A week after Christmas, Sarah and Jareth were standing in an empty room in the castle beyond the Goblin City. He had decided to teach Sarah some basic magic control himself, figuring that it couldn't be that hard to be a teacher.

"Try and focus your magic into one spot." Jareth said, standing square in front of her. "Close your eyes and picture your magic gathering there. I suggest your hand."

Sarah held out her palm and shut her eyes. She tried to let her magic flow, imagining water coming out of a tap. She peeked with one eye, and nothing was happening.

"No looking. Try and empty your mind of all things, and just focus on the magic." Jareth instructed her firmly. He stood watching her with crossed arms, appraising her carefully.

Sarah tried to focus on the sound of her own breathing, and felt a tingling in her hand.

"Have I done it?" She asked, keeping her eyes pressed shut. Jareth laughed.

"Yes, precious. Now, twist your hand, keep that focus there. I want you to picture what you want to appear in your hand; let's say you want it to be a flower. Keep that picture in your mind."

Sarah pictured a simple daisy, fearing anything else would be far too complicated. She could feel her magic getting stronger in her hand, as though her fingertips were on fire. Then, Jareth clapped her.

"Open your eyes love." He said, and she looked down at her palm. A slightly tattered looking daisy lay in her hand, and she gave a satisfied smile. "Not bad for a first go."

"I can already make a crystal, why do I need to make a flower? What's next, pulling a coin from behind your ear?" Sarah asked as he laughed.

"This is the first step. It will make it easier for you to get things easily, just as I do. I do a lot of things the mortal way out of habit, but when we're here it won't be as easy to just go to the kitchen or things like that. So if you want water, you'll need to do that. Plus, it will make things easier once the babies arrive." Jareth reasoned. "Magic requires a great deal of practice."

"Okay, that makes sense." Sarah said, looking at the daisy. The petals were wilted. "This has seen better days."

"It's not winning any prizes at Chelsea precious, but it's sufficient. Right, now I'm going to go hide, and I want you to find out where I am." Jareth told her, and she frowned.

"What? That's too hard." She said, crossing her arms. She could always sense Jareth when he was nearby, but she wasn't sure she could do it at any distance, especially when he had the whole Kingdom to vanish in. "Aren't we a little old to be playing hide and seek? Especially you."

"Age is just a number. Come on, be a sport darling. I won't go too far." He pressed a kiss to her lips, and it tingled. She touched her lips, looking puzzled. "I even gave you an advantage; that's my magic making your lips tingle like that. It should allow you to track me. Right, go!" He vanished with a grin, and Sarah groaned.

"You're an ass, you know that right?!" She called out into the empty room. She heard a throaty laugh, and she scowled.

"Come Sarah, give it a try!" His voice echoed around her.

She shut her eyes, trying to sense him - she couldn't feel anything at all.

"This is too hard!" She shouted into thin air. "This isn't fair!"

"Sarah, just try." Jareth's voice said irritably. "It really isn't that difficult. And stop saying it isn't fair, you know what happens when you say things like that."

"Yeah, it's not hard for you! If I end up on the roof of this place you better come save me." She yelled, choosing to ignore his comment about saying it's not fair.

"Sarah, you're wasting time." Jareth reminded her, and she gritted her teeth in frustration.

"There isn't a time limit." Sarah said through her teeth, wishing he was here so they could argue in person.

"Good idea, let's set one. Find me in the next minute." Jareth said, sounding annoyingly upbeat. He loved playing games with her.

"Or what?" Sarah asked, wishing he was actually standing in front of her rather than doing his freaky voice trick.

"Or I won't tell you about the surprise I have for you later." He said, his voice smooth. Sarah loved surprises, as long as they didn't involve anything weird. Like drugged peaches or helping hands.

"Hmm." She said, pretending to think about it. She knew he was watching her using a crystal, and she made a show of trying to decide.

"Tick tock, darling. One minute from now." His voice faded, and Sarah huffed in frustration. She had no idea where to start; she couldn't sense anything.

Then, Sarah had an idea.

"Fine. See you in a minute then." She said haughtily, not even knowing if he was still listening to her.

She shut her eyes and allowed her magic to gather in her hand. She pictured the mirror Jareth had given her for Christmas, and smiled when she felt the heavy weight of it in her hand. She wrote "Jareth" on the glass, and smiled triumphantly when she saw him standing in a garden, looking at a crystal. She was watching him watching her watching him.

"Gotcha!" Now she had a visual on him, it was somehow much easier to travel to him. She shut her eyes, and when she opened them again he was standing in front of her.

"Hmm. I'll allow the use of the mirror this time, but you really do need to work on your sensing skills." Jareth told her, his arms crossed and his hand on his chin as he appraised her. "Other than that, good work."

"I have thousands of years to perfect my skills, you're just pissed I found you so quickly." She said throwing her arms around him in triumph. He lifted her up playfully, and groaned.

"You're getting heavy." She slapped his shoulder, and he put her back on the ground.

"I've got two people in here, what do you expect?" She said in faux outrage, though it didn't really bother her. She was very much under the impression that he was enjoying her new figure. "Careful, or I'll make you carry me everywhere."

"Now that would be a punishment. Just kidding, darling. You know I think you're amazing, right?" He said, nuzzling her ear. "My wonderful wife."

"I'm not here, not yet." Sarah said, and Jareth pulled away from her looking hurt.

"Don't start that argument again, I said I was sorry." Jareth said defensively, kissing her neck in a further effort to make her forgive him.

"I'm not, I was just stating a fact. You need to brief me on what's going to happen at our wedding by the way, I have no idea." Sarah said; the wedding was to be in four weeks, which would whizz by Underground. She hadn't even had a dress fitting yet.

"I'll do it tomorrow. I thought I'd arrange something nice for you this afternoon." Jareth said, standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her - something that was getting increasingly more difficult. He kissed her neck, nipping the skin.

"What?" Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow. "If kissing my neck is any allusion to the surprise, that's not really a surprise at all. In fact, we've already done it this morning."

"No, that's not the surprise - it's hardly a surprise how much I desire you, precious. There's evidence right there." He said, running his hands over her belly. "Come, let's go to the throne room. I believe it will be waiting for you there."

He tapped her shoulder, and they were in his throne room - as were dozens of goblins. The noise was deafening, and Sarah looked at him skeptically.

"Great surprise." She said dryly, and Jareth rolled his eyes.

"For God's sake, I didn't realise they were in here. Everyone, shut up!" Jareth shouted, but the racket continued. Goblins scurried past Sarah's feet and went up to their King.

"Oooh Kingy mad!" One said, jabbing at his knees. Jareth kicked him off, and the goblin rubbed his head. The other one, a bigger one wearing a helmet that Sarah assumed was a soldier, pointed at Sarah.

"Maybe it's because human fat." The two goblins laughed hysterically, and Jareth banged their heads together.

"Hey! I'm not fat!" Sarah said defensively, realizing Jareth must not have told them about her pregnancy.

"You will respect Sarah, she's going to be your Queen in a matter of weeks. And she isn't fat, she's carrying my heirs. There will be two babies around here soon enough, you'll all have to clean up your act." The goblins all began to run around, screeching happily. Sarah was only used to seeing a few at a time, and so many in one place was a little overwhelming.

"Ooh babies! Babies!" The goblins cried, dizzy with joy. Sarah looked at Jareth questioningly, and he smiled.

"The goblins love babies. We haven't had a wished away babe since Toby, and they miss it. They're very caring creatures. Annoying, but caring." Jareth said over the din, watching as the funny little creatures danced around in celebration.

"Well at least we have babysitters all lined up then." She said with a chuckle, leaning on Jareth's shoulder..

"Hardly. I wouldn't trust this lot with a chicken." At that precise moment, a flustered chicken went running past Jareth's feet, being chased by a goblin with feathers stuck all over it. "Point proven. Really, I have no respect around here. All of you! Out!"

"Hey, watch it! Stupid goblin." Sarah heard a familiar voice, and turned around. She squealed with delight as she saw three familiar faces.

"Hoggle! Ludo! Sir Didymus!" She exclaimed - she really was surprised.

"Sawah friend." Ludo said, holding his arms out for her. She rushed over and hugged him, and each of them in turn.

"Long time no see." Hoggle said gruffly, and Sarah wondered if he was mad at him for not seeing him for such a long time. It had been complicated; at first, she hadn't wanted to see him because he reminded her of Jareth, and then when she was with Jareth, she felt embarrassed for dropping him like that.

"I'm sorry Hoggle." She said, and the dwarf looked her up and down.

"You like him now?" He asked gruffly, jabbing a chubby finger at Jareth, who was standing in the distance, watching. He didn't share the same close relationship Sarah did with these three, and they were scared of him.

"Yeah. We're getting married." Sarah said with a smile, rubbing the ring on her finger self consciously. Hoggle was making her feel nervous.

"I know, he tolds us. He didn't tells us about this though." He said, looking up at Sarah's stomach.

"Oh. Yeah, we're having twins." Sarah said awkwardly, knowing that her friends had missed out on so much - and that it was all her fault.

"Congratulations dear lady! And Your Highness." Didymus said, bowing elaborately. "I knew there must be a perfectly valid reason that you have not called on us!"

Sarah felt guilt stab at her.

"I'm sorry guys. I just got..kinda busy." She said weakly, knowing her excuse was pathetic.

"Missed Sawah." Ludo grumbled sadly, and Sarah hugged him again.

"It's okay Ludo. I'll be living here now most of the time, I'll come see you guys more. I promise." Sarah said, as Ludo stroked her hair with his enormous hands.

"I don't thinks much a' yer promises anymore, Sarah." Hoggle said. "You drop us as soon as he showed up. You'll do it again. Havin' friends ain't worth it."

His words stung her, and Jareth looked furious. Sarah turned to look at him, and shook her head, trying to tell him to let her handle it.

"I know it was a bad thing I did, and I'm really sorry. I want to make it up to you, to all of you. Will you come to my wedding?" Sarah asked, and Hoggle looked at her doubtfully.

"I dunno about that." Hoggle said. "It'll be a fancy Fae affair. They won't want the likes of us there."

"Jareth, tell him." Sarah begged her husband, and he shrugged.

"You would be welcome." Jareth said icily, and Sarah didn't think he sounded very sincere.

"Please come." She pleaded with her three friends, and Hoggle looked at her warily.

"I'll thinks about it." His arms were crossed and he turned his head away haughtily. He would come in the end, Sarah was sure, once it looked like he had done enough thinking about it.

"Ludo?" She asked, the giant creature nodded his head slowly.

"Ludo come." He growled, and Sarah beamed.

"Didymus?" Now, this one she was sure would come - he was never one to turn down anything involved with grandeur.

"I would be most honoured to attend the royal wedding!"

"Wonderful! Hoggle, come on. It would mean so much to have you there." She probed him, not wanting to wait for a response. Hoggle sighed dramatically, and Sarah knew she had won.

"All right, I'll come. But this don't mean yer forgiven just like that." He warned her, and she nodded seriously, trying to keep a straight face.

"I know." Sarah said, hugging him all the same.

The next day, Sarah and Jareth stood in the same empty room from the day before. It was hot and sunny outside, the Labyrinth in full bloom. Jareth had insisted they practice inside, away from distractions like goblins or chickens.

"I can't do it!" Sarah moaned. "My feet hurt."

"Sarah, just try. Please."

Sarah shut her eyes, and tried to focus. Opening them again, she concentrated on the apple at the far end of the room. She lifted her hand, and tried to sound firm.

"Come."

The apple flew across the room, landing in her hand.

"Marvelous! And it only took thirty two attempts." Jareth said dryly, and Sarah glared at him. "Sorry darling."

"Careful." Sarah said, taking a bite of the apple. "I'm so hungry today I might eat you."

"I'll steer clear then. But I've told you, it is important that you can summon things. Not just from thin air, but across the room too. It's all part of your education in magic control." He said, kissing her gently. She leaned in to the kiss, running her hands through his hair. His hand snaked up from her stomach to her chest, and she slapped him away.

"Can't I have a proper teacher? One who won't make fun of me all the time or try and feel me up in the middle of a lesson?" Sarah said, crossing her arms.

"Sorry." He said sheepishly. "You just look particularly lovely today. You're glowing."

"Probably because I'm so hot I think I might explode." Sarah said, fanning her face. "Can we finish now?"

Jareth shook his head, and Sarah groaned.

"I'm sorry love, the weather in the Underground can be a little unpredictable. We don't have seasons as such." Jareth explained with a shrug.

He was hot too, wearing a light shirt and trousers with bare feet. He wasn't used to being dressed so casually when he was in his own Kingdom, and the goblins had made a few comments about his hairy toes that had earned them a sound kicking.

"It's okay." She said, wiping her forehead. "I just don't have anymore clothes I can take off."

She had begun the lesson wearing a long sleeved top, denim skirt and tights and was now just in the vest she wore under it and the skirt.

"I think you do. This skirt is almost entirely unnecessary." Jareth purred, pulling at her waistband. She moved herself across the room, shaking a finger at him.

"That's enough. If we're having a lesson, we're doing it properly. Now, what else can you teach me or can I go and throw myself in a river?" She said irritably. Carrying two babies around in the heat was exhausting.

"There is one more thing that we need to make a start on. Pain relief. I'm concerned you're not using your healing powers properly, and when you give birth it is vital you do it without human drugs even if you're in the London hospital. They will interfere with your biology and could cause more harm than good, especially to the babes. Fae women feel very little pain because they can regulate their own bodies. You are inexperienced, and as you're giving birth in a matter of months, you'll need to perfect it by then."

"What are you, my birthing coach?" Sarah sighed. "Okay, what do I do?"

"Right, first step. You have to promise not to hit me."

"Why?" Sarah asked suspiciously.

"Promise!" Jareth said firmly, and Sarah didn't trust the grin on his face.

"Fine, I promise."

"Give me your arm." Jareth instructed her in his most commanding voice; something Sarah secretly found rather sexy.

Sarah stuck her arm out, eyeing him warily. He placed his hand on the skin of her forearm, and twisted it firmly. She yelped, pulled her arm away and slapped his shoulder hard.

"Oi, you promised!" He moaned, rubbing his shoulder. She had a lot more strength than she realised.

"That was before I knew you were going to give me a burn! What are you, six years old? I think that's what kids used to do at recess. Ouch!" She rubbed the skin, which had turned bright red. "What did you do that for?"

"It's the gentlest way I could hurt you." Jareth shrugged, and Sarah scowled at him.

"Why did you have to hurt me at all?" She asked in irritation, still rubbing at her arm.

"You needed a sudden pain that isn't caused by yourself. If you did it, it wouldn't hurt enough. Your uterus will be in charge, not your head, and you won't have control over how much it hurts. Unless you learn, then it should be quite manageable."

"You're an ass."

"Yes, yes." He said dismissively, kissing her forehead fondly. "Now, look at your arm. I want you to guide your magic to that spot. You have great healing powers, I know that - they're what kept me alive. Now you need to have discipline if they're going to help you get through birth."

Sarah stared down at her forearm, and tried to focus as her magic gathered and flowed in her veins. Slowly, the redness died down and the stinging subsided. After a few seconds, it was gone.

"Excellent. You are a naturally gifted healer. If you weren't going to be a Queen, I'd suggest medicine as your chosen path in life." He kissed her on the head, and she smiled.

"I'll take being a Queen. Jareth, if you ever twist my arm again I will kick you so hard in the nuts you'll feel like you're the one having a baby, okay?" She said lightly, smiling pleasantly as she delivered her threat.

"Oh Sarah, learn to be a bit more elegant with your words." Jareth winced, and Sarah rolled her eyes at him.

"Elegant? You can't think of a better way of teaching me than giving me a burn! I need a proper midwife to teach me birthing methods, not some jumped up King who has all the grace of a pre-schooler."

"Fine." Jareth admitted defeat sullenly. "I'll get you a midwife."

"Thank you. Now, I better go. Your mother wants to see me for a dress fitting." Sarah said, gathering up her clothes. Arethusa was helping her have a whole Underground wardrobe made - Sarah felt a little out of place in her Above clothes. There would also be a chance to try on her wedding dress and have it properly adjusted.

"Alright. I'm sorry about the burn, darling." Jareth said, pressing a kiss to her forearm.

"Hmm. I'll think about forgiving you. I still love you." She pulled his face to hers and kissed him delicately. He smiled against her lips.

"Good. I'll never stop."

A/N: I've had so many requests to bring Hoggle and co into the story, so here they are. Also, I wasn't sure if it's PC to call what Jareth did to Sarah a "Chinese Burn" but that's what it was.

Also the bubble sword from the last chapter was real - there's a surprisingly comprehensive list of Ninja Turtle merchandise from 1992, oh the things you find on the internet..

I'd love to hear from you! Don't forget, if there's anything you'd really like to see, just drop me a line.