"Unveiling"

By Ellie

Disclaimer- Don't own the movie, or the characters, or the actors, the only thing that's mine is my imagination… (Now that's a concept!) )

A/N Thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers! You made my day/s! )

Lady Jamie Thank you so much for reviewing…. And quite honestly I'm a little curious as to what Sarah has in mind as well! (For later that is!) I swear this story has a mind of it's own! ;)

Rhiannon Faylinn Sorry 'bout that! ) (Okay, not really) :grin: I mean, it got the job done right? ) Hopefully you'll feel the same compulsion THIS time!

Bonnie S :blushes: Well, thank you!

Lady Sorrow Thank you so much! It's not too often that I get such kind reviews! Hopefully this doesn't disappoint:crosses fingers:

Trina Stardust Thanks for the review- and no, the magician isn't Jareth- but he just may play a part in this story! )

Scattered Logic Aww shucks! ) Thanks for the review! (I just read your latest update, which was -as always- excellent!) And yep, it's been a set-up…Jareth's one conniving hottie ain't he? ;)

Sarah (Pretty funny!) Thank you SO much:grins happily: Whoever says addictions are necessarily bad things? ;)

Jenny Glad you liked it- I hope you keep reading!

K.A. Maples I'm proud that I managed to illicit intrigue- it means I'm probably doing something right! )

Gwenevire (Interesting name- I like it!) Yummy! Bribes will get you everywhere with me:wink, wink: )

Phoebemoon Yup, 'seductive' definitely captures the description of our fav. Laby couple! )

Kaoru Thanks for the encouragement! It definitely did the trick! )

Dawn Thank you! ) And I hope so! You'll have to let me know how I'm doing!

Kitkat I'm glad you like it! Thanks for reviewing!

Terrie :grins: Even I'm not sure about what's going to happen next… Let's just say- "The games have begun!" ) Thanks for reviewing!

Seiika Reichi I'll be sure to keep that in mind! ) Thanks for reviewing!

Draegonfire Anxiety huh:Ellie tries to hide smile behind hand: I'm so sorry! (Not convincing? Didn't think so:wink:) I'm glad you love it- I hope you don't change your mind! )

Fairykissedprincess (Phew! Long name!) I'm really glad you liked it! The peach was one of the more fun parts I got to put in… but never fear! All the really fun parts are soon to come!

Whiteowl Thank you for reviewing! I really appreciate it! (Warm fuzzies galore!)

Ack! I'm looking over the first chapter and I'm finding all these mistakes! (One of the main ones- being of course, the dreaded word-repetition.) :Sigh: Don't you just hate that? Oh well, maybe when I get some time, (And I'm REALLLY bored.) I'll go through and fix it…. And then again, maybe not. )

Sarah was coming home from another devastatingly dull date, (With an even MORE devastatingly dull guy) when she felt an unbidden 'urge' to go to Enchantments.

Grinning, Sarah pulled into her driveway. She'd been prepared for this. Now to put my plan into action!

10 minutes later, she walked through Enchantments' doors wrapped in an elegant black-silk shawl. Her outfit was effectively covered, but since her long porcelain legs were exposed, it was safe to bet that she was wearing a dress. The few people that stopped to stare and wonder who the elegant woman was, noticed that she was carrying a rather large bag… In fact- it was more like a backpack than a purse. They also noticed the little smile that graced her lips. Little did they know, that it was one of anticipation. She had, after all, waited years for the chance to do this…

As Sarah was greeted by a waitress and led away, the restaurant patrons that had witnessed her entrance all returned to their food or work and their interest in her became dim and hazy as they found better things to ponder about.

All of them except one, and to him, the image of Sarah was not so easy to be rid of.

Hmm, now fancy that- however do you suppose that I managed to be seated in the exact same place as last time? Smiling politely at her waitress, Sarah glanced around demurely. Shadow-y table in the corner- Check. Moonlight- Check. Strange lack of people- Check. Yep, the bastard's been busy. AGAIN. But this time I'm ready for him- arrogant jerk! Ugh! I still can't believe he's using his magic to toy with me! Oh yeah. This means war!

Sarah's eyes had been becoming steadily colder as her thoughts progressed, and now they looked like hazel jewels glinting in the darkness. Movement made her jerk her head up. The young blonde waitress looked a little rattled at Sarah's jumpiness but she managed to look somewhat collected while she placed Sarah's order and walked back into the restaurant.

The breeze was warm and so her next actions would probably be looked upon as completely normal. After all, no one but Sarah, (And perhaps a certain Goblin-King, if he wasn't too dense) could know that she had an ulterior motive to unwrapping the shawl and exposing what was underneath. As to what was under it? Not much. Smirking into the shadows of the 'empty' table, Sarah leaned back and allowed herself a small moment of victory. I didn't have these when I was fifteen! Eat your heart out!

Jareth gulped so hard his throat actually hurt. It was bad enough that she had waltzed in here so regally, and looking so stunningly beautiful that everyone took notice. But now that she had been led back to their balcony? She was even MORE stunningly beautiful! And she was taunting him with it! He narrowed his eyes at the lovely woman before him. She was wearing a black dress that was strap-less and dipped low enough to threaten any sensible man's sanity. And after all, Jareth was always very, very sensible, Cruel- yes, but still sensible.

It didn't help that her hair was falling around her shoulders, looking tousled and silky. Or the way her full lips were lifted in an undeniable gesture of triumph. She knew this would get to me… or maybe she just wanted me to be shocked… That dress is pretty much the opposite of what I put her in inside the crystal. Sarah really IS here to play… So be it, but I do hope she knows what she's doing… I've only lost once before- and I intend to correct THAT soon enough. Jareth looked at the confident siren before him before summoning up a crystal and cupping it in his gloved hands.

Sarah's food had arrived, and her senses were on hyper-alert, searching for any sign that she was no longer alone on the balcony. Just as she began to relax slightly and focus on enjoying the food she had ordered, she felt a very direct gust of wind against the back of her neck. It was almost immediately followed by a line of warm air skimming her cheek and Sarah felt herself shiver involuntarily. The play of wind against her bare skin was yet another message delivered by the Goblin-King. He was here, he was watching, and he acknowledged her challenge.

Sarah was so distracted by Jareth's display that she let out a shriek when she saw a dark shape looming up in front of her. The form stepped out into the glow of moonlight and Sarah recognized him immediately: It was her magician.

The look in his silver eyes was decidedly amused and it made him seem so much older than she had originally guessed. For a moment Sarah could only stare up at him with dim recognition. The Goblin-King gave off the same effect- that feeling of immense age and power. It made her wonder what other kinds of people might be living in The Underground. Though 'people' might be stretching it, if it's anything like the Labyrinth…

"I apologize for startling you, it seems I have a knack for it." The timbre of his voice sent chills down Sarah's spine, and it was then that she determined that there was no way this guy WASN'T from The Underground.

"Uh huh, I'm sure you are." The tone she answered in was hardly cordial, and Sarah saw a midnight black eyebrow raise at her tart response. He didn't speak, just stared down at her with that eyebrow lifted and a smile drifting along his lips.

"So are you and the Goblin-King buds?" Hey! What've I got to lose? I'm either right, and he's not human any ways- or I'm wrong and he thinks I'm crazy… But even then, at least he'd go away.

"They said that you were acute. I find that They judged you accurately. Allow me to introduce myself- I am Darien, King of Illuseria."

At that, Sarah felt her own eyebrow lift, almost of it's own accord.

"So…You're a king too. Figures."

"Really? How?"

Looking into his sculpted face, Sarah answered honestly: "Because you're gorgeous, sexy, have a strange habit of appearing out of nowhere, you enjoy bothering me, and I have a feeling that you're used to getting your way."

"Wow, that's quite a list... but I am a little curious as to how you attained enough information to determine that last one."

"I haven't- yet. But if you're a king then it'll show up sooner or later."

Darien let out a hearty laugh and then seemed surprised at himself.

"I have a feeling that you will be everything that They have said you will be."

"Who are 'They'?"

Silver eyes twinkled as Darien smiled mysteriously…"You'll know soon enough…"

There's a kingly answer for you! You ask them a question and they don't answer it! I wonder if they all take some sort of class for it- The Art of Being Vague a.k.a. Royal Jackass 101.

Sarah was just about to voice her opinion when she realized that the balcony was empty and there were pieces of glitter glistening on the very edge of the tablecloth. Sarah felt annoyed and frustrated at being dismissed so casually but she decided to make the most of the abandoned balcony. Oh well, at least now I can take care of what I came to do…

Grinning wickedly, Sarah grabbed her bag and began to walk over to the table Jareth had occupied.

Jareth was outraged, What in the name of Hades was Darien doing there? With Sarah! His half-brother was allowed to come Aboveground by order of the council only because they wanted him to learn some of the human culture. Darien's land was along the Mountains of Tears, running along several portals to different worlds. Earth was one of them, and it was necessary that he learn about humans since they had a tendency to become his subjects. However there was one human that Jareth didn't want anywhere NEAR Darien.

Still fuming, Jareth returned to the balcony only to find it empty. Sighing, he went over to his table with the intent of sitting down and brooding some more. Sarah's presents, however, made him change his mind immediately. They even brought a smile to his lips, though he would never admit it.

Sitting innocently on top of the table was a hot-pink feather boa and a black leather corseted dress, complete with fake 'breasts'. There was a note propped up against a pair of gaudy high heels.

Jareth

I got them to match your tights! If you insist on dressing like a drag-queen then why should I stand in your way!

I just figured if you're gonna do it- do it RIGHT.

-Sarah

His little mortal had better watch out. Two can play that game.

A/N I did not intend for anyone to take any offense by my little 'drag-queen' crack, if anyone has than I apologize. This was just an attempt at humor- so please don't take it the wrong way.

Don't forget to review!

-Ellie

A/N 2) 7/16/06 Edited.