Alice sits motionless on the bed for several minutes, staring blankly at the door that Jareth had just exited through. She eventually pulls her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms tightly around her legs, and sits for a few more minutes, taking it all in. Her mind races with pointless possibilities. At one point she even thinks she might have died and this was all that was left of her consciousness. She shakes her head hard, trying to shake all the negative thoughts out. In all it takes her about twenty minutes before she can slide off the bed and rummage through her suit case for clean clothes. Frustrated with the lack of choices she has given herself she pulls out a plain tank top and some jeans, along with the other necessities of female clothing. She balls it all up and shoves it under her arm before making her way in to the bathroom.
The ornate décor and vast selection of washes and shampoos doesn't even pull her attention. She has too much on her mind, and simply drops her clothing on the floor next to a lavish looking marble sink. Almost too roughly she turns on the tap in the shower, taking a moment to familiarize herself with the workings of it, and turns it up as high as it can go. She then crosses her arms over her torso and pulls her sweatshirt up by the hem, tossing it aside. She steps out of her sweatpants and peels off everything else, throwing it aside as well. As she makes her way to the shower she catches sight of her naked body in the mirror, and grimaces in disgust. She is far too thin, and covered in dark bruises. She turns her back on the mirror, peeking over her shoulder to look at the scars left by Bryans belt from a few months ago. Once the tears start to surface she turns away and steps in to the shower, immediately picking up a washcloth and scrubbing as hard as she can as if the bruises would come over.
Another twenty minutes goes by before she is satisfied. She turns off the tap and steps out of the shower, quickly grabbing a towel to cover herself, and then another to dry her hair. Once she is dry she rushes to put her clothing on, realizing she might be keeping Jareth waiting in the other room. She exits the bathroom, still patting her long hair dry, and scans the bedroom. Her eyes fall on the King leaning against the arch way to the balcony, arms crossed in front of him, lost in thought. She drapes the towel over the ottoman at the end of the bed before making her presence know to him with a simple and quiet "Um."
Jareth turns around slowly, his eyes shifting to the dressed and yet still slightly damp Alice. He gives her an awkward, crooked smile. "Feel any better?" he asks, his tone again oddly genuine. She nods slowly, still trying to feel him out for any sort of trickery or ulterior motives. "Is there anything else I can do for you Alice?" She stands silently for a moment, pondering his question.
"Yes," she begins cautiously. Jareth assumes an eager stance. "I would like to know why you saved me. I mean I know plenty of other people have come here from the Aboveground to save one child or another... why are you so concerned about... me?" She finishes her inquiry, and focuses on her feet right away. She doesn't see Jareth's lips thinning out or his brow furrowing. He doesn't answer right away, he just surveys her, wondering if he should give his full answer or the basic one for now. He decides to go with a little bit of both.
"This is true. I have brought many people here to play my little game. But you were the last, and the second person to ever solve the Labyrinth. The first girl to do it, Sarah, became very special to me after her trial here. That makes you, in a way, special as well." His explanation does not tell Sarahs story in its entirety, nor does it explain the true nature of his relationship with her when she also returned as an adult. Alice listens intently to his response, turning it all over in her mind. After a moment or two she nods slowly, obvious acceptance on her face. She can hear the sincerity in his voice, and she could tell it was not fake sincerity. He truly means what he is telling her.
The two stand in silence for what seems like an eternity. Neither of them look at each other for a long time. However, when they do finally make eye contact, something changes between them. A strange understanding is met. And unspoken understanding. Alice is the one to finally break the silence. "How long can I stay? I mean, my life in the Aboveground isn't worth much. I wouldn't mind staying here for a while... maybe even permanently if you'll have me."
Jareth flashes the first full smile of their encounter. He moves a few paces closer to the girl in front of him. He assumes his usual kingly stance "You may stay here, in the castle, for as long as you wish. Forever, if you so choose. After all, it's only forever, not long at all."