Every good Labby fic needs a ballroom scene, right? Here's my attempt. I know things are moving slowly, but I promise, they're about to pick up in the next chapter. Thanks for your reviews!

"Oh, my," Rina gushed as Sarah spun around in place. "You look absolutely lovely." Rina clapped her hands together in pleasure.

Sarah's deep red gown dipped seductively across her cleavage as she breathed in, obviously pleased with her appearance. Her hair, assisted by some of Rina's magic, fell in thick, voluminous curls about her face and down her back. A sparkling tiara was perched on her head, secured by a crown of curls.

Her lips were stained a deep red to match the thin layers of silk in her skirts. The dress clung to her form, a modest corset creating an hourglass figure.

Glittering silver shoes decorated her feet, contrasting with the milky white of her leg. The dress was cut high up on her leg, revealing her shapely thigh.

"Jeez," Sarah said. "And you thought my jeans were immodest!"

"I admit, it is a little racy," Rina said. "But you look stunning!"

Just as Sarah spun again, glitter covering her skin, there was a knock at the door.

Rina raced to get it.

There stood Evitt, his mouth wide open as he took in the sight of Sarah.

"My Lady," he exhaled in a whisper. "You look magnificent!" He then blushed, obviously unused to handing out compliments. His eyes lingered on Sarah's cleavage briefly before he looked away, clearing his throat and offering his arm. "Shall we?"

Sarah smiled brightly, taking Evitt's arm.

"Oh, have fun, Sarah," Rina called after her. "And memorize every detail! I'm going to need a recap later!"

Evitt shot Rina a disapproving glare.

She just shrugged. Something about Sarah made her feel braver.

And she liked it.

When the ballroom doors opened, revealing a beaming Sarah on the arm of a very happy Evitt, the hundred or two men and women who were already present fell silent. The effect was an immediately embarrassed Sarah.

Evitt tugged her gently, urging her into the room by means of an extravagant marble staircase.

The ballroom, which had been so dusty and stagnant just a few days ago was decorated in white silks, fully bloomed flowers and sparkling chandeliers. The subjects of the Underground were equally stunning, dressed in vibrant colors and dripping with expensive jewelry.

The music had begun again and the guests had almost reached an unsuspicious level of chatter when she saw him.

He was staring at her from across the room.

He was dressed in a dark suit that was in a much different style than she was accustomed to, but he looked truly magical. His hair glistened like his skin. His eyes looked more dramatic than she could remember. Her whole body became aware of his presence.

Sarah smiled, nervously gripping Eviit's thin arm as they approached Jareth.

When she entered, all of the moisture in Jareth's mouth suddenly evaporated. She was more beautiful than he had ever seen her. She looked almost unreal, like something some genius had painted or sculpted.

She looked nervous, especially when the elite community stopped to stare and inspect the woman who could save them all.

As they walked towards him, Jareth forced his face into a stoic mask, but was unable to suppress a smile as Sarah arrived before him.

"Good evening," he drawled, raising her hand to kiss it. "You look wonderful," he added, thinking it was a gross understatement.

"So do you," she replied, just as the song the large orchestra had been playing halted. Jareth took her hand, pulling her gently to his side. They stood together on a sort of platform. Sarah guessed that this was Jareth's designated ballroom location.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "All visitors and new adult subjects to the Underground must be formally introduced to the court," he said, trying to ignore the delicious smelling perfume on Sarah's skin. "This is standard practice, it just usually doesn't happen at a ball," he added, moving away and holding up his right hand.

Instantly the ballroom fell silent again. Each of the attendees looked to their king, respectfully waiting for him to speak.

"Lords and ladies," he said, his voice crisp and authoritative. "Allow me to present Miss Sarah Williams, who will be my guest in the castle for an undisclosed amount of time."

He looked over to Sarah, who, catching the hint, curtseyed politely. "Sarah is visiting us from Aboveground, and I trust you will all do everything within your power to ensure she has a pleasant stay here."

Sarah looked over at Jareth, whose last statement sounded more like a threat than anything else.

She then looked out into the sea of people facing her, catching haughty glances and disapproving glares.

The Goblin King's subjects did not seem to approve of her presence.

She began to feel increasingly uncomfortable. Just as the feelings were threatening to overwhelm her, a loud crashing sound followed by the screams of several women drew everyone's attention to the far side of the ballroom.

A chandelier had fallen, hitting the marble floor but luckily nothing else.

Jareth waved a hand, restoring the structure to its proper place, hanging from the ceiling.

He then looked suspiciously at Sarah, knowing that it was her discomfort that had caused the accident.

"I suggest you all take my last statement into thorough consideration," he drawled. The audience looked from the chandelier to Sarah, catching Jareth's meaning.

The only one in the dark was Sarah, who was looking at Jareth with a confused glare.

Acting quickly, he began the music again with a wave of his hand. He then took Sarah's and bowed slightly. "Shall we?" He asked, gesturing to the large dance floor. When she hesitated he leaned in closer to her. "You'd do best to concede, young Sarah. You'll cause quite a stir if you don't."

Sure enough, dozens of waiting faces were watching Sarah and Jareth's exchange.

Well, thought Sarah, I won't make a scene. I'll just have to give the audience what they came to see.

Ever the actress, Sarah plastered a bright smile across her face and looked at Jareth, who was still waiting her acceptance.

"I would love to dance with you," she said loudly, reveling in the jealous stares she received from several young women they passed as they walked onto the dance floor.

Headless to the stares, Jareth led Sarah in a slow, calculated dance that Sarah was surprised to find she already knew. It seemed that everyone participating was moving in sync, following the floating melody as if it was a drug.

Her senses were on hyper-drive. She could feel Jareth's large hand at the small of her back, drawing her close to him. She felt the eyes of the curious people around her boring holes in her chest, her legs, and her face. All the while, she maintained the steps, keeping her gaze even with his.

"Why did you say that before," she asked suddenly, keeping her voice so that only he could hear her.

"Say what?" He asked just as quietly.

"About how everyone should make me feel welcome," she said. "And then you repeated it after the chandelier fell. Why?"

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable here, Sarah," he said, forcing his voice to sound light.

"No, it's more than that," she pressed.

"Sarah, must you know everything all at once?" Jareth asked, exasperated.

"Well, yeah, especially when it directly involves me," she said, laughing darkly.

Jareth spun her around again but did not answer.

"Jareth," she said as their bodies collided together elegantly. "Did I cause that chandelier to fall?"

Observant little thing, Jareth thought inwardly. He noticed that she addressed him by his first name for the first time.

The effect was unnerving.

Realizing she was looking up at him, expecting an answer he nodded curtly, causing Sarah to bite her lip.

"Because I was uncomfortable?" She asked. Jareth nodded again, astounded that she figured it out so quickly. "I see," she said, dropping her eyes to the ground. "Have there been other incidences like that?" She asked, remembering all of the angry feelings she held towards Jareth and the Labyrinth for so long.

"Yes, there have been many related incidences," he began. When she opened her mouth to speak he cut her off. "That is all I am going to reveal at this time."

Sarah's anger raged and, simultaneously, a roll of thunder could be heard outside. She looked thoughtful for a moment and then rose her eyes to meet his.

"You know," she said, her eyes knowing. "I'd be a little nicer to me if I were you."

"Really," Jareth drawled, caught between amused and aggravated. "And why, exactly, is that?"

Sarah shrugged. "I may not know exactly what this is all about, but I've just realized I may have more power over you than I originally thought."

Jareth's insides froze as she spoke, her mouth curling into a devilish grin. If she realized just how much power she had, she would never relent. She was so close to figuring it all out, and it was much too soon. He still needed to gain her trust, her love.

After a moment of his concentration, the music changed, distracting Sarah's attention from her realization. She lifted her chin, as if trying to hear the melody better.

"I know this song," she said, looking at Jareth suspiciously. "I've heard it before, but I can't quite remember where."

Jareth smiled. "Do you?" He asked innocently.

Sarah remembered suddenly where the music was from; she had heard it a million times in dreams that caused a blush to instantly color her pale cheeks.

"Do you know this song?" She asked him, her eyes narrowed.

Jareth nodded. "It's an old favorite," he said, and began singing.

Open and closed within your eyes

I'll place the sky, within your eyes.