Chapter 8

First kisses and a day at the mall

Sarah slept late, and it was already nearly ten in the morning before she opened her eyes. Luckily it was a Saturday and she didn't have to go to work. She was supposed to meet Marjorie to go to an aerobics class and then take in a movie and the mall afterwards, but that was not until one in the afternoon.

"Plenty of time left", she yawned.

Sarah laid in her bed for a few minutes to gather her thoughts, squinting her eyes to adjust them to the bright sunlight that shone right in her face.

Last night had been pure magic. Sara smiled dreamily thinking about it, and she was reliving every moment.

Not much happened besides some passionate kissing and some touching; but definitely nothing beneath the clothes. They had mostly talked and they both had agreed not to move too fast.

Jareth wanted to give Sarah time to sort out her feelings as she had regained her memories only very recently. Moving too fast probably was not wise. She needed some time to adjust to everything as it was a lot to take in.

The one thing she was absolutely sure of, she truly loved Jareth. And had Jareth not stopped her and taken the lead, who knows where the night might have led to.

"Sarah", he had said after finishing a long deep kiss, "you know we don't have to rush anything. We now have all the time in the world."

He had smiled at her with twinkling eyes as he gently wiped one of her hair strands out of her face. Sarah had pouted her lips which made Jareth laugh out loud. It was the first time she had actually heard him laugh like that. He looked kind of cute, and she loved this new Jareth.

"Five years I have waited for this moment", Jareth had whispered.

"I don't know how many times I have replayed tonight in my mind, what it would be like, how it would play out." He continued in a soothing deep voice. "Would you reciprocate my feelings? What if you rejected me, again?"

Jareth fingers gently caressed her cheek as he tilted his head and looked in her eyes with a hint of sadness.

"No, I didn't want to think about that one", he continued while Sarah had listened quietly. He was pouring his heart out to her and she was not going to interrupt him.

"And now that it is finally happening, you have surpassed all of my 'what ifs'. Not only did you tell me you love me, but I have to hold you back from rushing certain things." He looked deep into her eyes with the trace of a smile on his lips.

"Sarah", his voice became very quiet, "I don't want you to regret anything we are doing, especially not from tonight. Tonight is very special."

Sarah had blushed as he had said those last few words.

"I love you so much. I don't want to mess this up like I did last time", he added.

She could tell it had been hard for him to say these words and she loved him even more for it.

"You won't Jareth", Sarah replied, softly touching his cheek with her hand. He leaned forward and kissed her again. Sarah put her arms around his neck and held his kiss for a long time.

Sarah pondered, had they gone all the way last night, would she be regretting it today?

"No, not a chance", she muttered to herself.

Jareth, however, had proven himself to be a perfect gentleman as he never took advantage of her 'weakened' state.

"Aaah", Sarah sighed and rolled herself out of bed. Unfortunately he was not able to stay the entire night as he had some 'kingly business' back at the Labyrinth, but he had promised he would be back in a day or two.

"As soon as I can get away from there I come back and then we can spend an entire day, or two, together." Sarah had tried not to look too disappointed about this.

She knew he had a lot of duties to fulfill back at his castle. He was the king after all and had to keep things moving smoothly along. Goblins were hard to keep in check, which she knew from her own experiences. She had not wanted for him to feel guilty about leaving her, and therefore had shrugged it off.

"That's ok, I can wait. Marjorie and I have some plans anyway doing some stuff. Catch a movie, go to the mall. You know, girl stuff."

She chuckled, but in reality she much rather had wanted to do 'stuff' with Jareth than Marjorie this weekend, but she didn't let it on. She was just happy to finally be with him even if only for a few hours.

Sarah finally got up, took a shower, and got dressed. While she brushed her hair at her little make-up desk she saw a small box sitting there. It had a note attached to it "So you won't forget me while I'm gone. Love Jareth".

Sarah got excited and opened it quickly. Inside was a beautiful golden locket in the shape of a heart on a gold chain. It had the Labyrinth etched into it on the front.

She opened it with shaky hands. Two pictures of Jareth looked out at her. One of his true fae form, and one of him in human form.

"Aha! So that was you in the library after all. I knew it", she mumbled with a smile, looking at the picture of Jareth in human form.

On the backside of the locket was an engraving. "I am yours forever" it read. Sarah almost started to cry. How incredibly sweet of him. Quickly she put it around her neck, taking a deep breath of joy, and jogged out the door to meet the day.

Sarah actually had a good time with Marjorie which surprised herself. She was giddy and full of life, joking around, and being silly. Marjorie gave her a few puzzling sideway looks before she stepped into Sarah's path as they left a cosmetic store.

"You had sex last night!" she declared, forcefully putting her hands on her hips.

"What?" Sarah was completely taken off guard. "I have no clue what you're talking about", she replied, but could not prevent a mischievous smirk appearing on her face.

"Ha, you just admitted it", Marjorie cried out joyfully.

"I did what?" Sarah responded with a faked shocked look. "How the hell you figure that?" she asked. Marjorie grinned gleefully at Sarah.

"I know you girlfriend. So tell me, who is it, and since when do you have a boyfriend, and how did you meet him?"

She started circling Sarah.

"Oooh, oooh, let me guess. No, don't say a word", Marjorie insisted, waving her off with the flick of her hand. She looked at Sarah with squinted eyes for a few moments as if she was trying to read her mind. All the while Sarah stood there with her mouth open not knowing what to say.

"Ha, I got it", Marjorie yelled on top of her lungs drawing attention from other people around.

"Will you please shut up?" Sarah hissed looking embarrassed.

"It's Dreamy Eyes Guy", Marjorie looked victorious and bobbed her head up and down like a woodpecker hammering away at a dead tree stump.

"Tell me I'm right. Go on, tell me. Tell me I'm right", Marjorie started tapping her feet and clapping her hands as if she were performing a victory dance.

Sarah was speechless. How did she do that? Sarah had not mentioned Jareth to Marjorie in quite some time. Was it written on her forehead? "I kissed the goblin king last night".

She even checked her reflection in the store window to double check. Marjorie was still doing her victory dance.

"Nooo", Sarah finally responded. "I did not have sex last night", she lowered her voice and looked around to see if anyone was listening.

"Not because I didn't want to", she admitted sheepishly, "but I did kiss Jareth last night, more than once. He finally revealed himself to me".

That last part didn't make any sense to Marjorie, but she had quit listening after the name 'Jareth' anyway. She started to jump up and down laughing loudly. Again, drawing the attention of other people.

"Stop it", Sarah hissed annoyed.

"Ok, ok, I'll quit", Marjorie huffed slightly out of breath. "Let's go have a milkshake. I'm buying and you'll tell me all about it."

Sarah told Marjorie all about last night, and Marjorie was just giggling away. She was genuinely happy for Sarah. A few times Sarah had to kick her under the table to make her shut up and lower her voice as she kept attracting the attention of everyone around them.

"I'm sorry", Marjorie kept saying, "but this is just too good. I am so happy for you. So, when do I get to meet him? I've been hearing about this guy for what, almost five years now? I think it's time for me to meet him. I have to vet him first." Marjorie loudly slurped the last drop of her milkshake through her straw.

"You will do no such thing", Sarah declared assertively. "I may let you meet him, but there will be no vetting. He's been vetted by me, and he passed."

Marjorie laughed out loud. "Yeah some vetting you're doing." Even Sarah had to laugh loudly at that statement.

"Oooh it's almost time for the film to start. Let's go", Marjorie jumped up from her seat.

"What movie did we decide to watch again?" Sarah asked absently.

"Just a Gigolo, with David Bowie", Marjorie replied, with her hands stretched out and a slightly perturbed look that seem to say: "Seriously? Where have you been?"

For weeks they had planned to go watch it, as Sarah and her both were huge David Bowie fans, and the guy who ran the theatre always showed off the mainstream films.

"Oooh yeah", Sarah replied with an excited look on her face.

Marjorie had purchased tickets in advance, so they were able to skip the line and choose any seat they wanted to sit in.

"Let's sit in the front", Marjorie suggested.

"Nooo, my eyes get crossed if I sit to close", Sarah replied.

"Fine, let's sit in the back then". Sarah shook her head. "I can't see well that far away and we are talking David Bowie here."

Marjorie sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Good lord girl, quit being so picky. Trust me, when you start going with "Dreamy Eyes Guy" to the movies all you wanna do is sit in the back row." Marjorie chuckled so hard she almost choked herself. She thought her remark was hilarious.

"Ha, ha, ha, not funny", Sarah mocked her. They finally decided to sit in the middle which was a good compromise.

The show was great and Sarah had enjoyed it thoroughly. She still wished Jareth could've been there too, with her.

She sighed. "What now? What you're in the mood for?"

Marjorie screwed her face:" Actually I'm supposed to meet Mark for some drinks at the Blue Rock Cafe at eight. I can call and reschedule; or we can all go", she added quickly noticing Sarah's disappointed face.

"You don't reschedule a date, and I'm not going to be a third wheel." Sarah replied. "You go on, I'll be...what the hell?"

Sarah stopped abruptly in mid-sentence. Marjorie looked in the direction Sarah was staring at. She saw a really good looking tall blond guy walking steadily towards them waving and smiling.

"You know him?" Marjorie inquired.

"Well, eh, yeah. That's Jareth. But I thought..."

Sarah shook her head and blinked her eyes to make sure she was not having hallucinations. He was supposed to be in the Labyrinth Kingdom. Marjorie started to wave back a little too excited at Jareth. She was grinning from ear to ear.

"Looks like I'm getting to vet, I mean meet, 'Dreamy Eyes Guy' sooner than thought."

She squealed exited. Sarah shook her head and rolled her eyes lightly.

"Hello dear", Jareth said and gave Sarah a kiss on the cheek.

"What are you doing here?" she asked in total surprise staring at his human form. "I thought you had some..." she glanced over at Marjorie, "...business meetings to attend to?"

Jareth smiled at Sarah, "they got postponed until tomorrow. I didn't have your number to call and tell you, soooo, I tracked you down here. I hope you don't mind?" Sarah looked at him with happy eyes and shook her head. Her? Mind? Was he kidding?

Her day had just went from great to perfect. Marjorie cleared her throat and faked a cough while boxing Sarah in the arm.

"Ouch...oh yeah", Sarah pointed to Marjorie, "this here is Marjorie, my best friend I've been telling you about."

"Nice to meet you finally, Marjorie", Jareth said with a smile as he leaned into her to shake her hand.

"Oh my god, you do have dreamy eyes, I mean, hi there", Marjorie blurted out with excitement. Sarah rolled her eyes and put her hand over her face. She felt so embarrassed.

"Damn Marjorie", she was thinking to herself. Jareth just laughed out loud and thanked her for the compliment.

"Dreamy eyes, eh?" He whispered into Sarah's ear with his irresistible smirk.

"Ooh, ooh, ooh, let me call Mark and we can all go to the Blue Rock Café as a double date. Yay, so exciting", Marjorie pulled out her Motorola phone.

"You're up for it Jareth?"

She had already dialed and was talking to Mark by the time Jareth got around to answer, which she didn't even pay any attention to anymore.

Sarah had a hard time holding back a laugh. Jareth had just gotten steam rolled by Marjorie. The goblin king had gotten steam rolled by her best friend. Classic.

"I hope you didn't mind me showing up?" Jareth asked Sarah quietly while Marjorie was having her phone conversation with Mark. Sarah looked at him and shook her head.

"I am so happy you're here. I've already been missing you." She took his hand and pressed it. Jareth smiled at her and gave her a kiss. "Same here, precious."

The three of them met Mark at the Blue Rock Café. He already had reserved a little round table for four in a secluded corner with a clear view to the stage. It had a round bench instead of chairs attached to it and was really comfortable. It also gave Jareth a chance to sit really close to Sarah.

The Cafe was a small dim lit place that had the atmosphere of a mix between a Speak Easy and a Vaudeville club. They had a house band called 'The Rockin Jazz Cats' which played really cool rock and jazz music. Mark's dad owned the place, and Mark was the night manager there. He always got Marjorie and Sarah in for free and sitting at the best seat in the house.

Marjorie and Mark had been going steady for about two years now. Sarah loved this club, but always felt out of place there without a date. It was after all more designed as a couple's club and not a singles bar, although plenty singles went there to try and hook up. Sarah could attest to this. She had to repel many unsuccessful advances from guys. This was the first time she actually had a real date at the club and she felt elated.

Jareth seemed to get along great with everyone and was in a deep conversation with Mark about acoustics and sound systems. Sarah was surprised how much Jareth knew about the subject.

Mark at one point told Sarah that Jareth was a keeper and to hang on to him. She just smiled and told him she definitely would. Mark gave her a thumbs up.

Marjorie interrupted her thoughts.

"Jareth is awesome girl. Where did you meet? Oh never mind, I know, he's your Labyrinth guy. For a goblin he's damn good looking." Sarah busted out laughing.

"I'm a lucky girl alright. And he's not a goblin, he's a fae, big difference. But today he decided to be in his human form", she added dryly.

"Gotcha", Marjorie agreed and pointed the finger at Sarah like she was about to shoot her.

The club was getting pretty crowded since it was lady's night. The staff had fired up the smoke machine and different colored spotlights, which gave the entire place an eerie but really cool ambience. It was a perfect make-out place for couples.

Mark had grabbed Marjorie and they both had disappeared into a back room.

"They won't be back for a while", Sarah told Jareth when he gave her a puzzling look.

"So, that means we're alone?" Jareth whispered into her ear and started kissing her neck. Sarah closed her eyes and moaned quietly.

"Careful boy, we are in a public place."

"Want to give them a show?" he asked without stopping his caressing. He put his arm around her waist.

"We better not", Sarah replied and tried to gently push Jareth off her.

"What's wrong Sarah?" Jareth asked very serious all the sudden. "You don't want me to be here?" He looked at her with questioning and almost scared eyes.

"Oh good lord, no Jareth", Sarah gasped and grabbed his hand. "You know better than that". She looked at him with unease. "It's just, that, it's..." she tried to find the right words. "Weird? Strange?"

Jareth sat back and looked into her eyes. "What is?" He asked with a befuddled undertone to his voice.

Sarah sighed. "Your human form. The only time we were intimate, you were a fae, you were the goblin king. I'm just not used to ...this form", she motioned at him with her hand. "I feel like I'm cheating on you with yourself. Oh, I told you it's weird." She was frustrated.

Jareth looked puzzled at first and then he busted out laughing.

"That's what's bothering you babe?" he asked with a big smile. "You don't want to cheat with me as a human on myself as a fae? Did I get this right?" He looked at Sarah with a humorous smirk and his piercing eyes.

Sarah lowered her gaze. "Yes", she said quietly.

Jareth re-adjusted his posture. "Close your eyes Sarah, and keep them closed", he demanded.

"Why?" she looked confused.

"Just trust me, babe", he replied softly.

Sarah closed her eyes and waited on what was going to happen. Jareth gently held her face in his hands and then he kissed her. It was a long deep kiss filled with passion, but yet incredibly gentle. Sarah felt like she was going to melt away. Every time she thought Jareth was going to pull away he came back for more. He finished it up by proceeding to kiss her cheek, neck and lips again.

"Now", he whispered. "Was that me or someone else?" Sarah slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.

"It was all you", she breathed.

Jareth smiled at her, gently caressing the side of her face. He was about to lean in for another kiss when Mark and Marjorie returned.

"Damn it", Sarah mumbled under her breath which made Jareth chuckle. He grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor.

"Let's dance", he said and before Sarah could say anything he had his arm around her waist and led her down the parquet.

The world disappeared for Sarah. She was transformed back to the ballroom in the Labyrinth, looking at Jareth as the goblin king in his stunning outfit. Jareth held her gaze with his mesmerizing eyes the entire time.

When the dance was over he whispered into her ear.

" Do you still feel like you're cheating?"

"Maybe just a little", she replied with a smirk as she batted her eyes.

Marjorie and Mark had dropped off Sarah and Jareth at the house.

"Want to meet me in my room?" Sarah asked seductively.

"Only for a short while" Jareth sighed. "I still have to be back at the castle for a goblin council meeting in the morning". He rolled his eyes.

Sarah pouted. "I guess a short while is better than none. Meet you upstairs".

Jareth entered as usual through the glass door in owl form, but instantly changed into his fae form instead his human form.

"What happened to my other date?" Sarah joked.

"I gave him the night off. It's my turn now", he replied with a grin. Sarah chuckled and had to be careful not to laugh out loud. She didn't want to risk Toby, or worse, Elizabeth to wake up.

Elizabeth would die if she would catch Sarah in her room with a man.

"I want to thank you for the locket. It's beautiful", she said as she sat on the bed and pulled the necklace out from under her shirt. "I love it". Her eyes sparkled as she gazed up at Jareth.

"I had hoped you would say that." He walked over and sat down next to her.

"I enjoyed tonight tremendously", he said reaching out for her hands. "I would like to do this much more often. I want to get to know your friends, your work, and your most inner secrets. I really want to get to know all about you. Let me court you the right way."

Jareth gently squeezed her hands and then kissed them. Sarah smiled happily. "I would love that", she replied.