A.N. - Alright so I'm sorry to all my followers for having such a delayed update, but I've got a lot going on in my life right now. First, I've started going to school again and having homework on top of daily household chores leaves me pretty exhausted at the end of the day. Secondly, my roommates and I had two of our pets taken out of our yard, and while we got one back, we're still searching for the other one. On top of that, I had a major brain freeze regarding this story; I just couldn't seem to figure how to work this chapter until it finally began to come to me in pieces. I'm fairly satisfied with the result as I now have a good idea of what will happen next. So hopefully you guys won't have to wait so long for the next update. I hope everyone enjoys and I really appreciate all of your reviews!

Common Ground

Bright light shown on her eyes, making her try to scrunch her lids to block it out. She felt warm and safe and she didn't want to wake up to the stark reality that she was probably dead. Finally, she knew that her attempts at falling back to sleep were futile and she finally opened her eyes. The first thing she saw were rock walls and large windows, which were the source of the light. Then she noticed the decor. Silver candlesticks, velvet tapestries, and ornate china vases were a few of the things which caught her eye. She thought then that maybe she wasn't dead after all, unless Heaven was a castle. She groaned out loud, wondering just where the heck she was. Suddenly, she was attacked by hugs.

"Sarah! Ye're alive!"

Recognition finally filtered through her brain. "Hoggle! Oh my gosh, I've missed you!" she cried out, hugging the dwarf back and noticing something at the same time. "Crap, I'm still a fox."

"Yeah I was wonderin' about that."

"Long story, I'm afraid. So how have you been?"

Hoggle snorted, "Other than bein' exiled from the Labyrinth, I've been alright." When he saw her eyes narrow, he didn't hesitate to add, "Don't worry, I've been readmitted and so has Ludo. We were part of the party helping to find you and the Princess."

"Are the Princesses okay? And what about Sir Didymus?"

"They're all fine, though Sir Didymus might be enjoyin' his human status a bit much. He's paradin' around like some kind of hero, lettin' the ladies fawn all over him."

Sarah giggled. "That sounds like Didymus all right." Sarah finally took a moment to really look around the room she was in. She guessed that she was in the Goblin Castle but how did she get here, and more importantly, did Jareth know about her yet? That was when she realized what she had been laying on. "Hoggle, am I on a dog bed?"

"Er, so you are. I wouldn't take offense to it though. You are a furry creature at the moment."

Just then, Brok walked down the hallway. "Lady Sarah, you are requested in the dining room as soon as you're able."

"I'm glad to see you're alright, Brok. Where is my brother?"

She saw Brok shift a bit before he replied, "He is down in the dining room as well. But he has undergone a change as well, just so you're prepared." And with that, Brok left.

"Is Toby alright?" Sarah asked Hoggle.

"Sure he is. He's just...bigger. Now we'd better get down to the dining area." So Hoggle led the way, while Sarah followed.

"This place is a lot nicer than the last time I was here," she commented.

Hoggle laughed, replying, "That's cause the last time ya were here, ya wasn't payin' attention ta the castle. Ya was worried about Toby." Sarah nodded, knowing this was true.

As they rounded a corner, they came upon two large, gilded doors which were open. Through those doors lay a long, oval table, made of ebony wood and carved with various mythical creatures which probably weren't mythical in the Underground. On one side of the table, Sarah could see her human friends. Her eyes widened in recognition when she realized that the teenaged boy sitting next to Tessa was her brother. So that's what Hoggle had meant when he'd said Toby was bigger. For some reason, Sarah had envisioned he'd turned into a giant toddler. Sitting next to the humans were her friends, Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus, who was winking at Tessa. Tessa blushed and Sarah giggled to herself. On the other side of the table sat the two Princesses, a couple of young Fae men, and a group of trolls. It was then that Sarah finally cast her gaze upon the head of the table. There he sat, Jareth the Goblin King, looking regal and handsome. Her breath caught in her throat. Good grief was he sexy! How had she blatantly overlooked the fact that his golden hair just begged to be touched, or the fact that his lips appeared as if they would be able to devour her in the most sinful of ways? She gulped and told herself to get a grip. So, steeling herself, she walked into the room.

Everyone's attention turned to her and Sarah felt like the new kid at school. Then, Jareth spoke and his melodic voice brought back long-repressed desires within her. "Ah, our guest of honor has awoken finally. Welcome, Lady Sarah. I hope you are refreshed enough to be able to eat with us."

Sarah was in shock. Why was Jareth being so nice to her? Had he forgotten what had transpired between them the last time she was here? Or had he just forgotten who she was? Cautiously, she answered, "Thank you, Your Majesty. And yes, I am quite hungry. I do wonder though, how was it that I was brought here? The last thing I remember was being surrounded by water."

Jareth smiled, impressed by Sarah's manners. It appeared that she had grown up and had become much more appreciative of life. "Why, I brought you here. It seems that when you were about to drown, you called out for me, as my magic directed me to where you and your friend were."

Recollection shot through her. "I called you out by name, didn't I? I apologize for that, Your Majesty."

"No need to apologize. It's a rare thing to have one who has traversed the Labyrinth to not only find out my name, but to remember it as well years later. I'm flattered." So he did know who she was, to some extent. Was he trying to trick her by being nice? But what purpose would the tricking of her serve? She was not a Runner anymore. Perhaps Jareth acted the villain to all of his Runners. Brok had seemed to suggest such a thing, days ago. But Jareth hadn't acted like a villain the whole time she'd been in the Labyrinth, otherwise Sarah had an inkling that the peach would have had a different result than it did. "Why don't you sit down next to your brother?" Sarah couldn't help but notice that the seat also was next to Jareth.

"Are you sure you want me at the table? I'm not exactly...human at the moment."

"I'm fairly certain Ludo has more fur than you. Please, sit." This time, Sarah understood the implied order and did as he requested, though she had to jump up into the chair. "Now, let me make some introductions. Sarah, I believe you've already met my sister, Jinelle, as well as Princess Katiana. Next to them, in order, are my cousin Dreslin, Jinelle's fiance, Vandorian, and King Roac. Everyone, this is Lady Sarah, the girl who beat the Labyrinth."

There were gasps all around and Sarah became slightly nervous. "It can't be that big of a deal," she said. "There has to have been other Runners who've won, haven't there?"

Jareth's tone went soft as he replied, "No, there haven't. You were the only one."

"Oh." Sarah shifted, feeling uncomfortable. Finally she said, "Look, Ja- Your Majesty, I want to apologize for my behavior back then. I was being incredibly selfish and assumed the worst of you. I just want you to know that what you did for me changed my life and helped me to become the person I am today."

"That is a very generous gesture, Lady Sarah. Do not worry, I hold no ill will towards you. You were the only one who fought to get your loved one back, against all odds. That being said, I do accept your apology, for most don't understand the burden of my duty. Now, shall we eat?"

The dinner was the most delicious meal Sarah had ever had. Who knew that goblins could cook? She talked to Toby about what had happened while she was gone and was impressed by how much he'd been able to help the group. When he told her that he liked being bigger, she said that he needed to grow up normally so that he wouldn't miss out on all the things she had done growing up. She promised to help him figure out how to transform back. When dinner was over, King Roac spoke up. "As a token of my gratitude for Lady Sarah's help in bringing back my daughter safely, I award her a permanent sanctuary with the trolls. If ever she needs our assistance, we will do all that we can to help."

Sarah may not have known a lot about the Underground, but she realized that the king of the trolls probably didn't hand out such an honor lightly. "Thank you very much, I'm honored."

"Yeah, you're alright in my book, Foxy," Katiana grinned.

"I hate to change the subject, but what should we plan to do next?" Vandorian asked. "Surely Felruun will not take the loss of his prisoners lightly. Not to mention, the Ebon Fortress now has a weakness."

"No, you're correct about that, Van," Jareth replied. "I've been hearing rumors that the Dark Ones have been reinforcing the area around Muckbog. I have a chart with some details of when the area was last scouted but I don't know what new traps or defenses they might have. I intend to take my information to the Fae Council, which meets in a day from tomorrow. King Roac, I would like you to join me at the council. Many other races will be there as well. I've even heard that the Naga will be there."

"The Dark Ones have reached the desert then?" asked Dres.

"It would seem so."

Karo spoke up. "May we come as well?"

Jareth fixed his gaze upon the older man, then nodded, saying, "Yes, I believe that the rest of the Underground needs to see that the mortal realm is as affected as ours. In fact, you may be among the last remaining humans. As you know, most mortals can't contend with magic. Well, I believe we should all get some rest since we'll have to travel to the Crystal Castle tomorrow. Everyone will shown to their room. Good night." With that, Jareth left the room, leaving Sarah befuddled. He had been nice to her, even forgiving her for what had transpired between them the last time. Then why did she feel so empty when he left the room? Had he not given much thought about her since she'd won the challenge? Why was he being so distant? She even found herself missing his sarcastic remarks.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice at her feet. "I can show you where your room is, Lady Sarah."

"Simon! I'm so glad to see you alive!" she cried out, trying to hug him with her paws.

"Hey, none of that now, I have a reputation, you know!" the rat protested. "Are you gonna follow me or not?"

"Sure, I'm coming." As they went up the stairs, along with the others, Sarah asked him, "So do you have family?"

"Are you kidding, I'm a rat! My family is so huge that they've scattered across the kingdom. However, I do have relatives living in the Goblin Castle so I'll probably be staying with them for a while."

Sarah laughed but then she couldn't speak when the doors opened to her room. The room itself appeared to be situated in a portion of a turret, for it was round. The floors were covered in various exotic rugs, there was an ornate cherry wood dresser with an oval mirror on top, a matching vanity with a tall silver jewelry box, tapestries adorned the walls, a large sleigh bed made out of mahogany with silk sheets and comforter, and there were two large windows looking out over the Goblin City and the Labyrinth beyond. Stunned, she walked into her room, wanting to touch and pick up everything, but not able to reach the high surfaces. She noticed a curved entrance-way on the right side of her room which led to a bathroom complete with a silver sink, silver toilet, and a silver, claw-footed tub. "This is so amazing," she breathed out, walking to the window and taking in the view. A stray thought popped into her head before she could stop it. Why would Jareth provide her with such a room if she meant nothing to him? Or did all of his guests receive such lavish quarters? And most importantly, since when did she care whether she meant anything to him? Sarah was beginning to wonder whether Jareth meant more to her than she had realized.

What Sarah didn't realize was that Jareth's own bedroom was right down the hall from his, when everyone else was in another wing. He paced in his room, the moonlight gleaming off of his body, for Jareth didn't feel the need to sleep in clothing. He felt restless. Today had not gone at all as he had expected. The Sarah that he had known was different. Gone was the defiance. In it's place had come respect and Jareth's plans to mildly tease and torment her had flown out the window. He couldn't in all good consciousness take up the game where they had left off, not when she had been so polite to him. Not only that, she had been sincerely sorry about her behavior when she was younger. The fact that she'd remembered his name to call for help gave him hope, but perhaps she merely was good at remembering names. He'd watched her throughout the dinner, hoping to pick up any clue that she might think of him romantically, but had gotten nothing. She may not believe him to be the villain anymore, but she was hiding any other feelings she might have as well. That was why he had also decided to play close to the vest regarding his own feelings. He had gained her friendship, but he wanted more, he'd always wanted more with her. It was just so frustrating that he needed to concentrate on defeating the Dark Ones right now, or he would have marched right into her bedroom and seduced her. Though perhaps that wasn't the best idea right now anyway, seeing as how she was humanly challenged right now. He didn't even know what she looked like at the moment. All he had to go on was his memory of her, and even that was making his desire grow. What he needed to do was read a book and try to get some rest. The next few days were going to be long indeed.