Disclaimer: The labyrinth does not, unfortunately, belong to me

Disclaimer: The labyrinth does not, unfortunately, belong to me.

To Win Her

Sarah sat at the bar, swirling her drink with the little plastic straw distractedly as she watched her friends chat up a couple of cute guys. She had thought it would be a good idea to get away from the apartment. That way if Jareth showed up, she wouldn't be there. Now she's rethinking her strategy. She'd come out with a couple of girls she'd gone to school with, hoping they would help her keep her mind off of him. It had worked, until the guys had shown up. She had no interest in them, cute as they may be. She blamed Jareth completely for this.

She took a sip of her Long Island Ice Tea. Maybe getting drunk would help. Maybe not. But it can't hurt to try, right? So thinking, she slugged down the remains of the drink, signaling the bartender for another. She had just taken a sip when her friend Cindy tapped her on the shoulder.

"You look bummed." Cindy said to her "I take it the interview didn't work out?"

"Oh, yeah." Sarah replied she had totally forgotten the interview "I haven't heard back from them yet."

"At least it was your first one." Cindy said sympathetically " It could be your 10th. Whoa! Trying to get drunk tonight?"

"Your always after me to loosen up." Sarah said with a laugh, setting down her empty glass. "Ooh! Let's go dance, Cindy!"

She bounced out onto the dance floor, Cindy in tow. She loved this song, the beat made her wild. She presented a pretty picture on the floor, wearing a black mini dress and heels, moving to the beat of the song. The volume of the music suddenly got lower, softer, and she paused in confusion as it faded away entirely. No one around her seemed to notice, as she stood motionless, watching the people dance around her.

A sparkle caught her eye, and she turned, her jaw dropping as she saw Jareth coming toward her through the crowd. He wore black, but for the white shirt beneath. His appearance was very formal, as if for a ball. Like THEIR ball. She looked down, seeing that her own form fitting dress had been replaced with a beautiful hunter green gown with diamonds glittering amid the lace. Her hair, which had been twisted up, now cascaded down around her shoulders in a riot of curls. There were diamonds scattered throughout her hair as well.

The nightclub faded away, to be replaced by a mirrored room not unlike the one they'd had their dance in. This time they were alone. A waltz began to play softly, and Sarah began to walk to Jareth, meeting him halfway, in the middle of the ballroom. Jareth reached out his hand, his expression inquiring. Without hesitation, perhaps due to the liquor still in her system, Sarah stepped forward, her gaze on Jareth's as he lead them into the dance.

"I didn't eat any peaches, I swear it." Sarah said, a small smile on her lips as she looked up at him.

"You didn't need one." Jareth replied, amused " Have you been enjoying your night out?"

"Not really." She said, a pout on her lips "I kept thinking about you."

"I don't mind hearing that." He told her, his eyes caressing her face. "How about now?"

"I'm still thinking about you." Sarah confessed, embarrassed "Jareth-"

"Yes?"

"Why do you say I belong in the Underground?"

Jareth swung her around, making her breathless as she waited for his reply.

"Because I love you." He told her "I've loved you since I first saw you. You belong by my side, always."

"I have feelings for you." Sarah said honestly, "I don't know that I can trust you."

"Because I took your brother."

"No. I did ask you to do that." She answered, looking down with shame" It's because you made it so hard to get him back. You gave me rules, then you broke them."

"If it had been easy you wouldn't have learned to value your brother." Jareth said, his tone gentle as he raised her chin so that her gaze met his again "You took him for granted."

"Among other things." Sarah replied, laughing softly "Have I been taking you for granted?"

"You had expectations. I met them." He replied, "I believe you took for granted that I would be frightening. That won't be the case anymore. Thank you for the dance Sarah."

The music ended. Jareth leaned down, brushing his lips against hers softly. The ballroom scene disappeared, leaving her once again on the crowded nightclub floor.

"I don't believe I'll take you for granted, Jareth." She said to herself. "Not anymore."