Ever notice how Jareth always seems to grin or smirk

Ever notice how Jareth always seems to grin or smirk? (As opposed to smiling.) This episode's soundtrack is "Para Donde Vas" by the Iguanas. Anyway, round up the usual disclaimers and let the insanity continue. Have fun!

Ladymage ;)

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To the Victor Go the Spoils

Part 9 ~ The Third Degree (And Other Uncomfortable Temperatures)

DING DONG!

"I'll get it!" Sarah shouted as she raced for the door, hearing Toby's squalls from the kitchen at the noise. He never shuts up, does he? she thought, bemused. Except yesterday, when Jareth was taking care of him. Huh. Odd. Never thought of Jareth as someone who would be good with kids, but I guess he almost has to be. A giggle escaped her as she thought of the Goblin King acting as an ordinary babysitter, chasing after four-year-olds and trying to get fussy infants to eat. She was smiling happily as she opened the front door.

It was a subtle shift in thinking, but crucial. In her room, Sarah had seen the Goblin King taken down a peg or two (or ten). Now, he stood at the front door and he was simply... "Jareth," she breathed. "Uh, come in." She stepped aside to let him pass.

"Thanks for the invitation," he grinned, an honest, amused grin. Sarah blinked. He still had a slight aura of magic around him, something Sarah had become especially sensitive to in the past day, but it was his natural charisma that Sarah was reacting to, that indefinable something that drew the eye even though he was not what people would consider classically handsome. And it may have been his younger appearance that allowed for an imperfection to dampen the formidable majesty that usually hit her like a brick wall. Sarah had stopped seeing the King. Now she saw the Man.

And she was fascinated.

The bubbly nature that seemed to be in control this morning resurfaced. She smiled. "Well, come on. If you're going to be staying, you might as well meet Dad and Karen." She grabbed his wrist and began towing him, not unwillingly, back to the kitchen.

The older couple were seated across from each other at the kitchen table, with Toby in his high chair next to Karen, apparently appeased by the plastic ring he was playing with.

"Morning, Dad, Karen," Sarah said cheerily, giving her father a kiss on the cheek.

"Don't you mean 'afternoon,' Sarah?" Karen replied, though without the malicious bite Jareth often associated with her. She sounded–friendly. Sarah shrugged.

"Whatever. Oh, Dad, Karen? This is my friend, Jareth. He, uh, goes to my high school."

Both adults shook his hand, giving him speculative looks that, truth be told, made him rather nervous.

"So, Jareth, is it?" her father said. "Please, sit down, join us. There's more than enough to go around."

"Thank you, Mr. Williams," Jareth replied smoothly, taking the chair indicated. Sarah grabbed a few plates from the counter and began filling them with the spaghetti Karen had apparently made herself.

"Jareth?" she asked. "Do you like marinara sauce?"

"Sure," he replied, though he had no clue what she was talking about. She ladled some on top of his spaghetti and placed the plate in front of him before taking the chair opposite. He looked at for a few seconds before trying a small forkful as Sarah was doing. Then he began (neatly) shoveling it in.

"So, Jareth, what grade are you in?" Jareth dimly heard Mr. Williams' voice through his enjoyment of his food. Chewing rapidly, he swallowed, looking to Sarah for a cue. He saw her lips move.

"I'm a senior, Mr. Williams," he answered.

"Ah, an upperclassman! Decided on college yet?"

"Actually, I won't be going to college." Whatever that was.

The atmosphere in the room became decidedly chilly. "Oh?" her father questioned. "And just what will you be doing?"

I guess going to college is a good thing, Jareth deduced. And I can't exactly tell him I'm the former Goblin King who is serving his daughter until she reinstates me. "Actually, I have to return home. I've been staying here with a friend, but I'm expected to go back and run the family estate. My parents are deceased and left quite a large place, with the stipulation that I had to take it over when I came of age."

Both Williams had perked up at the words "large estate." Sarah's eyebrows had risen halfway up her forehead. "Really," Karen commented. "What's your family name, Jareth? Maybe I've heard of your family's place."

"Oh, I doubt it," Jareth replied smoothly. "It's quite far from here."

"England, I bet," he said. "I thought I caught your accent."

Why not go along with the poor man's delusions? "Quite," he replied. "A lovely little place down south. We focus primarily in livestock, but there are a number of lovely gardens on the estate. It's absolutely gorgeous in the summer."

Choking sounds were heard from across the table. "Sarah, are you okay?" Karen asked. The girl nodded and managed to gasp, "May I be excused?"

"Of course, dear," her father answered. Sarah nearly leapt from her chair and dashed down the hall.

"Uh, if you two will excuse me?" Jareth rose and swiftly followed her.

"Sarah?" he called, reaching her room.

"Jareth," she gurgled, waving him inside. She gasped, tears coming from her eyes. "Oh, Jareth, that was simply too much! A country estate? With goblins for livestock? And the Labyrinth for gardens? Jareth, what were you thinking?"

He grinned wickedly at her, then began to chuckle himself. Finally, the pair collapsed to the floor side by side, laughing hysterically.