in some kind of odd mood.
He growled softly, but let her go. "You certainly are a stubborn specimen. It's a good thing you're a rare sort among mortals. How's your balance?" he asked when he saw her stand up.
"It's good, I think," she replied. "I haven't fallen down yet. Is there anything for me to eat for breakfast?"
Jareth laughed softly. "The mortal needs food, of course." Yet another of his endless crystals appeared in his hand, then was gently tossed to her. She caught it, then met Jareth's gaze.
"Jareth… are you okay? You're acting strange," she observed.
He rolled his eyes before standing up. "My dear Sarah, the majority of your memories of me are hardly flattering. Would you rather I was trying to keep you from rescuing your brother again, or locking you in an oubliette? Do you still not understand?"
"What don't I understand?" she demanded, becoming slightly irritated. "Everyone seems to think there's something I should understand, but no one's told me what. Hoggle, Sir Didymus and Ludo all avoid the question whenever I ask."
"Get your breakfast, Sarah," he ordered. "This is something you should find out for yourself, not something someone else should tell you. The others don't say anything because of my direct orders."
She frowned, turning her gaze to the brilliant sphere in her hands. Jareth let out a sigh, exasperated.
"Love, do you honestly think that I offer everyone a dream crystal more than once, the way I did you? Or that I'd allow them to reach my castle?" he asked her calmly. "You've read the book; you know the story. You were the first mortal to ever conquer the Labyrinth. Doesn't that tell you anything?"
"I put the book away ten years ago; I hardly remember all of it," she said, "and I'm afraid I didn't listen to you very well before I won."
Jareth lightly hit his head against the bed frame a few times. "Mortals truly are exceedingly dense, aren't they?" he wondered aloud. He shook his head, drawing another sphere. In a moment, he was dressed in one of his normal ostentatious outfits once more.
"Why do you do that?" Sarah asked suddenly.
"Why do I do what? What are you talking about now?" he said, confusion in his tone for the millionth time since knowing her.
"The gloves… You always have gloves on. I've only seen you without them once, just last night. Well, this morning, I suppose. You always wear them," she stated.
He glanced down at his hands, safely encased in the typical black leather. "I couldn't honestly say, love. I just always seem to. You're the first person that's ever pointed it out." He headed toward the door, then backtracked and moved to examine her more closely. "You look less exhausted now, and more healthy. Excellent."
He tilted her head up gently with one finger, placing a chaste kiss on her lips. "Stay in this suite, Sarah. None of my goblins enter here without my express permission, and it's the most highly guarded area. I should only be gone an hour or two to take care of some issues at the edge of the Labyrinth. Promise me you'll stay here."
She studied him. "I don't know why, but I'll stay. I promise. What can I do while you're gone?"
"You could get more sleep," he suggested, then chuckled when she shook her head disgustedly. "No, perhaps not. There's a bathroom through that doorway, so you could take a bath. Don't forget to eat. If you need anything, pull this cord. One of my servants will come to help you. You can also have some of your friends come visit." His hands sketched a few lines in mid-air, and a velvet bag fell into them. "Here. A few extra crystals in case you need anything else," he said, setting them on the table.
She nodded. "Thank you, Jareth. You're doing so much for me."
He snorted. "I'm a selfish creature, Sarah. I rarely do anything that doesn't benefit me in some fashion. Think about that while I'm gone."
Sarah opened her mouth to ask what she was supposed to think about it, but before the words formed he was kissing her again, a great deal less innocently than before. He pulled back after a few seconds.
"Just a little extra to consider," he said, a predatiorial grin on his face. "I'll be back shortly." Jareth drew out yet another crystal and vanished.
"He always has to get in the last word, doesn't he?" Sarah pouted slightly. "He's right though, that is a lot more to consider. Did he kiss me like that just so I couldn't say anything else?"
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"Listen carefully. This may be the only chance for some time to get the mortal, especially if the King hears of an attempt. He's been distracted by a diversion at the very edge of the Labyrinth, far enough away that it'll delay his getting back to his castle," the mysterious figure in the shadows said.
The countess nodded. "Milord has a plan?"
"Yes, I have a plan. I can send two into the mortal's room. That's all. Once you arrive, the girl must be incapacitated immediately, or she may alarm the castle guards, or worse, King Jareth himself."
"I'm to be one of the two, I assume, my liege?" Contessa asked, curtseying deeply.
"Yes, you are. Pick your companion wisely; we have no room for error," the leader ordered. "Once you are ready, return here and I will send you personally."
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Sarah laughed, watching as Ludo called a few small rocks to entertain her. She had already talked to Hoggle, who had confirmed everything Jareth had said. She definitely felt more comfortable about trusting him after that. All of her closest friends in the Labyrinth surrounded her, so she was almost perfectly happy. In the background, a few fireys practiced their dance routine.
If only Jareth were here too, she sighed mentally. Who'd have thought that he would become so important to me in less than a day- well, less than a day that I was awake.
"My lady! Art thou alright?" Sir Didymus asked. "Thou seemest to be sleeping."
"Hm? What? Oh, no, I'm all right. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you," Sarah assured. "I was just thinking."
"Sarah think King?" Ludo guessed
Sarah glanced up at the yeti, startled. How did he know that? She thought. I can't be that obvious.
"Don't look so shocked, Sarah," Hoggle chuckled. "Everyone can tells. You aren't too good at hidin' yer feelins, and that rat Jareth looked like he was floatin' insteada walkin' afore 'e left."
"Hoggle, don't tease me!" Sarah protested. "Jareth was doing no such thing!"
"Oh, yes, he mosts certainly was. I've never seen 'im lookin' more cheery. Its was almost nauseatin'. My guess would be that it had somethin' ta do with you. He didn' smile or laugh or sing or nothin' while you was sleepin'," Hoggle contended.
Sarah started to yawn. "You can't be serious. He didn't even like me last time I was here. I refuse to believe that he's all happy because of something about me," she refuted tiredly.
Her three friends exchanged looks. "Uh-oh. Looks like we'd better get goin', guys. Jareth'll kill us if she get worn out," Hoggle decided.
"Sarah sleep?" Ludo ask. "Sarah sick?"
"I'm okay, Ludo. I'm just still exhausted, I guess. I would like some more sleep," Sarah admitted.
"Fear not, my lady, I, Sir Didymus, shall watch over you until His Majesty's return," Didymus announced. "Ambrosious, go with Sir Ludo and Sir Hoggle."
The rest of her friends left quickly, and Didymus turned to face Sarah again. "Sleep now, my lady. No harm shall come to you, for I shall keep watch!"
"Thank you, Sir Didymus," Sarah laughed. "Just make sure you leave when Jareth comes back. He may want some privacy in his own room."
"I will, my lady. Rest well."
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"Jareth is a fool," a voice said. Stepping out into a patch of light, a cloaked form came into view. "That pathetic knight can't save her. Within an hour, he will have to give me his kingdom to save his love. Will he do it, I wonder?"
A clock appeared, and the hooded head faced it. "Time for me to return to the main hall, I suppose," it said, walking up the steps. "Contessa had best not fail if she wants to live past today."
Reaching its destination, the figure took its seat a matter of moments before the countess slipped inside.
"Milord," the countess began, "I'm ready to enter the Goblin King's castle to secure the mortal woman."
"And your companion?" the mysterious voice rasped.
The countess snapped. A thick fog formed in the center of the room, then coalesced into a humanoid body.
"One of the Shadow-folk, I assume? The Fae's opposite, how appropriate…" the leader mused. "From the Unseelie Court?"
"Those of the Unseelie Court detest the Goblin King and his kin. This Shadow claims that King Jareth killed his family, although I have seen no proof. He can silence the mortal before she can summon help," Contessa offered.
"The woman is not alone," the terrible voice snarled. "The guard is insignificant, though. If you can delay it long enough, it will be no problem. Do not fail me, for the penalty will most certainly not be to your liking, assuming you don't fall to the King of the Goblins first."
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Sarah sat bolt upright, instantly awake. Something is wrong, she decided. She reached for the velvet bag Jareth had given her, trying to disguise her goal as best she could.
("Jareth, I don't know if you can hear me,") Sarah called tentatively, ("but I'm getting a strange feeling. It may just be a false alarm; I'm not sure. I'll call if anything gets worse.")
("Be careful, love,") Jareth whispered back. ("Pretend you're still asleep.")
With that, Sarah slid back down, acting like she was going back to sleep after waking up from a dream. A crystal, carefully hidden under her dark hair, was at the ready in case anything happened.
A slight popping noise sounded, barely audible to those who didn't expect something. Sarah faked turning in her sleep as she rolled over to check on Sir Didymus. What she saw had her eyes widening in horror.
A thick black fog, almost poisonous in appearance, had wrapped itself around her brave friend, leaving him motionless and unconscious. Her grip on the orb tightened, although she checked herself before it shattered.
"Get the mortal," an unknown red-haired woman ordered. "Make sure she stays unconscious. We can't have her warning the King."
Too late, she smirked, almost looking like the Goblin King himself. I already did, and now I'm going to call him outright.
("Jareth!") she shrieked. ("I don't know how long until they figure it out, but hurry!")
Both the Shadow and the countess heard her mental call, and Contessa cursed.
"Damn it all to hell, no one told me that she knew mind speech! Shadow, no time for caution! Grab her and run!"
The dark cloud raced towards Sarah, only to be checked by the sudden flash of light from Jareth's crystal. The Shadow shook its head then grinned. Fae magic could only slow him, not stop him altogether.
Sarah was both drawing another crystal and preparing to scream for Jareth again when a large white barn owl flew into the room. Lightning flashed as the King of the Goblins resumed his Fae form, his fury evident on his face. Three crystals appeared in his hands as he lobbed them, one after another, at the intruders.
The Shadow was unfazed by it, still moving on Sarah, who raced to Jareth's side. One of his crystals had caught the countess in the chest, freezing her in place as she turned to solid ice. He turned to face Sarah's attempted abductor.
"You had best leave," he snapped, his voice dangerously low. His pose reminded Sarah of a viper preparing to strike, quickly and without warning. "I hold no grudge against the Shadow-folk, and you don't seem to be the instigator of this attack. However, if you aren't out of my castle within the next, oh, let's say twenty seconds, I'll kill you myself."
The Shadow laughed. "Very funny, Majesty. You know your powers can't hurt me any more than mine can hurt you."
"No? Oh, yes, that's right. In that case, I'd have to kill you the old-fashioned way, wouldn't I?" Jareth sneered, pulling a thin rapier that pulsed with an inner light from the air while imbuing his tone with enough venom to be fatal of its own accord.
The Shadow shook his head, withdrawing. "This isn't the end, Goblin King. You can't guard her forever," it smirked as it vanished.
Jareth turned to study Sarah. She appeared shaken and slightly frightened, but uninjured. He would deal with the other intruder soon; she wasn't going anywhere regardless. As he reached for her, he realized his hands were shaking. A slight jolt from Sarah told him she'd seen it too.
"Are you all right?" she whispered. "You didn't get hurt, did you?"
"No, I'm fine," he replied roughly. "Sarah, I'm sorry. I should never have left you alone, not even for a short period of time."
"You were looking after your kingdom, just like you were meant to," she soothed gently, attempting to penetrate the wall he was erecting between them. "I don't blame you for this, Jareth. You came to help me when I called." She took his hand, rubbing it softly. "Are you sure you're all right?"
He pressed his face into her hair, composing himself before answering. "I was so worried when I heard you. I've never been attached to any particular person or thing before, but it terrified me when I thought I might lose you," he whispered, shuddering.
Sarah forced him to look her in the eye. "Jareth. I'm not going anywhere. I promised I'd stay, didn't I? I won't let a few kidnappers make me break my promise."
He laughed slightly. "You are an astounding creature, love. You were nearly taken away, yet I'm the one going to pieces." He pulled her close, just to convince himself that she was there and she was alright. "Isn't it supposed to be you upset?"
"Oh, probably," she agreed, "but I knew you'd save me. I love you, too, Jareth."
His gaze locked on her eyes, surprise apparent in his face. "Come again?" he demanded.
"I finally understood what you've been trying to tell me for the past ten years," she explained. "Not to mention you've been calling me 'love' on and off all day, like you forgot that I didn't know. I love you too."
"Don't patronize me," Jareth snapped as he pulled his hand from her grasp. "Now isn't the time."
"You're shaking," she murmured. "You need to sit down," she added while forcing him to take a chair.
"So are you, love," he replied. "You're trying to distract me, aren't you?"
Sarah paused. "You're a lot more like the terrifying Goblin King I remember at the moment, Jareth. You've been showing me a different side to you, but now all that's really showing is your desire for revenge."
"Precious… those creatures were either trying to kidnap or kill you," he snapped. "For that alone, they can be tried for a variety of crimes and executed. Would you rather I forget this happened?"
"They probably won't try anything else tonight," she soothed. "You can relax, at least for a few seconds."
He looked up at her with abject terror in his eyes. "How can I relax, knowing someone is trying to take you away from me? Especially now, since you've said what I wanted to hear for so long," he whispered raggedly. "I won't relax until whoever is behind this is dead."
Sarah shrank back slightly. "Don't kill anyone on my account," she cried. "I'm not worth it, and I'm certainly not worth having something happen to you!"
He looked taken aback by her outburst. "Love, you're worth everything. My entire kingdom is worth nothing compared to you. You don't need to worry about me. As a Fae, I'm very hard to kill. I love you so much. I won't lose you, not ever…"
She reached out for him, and he took her hand. "I love you too," she repeated. "You may think I'm more important, but I feel the same way about you. I thought that… Shadow, I think you called it... was going to kill you. I wouldn't be able to bear it."
Sarah collapsed against his shoulder as she took a seat on his lap, sobbing. Jareth rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. "You certainly are unusual, dearest. You were the one they were after, yet you only grow upset when you think about what could have happened to me."
As she continued to cry, Jareth pulled out a crystal and passed it over her head, effortlessly putting her to sleep. He quickly carried her over to the bed. Our bed, his thoughts edited rebelliously. If she loves me, there's no reason we won't share it for a long time.
"I'll be back soon, love. I just need to deal with the ice queen before she starts to defrost," he said. "I promise I'll be here when you wake up."
After waking Sir Didymus to watch the sleeping woman, he flicked a glance at the icicle then dragged it into another room in his suites. The captive had better help him, or the gods had best have pity on her soul.
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"Silly mistakes, always silly mistakes… who knew they had a soul-bond, and that she could talk into his mind? That awful little mortal is ruining everything. If she hadn't done that, we could have pulled it off easily enough," the hooded figure snapped, sweeping back and forth across a subterranean chamber. "The crystals she held would have been useless against the Shadow, and she has only the barest notions of how to control them."
An idea struck. "We could arrange for Jareth to be her abductor! The mortal is new to magic, so she would be unable to detect an impostor. If they can be separated briefly, it will be plenty of time to steal the woman. King Jareth might be too brave to give up his kingdom to save himself, but he'll have no such qualms about her!"
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Sarah struggled back to consciousness, fighting the distinct pulling in her brain that led to sleep. "Jareth?" she whispered. "Are you here?" She noticed he hadn't joined her yet.
A deep sigh came from the other side of the room. "I'm here, Sarah. Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.
The brunette took a catalogue of how she was feeling. "I… I think so. Are you? Did you find out what was going on?" she questioned as she pushed the dark curtain of hair from her face.
Jareth shook his head, anger reappearing on his chiseled features. "Apparently, our captive decided death was better than answering my questions. She killed herself."
She blanched. "Oh, no… That's terrible. What do we do now?"
"Until I know more, I'm afraid there's little I can do, love. All I've found out so far is that our mysterious enemy has made some sort of alliance with at least part of the Unseelie Court. It goes against every rule in our society, though," he said, pacing the room again.
Sarah slid out of bed, hurrying to his side. As soon as she reached him, Jareth pulled her in, hugging her tightly.
"I'm afraid we're going to have to be more cautious than before, my dear. I can't seem to allow you to leave my sight. I'm terrified that if I do, you won't be there when I look for you again. I hate to do this, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut you off from anyone else. They didn't hesitate to incapacitate Sir Didymus."
"From anyone? Is that really necessary?" She bit her lip. "Are they in danger from being around me?"
"Like I said, I don't know. They don't seem to hesitate to involve others. I think my presence is the only real deterrent," he murmured, kissing her hair again. "It'll be easier now that you can move about, love. You can stay with me wherever I need to be. The only other alternative would be if I found a secure location, but the best one I have would be far too dangerous for you."
"Why?" Sarah asked. "I don't want to force you to abandon your work."
"My dear, the Escher room is very difficult for anyone. You, as a mortal, are especially vulnerable to its disorienting effects. You're brave, but it could break your mind," he explained. "I could never risk that, or put you through such pain. The Labyrinth is another option, but that in itself is dangerous."
"Jareth?"
"Hm?" he responded, looking down at her face.
Sarah's next move surprised him. She tilted her head up and kissed him. He immediately pulled her closer, returning the kiss. As she started to falter, he took over and kissed her more passionately.
The two finally broke apart, gasping for breath. "I couldn't risk anything happening without doing that first," Sarah told him shyly.
"Don't sound so apologetic, love," he admonished. "I'd just been thinking about doing the same thing."
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A productive bustle filled the headquarters of the foe Jareth sought, making plans to ensure his downfall. A newly appointed captain supervised.
Rather than the countess that had fallen to the Fae monarch, the replacement was a man. Although he bore a striking resemblance to the Goblin King, he was dark where the other was light, a perfect contrast of Seelie and Unseelie.
"Make sure the glamour is complete. Use every bit of information we have on King Jareth. The mortal knows him well, so it must be perfect!"
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Jareth paced as Sarah watched him resolutely.
"I want to go home, even if it's just for a visit," she said. "I know I'm still in danger, but it wouldn't be for long!"
"Do you know what you're asking me?" he demanded. "You've been attacked twice now, once in this very room! How can I keep you safe if you try to thrust yourself into a dangerous position?"
"Jareth," she snapped. "Listen to me. I need to see my family, Toby. What if someone goes after them?"
"Sarah, I really can't. Even if you weren't still in trouble, I couldn't let you go," he replied. "We can arrange for you to talk to your brother through the mirror," he offered tentatively, but was cut off when she glared at him.
"Explain," she ordered coldly. "What do you mean you couldn't even if I was safe?"
Oh no, I did it again. I'm really getting good at saying things I shouldn't. "Nothing, precious," he sighed. "The point is that it's not safe."
"Don't lie to me, Jareth. There's something that you're not telling me, isn't there?"
"I… um…" he began, trying to think of a way to avoid explaining. "It's nothing important."
Sarah screamed softly, pulling at her hair. "I said don't lie! Tell me what's going on!"
"Fine!" he yelled back, starting to lose his temper. "You can't go back to the mortal realms at all!" Whoops, he realized. Open mouth, insert foot, I think the humans say.
Her soft jade green eyes narrowed dangerously. "Explain," she repeated. "Why would I be unable to go home?"
Jareth sighed. She's going to kill me. "You can't go back because you were wished here, love."
When he stopped, she glared at him angrily. "Don't try to hold back on me, Jareth. I said explain!"
He groaned, lightly hitting his head on the bed post a few more times. He was doing that more and more frequently with her around. "It wouldn't have come to that if you hadn't said that damn line from the book," he muttered. "Because I 'had no power over you,' I couldn't just bring you here to watch over you. Since I can't linger in your world that long, I had to have you here to take care of you."
"Who wished me away? Was it Irene? I always knew she hated me," Sarah said, cursing under her breath.
Jareth shook his head. "I talked to Toby after Hoggle came to get me and explained. He remembered me and the Labyrinth, and when I told him what I needed, he did it. Technically, since you've been here for more than thirteen hours and no one's run the Labyrinth, you're stuck here."
"How could Toby remember the Labyrinth?" she shrieked. "He's only eleven; he shouldn't be able to remember something from when he was that young. He wouldn't wish me away!"
It was Jareth's turn to glare. "In all fairness, neither of you should have remembered any of this! No one's ever remembered wishing a sibling away or trying to get to my castle. If you hadn't succeeded, it is highly probable that neither of you would remember now!"
"Oh, yes, that'd be wonderful!" Sarah threw her hands up. "I wouldn't remember and my baby brother would be a goblin! Jareth, I WANT TO GO HOME!"
Jareth slipped next to the irate woman, wrapping his arms around her waist. She tried to pull away from him for a few moments, but relented when she realized he wasn't moving. "Sarah, I was not going to keep your brother. You won once you reached my castle, you know. The events in the Escher room were a bit more selfish on my part."
You have thirteen hours in which to solve the Labyrinth until your baby brother becomes one of us forever. Such a pity…
"If I'd won just by reaching the castle, why didn't you give me Toby and let me leave?" she demanded, trying almost succeeding in slipping free.
The Fae easily pulled her back, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I wanted to be able to make my offer, love. I'm also rather fond of Toby. I had rather hoped I'd be able to keep both of you. And no, I wasn't planning on turning him into a goblin. He was to become a Fae, just like me."
He began to kiss the side of her neck as she struggled to remain focused. "You're trying to distract me, but it won't work," she warned him. "You still haven't finished explaining why I can't leave."
"Mmm-hmm," he murmured against her neck. "You're mine now, Sarah. What is mine stays mine. Unless you'd rather I have young Toby run the Labyrinth?"
Sarah blanched. "You wouldn't."
"You're probably right," he agreed easily, "but that doesn't mean I don't plan on keeping you. You'll be Fae soon enough regardless, and Fae can't live in your world."
She wrenched herself around, staring at him. "What do you mean I'll be a Fae?"
Jareth rolled his eyes. "There's a reason most of the children brought here change into goblins, precious thing. They need a form more suited to magic to survive long in this world. However, you spend more time in the presence of a Fae than with the goblins, so that's what you're becoming."
"But… if I turn into a Fae, I'd never be able to see my family, my friends, or my world," she whispered. She abruptly slapped his chest. "This is your fault! You set me up!"
Jareth quickly backed away, wondering why her first reaction always seemed to involve blaming him. "I did not set anyone up! By all accounts you should have changed months ago, but that strange spell you were under was keeping you mortal, and therefore vulnerable!"
His heart broke a little when Sarah threw herself onto his- their- bed, weeping.
"I told myself I'd send you home once you were okay, love, but somehow it didn't work out like that," he explained, sitting next to her and rubbing her back. "I didn't mean what I said about not sending you back because Toby wished you away. I just panicked at the thought of you leaving. You becoming a Fae will be a help to you, since you'd have magic of your own and would be harder to threaten."
She looked up at him for a moment then threw herself into his arms, still crying. "I'msorryJarethIdidn'tmeantoblameyouI'mjustsoscaredandIdon'tunderstandanythingthat'sgoingonandcanyoupossiblyforgiveme?"
Jareth chuckled lightly. "Do you mind repeating that? I don't think I caught most of it."
Sarah took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Jareth. I didn't mean to blame you; I'm just so scared and I don't understand anything that's going on. Can you possibly forgive me?"
He kissed her lightly on the forehead. "There's nothing to forgive, my Sarah. I can only imagine that panic is normal in such situations." He tilted her chin up so he could look in her eyes, blue meeting jade. "I love you, Sarah. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."
She smiled a little. "I love you too. I'm just so glad you're here. I don't know what I'd be doing without you."
Jareth's face darkened slightly. "If I wasn't involved in your life, none of this would have happened. You'd be safe in the mortal realm instead of having your life constantly threatened."
"Now who's blaming themselves?" Sarah asked drily as she brushed the last of her tears from her face. "Jareth, look at me. We were set on this course as soon as I became so obsessed with that book, so there's no point in mourning the past. We'll just have to deal with what comes next."
He studied her intently. "You honestly don't blame me for dragging you into this mess?"
"Well, I can definitely tell you I'm not thrilled with people trying to kill me or whatever their goal is, but think of it this way: if this hadn't happened, would we be here, together?"
Jareth paused, thinking. "You're probably right," he admitted again. "I'm just so worried that if someone comes after you again, I'll be too late and you'll be hurt."
"I'm sure you'll always be in time to save me. After all, how could you ignore a classic 'damsel-in-distress' scenario?" Sarah asked laughingly.
"Been there, done that, and I'm generally the one distressing them," he growled into her ear. "Now we come to the more amusing portion of the program," he added with a smirk.
"Oh? What would that be?" she asked imperially.
The grin on Jareth's face grew more pronounced. "This," he informed her as he flipped them over. Now he was lying on top of her, and there was a very distinctly predatorial look crossing his face.
"Jareth! What are you doing?" Sarah squeaked, right before he bent down and kissed her. Suddenly, all rational thought simply flew out of her head…
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AN: Yay! Jareth and Sarah are together! But what can happen next? Okay, please, please review and let me know what you think? I like reviews. A lot. Please?
