AN: Thanks so much for all your wonderful reviews

AN: Thanks so much for all your wonderful reviews!! Keep them coming! If you don't like it, tell me, my mom freezes me out of the house and I could use the flames to keep warm. Still, I hope you are all enjoying this. You haven't let me know, though, what you think of my plight…and D'Vinnian who has written himself into my story without my permission. So much for this being strictly Sarah and Jareth. What do you think?? Should I cut him out and save him for later?? Or should I see exactly what it is he has up his sleeve?? Any suggestions are welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Labyrinth or anything else, as of yet. And, like I said, I'm glad. I wouldn't want to take responsibility for half of the things that Jareth does. I just enjoy borrowing the characters from time to time. Don't worry, I won't inflict permanent damage. Oh, and don't sue, it's pointless, trust me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to play with Jareth…. ;-)

Part seven: What the Goblin King Wants

For the past ten minutes, there had been a strained silence. For the five minutes before that, Sarah hadn't stopped asking Jareth what was wrong. Then, he snapped at her again bringing on another dizzy spell and said silence. Finally, not able to stand it any longer, Sarah moved from her chair to stand over the Goblin King.

"Are you starting to feel better?" she asked softly, sitting on the edge of the bed next to the reposing king.

Jareth opened his mouth to snap at her again before realizing that she was, for some reason, genuinely concerned.

He sighed, "Not really."

Sarah had braced herself for another fight with the often infuriating man. She was surprised when he answered her directly, and took it as a good sign.

"How long has this been going on?" she ventured.

Fighting the strong urge to tell her it wasn't her business, the king decided to answer, trying to take Sir Didymus' advice. Besides, he really didn't have the strength to fight with Sarah.

"The past ten years," he finally answered her flatly.

He might try talking to her instead of arguing, but he wasn't going to play nice or pretend everything was peachy keen.

Sarah's eyes widened with realization, "I did this?"

Jareth nodded.

"Jareth, I'm sorry -"

Jareth waved her off, "I know. Nothing personal -"

"Yes, no, I - I mean… I just had to get Toby back."

"Yes, no matter the cost," Jareth's voice hardened, " No matter the cost to yourself or me… There were ways around what you did, Sarah."

"Like what?" she asked, interested.

Jareth looked at her with some disbelief, "You honestly haven't the slightest clue?"

Sarah shook her head.

The Goblin King's face hardened and he nodded shortly, "Never mind."

Another awkward silence started, but Sarah couldn't let it happen again. He had actually been opening up, but she didn't know what she'd done wrong.

"Do you need anything?" she asked quietly.

Jareth looked at her, feeling his power finally returning.

"Yes," he answered, "I need my kingdom back, Sarah. Unfortunately, my magic isn't strong enough or stable enough to do anything, but I have to keep trying. The Labyrinth can't last much longer without me, and I can't last much longer without the Labyrinth."

With that barb flung, he promptly disappeared, leaving Sarah with the distinct impulse to cry.