I still own nothing…

Kyra paced in her throne room, her brow furrowed with worry as she wondered just what she was going to do to speed things along with her brother and Sarah.  She knew that her brother had forgotten a key point to the wishes that Kyra granted, a point that she was beginning to worry was approaching quicker than she had wanted.  That point was time.  Time placed its limitations on the wish, and time demanded penance if the wish-maker did not resolve the regrets that had made them make the wish to begin with.  Time did not stand still…it could only be delayed.  And Kyra had delayed it as long as she could.

Sarah had been in the Underground for a full month now.  The moon would be rising the following week and Kyra did not think she could hold back the demands of time any more than that.  Sarah had to resolve her regrets, or the world she had created Aboveground with her wish would become permanent.  She had hoped that the dreams she'd been sending Sarah would speed things along, but it hadn't been until the dream last night that Sarah had finally shown signs of coming to grips with the emotions she still felt from her experience 10 years before.  Kyra was becoming concerned that Sarah's family would be trapped forever in the wrong choice she had made, and would come to hate Jareth as a result.  The fix that Kyra had managed was temporary; soon Toby would return to the angry young man he had become without Sarah in his life, and his family along with him.

She stopped pacing and strode determinedly out of the room, calling for her carriage to be readied…she was going to visit her brother's kingdom, and see what she could do to hurry things along.

Sarah stood at the head of the stairs at the entrance to the castle, her eyes fixed on the carriage that was making its way up the road.  Kyra was coming, and she was excited to see her friend again, even though it meant she would no longer have Jareth to herself.  Her smile widened as she remembered Jareth's muttered reaction to the news that his sister was coming for a visit.  He had said his sister was only coming to meddle, and there was no reason to be excited by her arrival.  He'd looked up then and Sarah had caught the teasing glint in his eye that had made her laugh before she'd headed for the entrance to greet her friend.  She walked down the steps as Kyra stepped from the carriage, running the last few steps and flinging her arms about her friend in greeting. 

Kyra was pleased and surprised by the effusiveness of Sarah's greeting.  She frowned as she pictured Jareth ignoring the girl for the past weeks that Kyra had been absent, thus the reason for the unrestrained joy in her greeting.  She returned the hug, her gaze going up to the balcony Jareth stood upon. He saluted her mockingly before turning to enter his rooms, a move that made Kyra narrow her eyes in annoyance as Sarah released her from her embrace.

"I'm so glad you're here!"  Sarah said excitedly as she tucked her arm into Kyra's and began to lead her indoors.  "Jareth said you were only going to make a nuisance of yourself, but don't worry, I told him to be on his best behavior with his favorite sister—"

"His only sister."  Kyra said mildly, sighing in relief at the fact that Jareth and Sarah were at least speaking.

"True."  Sarah said with a grin.  "A little flattery never hurts.  In fact, I told Jareth that if he promised to behave I'd—"

"The two of you are speaking now?"  Kyra asked, pausing just before the doorway.

"Well, yes."  Sarah answered.  "I forgot you've been away for quite some time."

"Two weeks."

"Was that all?"  Sarah asked with surprise as she counted off the days in her head.  "You're right.  I'm sorry.  It's not that I haven't missed you, I've just been busy with—"

"My brother?"  Kyra teased, pleased when Sarah flushed red to the roots of her hair. 

"Are you going to let me finish a sentence?"  Sarah demanded, embarrassed as Kyra grinned at her.
"I just did."  Kyra pointed out with a laugh.  "Tell me, Sarah, where is my brother?"

"Oh, he said you'd find him eventually."  Sarah said casually, her gaze narrowing as Kyra continued to grin.  "He said since you were just here to meddle he may as well make you work for it.  He said you could find him."

For once Kyra could not think of a comeback as Sarah smiled at her smugly.  She shrugged out of her cloak and handed it to a waiting goblin, surprised to note the politeness with which she was greeted.  She also noticed the uniforms the goblins wore, and the downright orderliness of the activities of the others that moved through the corridors as they made their way to the dining hall.

"You've made this castle a home."  Kyra said with approval as they were seated at the breakfast table.  "I'm impressed.  To think that one month ago you deplored the way Jareth kept this castle—"

"Jareth is very busy."  It was Sarah's turn to interrupt as she rushed to defend Jareth.  "There is a lot more to running this kingdom than I realized.  He does much more than sit and wait for some idiot girl to wish away a sibling.  I've revised my opinion of what he does since I first arrived."

"You were the only idiot girl who ever had that particular wish granted."  Kyra said without thinking, pleased that Sarah's opinion of her brother had risen in the past week.  Perhaps she needn't have come after all.   Things were much further along than she had expected.  Curse her brother for being so closemouthed.

"What do you mean?"  Sarah asked slowly, setting down her fork without taking a bite of the ham she'd speared.  "I was the only girl?"

"Why, yes."  Kyra said boldly.  She'd stuck her foot in it; she may as well plod on until she was through.  "Don't you remember the line from the book?  How did it go…"What no one had known was that he had given the girl special powers."  Or something like that.  You'd know better than I."

"So he doesn't offer every girl the chance to stay."  Sarah said quietly, her gaze focused on Kyra's as a smile began to form on her lips.  "I was the first."

"And only."  Kyra confirmed.  "Don't tell him I told you though.  If he knew I ruined his image…."

"But you haven't."  Sarah said with a shake of her head, the tendrils falling from the hair piled artfully atop her head brushing her cheek with the motion.  "Did I tell you how happy I am to see you?"

"Yes."  Kyra said with an inward smile as she realized this could only help her plot.  Sarah would look at Jareth much differently now, even more than she had begun to do already.  "But I don't mind hearing it again."

Jareth heard their laughter as he walked into the room.  His gaze went straight to Sarah, reassuring himself of her presence before turning to his sister.  He bent to press a kiss to her cheek in greeting before walking to his own chair, missing the disappointed expression that crossed Sarah's face when he did not greet her in the same manner.  She returned his smile though, and only Kyra could see that Sarah yearned for something more from Jareth…she wondered if Sarah even knew.

"What made you decide to grace us with your presence so suddenly Kyra?"  Jareth asked with curiosity as he buttered a roll.  "When I got your message this morning it sounded as if something urgent drew you here."

"Did I sound urgent?"  Kyra asked with a casualness that was obviously faked.  "You misinterpreted my brother.  I merely came for a visit."

She'd decided at the last moment to alter her course of action. Things were so obviously moving forward between her brother and Sarah, something she hadn't known since she'd promised to read neither of their minds.  She didn't know if her interference was going to be needed.  Perhaps she would merely remain as an observer, as long as she stayed out of the way of course.  She did not need to be a distraction for either one of them.  Their full attention should be on each other.  Unless she decided they were moving too slowly.

"I merely thought I'd visit with my brother and his Queen."  Kyra said innocently, her full attention focused on her plate as her words made Sarah blink in astonishment.

"But I'm not—"

"You have been."  Jareth said quietly, his tone brooking no argument.  "For the past month you have been Queen.  If I can no longer deny it, then neither can you."

Sarah bent her head over her plate, clearly uncomfortable with the topic while Jareth shot a look at Kyra.  He knew her comment for what it was, she was definitely meddling.  He would need to have a word with his sister before she destroyed the fragile peace that he and Sarah had built between them.  His gaze drifted to Sarah and he frowned when he saw her pushing the food around on her plate without taking a bite.  He hated it when she was upset, a funny thing since not long ago he had reveled in seeing her in emotional turmoil.  The past weeks had done a lot to change the way he looked at her though, and now he was not entirely sure what he wanted.

Sarah set down her fork and smiled at the attendant that rushed to remove her plate.  When she looked up to find Jareth's gaze focused on her she looked away, still disturbed by his statement.  If he had accepted her as his Queen then there was only one thing standing in the way of making it official.  Herself

Later that day…

"I don't see what your concern is, Kyra."  Jareth said as he leaned back in his seat, watching his sister pace a worried rut into the carpet before him.  "If the spell becomes permanent my problem is solved.  Her world won't have a place for her, and she'll remain with me."

"You don't understand Jareth."  Kyra said with an impatient sigh.  "If her decision is made by default it really isn't a decision at all.  If her family is destroyed due to a wish she made she'll hate herself for it, and come to hate you as well.  Is that what you want?"

Jareth scowled at her as he turned to pour a shot of liquor into a glass.  He tossed it back quickly, hoping the act would bring order to his thoughts…it didn't.  He stood slowly, walking to the balcony to look down upon Sarah's garden, his expression remote as he saw she was not there.

"If you had asked me that question one month ago I would have said yes."  He said softly as Kyra joined him.  "I would have had her here no matter how she felt about me."

"And now?"

"She is a good Queen.  She is loved by all the city."

"Is she also loved by her King?"  Kyra asked, laying her hand upon his arm.

"If she would have me she would never go without."  Jareth said simply.  "I could make her happy.  She won't need anyone else."

"You can't believe that.  She is who she is because of her family.  Without them the woman you love becomes an empty shell."

"Are you saying I should bring them all here?"

"Not necessarily."  Kyra told him.  "She doesn't need them nearby to feel their support.  She needs to know they are happy and well.  She needs to know they are safe.  She can live as far away as she likes so long as she knows that.  She could not live happy knowing they suffered in order for her to have that happiness."

Jareth turned his back on her to lean his hands on the balcony rail, resting his weight upon it as he gazed out over the city.

"Part of me knows you are right."  Jareth said with a sigh.  "But the point is rather moot don't you think?  Sarah cannot be forced to resolve anything.  Only she can do that.  In her own time."

"I know."  Kyra agreed.  "I will do what I can to hold back time.  I'll send her another dream tonight."

"You're sending her dreams?"  Jareth asked with one eyebrow raised as he looked at her over his shoulder.

"I'm doing my best to help her resolve her regrets."  Kyra replied in defense.  "I'm not feeding her anything that isn't already in her mind.  I'm just steering her onto the right path."

"You can call it whatever you like, sister."  Jareth said with a grin.  "But we both know what you're doing."

"What is that?"  Kyra demanded as he continued to grin at her.

"Meddling."

That night…

Sarah tossed and turned in the bed, the covers twisting about her as her lids fluttered in sleep.  Her lips moved as if she were speaking, and if one were to lean closer one would be able to hear one word…

"Toby!"  Sarah cried in her dream.

The baby looked at her from across the room where he sat perched on the edge of a precarious ledge.  She could find no way to him; she had indeed been trying for quite some time, dodging Jareth at the same time.  She looked out over the edge, took a breath, and jumped, hoping to reach Toby before he fell….

…She fell instead, drifting down like a feather as the walls began to crumble around her.  She finally landed on her own two feet so gently she wondered at the care of it.  She was amazed Jareth had spared her a bone-crushing fall.  Perhaps he had a sense of fair play after all.

She raised her gaze as he stepped into the room, her breath catching in her throat as his pale beauty.  When she had seen him like this at the age of sixteen she had wanted nothing more than to bow before him and present her surrender.  The only thing that had stopped her was Toby; she had to get him home.  A sharp flare of anger burned at the thought that once again the baby's wants and needs came before her own…she stamped down that anger with a healthy dose of guilt as Jareth stepped toward her.

"Give me the child."  She said, meeting his gaze boldly.

"Sarah."  Jareth said with a shake of his head.  "You know that is not what you really want."

"Yes it is."  Sarah said fiercely.  "I have to want it.  I have to save Toby!"

"You'd give up your dreams for a baby?"  Jareth asked with derision as a crystal formed in his hand. 
"In a heartbeat."

"You didn't feel that way when you wished him away."  Jareth reminded her.  "What changed your mind?"

"Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered."  Sarah began, taking a step forward that drove Jareth back.  "I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City, to take back the child you have stolen."

"You gave him to me."

His words caused a shaft of pain to pierce her heart.

"I know."  Sarah said softly.  "I was wrong.  My wish was wrong."

"Along with every decision you've made since you started your journey."  Jareth pressed his advantage, holding the crystal aloft.  "Look what I'm offering you Sarah…your dreams."

"I wanted to take them."  Sarah admitted.  "I wanted everything you offered.  I almost gave in."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because I had to think of Toby first."

"Something you learned to do on your journey through my Labyrinth."  Jareth pointed out.

"Yes."  Sarah said eagerly.  "Which I can now appreciate.  The journey made me stronger.  I cannot regret that."

Sarah gasped as the scenery abruptly changed.  Everything was black, like a clean slate.  She stood surrounded by nothing.  She spun in a circle, looking for something, anything.  She completed the turn to find Kyra standing at the starting point, her delighted grin telling Sarah that something good was about to happen.

"Congratulations, Sarah."  Kyra said, coming forward to clasp Sarah's hands in hers.  "You've done it."

"Done what?"  Sarah asked blankly, realization dawning the moment the words left her lips.  "I've done it?"

"You have.  When you wake from this dream you will be home, and your life will be as you knew it."

Sarah threw her arms around Kyra in a hug, and then drew back with a frown.

"When I wake up…. you mean I won't see Jareth before I leave."

"Normally yes."  Kyra said, looking down at her shoes with interest.  "But I'm afraid I've done something Jareth is going to hate me for."

"Kyra—"

"When I granted your wish it wasn't to punish you, but to bring you closer to him.  Do you know that the two of you made the nearly the same wish at the exact same time? For one moment your minds and hearts were one.  So both your wishes were granted."

Sarah could only stare at Kyra as the implications filled her head.

"I've resolved my regrets…"

"Jareth has to resolve his."  Kyra finished with a nod.  "He isn't going to be happy with me when he figures it out."

"I would imagine not."  Sarah said with a frown.  "What is going to happen?"

"I'm sending you home."

"I'll want to come back."

"I realize that."  Kyra smiled.  "But I'm afraid it won't be possible.  Not until Jareth comes to his senses.  He has to realize that your rejection of him 10 years ago was a necessary thing.  He needs to resolve his own regrets."

"Jareth has regrets?"

"At the time he made his wish he regretted that he had granted the wish you made that sent Toby to him."

"You're right Kyra."  Sarah said with a sigh.  "Jareth is going to hate you for this."

"He'll get over it."  Kyra said, even though she sounded uncertain she grinned.  "He's forgiven me before."

Sarah closed her eyes as she lowered her face to her hands…she didn't know whether to laugh or to cry…when she uncovered her face she was laying in the bed in her parents' home.  She sat up abruptly, he gaze going to the clock that told the date and time…it was the same morning when she'd woken up and found her world turned upside down…she got out of bed and hurried to the door to seek her family out, to reassure herself they were ok.

She found them in the kitchen.  Karen wore her pretty silk robe, her face and hair made up for the day.  Her dad sat with his usual paper and cup of coffee.  Toby sat in front of a stack of pancakes, staring down at them forlornly.  Sarah stepped into the room and Karen smiled at her, indicating with a wave of her hand that Sarah should sit…Toby looked up, his face lighting up when he saw her standing in the doorway.

"You're back!"

He rushed into her arms and Sarah wrapped them around him, inhaling his little boy scent as she pressed her cheek into his hair.

"Toby's been trying to convince us you've been gone."  Karen said with a sigh as Sarah straightened, Toby's arms wrapped around her waist.

"I have been."

Karen looked at her blankly as her father lowered his paper.  Sarah stepped away as Toby released his hold, taking the seat across from her father as she looked at them with a wry smile.

"Let me tell you a story…" She began, resting her elbows on the table as Toby took a position at her side.

Underground:

"You've what?"  Jareth asked, his voice frigid as he pinned his sister with an icy glare.  "You're telling me you sent Sarah home, and that you've trapped me in one of your spells?"

"Well, I wouldn't say 'trapped'."  Kyra protested, wincing when he cut her off with cool disdain.

"I didn't speak my wish out loud."  Jareth informed her, straightening the cuffs at his wrists as he peered around his throne room with distaste. 

Everything had gone back to the way it had been before Sarah had arrived.  He hadn't realized what he'd been missing until it was gone.  The worst part was that he was not the only one to notice things had reverted back to their original disarray, so had the goblins in the city.  A crowd had gathered and he could hear the rumblings of protest as they realized the Queen had departed.  He was going to have a riot on his hands very shortly…hopefully not before he could strangle his sister.

"When two people wish for something at the same time words are not needed.  The power of the shared thought is enough."  Kyra explained.  She wished he would yell.  She would feel better if he yelled at her.

"You tricked me."

"I did."  Kyra confessed.  "I'm sorry, but it had to be done.  You'd let the situation go on long enough."

"Things have changed since then."

"Have they really, Jareth?  You've always known you loved her.  But you still regret the 10 years you suffered because you granted her wish.  That is what you need to come to grips with.  Until you do, she cannot come back here."

Jareth strode from the room, leaving Kyra standing alone.  The sparkle in her eyes did not diminish at his departure as she took it as a sign that he needed time to think.

She could let him do that, for now. 

But if he took too long she'd have to do something to hurry things along…

Aboveground, days pass…

Sarah sat on a small sofa in the bookstore with a teacup balanced on her knee and a frown on her face as she stared sightlessly out the window.  She did not hear Hoggle close up the shop as the day drew to a close, nor did she turn when he settled in a chair across from her.  He took the moment to observe her and he did not like what he saw…she was pale, with circles beneath her eyes.  He could see she was not sleeping, and he had seen her attention was not on the things she used to hold dear.  Her thoughts were where her dreams had always lain…Underground, in the Labyrinth.  She would never be truly happy in this world ever again.  He sighed at this realization; he was going to miss her when she left.  Sarah's attention was drawn by the sigh and she set the tea down with unsteady hands as she looked across at Hoggle.  She was startled to realize that the shop was closed, and that she had missed the passage of time.  She could not stop thinking of Jareth, and of what he must be feeling with her gone.

"He's probably relieved."  Sarah said abruptly, rising to pace as restless energy filled her.

"Impossible."  Hoggle said lightly, knowing what she meant immediately.  "It's more likely he's angry that he can't just bring you back.  I wouldn't fancy being in Kyra's shoes right now."

"He knows you're here."  Sarah said, stopping beside the window to gaze out at the setting sun.  "But I don't think you need to worry about him anymore.  His anger at you seems to have passed."

"That's a relief, I'll tell you." 

"I don't think he would have ever really hurt you."  Sarah said softly, wrapping her arms about herself.  "I think that was another image he presented, to make me fear him more."

"You don't fear him anymore, do you?"

"No."  Sarah replied.  "I love him.  If I could go back right now I would."

"Kyra has more sneakiness in her than I gave her credit for."  Hoggle said with admiration.  "Imagine her sticking Jareth with the same spell he stuck you with.  If this doesn't make him see sense, nothing will."

"What sense would that be?"  Sarah asked with interest.

"The same sense you needed knocked into ya."  Hoggle told her with a laugh.  "That life is too short for regrets.  You have to take what you're given and make the best of the choices you make."

"You're right, Hoggle."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you for years."

"Don't rub it in."  Sarah warned, grinning despite the sternness of her tone.

She got in her car and drove to her father and Karen's house.  She had been making the drive back after work despite the length of time it took.  She felt the need to be in her old room in case Jareth came for her.  While she imagined he could find her wherever he chose, she felt somehow that she should be waiting in the home where they had first met. 

Karen and her father had taken the story she'd told them remarkably well.  Their expressions of disbelief had given way to ones of absorbed interest as the tale had gone on, especially when Toby backed her up with tidbits of his own.  She hadn't realized how much of the Labyrinth he'd remembered until that night, and she was relieved to know he held no grudge for the wish she'd made so long ago.  Karen and her father had not been thrilled by the idea of the danger they had been in, but had accepted the story for the truth Toby and Sarah told them it was.  They'd also taken the news that she planned to return to the Underground as soon as possible better than she could have hoped.  Karen's eyes had even lit up at the idea of Sarah as Queen, though her father had been understandably curious about the man that had staked a claim upon his daughter so long ago.  Sarah hadn't bothered to mention her one worry…that Jareth would resolve his regret and realize he did not need her after all…

She pulled into the driveway and shut the car off but did not immediately get out.  She leaned forward and laid her head against the steering wheel with a sigh, closing her eyes and taking a moment to gather her thoughts before going in to where her family surely awaited.  She was grateful they'd accepted everything she'd told them as truth but she was growing weary of their constant questions about the Underground, and about Jareth and when he might be coming for her.  She supposed in their place she would be equally as curious and she reminded herself to be patient, as they had been with her growing up.  She raised her head and opened her eyes, turning to reach for her purse, smiling absently as Kyra handed it to her.  It took a moment for the woman's presence to register as real as Sarah sat gaping, her mouth closing with a snap when Kyra chucked her under the chin.

"Hi Sarah."  Kyra said. Her usual cheer was dampened by the sadness in her eyes.

"Kyra."  Sarah said, reaching out to clasp her friend's hand in hers.  "What's wrong?"

"Jareth is being stubborn, that's what."  Kyra said with a scowl, something Sarah had never seen on her face.  She didn't know what was more alarming, the scowl or the sad note to Kyra's voice.

"Is he very angry with you?"  Sarah asked sympathetically.

"He thanked me."

"He what?"

"He thanked me.  He said I saved him from making the biggest mistake of his life."

Sarah felt those words like a punch to the stomach.  All energy drained from her body and she slumped in her seat as the impact of the words stole the breath from her.  She felt sick as she interpreted Kyra's words to mean he did not want her.

"Don't look like that Sarah."  Kyra said hastily, squeezing her hand reassuringly as she rushed to explain.  "He didn't mean what you're thinking.  He meant that you were saved from having to remain by his side.  He thinks you're better off without him, that he's brought you nothing but misery every time he's been in your life."

Sarah's eyes closed with relief.  If he hadn't wanted her by his side life would have lost it joy.  Knowing he wanted her by his side but was too stubborn to keep her there…well that she could fix.  Hopefully.

"You were sending me those dreams."  Sarah said slowly, raising her gaze to meet Kyra's.

"Yes."  Kyra confirmed.  "I was trying to help you resolve your regrets."

"Can you send Jareth dreams?"

"I can, though I don't know how much good it will do."
"Can I enter his dream, like you did mine?"  Sarah asked with eagerness.

"You need power to do that, Sarah."  Kyra said doubtfully, pausing when Sarah produced a crystal out of thin air and tossed it into Kyra's lap.  "How did you do that?"

"You said when Jareth let me win he lost power."  Sarah said simply.  "The Labyrinth gave it to me.  Since I've returned this time I've been able to do more than cast simple spells.  So again, can I enter his dream?"

"Of course you can, if the Labyrinth has given you power."  Kyra answered, excitement beginning to gleam in her eyes.  "We'll need to plan."

"I have the perfect idea."  Sarah began as she leaned toward her.

The two women began to plan…

Jareth paced his room like a caged animal pausing only to kick an offending chair as he passed, sending it flying into a wall with a resounding crash that made him feel marginally better.  He threw himself down in his chair and picked up the papers strewn about his desk.  He'd tried to concentrate on them once already and had wound up tossing them down in frustration instead.  Nothing had been good this past week, not since Sarah had left.  She had renewed his interest in life while she'd been in his castle, something he hadn't realized until she was gone.  Without her here it was glaringly apparent that life was dismal without her.  He set the papers down again with a sigh…he wasn't going to get anything accomplished tonight; he may as well call it a day.  He walked into his bedroom, slamming the door with a satisfying thud behind him.  He lay down and buried his head under a pillow in the hopes of shutting out the thoughts crowding his brain.  After laying in the dark for a few moments he sat up with a sigh, pushing his hair back out of his face before burying his face in his hands…sleep was not going to come easily tonight.  Before he could decide whether to lie down or get out of bed he heard a voice he'd been longing to hear for days.

"Having trouble sleeping?"  Sarah asked with amusement as she sat on the side of the bed.

Jareth felt the mattress shift under her weight as she sat and he raised his head to look at her.  The darkness had been replaced by the light of candles that cast a golden glow through the room, making Sarah appear even more lovely than usual.  He opened his mouth to speak but Sarah laid her fingers across his lips to silence him.  His eyes drifted closed again as she ran those fingers over his features, finally cradling his face in her hands as she leaned forward to press a kiss against his cheek.

"I'm dreaming."  Jareth said quietly, opening his eyes as she moved back into her sitting position on the bed.

"Yes." 

"I'm going to kill my sister."

"She thought you'd say that."  Sarah said with a grin as a laugh escaped her lips.  "I promised to tell you this was my idea."

"It may have been your idea but she's behind the working of it."

"Who's taking things for granted now?"  Sarah said with a smirk that had Jareth narrowing his eyes.  "I came here on my own, under my own power."

She reached out and laid her hand flat against his so they touched palm to palm. The moment contact was made Jareth could feel the jolt of pure power flow from her hand into his. 

"You said we were connected."  Sarah reminded him as she laced her fingers through his, maintaining the connection as a crystal formed between their hands.  "Have you ever wondered why?"

"The Labyrinth."

"Yes."  Sarah confirmed.  "For some reason it wants us to rule together.  Something I wasn't ready to do 10 years ago."

The crystal they held flashed a brilliant light then disappeared, leaving only their hands clasped together.  Jareth tightened his hold as Sarah's form shimmered slightly. 

"I'm new at this."  Sarah said with a smile as her appearance returned to normal.  "You'll have to teach me what I can do."

"I can't teach you anything."  Jareth said stubbornly as he tugged his hand free abruptly.  "You're back where you belong."

"You told me I belonged here."  Sarah reminded him.

"I was wrong."  Jareth said, scowling when Sarah's lips quivered with amusement.  "I never should have brought you here."

"Bull."  Sarah said bluntly, folding her arms across her chest in a move he knew well.  She was ready to argue.  "Kyra told me you regret granting my wish.  Do you wish you hadn't met me?"

"No—"

"Do you regret the time we spent apart?"

"Yes."  Jareth said through gritted teeth as he rose gracefully from the bed, pacing the room like a caged tiger. 

"It was necessary, Jareth.  I wasn't ready for you then.  I was a child."

"And you think you're ready for me now?"  He asked, pausing in his pacing to pin her with a stare.  He began to walk toward her, the expression on his face dangerous as he came to a stop directly before her.  His hand came up to capture her chin as his gaze burned down into hers.

"Try me."  She invited with a smile, meeting his gaze with an amusement that made his blood boil.  This was not the Sarah he'd come to know in the past weeks.  This was a Sarah he didn't have to be careful with.  He deliberately lowered his gaze to her mouth, allowing it to linger there before raising it back to meet hers.  She did not flinch from the intent she saw in his gaze as he brushed his thumb across her lips in a deliberate caress.

"You tempt me."  Jareth admitted, his voice low.

"I hope so."  Sarah said as his head lowered towards her own.

As his lips brushed hers he woke…alone.

Aboveground in her own room Sarah sighed in frustration before turning to Kyra with a smile.  Things were going as planned, though she did need to learn to control her power better…she had not meant to leave him when she did.  She brought a hand up to her lips, they still tingled from the brief contact and she shivered as she remembered the effect his first kiss had had upon her.  

She couldn't wait until she was in his arms again for real.