Title: Whispers of Magic

Author: Kathea

Pairing: Jareth/Sarah

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Time will tarnish your memory but some things will never go away even if they are only whispers.

AN: Set at least 10 years after the movie with a very grown up Sarah and a Jareth that hasn't changed one bit.

Disclaimer: This story was written for my entertainment, if by some miracle you were also entertained then I am honored. I obviously make no money from this artistic venture.

Reviews: Lady of the Labyrinth: Honey if you can pull off wearing lime green, you go for it. Janine: Your review completely cracked me up. And yes I did sit here and sing both of those songs. Ahh, the 80's. AmethystLainey: Yep, that's who I'm talking about. That little woman sure gets around! DavidBowieRules: You think you know but you have no idea. Sorry, that just came out of nowhere. Let's just see if you were right. Moonjava: Thanks. WickedGame: Yeah for DVD's. Too bad they don't play the old 80's flicks on Disney anymore.

AN: Again I'm going to apologize for taking a long time on this update. My husband keeps stealing my laptop at night and I just started another grad school class. FYI: my class is the college counseling and planning process so any high school seniors out there need any help. Just give me a yell.

Previously on Whispers of Magic:

When the clock in Sarah's kitchen was striking seven o'clock, Sarah was slipping the last earring in her ear. The last chime sounded and Jareth appeared with his usual fanfare. He was every inch the king; from the polished black boots to the sharply cut jacket. Thankfully, Sarah caught herself before her perusal of him turned into outright staring. Jareth extended a black gloved hand towards her with one raised eyebrow. With a confidence that wasn't entirely steady, Sarah placed her hand into his and watched as the light swirled around them until they were no longer in her home.

Chapter 10: The Feel of It

When the swirling lights coalesced into solid forms Sarah found herself standing in the middle of a ballroom that was eerily similar to the ballroom from her peach-drug induced dream. She stiffened when a warm, gloved hand rested itself on the small of her back. Sarah whipped her head to her left trying to reign in the terrifying desire to run. Jareth's mismatched eyes stared back at her, questioning, wondering why she was suddenly so alarmed. Looking down she saw the black fabric clinging to her hips instead of puffy white fabric. Reality crashed back down and Sarah followed by a warm rush of relief. This was real. This was not a product of her fevered imagination. She was not 15 and trying to save her baby brother.

Giving in, Sarah leaned back against Jareth's gloved hand took a steadying breath. The soft brush of leather against the bare skin of her back sent tingles of electricity down her spine. With a partially forced smile, Sarah allowed Jareth to lead her further into the ballroom. Out of the silence music started to play. It was a familiar tune that plucked at Sarah's memory but she couldn't quite place how she knew it. When Jareth swirled her into the dance, Sarah's recalcitrant memory surfaced only this time it wasn't a disembodied voice singing to her. This time it was a real, live, warm man holding her close and singing in her ear. She tried so very hard to not fall into the haze of emotion that was calling her. Sarah knew if she fell in, gave in, there would be no turning back. She leaned back against his embrace and tried to read the emotions that were swirling in his eyes.

"Jareth?" Sarah asked hesitantly. His only response was to lean close and softly press his lips to hers. The kiss was sweetly chaste but passion simmered just below the surface promising more enticing things to come. The music changed tunes and Jareth silently lead Sarah to a lavishly laid table.

I knew when she stiffened under my hand that I had to go about this carefully. Sarah was much too delicate for the usual seduction practices of my kind. Of course, Sarah would bristle at the thought of me calling her delicate but the truth can't be denied. As much as she forced herself to persevere through her illness, there are still elements of the young girl who ran my labyrinth.

If she asked me why I kissed her I would have no answer. It seemed like the best course of action at the time. Thankfully, Sarah is skirting around that delicate issue as she talks. She only picks at the food on her plate but I think she is more nervous than anything else. I still have to wonder exactly why she agreed to come with me and so peaceably. She amazes me more than anything else. In all honesty she shouldn't have made it through the Labyrinth. Somehow though she did and she came out with her sanity intact. I know that I had nothing to do with her sudden recovery and the Labyrinth vehemently insists that it did nothing more than stop granting her wishes. With that knowledge I have only one conclusion, the Underground must have done something. To tell Sarah that, such an unfounded supposition, would be to incite a riot. I have no way of knowing if it healed her or changed her.

"Jareth?" Sarah questioned drawing him out of his ruminations. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, my dear. I was just thinking."

"About what?" Sarah pressed on.

"Your exquisite beauty." Jareth said with a seductive smile. Sarah rolled her eyes at the statement and started to laugh. "What?"

"You're serious?" Sarah asked trying to humor the obviously crazy man.

"Of course I am." Jareth replied indignantly. "Would I lie to you?"

"No, you wouldn't." Sarah said with certainty. "I guess I must accept the compliment then and thank you for a lovely dinner."

A sharp smile appeared on Jareth's face. He knew that she was trying to draw the evening to a close but he had yet to play his final card. "Well, then, would you like to end the evening with a dance?" Jareth rose and extended his hand to Sarah. With a genuine smile she rose from her seat and allowed Jareth to lead her to a clear space. The music this time wasn't the familiar theme from her childhood. It was a soft song with sensual undertones. Jareth held her close, moving against her body to the quiet beat of the song. The hand that touched her back was no longer gloved and his warm skin was brushing along her spine. Instinctively Sarah arched into the up stroke, bringing her lips into very close proximity to Jareth's. She closed her eyes as his warm breath washed over her face.

"Sarah." Jareth's voice pulled at her. "Sarah, let me show you how beautiful you are." Opening her eyes, Sarah was pulled into his mismatched gazed until his hungry lips settled on hers. One hand cupped the back of her head, angling to Jareth's satisfaction the other trailed down to her hip to pull her close. Through the thin fabric of her dress, Sarah could feel his arousal pressed against her belly. Sarah struggled to control her reeling senses but a quiet voice told her this was her chance to let go, that nothing bad would happen here. She released her control and poured herself into the kiss pressing her body tightly against his. His smile against her lips encouraged her and she soon had her hands fisted in his hair.

Jareth pulled back, out of breath, watching Sarah with careful eyes. Her lips were pink and full, her pupils dilated. She was not the timid woman from earlier in the evening.

"Sarah I don't think…"

"Jareth, shut up." Sarah interrupted him before pulling his mouth back to hers.

AN: I am so sorry that this took so long. I really lost my momentum on this story and got distracted by other fandoms. I promise it will not happen again. The next chapter should be the last one and really long. Enjoy!