A/N: Holy Moly…it's been awhile, huh? I cannot believe everything has fallen into place and I am once again able to continue this story. I hope some of my old readers return to me and that new ones find this story of mine enjoyable. Without further ado…

How you turn my world, you precious thing…

"Jareth", Sarah questioned what she just heard. Did he just say it was time for her to see her dear old friends? She sat up abruptly, her heart beating fast suddenly feeling energized.

"When," she blurted out excitedly. He pressed her back down onto his chest, his hand once again finding its way under her shirt to the small of her back.

"I will summon them tomorrow," he said in an almost off-handed manner like it was no big deal. He placed the earbuds back into their ears, content to go back to listening to the music playing on the iPod and not discuss the big news he just shared with a shocked Sarah. She couldn't help but smile, her thoughts traveling back in time, picturing their unique but sweet faces. Again, she sat up abruptly, pulling the earbuds out of their ears with her sudden movement.

"Jareth," she began again, "Do they look differently too? What do they really look like?" He rolled his eyes impatient with her questions.

"Yes, they will look differently too," he said trying to have patience with her inquisitiveness.

"How," Sarah asked eagerly hoping to finally hear more about them.

"They…just are. You'll see," he answered her dismissing any further conversation. Jareth could be so very frustrating when he wanted to be. She stood up and walked over to her tiny kitchen, putting her kettle over the small flame coming from the stove. Jareth sat up and watched her with his cat-like eyes. She wished she knew what he was thinking. She decided to ignore his stare and continued preparation of her tea. She took out a cup, saucer, and spoon, placing the tea bag in the cup. She then opened the cabinet to procure her honey, which she spied on the top shelf just out of her reach. Jareth had helped her clean off the table the other night and must have put it up there. She reached on her tippy-toes willing her fingers to somehow be able to reach.

In her effort to get the honey, she did not hear him come up behind her. He pressed against her to reach the jar of golden liquid. She caught her breath, feeling his warmth right up against the length of her back. He put the jar on the counter next to her teacup, resting his hands on either side of her. His hands raised to her arms, she felt a slight shiver as his hands caressed her from shoulder to wrist. Grabbing them gently, he turned her around slowly so that her eyes came to rest on his chest, where the scrollwork and inky pictures came together. For the life of her, she could not seem to catch her breath…it always seemed to be the way when she was in his company, from the time before and even now. She dared to peek up wanting to see his expression, a self-satisfied smirk on his other-worldly face. He knew he unsettled her and seemed to enjoy it, although, when he caught her eyes looking up into his own, his smile waned as he stared at her mouth. Surprisingly, he seemed to be having a hard time catching his breath too. For a moment both their hearts beat irratically. His head began to move closer to hers almost imperceptibly as a stillness gathered around them. Just then, the tea kettle began to whistle making them both jump.

He swore softly backing up allowing her to gain access to the stove. Sarah giggled nervously at the situation, reaching for the kettle. Her hands shook as she poured the steamy water over her vanilla chamomile tea sachet, not knowing what to do next. She knew that she should say something to break the undeniable tension but her mind was blank. Steadying herself, she turned around, teacup in hand. Jareth had moved away to the center of the room also seemingly at a loss. They kept their distance from one another for quite a while after the encounter. She settled herself at the kitchen table, slowly drinking her warm tea, distractedly flipping through a magazine. Her mind switched back and forth between what just almost happened AGAIN and the idea that she would be seeing her long lost friends once more. Jareth had picked up the book he had been reading on and off when he came to spend time with her in the evenings. It wasn't uncommon for them to settle down for a bit, quiet, doing their own thing but still being together. Tonight, was different for so many reasons. He settled into her big comfy chair by the front window hooking his one leg over the arm as he often did. He always seemed to take over any space he inhabited. Jareth also seemed distracted as he more often than not would look up from the book he was reading to peer at Sarah through his lowered lashes. Not that she would have noticed as she would not have even dared to look his way even if he suddenly magicked her friends into this very room. After what felt like hours of tension filled silence, she closed the cover of her magazine, getting up to rinse out her teacup, drying it and putting it away, all the while continuing to refuse to look his way. A yawn escaped her, tired from a full day and the rush of adrenaline she had gotten before from knowing she would see her dear friends soon.

"Sleepy," he asked her softly, dog-earring his book and placing it on the arm of the chair. He stood stretching, hands over his head, and still without a shirt. His black jeans rode low on his hips. Now would generally be the time he would gather his things and depart with the promise of being back soon. As much as this night had become uncomfortable, she still couldn't bear for him to leave. It became harder and harder for Sarah each time he left. Instead of gathering his things, he walked over to stand in front of her, both of them in a pool of light stretching from the kitchen. He took her hands in his, rubbing his thumbs across her knuckles.

"I would like to stay the night,' he declared. All Sarah could do was stare at him. Swallowing hard and racking her brain for a way to respond, willing any words to pass her lips so the awkward silence would just end.

"I'll get you a pillow and blanket," she said not really believing that was what eventually came out of her mouth, but she decided to go with it, extricating herself from his grip, and walking into her room. Her head spun with so many thoughts, but there didn't seem to be enough time in the world to sort them out. She grabbed a pillow off her bed and the throw blanket she kept at the end of her bed for chilly nights. She walked slowly back into the living room, gently placing the things on the couch. Now what? He continued to stand in the pool of light watching her but not saying anything. She found herself walking into her bathroom and pulling out her toothbrush from the cabinet over the sink and squirting toothpaste upon it distractedly. She began brushing her teeth automatically. She spied herself in the mirror – face paler than usual, eyes over bright, and two red splotches over her cheek bones. His face appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She froze with the toothbrush in her hand. Casually, like it was their nightly ritual, he took the toothbrush from her hand, and brushed his teeth with it. He leaned over, spat in the sink, replaced the toothbrush in her hand and walked away. She remained there, glued to the spot, mouth open. What the hell was happening?

Putting her toothbrush away, Sarah took a deep breath. She couldn't stand there all night. She turned off the bathroom light and walked into the great room. He had already settled himself onto the couch, wrapped in her blanket, his sneakers and jeans resting on the floor. His back was to her, his shoulders and back gently rising with his breath. She thought maybe she should say something now but all she could manage was a squeaky good night before fleeing into her room. She hesitated at the threshold…should she close her door? No, she thought to herself, that would be silly to do.

Crawling into her bed, she lay on her back staring at her ceiling. What was happening right now? She couldn't seem to make sense out of the last few hours. So many times, she thought he would…but then backed off, like something was holding him back. She knew that she had revealed how little she knew and experienced when it came to boys. Could that be it? In the before time, he pursued her, begging her to be his…and now? She felt so tired and drained but was certainly too keyed up to close her eyes. Several more minutes passed, the apartment settling into quietness. She couldn't take it one more second.

"Jareth," she called out surprising herself. She put her hand out like she could grab the words and stuff them back in her mouth. She heard the couch squeak as he adjusted himself.

"Yes, love," he responded in a soft voice.

"Why are you still here," she asked into the darkness once again surprising herself. A beat in time went by slowly and then his reply.

"I didn't want to leave you." Another beat in time.

"Jareth" she called out again.

"Yes, love, "he responded once more.

"You can come in here…if you want." Sarah sat up in bed just then expecting to see someone else in her room because there was no way she just said those words…but she did. Quiet descended upon the apartment once more unless you counted what must be her heartbeat making what she believed to be a racket with the way it pounded against her chest.

She heard the springs from the couch once more. She then heard him pad across her hardwood floors. Without looking up she could sense he was in her doorway hesitating. But then he walked over to her bed, placing the pillow he brought with him next to hers. He lifted the blanket away from her legs and crawled into bed next to her, laying on his back, and putting his hands behind his head. In that moment, her mind swirled with all that was happening. Jareth was in her bed and if she was not mistaken, by the quick peek she took, he didn't have a stitch of clothing on. Not knowing what else to do, she scooted down once more, laying her head on her pillow although this time she laid on her side facing Jareth and keeping her distance although she could still feel his warmth. Mimicking her, he also laid on his side facing her, seemingly respecting the distance she created. She couldn't help but stare into his eyes, the two distinct colors making him the most striking person she has ever seen. She couldn't help but once again think about the time before. For all the high drama and adventure that took place, what he had spoken to her, the promising and begging, and trickery and magic, beyond the dance they had shared no real intimacy, never truly being alone until he chased her through Escher's maze. They obviously had spent a great amount of time alone lately, but it couldn't compare to what it was now.

And then just like that he said, "I am going to kiss you, Sarah." He leaned up on his elbow leaning over her, his hair reaching down to touch her cheek, lips touching hers, warm and soft. She sighed just then, her mouth opening a bit. She heard and felt him growl against her lips, his tongue licking her bottom lip. She had no idea what she was doing except knowing that whatever this was, it certainly was magical, a tingly feeling spreading through her body making her heart beat fast once again. Her hand hesitantly touched the top of his chest, his neck, and then into his hair. He seemed to like that and made the kiss deeper, pressing his weight onto her just a bit more. When she didn't think she could hold her breath one more second, he broke away gently.

"You need to breathe," he said. She could feel him smile against her cheek.

"I'm trying," she said taking in a gulp of air.

"Your first kiss, "he whispered, leaning back. "How was it?"

Without even thinking, she replied, "It was lovely." She brought her fingers to her lips and then to his. He nipped at them lightly.

"You are lovely," he stated leaning down and kissing her once more very lightly on her lips, then her nose, and forehead. He scooped her up then, bringing her very close to him. He encircled her in his arms, she snuggled into him. With nothing else needing to be said, they both closed their eyes.

And that night, Sarah fell asleep in the arms of Jareth, the Goblin King.

A/N: Listen to Undertow by Warpaint.