Chapter Nineteen

The Ball

Conner's note: There you go Amie.

Piper looked at herself in the mirror and sighed, for a tomboy she looked presentable. Her dress was a nice green color, to bring out her eyes. Personally, she disliked dressed but to go to a ball… she would've gone with no clothing at all.

"HURRY UP!" Boon yelled.

"You know girls," Freddy mused and Piper was sure Luther added is own opinion as well. She opened the door and all three of them stared.

"Hi… guys," Piper said slowly looking at how they googled at her. "Are you guys ok?" Luther nodded and Fred smirked.

"Wow," Boon breathed "never seen such a pretty human." Piper blushed, she wasn't supposed to be pretty… she was never pretty. She'd always been, grass in hair, bare feet, ripped up clothes Piper. Eeva walked to the door and tripped a little, Piper smirked.

"How do people WALK in these things?" Eeva mused looking down at high heels "by the gods… I don't think I'll be dancing with anyone tonight."

"That's ok," Piper whispered "I was gonna take my shoes off downstairs and hide them anyways." Eeva smirked.

"You look nice," Eeva said.

"You too," Piper breathed. Eeva had a dark red dress on, assenting her hair. You would have never known she was human. "Ready?" Eeva nodded and they started down to the ballroom. Jareth had already given his speech about not eating/drinking anything (about a million times). Sonya made her way down the stairs and looked at the boys.

"Don't you two look nice?" she gushed. Becky followed in a light blue dress, earrings to match.

"You look cute, Becky," Piper managed before Sonya glared at her. "You too Sonya." She rolled her eyes and went off to the left.

"Aren't you going in?" Becky asked.

"I gotta wait for my aunt," Piper said "I want see how uncomfortable she is before she goes it. She won't dare show it in the ballroom."

"If she's worried how come she's going with Jareth?" Fred asked.

"Because," she smirked "that's the only way she'd get home." Eeva laughed and watched as Sarah strode down the hall with Jareth holding her arm.

"Piper," Sarah growled "you SO owe me." Piper shrugged as they both stopped outside of the doors. Piper looked at Sarah, light pink dress, silver leaves in her hair… she seemed pissed. Jareth didn't seem to be paying much attention. He had blue streaks in his hair, black tights, and a blue coat over a lesser blue shirt. Piper noticed, a LOT of glitter. But Piper had noticed, goblins liked shiny things, even their king did. He WAS handsome though… more so than usual. She noticed, Jareth was looking at her.

"You look lovely Sarah," Piper beamed trying to keep Jareth from gawking at her appearance like Luther, Fred and even Boon had.

"You too," she smiled "so much… difference."

"Well," Piper moved "better get inside. And of course, you two first." Jareth smiled at her, it was a warm smile, not the usual type he used which was supposed to worry you. No, this one was wonderful. The two went inside (though Sarah looked as if she was going to scream) and Piper waited a moment.

"Eeva?" Fred offered his hand and Eeva smiled at him. It was a friendly escort but it was better than none at all. Sonya walked up to Luther and Piper, Becky following behind.

"Luther," Sonya gave a light curtsy "would you escort me in?" Luther looked at Piper, as if to ask her opinion. Piper looked at Becky. She deserved to have a nice time, poor girl. She was always getting beat up on by Sonya. Luther seemed to grasp Piper's idea and offered his hand to Becky (though she was much younger than him). Becky smiled and took it and they went in after Eeva and Fred. Sonya looked at Piper, annoyed with what she'd done. "You don't have an escort either." Piper shrugged.

"So?" she asked.

"So if you go in without an escort everyone'll look at you funny," Sonya said. Boon scrambled down (in the oddest little suit Piper had ever seen) the hall and stopped in front of the door.

"Yous want me to escort yous in?" he asked Piper and she paused a moment.

"Maybe you should escort Sonya Boon," she said kindly "it isn't that I wouldn't love you to, but she seems more worried about it than I am." Boon smiled and offered his hand politely to Sonya who looked at him in disgust. With a sickened expression on her face she practically stormed into the ballroom. Piper shrugged.

"Alright," Boon smirked "yous want me to escort you now?" Piper took the goblins outstretched hand and smirked at her best goblin friend.

"Of course," she said kindly "I would be honored." Boon blushed.

"Aw," he shuffled his foot on the ground "you don't gots to complement me Piper. Yous the one doin the honorin'." She didn't get a chance to retort because the goblin had pulled her through the doors. A few people looked, and then more. They seemed… not shocked, nor disgusted but amused. This beautiful girl with… with a common goblin. Sarah covered her face with her gloved hand as Jareth turned her around on the ballroom floor.

"What is she doing?" she muttered.

"Being herself I believe," Jareth mused "and doing a fine job of it."

"She's walking in here… with Boon…" Sarah breathed and Jareth nodded.

"Yes she is," he said simply.

"That doesn't bother you?" she asked.

"Why should it?" he asked "it means she's not stuck up. It means she's kind to all creatures, not just the higher ones as myself. She reminds me of someone… who could it be… humm…" Sarah gave him a dry look. "I recall you befriending Hoghead, a monster and Sir. Didymus…"

"Poor Hoggle," Sarah sighed "he must have identity crisis all the time with you calling him the wrong name."

"I know Hoggle's name," Jareth sighed "I do it to annoy you."

"How generous of you," she mused.

"What is she DOING?" Fred asked and Eeva shrugged.

"I have no idea," she laughed "but its flipping her aunt out. Along with Sonya."

"Dance?" Boon asked and Piper nodded. They went across the floor, dancing as well as any goblin could, especially when his partner was four inches taller than him. The music stopped and Piper kissed Boon on the head.

"You dance wonderfully," she smiled at him "thank you for dancing with me." He gave a low bow and departed and she walked over to Eeva.

"Your insane!" Fred said "all the fae are looking at you."

"So?" Piper and Eeva asked at the same time then looked at the other and laughed. "Let them look." So the night went on, and Piper, Eeva and Becky mostly stayed with Luther and Fred. Though Becky danced with Boon once and Eeva talked with him while getting a drink. Piper paused… a drink? Eeva shouldn't be drinking anything! She turned around but it was too late, a blond haired man was standing next to her, his hand ground her wrist. Piper turned to catch him but he formed a bubble around his prize. The other fae didn't seem to mind, as if it was just another day, another thing that happened so often. Piper scrambled up to him, Sarah too.

"You can't," Sarah started but Piper hushed her. Telling a fae that they couldn't do something was NOT going to help the situation.

"Excuse me," she said but the fae just looked at her. "Um, that's my best human friend in there… can you let her go?" It blinked.

"He doesn't speak English," Jareth whispered and Piper nearly jumped. He glared at Eeva "I told you…" He started speaking to the fae and the creature kept pointing at Piper. "He says he'll trade for you…"

"Fine," Piper said.

"NO," Sarah snapped "you are not trading anyone for anyone. NO."

"Sarah," Piper started.

"Piper," Jareth paused a moment "I won't allow it either…"

"You can't," she started and looked at the fae "look if you-" but it raised its hands like it didn't understand. She sighed. "you can't let him take her."

"She's bound," Jareth explained.

"I understand that," Piper cried, tears forming now "but isn't there a way?" Jareth paused and then spoke to the creature.

"He wants you to dance with him," Jareth said blankly.

"Is that all?" she asked.

"He says if you dance with him, he will let her go," Jareth paused "but Piper… fae, especially when you dance with them hold strong power over humans. He might be able to… seduce you…"

"I'll be fine," she said stiffly looking at Eeva.

"Piper…" Jareth growled but she shook her head.

"No," she snapped "I have to save her." Jareth lowered himself to her level and whispered in her ear so no other could hear him.

"If you are to keep from falling in love," he whispered "keep your mind on something… someone very dear to you. Don't let your thoughts waver from that person. Swear to me." Piper looked at him blankly. "Swear to me you won't fall in love." Piper put her hand on his shoulder and gently squeezed.

"Jareth," she whispered "watch Danielle for me if something should go wrong."

"Piper," he growled.

"Jareth," she smiled at him "will it work if I think of a day?"

"A day?" he asked.

"If I was to think of the best day of my life?" she asked again "would that keep me safe?"

"If it was strong enough," he said slowly and she nodded.

"I can't swear," she whispered "but I'll sure try."

"Piper," he hissed and grabbed her by the shoulder "look at me." She did. "You are possibly the bravest young woman I have ever known. If you are to fall in love…"

"You worry to much Goblin King," she smiled sadly at him "don't fret. I'll be safe."

Author's note: MUHAHAHA! Poor Piper, and Jareth's worried about her. What a good friend. I wish I had friends like that.

Conner: Oh thanks…

I mean BESIDES you…