Chapter 28: A Revelation and a Conflagration

Dinner was fantastic. Thick, juicy cuts of filet mignon that melted in the mouth, a clear seafood soup with tiny shrimps in it, a crisp, fresh salad made with vegetables Sarah couldn't even identify--she shook her head in wonder. "First time I've ever had a meal that was literally fit for a king," she said.

"I'm glad you approve," Jareth said. "Now, for those three questions you owe me..." Sarah grimaced and he grinned and continued, "First, why haven't you ever been in love? Just couldn't find the right fellow? No one interested in you? What was it that made you stay single?"

Sarah took a long moment to answer. "There have been people interested in me," she said slowly. "I used to go on dates sometimes. But I never went out with the same guy more than a couple of times because--well, we just couldn't find anything in common." She smiled wistfully, remembering. "I always felt as if I had to guard myself from them--I couldn't let them know the real Sarah, because they'd think I was either boring or crazy."

"Why?"

"Well, the Labyrinth was such a large part of my life, and I couldn't talk about it to anyone. I couldn't tell anyone about it, or you, or my friends here, and it really cut down on the number of things I could say when a guy asked, 'So, Sarah, tell me about yourself.' I used to think that if there were a guy somewhere who would believe me and not think I was nuts, that's the one I could fall in love with. So far, he hasn't shown up." Sarah gave him a self-deprecating smile.

Jareth grinned. "Sarah, I assure you that I believe you totally, and I know for a fact that you're quite sane!"

Sarah laughed. "If you of all people didn't believe me, I'd think you were the crazy one!"

"True. Now, about my other questions --"

Sarah cut him off. "Uh-uh. You just asked me five. That means you only get one more over dinner, while I still get to ask you two."

Jareth reviewed the conversation mentally, stifling a groan when he realized that his careless way of wording had cost him several questions. He sighed. "Very well. I'll keep it until after yours, then. What more would you like to know?"

"I want to know why you had to say goodbye to the unicorns."

"I've fallen in love," he said simply. "If things go well, then I shall marry and--" he gave a quick grin, " --with any luck, shall consummate the marriage. Thus, I won't be able to see the unicorns again."

Sarah swallowed, a little unsure now. She knew what her last question had to be. It was just a question of phrasing it properly so she didn't sound like a stuttering teenager. "Who have you fallen in love with?" she asked, hating herself for how breathless she sounded.

Jareth was out of his chair and kneeling by her feet in a heartbeat. "It's you, Sarah. Did you doubt it?" He took her hands and held them loosely in his gloved ones. He bent his head and kissed them both, and then looked up with a tender smile. "I don't expect you to echo the sentiments; don't worry. This is fairly sudden for a human, I know. I just wanted you to know that my heart is yours."

Sarah suddenly felt it was horribly wrong for the Goblin King to be on his knees before her, and she stood up and pulled him up to stand next to her. "Jareth, I--I don't know what to say!" she stammered, hiding her face in his neck.

He kissed her hair and just held her for a moment before tilting her face up to see the mischievous smile on his own. "I believe that was your final dinner question," he murmured. "I shall ask mine now."

Sarah nodded, dropping her eyes.

"Do you think you could ever learn to love me?" He held his breath, awaiting her answer.

Already fairly smitten, Sarah blushed. "I think I could," she said softly. "I definitely think I could."

Jareth let out a sigh of relief and sought her lips with his. They both lost track of time as the kiss deepened and the embrace tightened.

They were finally interrupted by a youthful voice. "There, see? I knew you guys just wanted to suck face a bit!"

Sarah broke the kiss and stepped back, face flaming. "Toby! What are you doing here?"

"Jareth sent me a crystal to take me back here after dinner. I thought you two would be done with all this stuff before I got here!"

"Ah, yes," Jareth murmured. "I thought it would take him longer to have dinner."

Sarah laughed in spite of her embarrassment. "Sorry to disappoint you! Come and tell me about your day." They sat back down at the table while a dessert of fruit confections was served.

"Well, we started out by the gates just like you did. But Hoggle said you'd gone right, and that we'd see more if we went left. So we did." Toby chattered on about all the things he had seen that day, some of which Sarah had seen herself, and many of which she had missed. "...And then we went into the forest and hung out with Fizzle and the gang..."

"Who's Fizzle?" Sarah wanted to know, enjoying Toby's story immensely.

"Oh, you know--the Fieries. Hoggle said you'd met them."

"What!" Sarah cried, frightened. "You met the Fieries?"

"Yeah! They're great! You always told me they were dangerous, but they're really fun!"

"Fizzle," Jareth interjected mildly, "And Sizzle, Scorch and Sparks and Burnie are all relatively harmless, Sarah. They simply hadn't met anyone before you who didn't have detachable body parts."

The lyrics of an old King Missile comedy song flashed into Sarah's mind and she was forced to stifle a chuckle at the image. Flashing a quick glance at Toby, she could tell he was thinking the same thing, and for the first time she regretted all those Sunday nights staying up late with him and listening to Dr. Demento. They both burst out laughing.

"I must be missing a joke," Jareth asked suspiciously.

At this, they both laughed harder at the thought of his reaction if they told him about the song. "I'm not singing it!" Sarah declared positively. "If you want to sing it for him," she told Toby, "AFTER I leave the room, that's up to you!" Toby agreed, grinning.

Jareth, exceedingly puzzled, glanced from one sibling to the other, and then shrugged and let it go. "It must be a Williams thing. Though I am a bit curious, seeing as it puts such a lovely flush on your cheeks," he winked at Sarah.

"All right, no flirting in front of the impressionable teenager," Toby protested amiably. "Bad enough I had to come in while you two were mackin' on each other."

"'Macking'?" Jareth asked, not understanding.

"Yeah, you know--sucking face. Mashing lips. Playin' tonsil hockey. Smooching. Swapping spit. Making mouth music. Osculating. Reaching first base --"

"That will be quite enough," Jareth said irritably. Sarah shot him a grateful glance. He met her eyes and shook his head. "Sarah, I'm sorry. I know you love your brother and all, but this is more than I can take. Please, may I wish him away?" His expression was serious, but his eyes twinkled.

Sarah raised her eyebrows. "To whom, Jareth? You are the Goblin King. You're the one who would have to answer!"

The Goblin King smirked as he took control of the situation. "Then I think I know exactly what to do with him." He rolled a crystal into his gloved palm, sent Toby a wicked grin, and said, "Off to the Bog with you!" Toby's eyes widened as Jareth tossed it directly at him. Toby disappeared.

"Jareth!" Sarah gasped.

A/N: The King Missile song is called "Detachable Penis." I just have to know: who else is a Dementohead?

And didn't I have fun trying to think of names for all five of the fieries! But when you think about it, what else could they possibly be called?

All right, no more tonight. More tomorrow (which technically means later on today, since it's after 2am in my time zone). R&R, please.