Sarah came home and slammed the door, oblivious to what was currently going on in her aunt's room. Aila came out a few minutes later.

"You-Know-Who's coming for dinner, I'm off to get take-out. He wants to talk to you," she announced. Sarah's face must have been horror-struck, because the woman grinned.

"Aw, come on, he's not that bad. Give him a chance, eh?" She smiled gently, and left. Sarah flopped onto the low blue couch, groaning. Give him a chance? She couldn't think of anything she'd like to do less. Aila seemed to think that he was a good-guy, not a baddie. But her aunt had run the Labyrinth, hadn't she seen what he was like? Or had she just seen a different side of him? Maybe Sarah was mistaken. Maybe he had changed... or maybe he was tricking her aunt? Maybe Jareth was sweet on Aila, and wanted her to think that he was a goodie, so that she would let her guard down. But from what the girl knew of her aunt, Aila never let her guard down. She handled friends and foes with the same cool, trust-no-one-but-make-them-think-I-do attitude. Rhys, who knew the woman best, had told Sarah that Aila had been like that for as long as he'd known her. Jareth was in for a long wait if he wanted to catch her aunt with her guard down.

"Or maybe I'm a long way from the truth," the girl mumbled, getting up to fetch a drink. She had been wrong before, she could be wrong about Jareth. Sarah decided to give him a chance.

*~*~*~*

Three sat at the table in silence, devouring the fish and chips that Aila had bought. Jareth seemed lost in his own little world, and Sarah too. Aila was happy to let them be like that. It saved her the trouble of trying to strike up a conversation with the Goblin King or her niece. She had been thinking about what Jareth had said. He had been obsessed with Sarah, and couldn't stop staring at her the first night. But for the last few days he hadn't mentioned her, and tonight there was nothing between them. Had he fallen out of his obsession? And what about what he'd confided to her? That there were two people in his life now? Perhaps this new person meant more to him than her niece? Aila couldn't work it out. Leave it to him to settle this.

*~*~*~*

Sarah lay in her bed later that night, unable to sleep. Jareth had taken her aside after dinner, and explained everything. He had said something about having to play the part she had assigned him in her mind, by the Rules of Magic, and that he hadn't meant anything that he had said in the Labyrinth. He had apologized for taking Toby away, and asked for her forgiveness, which she had given him dumbly. Now, thinking it over, Sarah knew she understood everything much better. She had read between the lines of his little speech, and found out the truth. With a little help from Aila, who had dropped hints after the Goblin King had left, to help her confused niece understand things. She knew now that he had really been in love with her, but someone else had come along, and he didn't feel anything for the girl anymore. She shut her eyes. It did hurt a little, being out-loved for the first time, but knew that she would never have been happy with him even if he hadn't loved anyone else.

Sarah felt herself slipping into sleep, a slight smile on her lips. Everything had been sorted out. She had no more reason to fear or hate the Goblin King. Maybe they could be friends? Maybe. And pigs might fly.

*~*~*~*

Aila stared at the ceiling, fiddling with the necklace she always wore. It was amethyst, set in silver, to help ward off bad dreams. She was thinking about how Jareth had told Sarah that he didn't care for her anymore. He had confided in Aila afterwards, before he left, telling her that it had been difficult. But the relieved look on his face told the woman that he was glad to have done it. She felt a pang as she thought of the mystery woman he now loved, that he probably held in his arms right now. Could she be jealous of that mystery figure? No, of course not. But still. Aila closed her eyes, sighing softly. Yes, it might be true, she admitted to herself. She might have feelings for him, but what did that do for her? Nothing, that's what. He'd found his love, and she was alone as ever. At least Sarah would be easier to live with now, being minus any hate she'd felt for the Goblin King. Aila turned over, a silent tear slipping down her cheek. She knew she had feelings for him... ever since that incident all those years ago. If only... if only she could bring up the courage to tell Jareth what she hid beneath her indifferent outside attitude.

*~*~*~*

Jareth lay alone on the velvet-covered bed, staring aimlessly up at the canopy. He felt better at having let Sarah go, but worse at not having taken the chance to let Aila know... let her know that she was the other woman. He loved her so much, yet there she was in the Aboveground without him. Without any other lover, too, and that was all that gave him hope. Ever since that day, al those years ago, he had felt his feelings for her grow. No, ever since before that day. But how to tell her? He sighed, and closed his eyes. Maybe it was better for her to live her life without him. She lived a wonderful life now, having him there would only make worse. But still... he missed her every moment they were apart, he didn't know if he could live without her. But how could he tell her, if she wouldn't come to the castle? That was the one barrier between them. If he could just bring her here, maybe he could tell her. Maybe.

*~*~*~*

Well well well! Reviews, anyone?

Sweet Sunshine,

Seul Loup