Disclaimer: Don't own them, please don't sue me.

A/N: Hi all. This chapter is going to be a little shorter today, but I wanted to get it out to you. Please let me know what you think. Also, I have been getting a lot of requests to continue writing stories that I had begun long ago, like "A Price to Pay" and "A Love Unknown." I wanted to let everyone know that I plan on updating them, but right now, I have no clue what I want to do with them. I need some time to sit and think about it. If anyone has any suggestions about what they might want to see in those stories, please let me know. Anyway, enough of my rambling, here we go!!!

Sarah sighed as she sank deeper into the bathtub. The water had been sitting in the tub when she first saw it, and she expected it to be cold. But once she carefully dipped a finger in to test the temperature of the water, she was surprised to find that it was hot and inviting. So being very careful not to stumble or fall, Sarah carefully slipped out of the robe Jareth had given her and slipped into the tub.

As she soaked in the bathtub, Sarah's thoughts went to Jareth. She thought about all he had put himself through in order to save her last night, even after he put his pride on the line and she had turned him down.

"But that is because it is a written law in the Underground to help someone in that situation," she thought to herself. She didn't believe for a moment that, had that law not been written, Jareth would've helped her. Not with the past they have had, first with beating him and his Labyrinth years ago, and then the previous night when he turned to her for help and she refused to help him.

"Would it really be that bad?" As soon the thought crept into her mind, Sarah was shocked that she would even think about it. But she realized that she really had nothing planned for herself Aboveground, and it would be returning Jareth's favor for saving her life.

Sarah put her thoughts on hold and went on washing her hair and body before stepping out of the tub. Her first attempt to stand up failed when her legs gave out on her again, just like at breakfast. She was able to catch herself before she hurt herself seriously, but not enough to slam her side against the side of the bathtub. Sarah cursed as the pain ripped through her side.

"Well, it's probably better than what I probably was feeling last night," she said out loud, as she waited for the waves of pain and nausea to pass. When they did, she tried to get up again, being very careful and going very slowly. When she was outside the bathtub, she smiled at her success. Grabbing a large towel, Sarah dried off and grabbed the robe, wrapping it around herself and tying the sash at the waist.

Walking toward the vanity in the room, Sarah sat down and grabbed the brush that sat on the table. As she began to brush her hair, Sarah was shocked to see that one swipe of the brush dried the section of hair that it went through, leaving it dry and very shiny. Sarah went through and brushed the rest of her hair until it was all dry.

After setting the brush back down on the table, Sarah stood up and walked over to where the chest sat and opened it up. What she saw in there took her breath away.

The chest held many dresses, made of very fine fabrics like silk and satin, in many deep and gorgeous colors, and that all looked like they were Sarah's size. Sarah also saw that there were many pairs of shoes to match each dress, and also undergarments. Sarah chose a blue silk dress and decided to try it on. She was surprised to find that it fit like a glove.

Sarah gave herself a look over in the full-length mirror that stood next to the chest, and satisfied with her appearance, Sarah decided to leave the room and explore the castle a little. Before exiting the room completely, she rushed back in and grabbed the ring off of the table.

As she walked down the hall, Sarah looked at the exquisite pieces of art that adorned the walls. There were large landscape pictures and portraits of people whom Sarah assumed were past royalty of the Goblin Kingdom. Sarah stopped at the large portrait of Jareth, posing regally in an outfit that looked similar to the outfit he wore in the ballroom when she was last here.

The expression that he wore on his face was stoic and uncaring. Sarah wondered if Jareth ever wore any other expression besides that one, and wondered if she would be able to handle being around him all the time if she agreed to go along with his plan.

As Sarah studied the portrait, she heard faint voices coming from down the hall. She was able to recognize Jareth's voice. Being very quiet, Sarah made her way down the hall. Sarah peeked through the curtains to discover that the throne room where Jareth had kept Toby many years ago, except now it was cleaner than the last time,

"Sire, King Arcinot and Princess Antonia have arrived," a guard told Jareth, who sat lazily in his throne with his head resting in his hand and one leg draped lazily over an arm of the throne.

"Fine, please show them in," Jareth said, dismissing the guard. The guard bowed and exited the room. Jareth stood and before Sarah's eyes, transformed his clothing into something that was a little more formal, wearing a white poet's shirt, black leather vest, black tights, and knee high black leather boots, and the burgundy leather jacket the he wore when he visited her in the oubliette. To complete the outfit, on his hands he wore a pair of black leather gloves, and in one hand he held a riding crop.

"Sire, may I present King Arcinot and Princess Antonia," the guard said as he walked into the room, followed by two people dressed formally like Jareth. The man was heavier set, and had a long white beard, and he reminded Sarah of a regal Santa Claus. The woman who stood next to him was very tiny and petite, her long blond hair flowing in beautiful curls down her back, and big brown eyes that matched her father's.

"Thank you, Abbin, that will be all," Jareth said as he stepped down on his throne and walked toward where the pair stood. The guard took his leave and scurried out of the room. Jareth nodded toward King Arcinot and he returned the gesture in the same manner. Jareth then took the hand that Antonia had already extended toward him, and placed a light kiss on the back of it.

"How are things at Lorinon?" Jareth asked King Arcinot.

"They are very well, thank you for asking," King Arcinot answered.

Antonia, who already looked impatient, asked, "Can we please skip the small talk and get on with it? The sooner I am engaged, the sooner I can get married."

Jareth's gave a small look of disgust, and dropped her hand like it was a hot potato. "If you don't mind Antonia, I would like to have a little friendly chat for a while before we conduct business. Would either of you care for something to drink?"

King Arcinot replied, "No thank you, Jareth, and I agree with Antonia. Though it would be nice to talk for a while, I am afraid that there are more pressing matters that I have to deal with as soon as possible. The sooner we make this engagement official, the better."

Jareth turned away from Arcinot and Antonia, and Sarah could physically see the color drain out of his face, and she swore she could feel his nerves radiating toward where she stood. Jareth closed his eyes, and took a few deep breaths, then opened his eyes, and turned back toward the two of them, not saying a word.

After a few moments of silence, Antonia became impatient again, and said, "Well, what is the matter? What are you waiting for?"

"Arcinot, Antonia…" Jareth began. "I am afraid I cannot do this."

"What? Jareth, what are you talking about?" Arcinot asked.

Antonia shrieked, "Why not? I demand that you answer me right now!!!"

Sarah balled her hand into a fist and realized that she was holding something. Looking down, she realized that she was clenching the ring box that Jareth had left for her. Looking back up at the terrified look on Jareth's face, Sarah decided that she would help him, but only for a while.

Opening the box, Sarah pulled out the ring and placed it on her left ring finger. Tucking the ring box into a pocket of the dress, Sarah prepared to make her entrance.

"Why won't you answer me!!" Antonia shrieked.

Arcinot, who was much quieter than his daughter asked, "Jareth, what is the meaning behind this?"

"The reason why I cannot do this is because…" Jareth began, trying to think of a lie to tell the two of them.

"Okay Sarah," she said quietly to herself. "Think royal, think regal, think Lady Macbeth."

The three people in the throne room were so involved in their conversation that they didn't notice the entrance of a fourth person. Sarah stepped out from behind the curtain, trying to mimic the arrogant manner that she had seen Jareth perform.

"Jareth," The trio heard someone call Jareth's name from behind him, and all three turned to see Sarah standing before them. Jareth's eyes went wide at the sight of her.

"Who are you?" Antonia asked, annoying with the woman's interruption on their business.

Sarah chose to ignore Antonia's question, and began to walk toward Jareth as she continued to speak to him, "If I knew that we were to have company, I would've had something prepared for our guests."

As she approached the three of them, she held her arms open to Jareth, who unconsciously was drawn to them. Without thinking, Sarah brought her lips to Jareth's and kissed him passionately.

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