To Sarah's surprise Jareth helped her set the table while Irene finished making supper.

Robert emerged from his office, "Hmmm...smells good in here." His face clouded at seeing an unknown young man in the kitchen. "And who might you be son?"

With a slight nod of his head Jareth extended his hand. "Jareth Kingsley, Sir."

Robert shook the proffered hand, brow raised. He leveled a meaningful glance at Sarah who shot back an icy glare.

Irene placed the platter on the table. "Please go tell Toby that supper is ready."

There was a thundering on the stairs and Toby appeared. ""Good, I'm starving!" Belatedly noticing Jareth he skidded to a stop, peering curiously up at him he held out a hand. "Hi, I'm Toby."

"Hello Toby, I'm Jareth."

Toby tilted his head. "Do I know you?"

The corner of Jareth's mouth twitched. "Perhaps."

Irene put her hand on her hip. "Come on, Robert, please say grace before the food gets cold."

Everyone tucked in to dinner. Irene was an excellent cook and her meatloaf was one of the family's favorites.

Irene passed the water carafe. "So, Jareth, are you new to the area?"

"Not precisely, I've visited the town a few times over the years. I even met Sarah, although that was about three years ago."

Robert spoke up. "And what brings you stateside?"

"As Sarah mentioned earlier, I have an uncle who keeps a book shop here."

Irene smiled. "Ah, I'm sure that's where you must have met Sarah. She used to carry a little red book with her everywhere!"

Sarah's cheeks reddend and Jareth smirked, "She does love a good story."

"How long will you be visiting the States?"

Jareth cocked his head. "I'm not certain yet but most likely for the summer."

Robert leaned forward. "So... Jareth. What do you do for work?"

"I manage my family's estate."

Robert narrowed his eyes. "So you don't have a job?"

"I assure you that although I do delegate when possible, caring for the estate and its occupants keeps me quite occupied."

"Hmph!" Robert crossed his arms, obviously not impressed.

Eager to change the subject Irene stood and cleared her throat. "Time for dessert! Jareth, would you prefer tea or coffee?"

Jareth leaned back in his chair, unbothered by Robert's less than subtle hostility. "Tea, thank you."

Toby yelled "Cookies! I helped!"

Irene brought out the tin of fresh cookies and placed two in front of Toby, who immediately began munching while casting curious glances at Jareth. Finally he piped up. "Are you Sarah's boyfriend?"

A few things happened simultaneously, Sarah choked on her cookie, Roberts eyes bulged in disapproval, Irene scolded Toby for talking with his mouth full and got up to grab a dish rag for the crumbs. Jareth watched the reactions with an amused smirk before offering to help clear the table.

Irene declined, insisting that the dishwasher would take care of it and shooed everyone out of the kitchen.

Toby grabbed Jareth by the skeeve and dragged him to the den and pulling out the box of Snakes and Ladders asked. "Wanna play?"

Jareth flashed a dazzling smile. "Certainly."

Setting up the board Toby snatched the red token and declared, "I'm Red! What color do you want to play?"

Sarah picked the green token, Jareth chose the black one. Sarah muttered under her breath "Why am I not surprised."

Between dice rolls Toby rambled on about his day, "Hey Sarah... you know what? Mom took me to the park today and the baby owls are gone!"

Sarah tried to sound nonchalant. "Cool, maybe they found a new home?"

"I hope so!"

After two games, (won respectively by Jareth and Toby) Irene glanced at the clock. "Come on Toby, it's time for you to start getting ready for bed."

"Awww! Can't I stay up longer?" he whined.

"No, it's a school night, go on!"

Toby began to trudge up the stairs, but then turned back. "Wait! Can Jareth tell me a story?"

Sarah looked and felt like a deer cought in headlights. "Uh.."

"It would be a pleasure." Jareth's smirk was infuriating as Toby bounded upstairs to get ready.

A couple of minutes later Toby called down, "Okay Jareth. I'm ready for my story!"

As she ascended the stairs Sarah's heart was pounding, she felt as if she was returning to the scene of the crime. Toby was already in bed and Sarah leaned to tuck him in but Toby shook his head. "No! Jareth tells the story, Jareth tucks me in!"

Sarah bit back a retort and, despite her misgivings, stepped aside to let Jareth lean in to tuck in her brother. Once Toby was all settled in he tugged on Jareth's sleeve. "Okay, tell me a story about goblins!"

Jareth's eyebrows raised. Sarah shrugged, "The neighbors have begun reading Tolkien."

A fiendish twinkle flashed in the Goblin King's eyes. "Whatever the neighbors have been telling you is rubbish. Here's the true story..."

Jareth spun a marvelous tale full of adventure, danger and laughter. Toby was enraptured and Sarah intrigued, how much of what he was saying was true?

Finally, the combination of Jareth's warm, steady voice and the late hour caused Toby's head to nod. He fought sleep, blinking and rubbing his eyes, eager to hear the end of the tale, but sleep overtook him before the story had gotten very far.

Sarah quietly adjusted the covers, and turned of the light. As she and Jareth slipped into the hallway, Sarah sighed. "I think that we'd better get back before Hoggle has a fit."

Jareth nodded and they went back to the living room where Irene and Robert were watching television.

Irene rose to greet them, Jareth clasped her hand. "Thank you very much Mrs. Williams for your wonderful hospitality, but I must be going."

Irene blushed at his praise. "Oh, it was our pleasure Jareth. Do come again."

Robert shot a glare at his wife and reluctantly got up from the couch. Jareth shook hands with each of them before bowing his head towards Sarah and heading out the door.

From the window Sarah watched him walk down the street, disappearing around the corner. Her dad sided up to her.

"So... what's the real story here?"

Inwardly Sarah cringed, her father wouldn't believe her if she told him. Outwardly she kept her voice casual, "He's just an acquaintance who's helped me find a job."

"Humph!

Sarah fake yawned and stretched. "I think I'll head to bed early. I start my new job in the morning." She climbed the stairs and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth. When she got back to her room Jareth was waiting for her. He took her by the hand and in a blur they was once again in the hollow in their owl forms.

The owl Hoggle was sitting grumpily on the nest, wings crossed. Took you long enough!

Sarah waved a wing at him. Hi Hoggle!

In owl form Hoggle's eyes were already huge but they managed to almost double. Sarah? He jumped off the eggs and tried to put his wings around her protectively. What are you doing here? Has the rat trapped you?

Owl Jareth's brow raised. You know that I can hear you Hogbrain!

To Hoggle's credit he flinched only slightly.

I'm fine Hoggle, I simply made a wish to help these owlets and Jareth is granting it.

Hoggle squinted at Jareth, placing himself protectivly in front of Sarah. Don't you dare hurt her!

I'm fine and this is only temporary, until the owlets fledge.

I don't trust him!

Jareth interrupted dryly, You don't have to Higgle, you are relieved. At that, Hoggle disappeared.

Sarah glanced at Jareth, You did only send him home, right?

As much as his disrespect deserves a dip in the bog, yes, he is in his garden.

Thank you.

Now, I must be going, if another egg hatches, call me.

Sarah sat on the squirmy clutch and sighed, it was going to be a long night.

...

Author's Note

I am so exceedingly sorry that it took so long to get this chapter out! (Hopefully the next ones will be more cooperative.)

And a huge thanks to lucidscreamer, guest, guest, Klava, Guest 2021, BexyLexi and Gloria47 for all of the wonderful reviews!