Disclaimer: I own nothing of this. (But I wish I would)

Chapter 9
It's Only Mistletoe, You Know

She had a problem. No, it was an underestimation, Sarah decided, still trying to invent something clever to reply. Firstly, she had a one annoying Goblin King in her apartment. That should already been enough, but now he had the guts to announce he wouldn't leave. I should have seen this beforehand! Sarah wailed. Trust Goblin King to bend the rules as it pleases him.

Jareth wouldn't leave until he had what he wanted, and apparently he either wouldn't offer her any help.

"Fine! Make yourself at home." Sarah turned on her heels, somehow managing herself out of kitchen. She desperately needed to gather her thoughts.

"I find it impossible to resist your request." Jareth was already sitting on her living room's couch. "Care to join me?" He patted the cushion next to him.

"Don't you have better things to do than pestering me?" Sarah stopped, sighing in defeat. She might as well try to cope with him - it wouldn't help her if she did keep on loosing her temper all the time.

"My, aren't we ungrateful…" Obviously Jareth was having fun. "I did what you asked. I came." He leaned back, glanced the ceiling and then at Sarah. She was perplexed to find his expression suddenly turning sour. "You should be happy I obligated, considering the chaos you caused in my kingdom. You have no idea how long time it took to rebuilt everything you destroyed."

"What did you expect?" Sarah snorted. "Did you really expect me to abandon my brother just because I accidentally said that stupid wish?" She shook her head. "Of course I couldn't leave him," Sarah inhaled and loathingly stared him. "The fact is I won you, and that's the only thing vexing you. You're quite a sore loser, you know?"

"You should watch your words Sarah!" He was suddenly next to her, his smell, his feel and figure invading everything in her and Sarah backed further. "You were the one allowing me a return on your life and that gives me certain…benefits." He smiled and Sarah rephrased her previous thoughts. He was as intimidating as before.

She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. It wouldn't do well, were she to loose her temper. Since, she had a good reason to ask his help. Her family was on the other side of the world, her friends with their families; and she was tangled with a web of scary, ambiguous events. He was her only asset.

"I asked you here, true," Sarah finally answered, "but as my guest." She stepped backwards. "I expect my guests to show some respect."

"The same goes both ways," Jareth snapped, following her step-by-step, one-by-one, all the way back to the kitchen.

"If you would just give me the change," Sarah tiredly replied. "I'm not being intentionally difficult."

"You can not help it, Sarah," Jareth snorted. "It's in your nature."

"Oh?" She arched her eyebrows, tired of the quarrelling. Why was he dense? She just wanted his help! "Might I point I'm not 15 year old brat anymore. I've grown up."

"Oh? You say so…?" His mocked. "Maybe you can prove me it…" Jareth darted his eyes away clearly amused, and she was certain he was planning something she wouldn't enjoy. He flashed her an annoying smile, like knowing her dubious thoughts, and she barely retained herself hitting him right there.

"What are you implying to?" She wasn't certain was it wise to ask. But on the other hand, wisdom had never been her virtue. She was definitely too temperamental and curious.

She tensed as he leaned closer. "I suggest you look up," Jareth's voice was barely a whisper, and a sudden lump appeared in her throat. She lift her face, very slowly and very carefully, and gasped in terror.

Sarah wanted to curse. Loudly.

She saw mistletoe.

And she was standing right underneath it.

Sarah lowered her gaze and met the eyes of Goblin King; he was subtly smiling at her.

That bastard. She really wanted to hit him.

This was going to be absolutely worse Christmas ever; and it was getting worse all the time, she realized as she tried to step away.

Since, she couldn't move.

He must have bespelled her mistletoe, and now she was stuck on her place. Of course, in truth Sarah wasn't too surprised. This was exactly something Jareth would do.

"How inconvenient, isn't it Sarah…?" Jareth teased her as they both glanced up again, Sarah as terrified by the situation as he was delighted. "Such a small plant…" She could feel his warm breath against her skin as he softly murmured near her ear. "But still so devious. Who would have thought?"

"The only thing devious here is you!" Sarah snapped then, her eyes gleaming with rage. "Release me in this instant! Do you hear me?!" She nearly sounded hysterical.

She was never hysterical.

And he laughed. By gods, he had the nerve to laugh at her.

"If you insist, dear Sarah…" Jareth teased. "But are you certain you know what you are asking for?"

"What do you mean?" Sarah swallowed. She was pretty sure she knew what he was talking about. Positive. No doubt about that. But there was a small hope he only was just teasing her, and maybe not…

"Surely you of all people would know what the significance of the mistletoe is." Jareth locked his eyes with her and her heart sunk. She didn't like this at all.

"Tsk tsk." He was enjoying this; her silence and wane struggle. "Sarah, of all people, you should know what I'm talking about…"

Oh yes, she knew. After all, she dated an Englishman for Christ sake!

"I'm afraid I do not." She finally hissed through her teeth and bravely met his odd mismatched eyes. "But I'm sure you are just waiting to enlighten me..."

"Still defiant, even after these years," Jareth mused aloud, his lips barely twisting into something that could be described as a smile. "Sarah, you never cease to amuse me…"

"Oh, do I?" She spat. "How nice to hear you consider me as some of your private amusement. However I don't find this very amusing." She took a deep breath. "So, if you would just kindly release me now."

"Certainly Sarah", He was laughing now, and there was very disturbing twinkle in his eyes. "Just ask me to kiss you."

"Never!" The words were out before she had time to think any other coherent answer.

He smiled crookedly and shrugged nonchalant. "So then I would say it's your call…" He turned his back and left Sarah stand still. She couldn't believe her eyes as she followed his figure walking away from her.

"What?!" Sarah couldn't maintain herself. "You…" She hissed furious, lost at words, clutching her hands so hard her nails dug her skin. "You just can't leave me here!"

"But I am." Jareth stated casually, turning around to look Sarah, who took a deep soothing breath. Calm girl…The sensible part of herself reminded her as she started to realize the pain in her palms. She released her grip and tried to vanquish her desire to slap his face. Or throw different objects on him. Or just plainly scream. None of them would do any good.

Not to mention, she really couldn't move away from her place.

"I asked you here to help me!" Sarah claimed in frustration. "You're supposed to obligate my wish, not bind me here like some puppet"

"No Sarah", Jareth stated coldly with an unfriendly look in his eyes. He was back in his role of a cruel Goblin King. "You asked me here to meet you. And I say this meeting is at an end."

"Don't you dare to leave me like this!" Sarah stormed. "I'm stuck and only because you made some stupid spell to my mistletoe. This is my home and I didn't give you any right to mess things around!"

Jareth gave her a small smile. "All you need to do is to ask…" He bowed formally, his image turning translucent, "and I shall release you." His last words could have been only her imagination. "After all…it's only mistletoe, you know."

And then he was gone, leaving Sarah once again alone in her kitchen.