Sarah sat as if in a daze. Jareth cocked his head in amusement as he too sat back in his chair. He continued to watch her intently until Hoggle found them minutes later and both turned in acknowledgement.

"Cor, Sarah, why'd ya have to go sit back here, for?" he asked with mild frustration.

Sarah shot a look to Jareth who had now pulled the cloak hood completely over his face. It looked to her that he didn't want Hoggle to recognise him either.

"I was just having a drink with this old goblin," she said gesturing to Jareth. "I wasn't trying to hide or anything. Are we ready to go?"

Hoggle lifted two small packs, "As ready as we're gonna be."

"Great! Let's go then," she said patting the cloaked man on the forearm.

Hoggle did not look happy. "What do ya mean 'let's'? He ain't comin'?"

"As a matter of fact he is," she said standing. "He's going to lead us to the Oracle."

Hoggle dropped the packs. "Ugh, Sarah, you can't trust strange goblins in these parts."

"Why not? She trusts you," said a muffled mocking voice from under the hood.

"What? Well, I say it's him or me!" he declared stomping a foot.

"Oh Hoggle. We can all go, don't be stubborn," Sarah pleaded.

"No, not Hoggle; not with some stranger," Hoggle said and added pulling her close by the front of her blouse, "There's rumours that a new power is risin'. Didn't want to tell ya before, but there it is. So ya can't trust no body."

"I believe I can trust this person." Sarah was fighting a losing battle with her old friend.

"Suit yourself. I've helped all I can. Go on, take the supplies and go with your guide. But don't say I didn't warn ya."

"Hoggle?" She couldn't believe he was serious.

"No, won't change my mind. Goodbye." With that Hoggle hurried out of the bar.

"Hoggle!" Sarah called one last time. "I can't believe he'd be so quick to leave me here."

"Why not?" said Jareth. "He left you half a dozen times in my labyrinth. Which means, of course that we probably haven't seen the last of him."

"You could be right," Sarah agreed, shrugging. She then proceeded to pick up the small packs and place one over each shoulder. She didn't want to press her luck asking Jareth to carry one.

"So why didn't you want him to know who you were?" she asked as they made their way through the streets.

"For the same reason I didn't want anyone else to. Someone always has a bone of some kind to pick with me and those rumours that little imp spoke of are more than just rumours," he explained. "Besides, if the goblins find me out they always spend hours laughing at me afterward. It's quite humiliating."

Sarah stifled a laugh.

As the day wore on the two travellers left the Goblin City and headed into the forest. After a few hours in the woods, the sky grew dark and the air cold. Sarah cringed inwardly because she knew it was too early for nightfall. Then they heard it, the rumble of thunder. Sarah whimpered and glared jealously at Jareth's heavy cloak, as the rain fell drenched her clothes.

"Just my luck, more rain," she whined.

"You'd be surprised how often the weather turns sour these days," observed Jareth. "I think it must have something to do with all the imbalances. Too many goblins reeking all kinds of havoc, no one to control them. Faeries being mischievous and unruly. Not to mention the lack of new babies. And then you and your brother arrive unexpectedly."

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say the part about the babies," Sarah said hunching her shoulders with a shiver.

"I see that you have grown up some since last we met," Jareth said letting his eyes roam up and down her figure.

Sarah noticed where his eyes rested. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't ogle my breasts," she said crossing her arms over her wet front. "It's not my fault it rains here all the time. How was I to know, it was always sunny and warm in the labyrinth."

Jareth grinned to himself. "Well I would lend you my cloak, but I don't think it would be wise."

"Why? Are you naked under there?" she said mischievously tilting toward him.

"You little minx," he pulled back with a laugh. "No. these days even trees have eyes. We should stay as hidden as possible. Though, you would wish something like that. Luckily, I'm not in the business of granting wishes anymore, otherwise I'd be in trouble with you around."

Sarah gasped sarcastically, "I wish? Please. You wish the rain would let you see more than my lacy bra."

"I do not. I think you were hoping I would give you my cloak so that you could see through what I was wearing," he grinned.

"Oh stop it," she laughed.

"I can't. The only one who can stop it is she who began it."

The seriousness of his tone sobered Sarah. Where did that remark come from and what exactly did he mean by it. It didn't sound to her that he was talking about their teasing. Was this what he'd meant by 'listen and learn'.

The storm increased in its fury and pooling mud was beginning to create problem. The wind had picked up as well and bitter drops of rain were biting Sarah's already frozen skin.

Suddenly, Jareth changed the direction of his stride. "This is useless. We'll just have to take shelter until the weather brightens," he said as he made his way under the shelter of the roots of an ancient fallen tree.

He motioned for Sarah to join him as he lifted the cloak to allow her under for warmth. Sarah took the gesture as purely a strategic move, as there was no sense in either of them becoming ill. She resisted the instinct to snuggle into the warmth of Jareth's body as she pulled the cloak around her shoulders beside him.

"Jareth?" He never tired of hearing her say his name. "What is this new power?"

"In the natural order of things, if someone or thing leaves a void someone or thing will fill it." Jareth looked down at her. "I have heard no more than this someone is female and not any nicer than I was. Although she has been rising in power for some time she has shown no interest at in ruling over goblins."

"Where did she come from?" Sarah asked, her teeth a bit chattery.

"My guess is that she's an outcast." Jareth could feel Sarah's body shiver despite the added covering. "You're freezing. Lean into me, don't be shy," he said wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her in so that her back lay on his front. Both their legs were pulled up under the cloak and his inner thighs brushed her hands, which rested on her knees.

Sarah leaned her head back on Jareth's chest. She could already feel heat returning to her frozen limbs. Something about this position felt very right and very wrong at the same time. It was strange to her that they'd ended up here like this. She noticed his chin was just next to her ear and he smelled like exotic spices. The rhythmic rise and fall of their breathing relaxed her and soon Sarah felt herself drifting off to sleep.

TBC…(Too short? I know…)

Author's Notes:

- First a shout out to LadyAkhana…It will be ok! There is more story comingJ . I am so pleased that all of you are liking my story so much, I hope I don't disappoint anyone.

Born-of-Elven-Blood I think we will find out what happened to our Jareth as soon as he and Sarah get a bit cosier. ( and everyoneJ ) draegon-fire, I like your thoughts about a divine plan…hmmm…gets me thinking. And I hope their reactions so far have been mostly in character. Leah…I would love to hear your suggestions. Everyone else who left comments…Please keep reading and reviewing!! Thanks!