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A shorter chapter this time…but hopefully you'll like it anyway!

-Nico

The wine she had drank earlier was having a dizzying effect on the world around Sarah.

But she liked it.

Sarah had managed to conceal just how drunk she was around Jareth's parents, but now, as she spun around in the moonlight, she felt dangerously free of inhibitions.

They had walked several yards deep into the garden when Sarah had spotted the enormous fountain she was now twirling beside.

Jareth stood back a bit, simply watching.

She was glorious.

Most of her thick hair was still confined to the style Jareth had decided upon when changing her clothing, but several stubborn strands had come free, gently swaying around her face as she spun. Under the moon, her skin had taken on an iridescent glow normally associated with the Fae. On Sarah, it looked like a special effect, highlighting her curves against the darkness of night.

"You're going to make yourself sick," Jareth warned, moving a bit closer to her.

Sarah stopped swirling and gave her feet a moment to find firm ground. "I'm sorry," she laughed. "It's just so incredible here; I almost forgot where I was for a second."

Jareth's heart flipped inside his chest. "You are pleased, then?"

Sarah laughed again, her cheeks flushing with the action. "Why should the all-mighty Goblin King care about the happiness of one insignificant mortal girl?"

Jareth smiled. "Well, I didn't bring you here hoping you would be miserable, Sarah."

Sarah plopped down on the marble edge of the fountain, allowing her fingers to trail into the perfect water inside. "So why did you bring me here," she paused for a moment and then looked up at him adding, "Jareth."

The sound of his name in her voice made him feel vulnerable.

"Sarah," Jareth began gently, "must I have a reason for everything I do?"

Sarah considered the question. "No," she said, leaning dangerously close to the fountain's pool and flashing him a mischievous smile. "But I'd still like you to answer me."

Jareth sat next to her, watching as her fingers made tiny rippled designs in the water beside them. "How about we make a deal, Sarah," he said, his voice all at once seductive and playful.

Sarah looked up at him. "What sort of a deal?"

Jareth smirked. He had her attention.

"I will tell you the reason I decided to bring you here if you answer some questions I have," Jareth said, sounding just a bit mischievous.

Sarah thought for a moment and then tilted her head to one side. "How many questions do you get to ask?"

"Three," Jareth promptly answered. "And you must be completely honest."

"Three questions for one answer?" Sarah shook her head. "That's not fair."

"Still in pursuit of a fair world, are we Sarah?" Jareth teased.

"Always," Sarah replied.

"Alright, I get two questions," Jareth compromised. "That seems fair."

Sarah considered and then shrugged, the alcohol in her system diminishing her negotiating skills. "And you have to answer my question honestly too," Sarah clarified. Jareth nodded. "Okay, deal," she said, sticking out her hand. Jareth smiled, wrapping his hand around hers and shaking it in one fluid motion.

He regarded her for a moment, his long legs crossed. "You must answer truthfully," he reminded her.

Sarah rolled her eyes. "I said I would," she told him.

Jareth smirked.

"The first time you were here, did you know what you were refusing when you told me that I had no power over you?"

Sarah's eyebrows flitted together. "I was refusing to let you win," she said honestly. "Refusing to give up Toby."

Jareth nodded. She had been too young to understand. This was just further evidence.

It was a balm to his heart that Sarah had not realized exactly what he had been offering her all those years ago. For too long he had carried around the burden of thinking that she had refused him because of who he was…not because of a silly child he probably would have given back anyway.

Jareth smiled and took Sarah's hand in his. He had removed his gloves, whether magically or mechanically Sarah could not be certain, but now as she felt his slender fingers rubbing the top of her hand, she didn't care.

"My second question is this," he said softly. "Why didn't you dream of me?"

Sarah's head snapped up to meet his eyes.

She had promised she would be completely honest.

And so she took a deep breath.

"I did dream of you, Jareth," she admitted quietly. "A hundred times more than anyone else in the Labyrinth. But that's just it," she said, clasping his hand a bit tighter. "Whenever I dreamt of you, you weren't in the Labyrinth. You were always in a setting familiar to me…in my kitchen…standing in a park…" she blushed. "In my bedroom."

Jareth was surprised by this admission. He wouldn't admit it to her, but he was devastated by the lack of his presence in Sarah's dreams. He had believed that his impact upon her was so trivial that her subconscious had refused to give in to a repeat image of himself.

Now he didn't know how to react to the admittance.

"Say something," Sarah said, avoiding his gaze.

"Why didn't you tell me you had dreamt of me," he asked.

"That's three questions," she told him, smiling devilishly. "Now answer my question, Jareth. Why did you bring me here?"

Jareth frowned. Perhaps he shouldn't have made this deal. He stood, looking up at the starry night sky.

"You would have won again," he whispered.

"What?" Sarah asked, standing and walking up behind him. "What did you just say?"

Jareth turned to her. She was unable to suppress a gasp as she found herself face to face with the very embodiment of mystical beauty.

"You would have won," he repeated. "And it would have been over far too soon."

Sarah's brow furrowed. "What would have been over?"

Jareth sighed, allowing his hands to become entwined with hers. He leant forward, placing his forehead against hers. Sarah stiffened slightly at the sudden closeness, but did not pull away.

"That's two questions," he told her, bringing his lips to hers in a fleeting moment of indulgence.

Perhaps it was the wine, perhaps it was the incredibly romantic setting…but Sarah did not allow herself to think too much about what was happening. She simply tilted her head up and received Jareth's kiss, smiling into him as she felt his hand wrap possessively around her waist.

In return, Sarah allowed her fingers to wind carelessly into the thick blonde hair at the back of Jareth's head, pulling him subconsciously closer to her. After a moment, her body had seamlessly melded with his. He dipped his head to the crook of her neck, kissing the delicate flesh exposed there.

"This is so strange," Sarah rasped, opening her eyes for a moment to take in the blanket of stars above her. "I feel like this isn't really happening."

"But it is," Jareth said against her skin, drawing Goosebumps from their hiding places.

"Jareth," Sarah breathed his name. "Will you answer one more question? Please?"

He pulled away, opening his eyes slowly. He brushed a wayward lock of hair from Sarah's eyes and nodded.

"What was I refusing when I told you that you had no power over me?" She asked.

Jareth sighed. "You refused me, my world, and the chance to be a Queen."

Sarah's eyes opened wide, her mouth slack.

Before she could reply, a deafening crack of thunder split the previously calm night sky. Rain fell just as suddenly, in blinding sheets of warm water that instantly soaked both Sarah and Jareth to the bone.