Chapter Five: Hello Hoggle

Sarah blinked slowly as she opened her eyes. She was in her room, but she didn't remember coming back in here the evening before. What happened last night? she wondered as she felt the soft throbbing in her head.

She sat up and swayed slightly as she stretched. It hit her.

She had been ogling the fountain when she remembered the dance.

She remembered the way he had been looking at her as he spun her swiftly across the floor, singing softly. There had been such a hunger in his eyes she was almost surprised that it was herself he was gazing at. She'd never had anyone want her like that. She was pretty, and that's why her boyfriends usually wanted her. But this desire, this look, showed he wanted everything. And she was returning it.

That's it, she thought, that proves it. I knew I had been in love with him. I could feel it. My emotions go crazy around him.

she thought,

Sarah flopped back onto her pillows. Now how did she feel about this?

"It's my second day here, wait, third, " she said aloud to herself. "And I already think I'm in love with someone I don't even know." She paused. "But…really…I do know him. I've known him for years, I must have felt like this before, so…" her brow wrinkled in thought. "Does that mean it's ok? Ahh! I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

She crossed her arms in front of her, staring up at the ceiling deep in thought.

Should I try to go back to how we were-whatever that was -or start over? Get to know him all over again. But that really wouldn't be fair to him, would it? But…I have this feeling like-oh what am I thinking, nothing could be wrong.

After her attempt to figure out what was the right way to go, she was just as lost.

"But the thing is," she said as if trying to convince herself, "I want to love him."

Nowwhere did that leave her?

Jareth sat comfortably in his throne, one leg thrown over its arm. He yawned slowly, widely, leaning back as he watched the goblins chase the chickens. One got relatively close to grabbing the bird, but went tumbling as another goblin chasing the same chicken crashed into him. Another peaceful day in the Underground.

It was driving him crazy.

He wanted something to distract him, steal his attention, stop it from centering itself around Sarah. He desperately wanted to know what was going through her mind as she remembered the dance. A crystal appeared in his hand just when-

"Yer Majesty" came an angry voice.

Jareth turned to see him enter. He fought the rising panic as he told himself Sarah wouldn't be out of her room yet.

"What do you want, Hogwart?" he asked, deliberately saying his name incorrectly.

"What the hell did you do to Sarah?" he demanded. Jareth glared.

"You will show some respect toward your king," he hissed. Hoggle straitened out of habit.

"What did you do to her?" he asked again.

"Why Hedgewort, whatever do you mean?" Jareth asked with mock innocence, though the murderous gleam in his eyes were hardly innocent.

"How did you get her down here?"

"She asked to come here herself," Jareth said, amusement creeping into his voice.

"I don't believe that. She'd never forgive you." Hoggle crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Believe what you what," he said in a careless tone. "That's what happened."

"Prove it to me."

"Gladly," he said in a delicate whisper.

A crystal appeared on his fingertips. He twirled it around with his fingers for a brief moment, looking at it intently, then tossed it to Hoggle. He quickly caught it and peered into it, unsure of what to expect.

"But, but," he watched Jareth mimic. "I have to go back Underground Sarah. I have work to do. I can't play games all the time."

"Wait…" Hoggle held his breath. "Take me with you." His eyes widened.

"I thought you'd never ask."

Hoggle stared into the glass ball, speechless. He felt defeated. Betrayed. But he didn't know for sure that this was real. He still didn't believe Jareth.

"You did something to her. You tricked her, drugged her-you're known for that."

"Think what you wish, I've showed you what happened. What can I say," he smirked, "I'm hard to ignore. You do know she had to call me in the first place, don't you?" Hoggle hadn't thought of that. "I think she missed me."

Hoggle glared up at Jareth who was leisurely twirling his crystals.

"At least," he started after a pause, "she remembers me." Hoggles head snapped up. "I haven't heard her mention you or the others since she arrived. So much for her devoted friendship, eh? After a few years, you're forgotten. But I, I never left her thoughts for a moment." Hoggles knees felt weak.

"Were you really her friend?" Jareth asked. "Or merely a useful assistant through the labyrinth?" Hoggles glare never weakened. "I told you," Jareth said in a low voice, getting up and stepping lightly towards the dwarf. "A nice, young girl would never like a repulsive, little scab like you." He jabbed at Hoggle like he had before.

"She's this close to loving me," he motioned with his fingers, "and you're lucky if she remembers your face.

"Lies," Hoggle said simply, but a hint of sorrow laced itself in. "Lies. All of it. She'll come to her senses." He turned and left. Jareth gave a self-satisfied smirk and followed him into the hall when she rounded the corner.

"Jareth!" she called, and he stopped his stalk of Hoggle who had just turned down another hallway.

"Sarah darling," he said loudly, knowing that Hoggle had stopped and was listening. "I told you not come round this area." He kept his voice pleasant, every trace of the previous anger was gone.

"I'm sorry. I woke up this morning and you were gone, I wasn't sure where you were, and, I needed to talk to you."

Jareth knew Hoggles ears must be burning. He placed a gloved finger under her chin, lifting her head up to look in her eyes. She'd said before that she didn't think she should keep eye contact with a king, but he didn't like how she felt inferior to him. He considered them equals.

Sarah looked into his eyes carefully. She searched for the longing she'd seen yesterday. And found it. Eyes dark with desire he looked hungrily at her. Yet, she also saw patience. He was willing to wait as long as it took.

It wouldn't be fair to start over with him. They continued to stare at each other. He's so close, she thought. Her hand raised to brush a tangle away from his face. He leaned closer, eyes shining with a hope she knew she could fulfill. She smiled softly and leaned the rest of the way into him. As his lips crashed down on hers, Hoggle peeked around the corner. He watched as Sarah's right hand played with his hair as her left clung tightly to his shirt. Jareth's ran up and down her back, pulling her closer to him.

Hoggle silently retreated.

"Jareth," she started, lightly bouncing a foot that was hanging over the arm of the couch. "When I found you leaving the throne room, I had something that I wanted to tell you."

He looked down at the Sarah that was laying across his lap, head against one armrest, legs over the other with her hips cradled between his legs, and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?" He asked, "And what was that?"

"That I remembered the ballroom clearer than anything I have so far. I know that means it was important to me. You were important to me. I felt something when I danced with you, a feeling stronger than anything from my life before. I felt so sure."

Jareth stared into her eyes with an intense gaze. Was this going where he thought it was? That he had prayed for?

She brushed a rebellious tangle behind his ear with a small smile.

"I think-I know-Jareth, that I loved you. And if I hadn't told you before, I'm telling you now. I'm falling for you all over again," she smiled, "and I hope the past few days haven't changed your opinion of me. I hope my personality hasn't changed, that I'm still the girl you love."

"You have changed," he said and her eyes widened, "but it only makes me love you more." His lips came crashing hungrily down on hers.

danielle: thanx much

LadyLuck321: lol i had this little bit written then ur suggestion said the same thing! great minds think alike! what should happen now?

Solea: hmmm what will he do? mwahaha i already know

Moonjava:smiles: yay

ItsACrystalNothingMore: yes i shall bwahaha! lol you didnt edit this part either. none of my editors have but i thought 'what the heck ill put it up' cuz im bored and i love reading reveiws :) sum are so silly.