A/N- Hey guys, sorry for the long wait, but my pinky is still broken and the doctor said it would take another month or so for it to heal completely. However, I should update more often. Also, to any of you who have read The Nurse, the King, and the Prophesy, I do plan on taking it off for a while and revamping it, but not now. I will not be taking on any other stories until this one is finished. Any of you who wanted it finished may thank CoffinKitty for chewing my butt for not updating since May. :)

Sarah sat quietly in the library 'reading' one of the books written in English. Really she was just staring at the same page. It had been six days since Jareth and Sarah had had their talk, and so far everything was headed in a good direction if at a somewhat slow pace. Helen had left the castle shortly after their talk, so Sarah was just a little lonely. Her arm was too injured t sew any, but she got to take care of and see Toby every day. Sarah was still a little uneasy around Jareth, but had had a few 'safe' conversations with him such as, how the weather was or if Toby was doing well. Each time one of them would excuse themselves, it always felt as if both people wanted to say more, but never did.

This is what she was contemplating as she reread the same sentence for what seemed like the hundredth time. She wanted to get to know the king better, but feared he would not. Sarah had long ago given up any thought of…well, being more than just friends with the King. He, being a king, would have the pick of all the women out there, and Sarah was sure that they would be much prettier than she. However, that final confrontation with him all those years ago still nagged at her mind. What had he really meant by all those contradictions?

Her logical mind told her that you couldn't possibly fear someone you loved, and Jareth had asked for that. He had also asked that she do as he said, but then just as he told her that he also said he would be her slave. A slave doesn't give commands and Sarah certainly didn't want a slave, especially if she was to love said slave. It just didn't make sense! 'It never makes any sense with him.'

Sarah glared at the book until there was a rapping on the door. She glanced over to see that Jareth was leaning on the open door frame and quirking an eyebrow at her, as if to ask "What did the book ever do to you?"

She blushed a little, and then placed the closed book on the side table. "Can I do something for you Jareth?"

He smiled a bit at the usage of his name. Then he spoke casually towards her. "No, no, nothing at all," he moved out of the door way and made a hand gesture, "but I have brought you-a gift." He smiled widely.

Sarah stood to see out the door, but before she take a step forward a fox knight, a great orange beast, and lastly a short dwarf entered the room. Sarah's eyes filled with happy tears and she exclaimed each of their names as she hugged them close to her. They spent a few minutes greeting each other and Sarah invited them to sit by the fire on the rug with her.

"Oh, I've missed you all so much!" she looked around the room for Jareth, only to see that he had disappeared.

"If you're lookin' for that rat…" Hoggle scrunched his brows, "well that fae that call's 'imself Jareth, I'm afraid he left when he saw yous was in good hands."

Sarah frowned a little, and added it to the mental list of why he obviously didn't like her that much. "Do you guys know why he let me see you?" and why he didn't tell me or let me see you sooner?

Sir Didymus had been setting up his personal game of 'Ye Olde Scrabble' when he looked at her strangely. "Why fair maiden, it was because the king l-" Hoggle clamped his large hand over the knight's mouth and glared warningly at him.

"Because the king thought yous might be lonely." Hoggle could guess what else Sarah had wanted to ask, and answered it before that nutty knight could reveal any of the king's feelings of Sarah to her. "We would 'ave been here sooner, but even the king has a hard time finding three specific creatures in that bloody maze."

Sarah looked at them suspiciously, but let it go. Hoggle and Sir Didymus were as wacky as she remembered, and Ludo was just as sweet. "Sawah friend, Ludo come to see Sawah." He smiled as if it were the smartest thing he had ever said.

"Oh, Ludo." Sarah flung herself into his arms and hugged him close to her.

BREAK

Jareth sighed as he watched Sarah fling herself into Ludo's arms. He welcomed the beast's distraction from that fool Didymus. He had warned the creatures not to let Sarah know of his love for her after seeing that all of them, or at least the smarter two, had found out his love. It seemed that everyone except Sarah realized this. Even Lee had been pestering him the day before on how he would 'win his love'.

Hopefully her friends could get Sarah to admit why she was so distant with him. Yes, they had agreed to be friends, but they still had only stiff conversations with each other and mostly silent dinners together with Toby. Nearly a week and they still couldn't be open with the other, but perhaps…he was hoping for too much too soon?

He shook his head a bit to clear it, send his wild hair everywhere. Then, he peered more closely into the orb.

They did nothing but play scrabble for the first thirty minutes of the king's observing. It was quite boring because most of the time they played was spent arguing over whether or not words like splotchin and quiznocker were real words. Finally, after another forty minutes of nearly non-stop bickering the game was concluded with Sir Didymus as the winner.

Jareth rubbed his temples and kept watching to see what would happen next. He had instructed the trio to try and figure out why Sarah was so withdrawn.

"So, how's ya been doin' Sarah?"

'Good start' the king thought. 'Remember to promote Hoggle for this. He can work in the Royal Gardens.'

Sir Didymus perked up at this and added, "Yes my fairest maiden, have thou been in good company?"

Sarah smiled at each of them sweetly and answered. "Yes, everyone has been kind to me, and Jareth…well he's been very generous." She looked down at her hands and unconsciously fingered the bandage on her arm.

"Really," Hoggle said, knowing Jareth was listening, "the rat bastard hasn't harmed ya has he?"

'Forget the promotion; he's working at the bog now.' Jareth thought irritably.

"Hoggle! I'm surprised at you. I was working as a maid before, and now…now I'm basically a princess." Sarah got this dreamy look on her face. "He treats me very well, but…"

'Go on-Go on. What am I doing wrong?' Jareth clutched the crystal harder.

"But, well I don't think he likes me very much… We agreed to be friends, but he never stays around long enough for me to talk to him and…I don't think he cares much about my opinion, because he doesn't stick around long enough to talk about anything after I tell him how I feel." She looked down but continued again with a self-mocking smile, "But why should he care? He's a king. He doesn't need me around or my opinion."

Jareth burst the crystal and let the group have the rest of their time together. That's why she was distant? She thought he didn't care? Jareth face palmed himself and let his hand slowly slide down his face. He had distanced himself from her to give her room to herself. However, being the bloke he was, he had left her too much space and made her think she was unwanted. 'Well,' he thought, 'that stops today.'

A/N- Hope you all like the chapter. If you do I would appreciate a little review, nothing long or praising. If you didn't like something tell me. If you have any suggestions I would like to hear them! Do you like knowing Jareth's thoughts or not? I NEED TO KNOW. Thank you.