Chapter 5: Honesty and Daring

Jareth grabbed her hand. "Sarah, this game sounds delightful! We must play!"

Sarah laughed and acquiesced. "But let's agree first -- no really humiliating dares, please?"

"Agreed. So who starts?"

"I'll flip a coin," Sarah told him producing a dime from her pocket. "You call it in the air, heads or tails," she showed him each side, "and if you win, you go first. If not, I do."

Jareth frowned. "That doesn't seem very equitable."

"What? Why not?"

"Well, it won't be fair to you, my dear Sarah, and as I recall you're somewhat of a stickler for justice." The mischievous twinkle in Jareth's eyes belied his innocent expression.

"It's a 50-50 chance, Jareth. Trust me, it's fair," Sarah snapped, slightly annoyed at his mentioning her oft-heard complaint. "Here we go -- call it!" she said, flipping the coin and sending it spinning halfway to the ceiling.

He called it. "Edge."

Sarah had time to give him one sharp glance before the dime landed on her coffee table. On its edge.

He lifted one brow at her. "That's not fa -- " Sarah started to say, and then caught herself and chuckled. "Never mind. One of these days I'll learn not to play games of chance with magic users."

"And what a sad day that will be for us magic users," Jareth replied. "So I go first, I take it?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "You did win the toss."

"So I did. Truth or dare?"

"Truth." Sarah didn't want to risk a dare just yet.

His question surprised her. "How long did you hate me, after running my labyrinth?"

Sarah paused for thought. "A few months, maybe. It took me a long time to realize that you were right: you had done everything I expected. And you let my friends come and see me afterwards, which was more than I would have thought you'd do.

"I had a long talk about you with Sir Didymus once, over a game of Snakes and Ladders. Once you get past all the 'miladys' and 'yea, verilys' he's really quite a staunch supporter of yours."

He smiled. "I know. Why do you think I had him guarding my Bog? I needed someone there I could trust." He dropped his eyes for a moment to the silver coin still sitting on its edge on the table. "So if you didn't hate me for very long, does that mean you've forgiven me what I had to do?"

"Uh-uh, Your Majesty -- I've already answered your question," Sarah teased. "Now it's my turn. Truth or Dare?"

"Truth."

"What would you have done with my brother if I'd failed the labyrinth?" Sarah steeled herself for the response.

"Would I have turned him into a goblin, you mean?" he asked, sarcasm colouring his tone. He shook his head, barely able to keep from rolling his eyes. "Of course not. Sarah, you saw them: stupid, mindless, boggling, sloppy creatures. I can't stand the ones I have -- why in the world would I want to make one more? No; I sought an heir. If you'd failed, I thought to adopt Toby as my son, later to inherit my throne."

Sarah was stunned. "You mean... I saved him from becoming the crown prince of a fairy-tale kingdom so that he could grow up in a broken home, hating school and having no friends?" She looked away, suddenly wanting to cry.

Jareth's voice was gentle. "Sarah, you didn't know. And you still don't know his future. He might have to go through some trials now so he'll be a better person later." Sarah sniffed, and Jareth continued, "After all, it worked for his sister." He laid a gloved hand on her shoulder, urging her to turn back to him.

"That's true; I did come out of the Labyrinth better than when I went in," Sarah mused, sniffing. "Maybe Toby's labyrinth is real life instead of a maze."

There was a pause, then, "My turn," Jareth said eagerly. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare," Sarah suddenly felt reckless.

"Dare, hmm? You surprise me. Now then, what would be sufficiently daring for a woman like you, and yet not humiliating?" He snapped his fingers. "I have it! Come and kiss me, Sarah."

"K-kiss you?"

"On the lips, please. Take as long as you like," he said airily. "If it lasts until tomorrow morning, I can always reverse time for you again."

His light, flirtatious attitude made her laugh and Sarah relaxed a bit. Deciding that he was probably expecting a quick peck on the cheek, she resolved to surprise him. "All right." She ran one hand through his hair, brushing it back off his face and then leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to his. Once, and then again, and the third time she lingered. Jareth's hands came up to clasp her shoulders and hold her firmly against his chest. Sarah slid her arms around his neck as the kiss lengthened.

Finally they parted. "Oh, Sarah," Jareth whispered in wonder, drawing her closer to lean against his shoulder.

Sarah's hands trembled as she drew them back to her lap. She leaned into Jareth, waiting until her heartbeat slowed down and her breathing evened out. Then she decided to have a little fun. She reached up one hand to trace the shape of his lips and sighed his name. "Jareth..." She drew it out, as if she were about to tell him something hopelessly romantic. This was the kind of introduction that I've always loved you, or Please stay with me forever would get.

"Mmm?" was his dazed reply, as he evidently expected one of those types of phrases to cross her lips momentarily.

Sarah lifted her head and whispered in his ear, so close that the feeling of her breath made him shiver. In the same breathy voice, she asked him, "Truth or dare?" and leaned back with a mischievous smile.

Now who's playing games? Review, please.