Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth or the characters.

A great big thank you to notwritten who has been reviewing frequently and being very kind with what's being said.

"Stop crying, understand I love you too much to let you go. Now take my arm and please accompany me to breakfast."

Slowly and silently Sarah hooked her arm in his and began walking with him to breakfast.

Sarah hadn't said one word at breakfast and her eyes were downcast as she nibbled her food. Jareth watched her with a worried expression on his face, most of the time he masked his emotions well. She was the only person who could tear down his immaculate defences and leave him entirely defenceless.

"Sarah please talk to me. If you need time ill give it to you everything you ask will be done for you apart from returning aboveground."

All Sarah really wanted at this moment was for some time alone and for her life to automatically sort itself out.

"Have you decided what you're going to wear yet?"

She looked up at this, "I'd totally forgotten with everything else, sorry maybe I shouldn't go I'm not fae and i'm not running I no longer need a distraction."

"Yes but I do. You are my partner and so you will be going, as I don't want to have to dance with myself. That's my final word on the issue and because i'm king it adds extra emphasis. You've been out of sorts recently you no longer have the same Williams charm this will be good for you."

"Good for me? Do you think anyone knows what that is anymore?"

"Snap out of it!! Id much rather have you fighting with me. Now I will pick you up at 7.30p don't be late. Oh and ill call at lunchtime to make sure your ok and the preparations are going well. Ill send a maid to help you get ready I don't want you on your own."

Sarah just nodded and returned to her food. Jareth had to leave for some important issues this morning. Leaving Sarah to her own devises until she returned to her room. Jareth although he was busy kept a close eye on her watching every moment possible until her ladies maid arrived.

"Mi lady king jareth sent me to help you get ready. My name is Fiona I will be your ladies maid.

Sarah looked gobsmacked to say the least "you your human?"

"Yes?"

"I thought there was not other humans apart from me?"

"Mi lady I was wished away when I was younger by my mother. She didn't run for me."

"But you're not a goblin"

"No? Why would I be?"

"Because he turns unwanted kids into goblins."

Where did you get that from?"

"The book"

"Ah that book is sent to mislead so that unwanted children have an opportunity of a happy life."

"Oh"

"Now my lady less gossip. Have you chosen your dress yet?"

"No"

"Well we had better get started then."

Four hours later and Sarah had tried on so many dresses that she started to feel like a doll.

"There now I think we have a winner"

The dress was dark blue and was off the shoulder with thin streaks of silver glitter running round it.

"Oh my lady you'll make a perfect queen of the night you'll be the talk of the ball.

"Now I'll just go and get a few things, get out of the dress and back into your clothes. On the other hand maybe you should bathe now so we have more time for other things later."

Sarah was in a daydream state as she eased herself into the bath and then into her dressing down as she came out. Many thought were going around her head some of which escaped unconsciously onto her lips. "Maybe this wont be as bad as I thought"

Jareth had left her in privacy to her bath but was now watching her again while the maid was out. "Yes Sarah keep going along those lines."

"I can't do this, I can't love him again, one kiss and ill be a goner for sure. No I can't have another man in my life i'm destined to be alone."

"Sarah what's this? You loved me at some point heavens be praised. One kiss oh Sarah ill be happy to oblige if you'd love me again. Tonight will be perfect, you are not alone."

"I must leave, I can't fall not again, he's male just like all the rest. I have to find a way to get away from here to where no one knows me."

"Fiona get back in there now" jareth sent a crystal to Fiona. "My dear girl you'll not be leaving I love you too much to let you just leave and for you to burry your feelings."

"Ah here we are milady some refreshments and I have what I needed. What are you doing milady?"

Sarah had used a blanket to wrap up some clothes and essentials.

"I cant stay here I need to g…go somewhere. I…I.

"Breath Sarah just breath. There will be no talk of leaving. You have a ball to attend and a handsome partner to go with if I do say so myself."

"Fiona I cant I don't know how to act what to say and i'm sure jareth can find someone else to go with."

"I'm sure he can milady but he picked you. So come sit and eat compliments of the king. He has a message he will not be able to join you till later but he expects you to be ready at 7.30.

Sarah saw a rose sitting on top of the plate. "I"

What was that mi lady?"

"Nothing"

Sarah finished her food and the rest of her preparations for the ball. With make-up jewellery and everything 4 hours before the deadline.

"Sarah i've brought you some tea, be careful now don't spill it."

Sarah thanked her and sipped the tea gradually becoming sleepier and sleepier until she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer

Authors notes: more reviews please only one person seems to be awake