Just love me

"Life's so unfair," Sarah muttered, pouting after her family.

"You say that so often," a sly voice said next to her. "I wonder what your basis for comparison is." Gasping, she turned and looked into Jareth's eyes.

Sarah stared into Jareth's eyes for half a minute before turning away with a blush.

"After all, considering how many times you've complained of life not being fair, well, one does wonder," Jareth continued, trying to break the tension. Sarah snuck a nervous glance at her family. Karen and her dad were looking at a couple of larger crystals while Toby was staring at her and Jareth. "Can I talk to you in private?" Jareth asked, recapturing her attention and gesturing toward a door. The sign on the door said private workroom but Sarah was certain that wasn't all that was back there anymore. Maybe it had been that before the Goblin King had moved in but she was almost positive that he had attached the door to his castle somehow. After glancing at her parents again to make sure they weren't looking for her, Sarah reluctantly allowed herself to be led through the door.

On the other side of the door, Sarah saw a normal workroom. A few tools lay scattered around and an incomplete crystal lay on a long table. Blinking a few times and shaking her head to clear her eyes, Sarah looked beyond Jareth's illusion to the large space they stood in. Many tables crowded the long room, the goblin inhabitants turning to stare at the intruder in their midst. Recognizing their king and Sarah, most of them fled quickly through another door in the oposite wall leaving their projects behind. A few, the ones that looked closest to humans, slipped out the door behind Sarah, going to tend the store.

"We could have gone elsewhere," Sarah grumbled, staring around the deserted room. Jareth remained quiet behind her. She turned and saw him smirking slightly.

"They went to tell everyone that you were here. You're somewhat of a celebrity in the Labyrinth. No one else has ever beat me," he informed her, enjoying watching her blush.

"Is that why?" she asked softly, clasping her hands behind her back and staring down at her feet, trying to control her blush.

"No," Jareth replied, shaking his head and grinning at her shyness. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and then stared at him in shock. "What?" he asked with a frown, looking behind him to see if there was anything wrong. Seeing nothing he turned and looked at her curiously.

"I've never seen you smile," Sarah replied blushing even worse. "What do you want?" she asked quickly, trying to hurry and get out of there.

"Oh, Sarah, you know what I want. I've told you before. I'm sure you're old enough to understand now," Jareth replied, his eyes lighting up as he looked her over.

"Merely fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave," Sarah quoted in exasperation, her disgust evident from her face and the tone of voice she used. He was suddenly right in front of her, his arms settling around her waist, and she blinked, startled.

"I think I'd like to change that request," he murmured softly, his face right in hers, their lips almost touching. Sarah trembled slightly, unable to move away. His eyes seemed to see straight into her soul. Almost against her will, her eyes closed and her lips lifted closer to his. "Just love me and I'll be happy," he whispered. He was about to kiss her when a slight cough from the door leading to the store made them both jump and stare at Sarah's father in surprise. Sarah jumped away from Jareth and blushed while Jareth mentally sighed behind his usual emotional mask. He'd been that close.