Disclaimer: All characters that are recognizable are not mine. They belong to Jim Henson and those that made the film.

A/N: This story goes back almost a year. It was inspired by A Convenient Arrangement by DemonSaya. If you haven't read it you need to it is awesome. As soon as I read it this came to me.

I also have to mention Jetredgirl who gave me the courage to start it. Her advice meant so much to me and I probably would not have started writing without it. I like to think she is out among the stars encouraging and inspiring us writers.

I wrote the first two chapters lost my nerve to finish the fic and put it away until this summer. Once I started it back up again it just flowed. It is complete and while I intended for it to be about 15-18 chapters it ballooned to this 30-chapter monster. I hope you enjoy it.

I want to thank RMBiehl for offering to beta for me when the one I had flaked out (she is family so I can't get too mad). I know I am difficult you are the best.

Sarah opened the apartment door when she heard the ring of the telephone. She kicked the door closed with the bottom of her boot and dropped her messenger bag and her coat on the table on her way to the kitchen peninsula to grab the cordless receiver. Obviously, Meg, her roommate, was not here since the phone was still ringing.

"Hello?" Sarah said into the receiver, slightly breathless in her effort to get to the phone before the answering machine turned on.

"Hi Sarah Sweetheart, I'm so glad I caught you at home. Are you feeling, ok? You sound a little winded." The cheerful voice on the other end caused Sarah to groan inwardly.

"Hi. Karen," Sarah sighed. "I just got in and heard the phone from the door." Leaning against the counter Sarah pulled her boots off. "What's up? No one is sick or anything? Plans for the holidays are the same right?" She hoped her voice didn't sound too hopeful.

"No dear everyone is fine. Your trip back for Christmas is what I was calling about though." Karen's voice still held the cheerful chirp.

As she listened to her stepmother Sarah filled a glass with water.

"If there is a problem I can miss this trip," Sarah interrupted, again hoping she did not sound too eager for her to answer in the affirmative. She took a drink from the glass.

It wasn't that she didn't want to see her family. She loved them and missed them now that her visits were even rarer than when she was in school. She just wished that her visit wasn't quite as long this time. Usually, she timed things so that she was only there for a day or two. Long enough to see everyone, but short enough to avoid any uncomfortable conversations with her dad about her career choice or Karen about her social life i.e. dating.

"No, no, no dear nothing like that. It's just that I was wondering if you would like to bring the young man you've been seeing with you when you visit," Karen answered. The mouthful of water Sarah was drinking ended up flying across the room in a perfect spit take.

"What young man? Who told you I was seeing someone?" Sarah couldn't control the screech in her voice.

"Sarah dear are you sure you are, ok?" Karen's voice was full of worry. "I was talking to Meg and she mentioned you were seeing someone. I just wanted you to know that you are welcome to bring him along. In fact, your father and I would encourage you to bring him so we can meet him," Karen explained.

"I'm sure dad is really anxious for me to bring a guy home," Sarah thought warily. Her father's "boyfriend interrogations" were a special kind of hell on guys she had dated. This was one reason she didn't take anyone home often, that and the fact that there hasn't been anyone to take home in a while. Then she had to think about who Meg was talking about. She hadn't even been on a date in almost six months.

"When were you talking to Meg? Who did she say I was seeing?" Sarah couldn't keep the confusion from her voice.

"Sarah sweetheart have you been working too hard, sleeping well? I would think you would know who you are dating. Or are you playing the field?" Karen sounded absolutely gleeful. "There is nothing wrong with test driving a few cars before you decide on which one to buy."

Sarah thought that she might just throw up. "Eww, Karen this is not the conversation I want to have with you right now. What exactly did Meg say about him?" Sarah was mentally going over every conversation she had had lately with her roommate to deduce who the hell Karen was talking about.

"Well, I called a couple of days ago and you were out. It's been a while since we have seen Meg so I was asking how things were. While we were talking, I asked what you were doing. Meg let me know that she saw you at the coffee shop with a young man. When I asked about him, she said that you have been seeing him on and off since college." Karen's cheerful chirp was back. "I don't know why you were keeping him from us, but I just want you to know that you are welcome to bring him for your visit, and we would love to meet someone you've known for so long." The implication was thick in her voice. "If you are not dating exclusively that is fine, I won't say a word."

"Yeah, sure you won't."

Not only did Sarah not have a boyfriend, but now Karen had her hooking up with half the male population of New York City. And if she knew Karen, everyone in her hometown would think she was the female version of Don Juan by tomorrow.

"Well, you always wanted to be popular," she thought wryly. And knowing Karen she would use this situation to force the phantom boyfriend to propose.

Coffee shop…coffee shop, she didn't have any dates lately and certainly not in a coffee shop. A few days ago…who was she with a few days ago…did she even meet anyone a few days ago in a coffee shop? Her mind was racing…and then it hit her like a ton of bricks.

Oh crap! The thought ringed in Sarah's head. When had Meg seen him with me? And since college…I tried to be so careful. Ok, damage control, how am I going to get around this? Sarah's mind whirled on overdrive, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation.

"Oh, him, well, he is just a friend. We were just meeting up for coffee. I've known him for a while, but he just got back in touch with me and we met up." Sarah thought back to what Meg may have seen that would lead her to tell Karen that she had a boyfriend.

"Now Sarah, Meg told us what she saw, and I agree, it definitely sounded like a date. If you are worried about how your father or I would feel, honey we are thrilled if you found someone. And if he is only one of many, I am not one to judge. Just be careful. Honestly, we have been concerned that you have dated so little since you graduated." Now that Sarah believed. "I am relieved that you found someone special or maybe more than one someone special." Karen was not letting up on this.

"Karen really I'm fine. I'm only twenty-three. It's not like I'm in danger of becoming an old maid." Sarah tried to laugh things off.

"Sweetie I don't know why you don't want to talk about or have us meet someone who you've known for so long. Let me put it this way. Your father and I expect him to come for the visit. We want to meet him." Karen put on her no-nonsense mom voice that Sarah hated especially since Karen was NOT her MOTHER.

"Karen again it's not like that, and anyway the trip is only five days away that's pretty short notice for a multi-day trip. He might not be able to get away. His job keeps him pretty busy. And he may have plans for the holiday anyway." Sarah was grasping for any lifeline.

"Oh, I understand that honey." Sarah smiled thinking she had gotten out of this mess pretty easily. "If he can't come here, we will visit you after New Year's and meet him then." Karen's chirp was back.

Double crap. No, she did not need the family coming here. The apartment was small, she would have to entertain them for God knows how long, and Meg it seems has a big mouth, and that was a wild card that Sarah did not need.

"I can't promise Karen, but I will talk to him, ok? But, it's not what you think really." Sarah hoped that this would hold her off for a while.

"That's fine honey. If I don't hear from you by noon tomorrow, I will call you back." Sarah could almost hear the smile in Karen's voice.

"Hey, Sar!" Suddenly a new voice joined in. "Who's the new secret boyfriend? Something really big must be wrong with him for you to keep quiet about him for that long. And, I don't believe for a minute that you are dating more than one guy. I know you can only handle one zero at a time." Sarah recognized the voice of her little brother instantly.

"Tobias Williams! Are you eavesdropping on the living room extension?" Karen's focus changed seamlessly from one Williams child to the other.

"I wasn't on long. I just wanted to talk to Sarah," Toby whined.

"Ok. I'll hang up and let you talk. Sarah, I expect to hear from you soon. Goodbye, dear." Sarah could hear the emphasis her stepmother put on the word soon and sighed.

"Bye Karen. I will let you know; I promise." Sarah dropped onto the sofa. "Hey Tobes, what's up?"

"I already asked. Who's the secret boyfriend?" Toby demanded again. "You always tell me about your latest disaster. I wondered why I haven't heard about one lately. I thought maybe you had enough of attracting every loser in New York and were joining a convent."

"Oh Toby, they weren't all disasters…ok, I guess they all have been disasters." Sarah had to laugh. What does it say about me that one of my best friends and confidants is my almost 10-year-old brother? "And honestly I don't have a secret boyfriend."

"Really? Then why do mom and dad not know about him? Why don't I know about him?" Oh, so that was what was bothering him.

"He's just a friend, Tobes. Really, there is nothing to tell," Sarah told him.

"Yeah right. Hey, you don't want to tell, you don't need to tell. So, when will you and the not-a-boyfriend get here?" Toby asked, still sounding hurt.

"I will be there on Wednesday. I'm taking an early train, so I should be there by lunch." Sarah was using the pronoun purposely. "What's going on with you? How's school?" Sarah desperately wanted to change the subject.

"Everything is fine. Mom's letting me start karate classes after the New Year, and I've been getting better with the guitar," Toby started chattering. Mission accomplished.

"School's fine. I'm not the brain you were or anything, but I'm making good enough grades to keep mom and dad off my back. It's just that most of the teachers are so ancient that they remember you, and I get to hear all about how smart, talented, and creative you were. It doesn't bother me anymore. Much."

Toby kept talking for about another twenty minutes. Everything from what his friends were doing to his plan to form a garage band when he gets to high school. Good luck with that Sarah thought, Karen will never allow a band in her garage. She had barely tolerated Merlin being there. Finally, Sarah heard Karen in the background telling Toby it was time to get off the phone.

"Hey Sar, listen, mom needs me to get off. She is insisting I clean my room. Like anyone will be coming in my room, or care if it is clean or not," Toby grumbled. "I'll see you Wednesday."

"Bye Tobes," Sarah said with a smile and hung up.

Sarah leaned back against the couch. How did I get into this mess? Why would Meg think that he was my boyfriend? Sarah thought back to when they had gotten together at the coffee shop. They were sitting at a small table that forced them to be close together. He had offered to treat, but it had been his turn. They talked and laughed, but she talked and laughed with lots of people. Enjoying someone's company doesn't necessarily mean there are feelings behind it…right? Oh great, now her mind was going down a path she definitely did not want or need it going down. Going down a path it had not been since she was a teenager.

Now you are NOT going there! Sarah admonished herself. It is not your fault that you had a crush on the glittery jerk after her night in the Labyrinth. I mean, look at what he was wearing, and how he talked to you. Not to mention the dance and the ballroom. It was every girl's fantasy. She took a minute or two to indulge in one of those fantasies she had as a teenager before she shut it down, much like she did when she was a teenager.

She shook her head, thinking about their relationship. First, as adversaries, he had been her childhood villain. Then, letting go of old misconceptions, they got to know each other and became friends. Now, while they did not talk or see each other often, she always enjoyed their conversations and was comfortable with their rapport. And now with one phone call, Karen had screwed it all up.

Sarah looked down at the ground. "Look at the mess you've gotten me into now," she said. "Karen I was planning to get through the holiday like all the others, why put these thoughts into my head?" Then she turned her thoughts to her roommate, or should she say soon-to-be ex-roommate. "Meg, you're a dead woman," she said as she closed her eyes.

A/N: Thank you for reading. Please leave a review it encourages the process.