A/N: This is it folks - the final chapter. Plus, one last answer is revealed. A prologue is never just a throw-away...

Disclaimer: Labyrinth is not mine.

Chapter 20

The stars that night were brilliant. She could barely believe she hadn't thought to catch them at this hour before. Flecks of fire trapped in a wide velvet expanse; in reality, eons apart but pulled together by sight. As with everything, brighter - sharper - than those of her world. Sarah leaned against the open window, satisfied only to stare as her nerves hummed an easy rhythm. She could think of no time she'd been more content.

Jareth's admission had soothed her into dreams only of him. Kisses and caresses that subdued and enflamed. Him, tasting her in more ways than one and claiming her, body and soul, without an uttered word. The ghost of his touch still lingered when she woke. As she regarded him, lost in the space between dreams and reality, she could only smile. He loved her. She loved him. Weeks ago, she'd have thought it impossible that she'd fall for her greatest adversary. That she would trust him with her life. But now, the realization came easier than breathing.

He seemed perfectly content to have been woken by her kiss, and although tired, hers was a fatigue of satisfaction and wills undone. The soreness between her legs a sharp reminder of what she'd won. He must have seen it in her eyes because a few easy words calmed the remnants of their earlier lovemaking. She'd noticed the stars then, leaving the warmth of his arms for that of the midnight sky.

"It's so beautiful tonight," she whispered after a time, looking back to find him watching her from the bed, the sheets precariously pushed downwards. She blushed and turned back to the night. "Is it always like this?"

His smile was wistful when he rose, not bothering like her to wrap himself in robes. Sarah heard him approach and leaned back into his chest as he came up behind her. "It pales in comparison," he whispered as he kissed the spot on her neck he'd repeatedly claimed as his own.

Sarah arched her neck back, unable to contain her soft moan. He would be the death and life of her. "Pales in comparison to what?"

He laughed softly, wrapping her tight against him with one arm and using his other to tilt her face towards his. "To you, love."

She smiled into his kiss, allowing him to turn her fully so he could reach her without twisting uncomfortably. From his lyrics in the ballroom, she should have guessed he'd be a romantic. It had been shielded behind a guise of guilt for so long that she hadn't expected it to fall with her confession. Another misjudgment on her part. This one, most welcome.

One hand moved to tuck the stray hair that had fallen across her face behind an ear, caressing her cheek after he'd returned it and sending a now-familiar thrill to her core. As he coaxed her lips to part, sliding his tongue against her own in a way that made her toes curl, and pulled her back towards the bed, she had little doubt that her inexperience would be forgotten quickly.

This time, the stars witnessed a different sort of brilliance.

The only thing he heard was pounding. Incessant, unnecessary, damned, pounding. Jareth groaned, rolling to his stomach and bringing a pillow over his head. If someone wasn't dying from some agonizing infliction, they soon would be. His goblins knew better than to bother him while he was in his chambers. Guest or no guest.

"King?" a nervous voice queried. The pounding quickened.

Jareth cracked his eyes open and sighed. The plea was recognizably Skagg's; one of his more capable subjects who was most unlikely to trouble him unless absolutely necessary. Jareth pushed himself up on all fours, and after briefly admiring the sleeping woman curled up beside him, leaving a lingering kiss on her brow, he untangled himself from the sheets.

He conjured a dressing gown on his way to the door, tying the sash into a knot. He opened the door with a scowl. "What is it?"

Skagg had reverted to his familiar habit of handwringing and was shuffling his feet, looking anywhere but at the king before him. "Sorry ta bother, King. Buts he says it urgen'."

Jareth's eyes thinned. After yesterday, he saw no reason why his father would return so suddenly. He was well aware he and Sarah would be engaged the prior evening. "Who says it's urgent?"

"Err," Skagg mumbled, rubbing his neck. "Says he work 'ere. Lookin' for Lady."

"Ah…let me go! I needs to know she alright!"

Jareth pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course it was the bloody dwarf. He waved his hand at Skagg and moved into the doorway, watching the dwarf struggle against two of his goblins some ways down the hall.

"Hogwart. I'm beginning to suspect my offer was a mistake."

At the sharp tone, the dwarf in question flinched and stopped squirming. "Yer Majesty. Meant no 'fense, but Sarah fainted, and I hasn't seen 'er since…"

Jareth waved his hand again, and the two goblins released Hoggle. Free of restraint, he ambled closer to the king, obviously intent on making sure Sarah was alright despite the setting. Shaking madly because of it.

"I assure you, she is quite well," Jareth drawled, leaning into the doorframe and crossing his arms.

Hoggle visibly exhaled. After a brief hesitation, he looked up at the king and flinched again when he saw an unnerving grin spread across his face. It was only then that he noticed the king's state of undress, and nerves prodded his stutter into action. "Tha-a…that's g-good…"

"She is presently indisposed, however." The grin became Cheshire, just daring Hoggle to inquire further.

Hoggle paled, feeling his breakfast inching upwards. He knew Jareth. With that grin - that attire - he could imagine where she might be. She'd about told him, herself: Goblin…Queen. That alone was enough to snatch away any urge to personally affirm her safety. He might be a coward, but he was no idiot. And no question Jareth wanted asked was worth asking. "Ah…well, I'll…just…go…"

"A wise decision."

Hoggle didn't wait for Jareth's dismissal before he turned tail, running back down the hall where he'd come from. The clang of fallen gemstones followed him, pockets emptying, but never once did Hoggle turn.

The king allowed his grin to linger on the dwarf's fading steps before turning back. When Jareth re-entered his chambers, he saw Sarah had propped herself up against the headboard, holding the sheets to her chest. Her stare was inquisitive.

"Who was that?"

Jareth snorted. "Hoggle felt it necessary to ensure you were well. I assured him you were." He vanished his robe and climbed back in the bed, pulling her into his arms. "He declined to check for himself," he concluded wryly.

Sarah reddened immediately. "Oh." She brought a hand up to her eyes, allowing the sheet to slip slightly as she considered the mindset of her friend. "Was he...okay?" She'd explained her feelings in the courtyard, and he knew she'd become Goblin Queen, but this sort of intimacy was not something she expected Hoggle to accept easily.

Jareth placed another kiss on her neck, nipping, and pulled her back down against the mattress. "He'll be fine. I'm more concerned about a certain wife who kept her husband up half the night."

She laughed as his mouth reclaimed her own. "I recall it being mutual."

"Semantics."

His hands cradled her neck again as he shifted on top of her, brushing a soft kiss against her lips when she suddenly pushed back. "Wait!"

He pulled up, frowning. "What?"

"Hoggle," she grinned, and something close to mirth danced in her hazel-green eyes. "I knew you knew his name."

For a second, confusion reigned, but then he blinked, and it was replaced with resignation. He lifted a corner of lips just slightly. "I can make forgetting such worth your while."

She laughed again as his hands moved lower. "Oh?" she asked, trying her best to seem more innocent than intrigued. She knew it hardly fooled him; not after what he'd done to her - what they'd done to each other - last night. Innocence had been lost with the setting of the sun.

"Mhmm," he purred, and the sensation of deft fingers filling her, stroking folds that recognized the heat of his motion, pushed all thoughts of dwarves and their unimportant names from her mind.

When they woke again, it was nearly noon. They dined in Jareth's rooms, still unready to share each other's presence with others in the castle. As Sarah blew on another spoonful of soup, she broke the silence. "I'll need to go back today."

Jareth's spoon rattled against his bowl. "Excuse me?"

"To tell my family...something. My friends, too. Pick up some of my things." She laughed as she watched him exhale. "I don't want them just thinking I've disappeared. It was technically my birthday while I was here. I'm sure I've been reported missing." She wasn't quite sure what she'd tell them yet. Moved to a remote location overseas? Eloped with a high school sweetheart? She disliked the idea of lying to them - especially Toby - but found it doubtful they'd believe the truth. Unless magic was involved, of course.

"Of course. I can take you today. In time, you'll learn to do it on your own."

She perked up. "Really? I can visit?"

He nodded. "For brief periods, yes. But as Goblin Queen, you will be compelled to return after a time. A day at most."

She wondered what sort of leeway that provided. "I know our situation is unique, but do you expect issues here if I explained what actually happened? Where I am? I'd prefer my family to know the truth, but I doubt I'll be able to convince them without using magic."

He seemed to consider her words before shaking his head softly. "I think not if that's what you wish. After recent events, I suspect you have a bit of sway over my father. With the Council currently disbanded, there's no one else to challenge it." He grinned. "And Arlyck wouldn't dare argue against my father and me."

They decided to visit her family first.

According to Jareth, it was Sunday in her world and she knew her family typically spent the day at home. And if anyone had filed a police report, it would have been her father: an attorney. It also made logistical sense to visit her friends and campus apartment together afterward.

The lights were on in the front windows of the Victorian when they appeared. Someone was home. Sarah stuck her arm through Jareth's, took a deep breath, and rung the bell. Karen's sharp reply that she was coming reverberated through the wood, but died at the opening of the door.

"Robert! Get out here!"

Sarah smiled weakly when Karen's gaze darted back and forth between Sarah and Jareth. Mostly resting on Jareth.

She intended on telling them the truth, but perhaps the outfits had been a mistake. She remembered all too well not being able to take her eyes off Jareth that night in her room. Still, when matched with Jareth's markings, her own subtly sharpened features, and matching insignias, they appeared anything but normal. Regal. Otherworldly. And that was the intent.

Robert was quick to appear, reading a heavy tome and barely watching where his feet fell. The book echoed spectacularly on the marble flooring near the door. "Sarah? My God, where have you been? Your friend called when he couldn't reach...," he trailed off, realizing Sarah's arm was curled tightly around Jareth. His eyes widened, then narrowed. "Who is this?"

Another steadying breath. "This is Jareth. Can we come in? I can explain, but I'd rather not do it on the front porch."

Neither Williams looked thrilled after her implied warning, but Karen stepped aside and gestured for them to enter, not ever taking her eyes off Jareth. Sarah pulled Jareth inside and veered right. As expected, the living room was spotless, a consequence of Karen's obsession with order that had once irritated Sarah immensely. It was strangely comforting now, and Sarah hesitated only briefly before leaning back into the meticulously placed pillows on the loveseat. Her father and stepmother each claimed a dated, floral armchair across. Just staring. Waiting for the proverbial anvil to drop. Robert cleared his throat.

Sarah felt Jareth squeeze her hand, encouraging her to begin. Apologies always were a wise place to start. "I'm sorry that I worried you. And for just showing up without calling." She paused, watching closely for a sign the maneuver worked but noticed no change in their stern expressions. "We did come as soon as we could."

Well, almost. She willed her blush to settle.

"Where have you been? Please don't tell me you've thrown away your education to join some bizarre circus."

Sarah shook her head at her father, a wry smile threatening. "A kingdom actually, but bizarre wouldn't be far off."

His eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me? A what?"

"Well...it might be easier if I started at the beginning. This is going to sound crazy, but when I was fifteen, I wished Toby away to the goblins. And it worked."

Not waiting for their questions, Sarah quickly recounted how Toby had disappeared like magic with her wish. How the Goblin King, equally terrifying and captivating, had thrown open the window and offered Sarah her dreams in exchange for her brother. How she'd refused, and spent nearly ten hours racing through a labyrinth filled with magic and almost indescribable, but fiercely loyal, creatures. Friends she kept over the years that mattered more to her than those at college. How she'd made it to the center, rescued her brother, and returned home, victorious. How she'd realized soon after that something was terribly, magically, wrong. How time had slowed, skipped, then stopped. How she and Jareth found a way to fix it, in the Underground. She paused there, waiting to see how her parents reacted before she dropped the news of her queendom. Neither Williams had interrupted during her story, despite opening their mouths several times as if they'd meant to. It was unclear if they believed her.

Neither spoke immediately when she finished, but Sarah's father's eyes narrowed again at Jareth. "You need to leave."

"Dad?"

Robert Williams stood, pointing a shaking finger out into the hallway. "Upstairs, Sarah. Now. I don't know what this man has done to brainwash you, but I'll figure out how to fix it."

"He hasn't brainwashed me, dad," Sarah insisted, sighing. Of all the times to suddenly become overprotective. "I'm telling you the truth. Magic is real. The Underground exists."

"Sarah—"

"Sit down, Robert," Karen scolded, and Robert snapped his eyes towards her, startled. "And take a good look at them."

He looked but didn't sit. In his silence, Karen leaned forward slightly in her chair. She too focused on the king. "Who are you?" But there was something in her question that convinced Sarah she already knew. That she believed her or at least was trying to.

"You may call me Jareth," the king answered calmly. "But I am also known by another title."

"Goblin King. Of this...Underground?"

"Precisely," he crooned. Jareth grinned then as the woman's eyes darted to Sarah, then to him, then back to Sarah again. When she again looked back at him, he twisted the wrist not holding onto Sarah to end the speculation. He offered the shimmering crystal towards the pair. "Everything Sarah has said is true."

The memory of the king in the window flickered inside and even from a distance, he could tell both Williams matched the faces to those on the loveseat. In an instant, years passed, and the image shifted to them sitting across a disordered desk, reading a familiar ancient book. Then to them playing chess, and his proffering a melting crystal in an office. He allowed Sarah's parents a short glimpse of them dining at his father's castle, dressed in their same finery, before he vanished the crystal.

"I don't understand," Robert whispered, falling back into his chair.

Karen smiled faintly, knowingly; as only a woman and mother could. She again looked to the king. "Do you love her?"

"More than anything."

She nodded and stood. That was all that mattered. "Then I'm happy for you both."

Karen assured Sarah she'd explain it to her father as they walked towards the hallway. "He's in denial, I'm afraid. You never dated much and I think he still believes you're his little girl with flowers in her hair, pretending to be a princess."

Sarah laughed and returned Karen's unexpected hug. Things had been better between them after that night, but still, the affection was a surprise. Motherly instinct? "Just remind him I did one better. I'll visit again soon." She jutted her head towards the staircase when Karen pulled back. "Is Toby asleep? I know he won't understand, but I wanted to let him know too."

"He is, but go ahead. It's better he heard it from you."

Toby's door creaked slightly as Sarah pushed it open, expecting to find her brother wrapped in his tri-colored comforter. Instead, he was kneeling before his table of toys, a figurine in both hands. To Sarah, one appeared to be bashing the other into the wood, but they both clattered down together as Toby charged towards his sister. "Sarah!"

"Hey, squirt," she said fondly, ruffling his hair as he wrapped his arms around one leg. "You're supposed to be sleeping."

"Not sleepy," he claimed, then yawned. "Why you home? Bring me present?"

Sarah laughed, then kneeled down to his eye level. "You bet. I want you to meet someone. This is Jareth. He's my special friend, and I'm going to be living with him now." She smiled softly, picking up her pendant. "And he's a magical king."

"Wow." He let go of Sarah to stare at the king in awe. "He do magic?"

Sarah laughed again. "Yep. And now I can too. Watch."

With Jareth's magic, she wasn't sure she still needed to do so, but out of habit, she wished for what she wanted. Jareth had assured her it would work. The small crystal popped into existence in the palm of one hand, and she held it out for Toby. "This is for you. It's a magical phone. If you need me, just hold it really tight and call out my name. I'll be able to hear you. Just don't tell mom I gave it to you, okay?"

"'Kay!" Toby snatched the crystal, bringing it smack up to his face to look at the sparkles inside. The obstruction didn't prevent Sarah from seeing him he try – and fail – to hold in another yawn.

Sarah ruffled his hair again and lifted him into her arms. He yawned once more, still holding onto the crystal, as Sarah tucked him into bed. "Don't cause mom too much trouble, squirt. I love you. I'll see you soon."

"'Kay," Toby whispered, already half-asleep, as the pair disappeared.

The campus coffee shop was bustling as they entered, the little bell over the door almost unheard over the clank of mugs and roar of co-eds. Sarah smoothed out her black sweater before checking on Jareth, marks glamoured, and black armor temporarily replaced with a crisp white button-down shirt and tight black jeans. He was unsurprisingly attractive even when feigning to be human.

James was behind the counter, writing some name down on a little plastic cup. "Small half-caf, low fat, skinny vanilla latte," he yelled back to the girl by the machines. He handed her the cup with a roll of eyes. "Extra whip."

"One lemon poppy-seed muffin, please."

James jumped, and Sarah laughed as he spun back around to the register. "Sarah! Where the hell have you been? You missed your own party."

"Sorry to worry you. Something unexpected came up." Sarah conveyed the story she'd concocted about Jareth surprising her with a sudden birthday trip. All expenses paid. In all the rush to make her flight, she'd forgotten to let him know. And then she'd been…distracted. It was the best she could do in short notice, but James nodded along as she lied.

"You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend. James," he offered a brief wave to the man standing at Sarah's side. "Nice to meet you."

The king nodded in return. "And you."

"There's something else, James. I'm sorry for the short notice, but I'm afraid I have to drop my shift here. I'm transferring."

"Transferring? Where?"

"A small school in the U.K. It's near where Jareth lives." With his accent, she knew Jareth could pass for a Brit. To her, it was the most believable cover story to combine with a surprise, romantic get-away. "Can you let Amy and Steve know, too? I promise to keep in touch."

"You better." James shook his head, then mussed up his already messy brown hair as he ran a hand back through it. "I don't think I'll ever understand you, Sarah, but I hope it works out. I'll miss you, you know."

"Thanks, James. Me too." She offered her hand. "Now how about that muffin?"

They visited her apartment last. It was unclear if authorities had investigated; nothing seemed out of place.

Her poor shucked rainboots and battered umbrella greeted them at the entrance and Sarah regarded them fondly, the last visages of her old life before Jareth returned. She handed them to Jareth pointedly and they vanished with a twist of wrists. She doubted she'd need them Underground, but she was sentimental.

Her room, unsurprisingly, looked just as she left it, save for the nightstand clock that glowed 4:47. She wanted her pictures now. Sets of familiar clothes that she wasn't ready to abandon. Some books. At her signal, Jareth repeated his motion. With her magic, she could have likely wished any of them to her from the Underground, but being here gave her closure. She'd have to cancel her lease and vacate everything before the semester was up, but she had a little time.

Time. Her little black-bound journal rested on the floor beside her bed. Jareth would at least get a kick out her meticulous marking. She picked it up with a wry grin and handed it to him. "This was why I was so exhausted when you arrived."

He took the book wordlessly and flipped open the cover. He snorted. "You attempted to keep track? By the minute?"

"It got so bad I had to try. I kept forgetting what day it was supposed to be." She nodded over at him. "Last page."

He chuckled again but didn't hesitate to flip to the back. And froze, looked up at her, then down again. And laughed.

"It wasn't funny, Jareth. I was barely getting enough sleep to function."

He shook his head. "You misunderstand. I'm laughing at the hours, not you." He handed her the journal, still open to the back, and called a crystal. It shifted into a familiar ancient book in an instant. "I believe none of us had rightly guessed the middle line, but only you would have been able to."

She furrowed her brow and read the tallies again.

January 1st, 1990: 8 hours

February 24th, 1990: 9 hours

March 11th, 1990: 10 hours

March 20th, 1990: 11 hours

March 26th, 1990: 12 hours

March 29th, 1990: 13 hours

Jareth's voice was a melodic backdrop. "When Aries reaches the apex of Its rule, what comes past shall remain. You reached thirteen hours, Sarah. The Labyrinth's only rule. Your wishing likely did little that night; at that peak, you were foretold to return and remain."

She too froze, but then covered her face and groaned. "I didn't even think about the tallies."

He chuckled again, and notes of warm honey and rich silk caressed the space near her ear. "I wouldn't trouble yourself over it. You solved what mattered." He dropped a soft kiss against her neck, pulling her against him to prove his point. "Is there anything else you desire now?" At the shake of her head, he returned them below. They reappeared in the throne room.

Sarah recognized immediately something was different.

"Given the haste with which we wed and the events that followed, I hadn't had the opportunity to show you. I had intended on providing something similar but you'll be amused to know this particular change was not my doing. As you've discovered with my door, your connection to the magic of this castle runs deep."

Jareth's throne had not changed: its curved armrests slightly rusting and ending inwards with a curl of horns. The seat of stone solid but strangely fragile. But it had been shifted just left, just enough to clear a space for a companion. Smaller, but like her pendant, an unmistakable match. Sarah smiled faintly. "It's perfect. There's only one problem."

"Oh?"

"Mhmm." She moved then, around the carve-out in the floor, to settle herself in the smaller seat. A spark of mischief seeped into her smile. "Now I don't have an excuse to share yours."

His eyes darkened. With little more than a flick of fingers, he vanished his own throne, took several measured steps towards his queen, and started to unclasp his winged breastplate.

Forever would never be long enough.

A/N: To all who have followed this one over the years - my everlasting thanks. To those who took the time to review - your kind words mean more than you know. This has been a labor of love and the joy of writing and reading your comments makes it all the more worth it.

Stay safe and healthy in the chaos! I hope this has helped, even if only to distract.

- Rayac