A/N: I love the response I'm getting to this story. It's awesome and I'm just gonna continue to praise you all. : )….Anyway, so seriously, why won't this dumb thing let me keep my asterisks and the little squiggly things, I used those a lot to separate things and stuff. It so sucks, but oh well, I guess I'll deal. So here's the next chapter. I hope you kids enjoy this as much as I enjoy this story. OH! One question, does anybody know what the name of the park is that Sarah was at in the beginning of the movie. I'm talking like real life, the Princess Diaries also had a shot of that little park too and I really wanna know what it's called. But for now I'm calling it Heckscher State Park because its just a random park name I found online and some of this movie was filmed in NY so I just like to assume the story as well takes place there.Unless anybody wants to point out otherwise.Okay, enough babbling. Read : )

Chapter Five- Mr. Jones

Sarah had no where to go. The entire world was a vast desert and she was stranded like a fish. About an hour after her and Toby had fled their house of insanity, they were walking down Rolland Street hand in hand. Sarah no longer had friends to turn to and family was too far away to go to. The air was colder too and all that either had were flimsy jackets so that now they both were shivering, even though the sun shown done hard.

Eventually they came to Heckscher State Park on the other side of town. It wasn't actually far from The William's home, it took less than an hour to walk to on any normal day, but today was just different.

The park was abandoned, but it was always abandoned around this time of the year. The large lake on it's premises brought the beauty, but it did not offer much recreation for people when the weather was this cool. Sarah led Toby inside the park and took a seat by the lake's edge. She let her dark hair fall in her face as she watched the ripples grow bigger, leave, and then return with each blow of the wind. Toby did not stay by her side long, he was a rather curious young boy and enjoyed chasing the leaves that blew around. When his brown eyes set sight on a sunny fish beneath the water's top, he followed it over the bridge and to the other side of the lake. Sarah kept a careful eye on him, but she didn't follow. It all seemed fine to her.

A lot of nothing clouded Sarah's thoughts. Most of them were directed atJareth. The mere sight of him made her want to vomit, but yet now that she was away from him, something inside her wanted to see him again. As hard as she tried to push thoughts like that to the back of her mind, it did not work. There was just something so…captivating….something so…..sexually stimulating that she wanted to fantasize about. Maybe it was his cruelty, the way he could be so mean and yet be playful about it. Or perhaps it was the way he wanted to please her without giving her her way. Or maybe it was just his alluring and bewitchingfeatures.

Sarah shook her head to try and ridit of such thoughts. She ran her hand through her hair and tugged a chunk of it. "Stop it…stop it…stop it…" she said to herself.

She directed her attention up at the graying sky. There were fewer birds now as it neared winter, but for some strange reason she could hear what sounded like flapping wings. Her eyes scanned the span of sky she could see and then moved to the trees that surrounded her. What she could not see was the owl that landed in one of them.

Instinctively, Sarah looked back around the lake for Toby's body, but she did not see it. She jumped to her feet in fear with her heart racing. The little boy was not in sight and she cursed herself for letting him get away.

The display she saw next jolted her nerves, she would have run straight through the lake if she could, just to get to him. Toby was balancing himself on a tree stump and was about to fall in.

"TOBY!" She cried, forcing herself to run harder than her feet would allow.

A force flew by herso fast that itnearly knocked her in the water as well. It disappeared behind a bush that now blocked her view of Toby. She heard asplash and another splash that made her only fear the worst as she rounded that bush. She stopped herself by the lake's edge, heaving and panting and clutching her side as she reclaimed breath.

She blinked away the tears and sweat to see a man pulling Toby from the water and lay his body on the grass.

"Oh my god." Sarah cried and knelt by her brother's side. The man cast a look at Sarah and looked back down at the body. Toby looked dead, and Sarah feared he was, but the man knew better. Only moments later, Toby sat upright and was coughing over himself. Water spewed everywhere.

"Oh, Toby." Sarah grabbed him and held him tight as he still coughed. "What were you doing?"

"I dare say, miss….." The man spoke up in a light, friendly voice. His accent was strange, like theEnglish. It was almost familiar to Sarah. "….It was you who left him to wander, was it not?"

Sarah opened her mouth to retort, but no words came. Toby was breathing heavily against her own body, but he also made no attempt to reply. "Yes…bu-but I did not think he would fall in like that…."

"Yes, but, the boy is only about….four…maybe five, am I correct?"

"Yes, but-"

"Forgive me." The man exhaled softly. "It is not my business."

Sarah finally looked towards the rescuer. She did owe him much. He had such a kind face with short, wispy blonde hair that hung loosely in his eyes. He was tall and very thin, dressed in a gray business suit. His facial countenance was very distinct, from cheek bones to the creases in his forehead. He was very handsome, but so familiar.

"What's wrong?" he asked. Sarah realized she had been staring, she had forgotten to reply to him and felt embarrassed. She did not mean to stare at him, but his face….it was so….she was sure she had seen him before.

"I'm sorry, but….well….have we met before?" she asked. The man looked into her eyes and a warm smile came on his face.

"No, I don't believe so." he said, his eyes did not leave Sarah's.

Those eyes…I've seen those eyes before She thought. His two eyes were slightly different from each other. One was defiantly blue, but the other looked darker. Both were beautiful, it was easy for Sarah to lose herself in them.

…She thought. His two eyes were slightly different from each other. One was defiantly blue, but the other looked darker. Both were beautiful, it was easy for Sarah to lose herself in them.

The man, on the other hand, broke their gaze as he stood. Sarah looked up at him, then stood up herself, holding Toby, who was sniffling with cold.

"Your boy looks like he's caught a bit of a cold." The man indicated Toby in her arms.

"Oh…" Sarah looked down at the blonde head resting on her shoulder. "…he's not mine, he's my brother."

"I know." said the man.

"You do?" her eyes narrowed.

"Well, I mean, I figured…..you look too young to have a child." he told her, causing her to blush. She knew he was just talking sweet, she was old enough to have a child of her own if she were married, but she enjoyed the idea all the same. "Forgive me, I do not know your name."

"I'm Sarah…." she said now rocking Toby. "….who are you?"

"I'm James."

"James?"

"James Jones." The man stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"James Jones?" Sarah nodded. "That's quite an interesting name."

"Is it?" James looked down at her. "Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Sarah."

"You too." Sarah replied.

"I hope to see you around." He bowed his head to her graciously and turned to walk away.

Sarah watched him leave and then realized that she had not thanked him. She would have let him go, figuring he wouldn't have noticed, but with the she would use any excuse to be able to talk to him again; even if it was just one more sentence.

"James!" Sarah called, rushing towards the man. He turned on the balls of his feet and faced her once more with a smile. "I'm sorry, I forgot to thank you. I don't know what I would've done if you weren't there. Thank you."

James did not speak, he only nodded his head.

"Well….um…" Sarah bit her lip and looked away.

"Perhaps you and your brother would like to accompany me to lunch?" He proposed.

"Sure." Sarah told him. "I'd like that…..but I think I should get Toby changed first."

"Don't you worry, I'll take care of that." He said, placing a hand on Sarah's back.

As Sarah walked alongside the man, she thought about the morning. That memory had left until now, and it was certainly strange. This day had been strange so far. And tonight, she did not look forward to returning to a house either a) still occupied by Goblins, Fireys, and other creatures or b) a house destroyed by Goblins, Fireys, or other creatures. In fact, she wasn't even sure why she agreed to each lunch with a person she had just met, a man none the less. Zack had been persistent of her time for a while now and she had never once considered saying yes to his offers, but when this handsome stranger requested lunch, she did not hesitate. And as bizarre as it was, she did not feel the need to care.

James was great company. He laughed at Sarah's jokes, he listened intently when she talked about her fairy tales and her days of acting in the school plays. He held open doors for her, he always made sure that she was content with herself. She was really beginning to like him.

James said he would take care of Toby's outfit and he kept his word. There was a small shop in town that was known for it's unique clothing for children. That was where he took them and purchased Toby a collard blue and red plaid polo shirt and khaki pants. Sarah was beside herself. This man was doing everything for them, how could she repay him. She offered to buy the outfit herself, but James only raised a hand and said, "I offered to take care of it and I do not intend to do otherwise." Sarah watched him stuff his hands into his pocket. There was no bulge of a wallet, but he pulled one from the pocket of his dress pants. She tilted her head curiously, but did not think much of it.

At noon, James took Sarah and Toby to a small café called Sloan's. Several items on the menu were more than Sarah could have ever afforded, she certainly could not let him buy their food. "It's too expensive." she said, placing her menu onto the table.

James looked at her and placed the menu back in her hands. "Do not worry." he simply said andwent back to his ownmenu.

Sarah still ordered the item that cost the least, a French soup, and did the same for Toby. Up until now, Toby had remained quiet for such an energetic four year old. After james mentioned that he used to believe in Goblins when he was young,Toby wouldn't shut up. James clasped his hands together while leaning forward to hear all of Toby's goblin stories. He would occasionally nod to show that he was, indeed, listening and it looked like the two were actually engaged in a serious conversation.

The waitress arrived with the food and placed their orders in front of each. Toby did not waste time as he had not eaten breakfast. Sarah also had not eaten a breakfast, but she worked more slowly, eager to get in a word with James now that Toby was preoccupied.

"So what do you do, exactly?" Sarah asked him, unfolding a fabric napkin and placing it over her lap.

"Like….a job?" James asked, taking up a water glass and bringing it to his lips.

"Um, yea." Sarah thought the question was rather understandable, but she did not take a moment to dwell on that, and just began eating.

"I…uh…I am the head of a prestigious…um….business…" He replied, trying to make his words sound as sincere as possible.

"Really? That's interesting. What sort of business?" she inquired further.

"Well…um…" James shoved a piece of bread into his mouth to allow time to think while he chewed his food. "….I actually watch over groups of other businesses to make sure they're doing what is required of them." he said with a confident nod. It was all too convincing, he hoped.

"Hmmmm…sounds interesting…." she said, but James was sure that she did not mean it. He wasn't even sure if she even knew what he was talking about.

"James? James? James?" Toby cocked his head at James, trying to get his attention.

"Yes, little goblin."James lightly chuckled and looked at the boy. Sarah sighed and continued to eat.

"Do you have any kids for me to play with?" he asked, bits of complimentary cracker falling from his chin.

"No. I do not." James replied, he did not see Sarah's smile of relief.

"Do you have a wife?" Toby pressed further, suddenly pecked with curiosity of the man.

"No. I do not have one of those either." James promptly turned his chin upwards as if to look more professional. He still did not see Sarah's wide smile.

They ate in the quiet for a little while. Toby spooned his soup happy and when he decided that he wasn't hungry anymore, he used his crackers as life boats for the sinking pieces of carrot and cucumber. Sarah finished her soup and delicately wiped her mouth. She didn't realize that James was watching her until their eyes met.

"I'm sorry, I do not mean to stare." he said, lowering his eyes to her empty soup bowl. "Was it good?"

"Yes, thank you very much." Sarah nodded, pushing her bowl away. She couldn't recall a time when she had had a better lunch.

"Good." James ate his last bite and waved for the waitress.

James paid the bill and walked the two out of the café. He placed his hand on Sarah's back once more as they walked up the street. "Where is it that you live?"

"Oh, um, we live up here." Sarah pointed up the street and hoped that this was where they would part. If Goblins were still in her home, she did NOT was James to know that.

"I shall walk you to your door then." He said and did not appear to be weak. He would clearly not back down.

"Um, okay." Sarah continued walking, holding Toby's hand. After the incident at the park, she felt obligated to be more careful.

Silence again filled the air except for the clicks of James' shoes on the concrete. Sarah had not noticed before, but he was wearing boots under his attire.

They reached the door step of the William's house. Sarah did not let Toby go ahead inside for fear that he would reveal the disaster within. This went unnoticed by James, all he saw was Sarah in front of him.

"Can I see you again?" He spoke gently, he did not want to sound too forward.

"I would like that." she said with an affectionate smile.

"I know where you live. It shall be a surprise then."

Sarah leaned up and placed a sweet kiss onhis cheek. He winked at her before heading down her porch steps.

Sarah's heart swelled, an intoxicating feeling swept over her as she turned her back on his retreating form to enter the house. The minute Toby's sneakers touched the floor, he was off. Sarah shut the door and walked into the living room. The silence was welcoming. Sheturned to a window on the right of her and peered through it, hoping to catch one last glimpse ofJames, but to her dismay, he had disappeared. He was not up the street, he was not down it.

But once again, Sarah paid no mind.

The clock in the foyer rang out. Sarah sighed and decided that it was time to face the mess that was sure to be seen all over the house. The day was so nice that she completely forgot about everything. But now that she was back home, the problems with a Goblin King who wanted to take her back to kingdom, Goblins who destroyed her house and partied in her brother's room, and the entirety of the Labyrinthine world taking claim over her own world, came back with full momentum. Even though Jareth and his Goblins were only in her home justthis morning, it still seemed so unreal.

She trudged her way to the den and saw….nothing. The place was spotless. Utterly bewildered and optimistic, she jogged to the kitchen. It, too, was asclean as a whistle. The whole downstairs, upon her inspection, was spotless.

"Perhaps they moved upstairs." she said aloud and went to the stairs. Naturally, she went into her room first. The room was as she left it except that now a short little man was polishing her vanity.

"Hoggle?" Sarah shrieked with excitement. The little man turned to face her and his face lit up.

"Oh…Sarah!" The two embraced.

"I thought I'd never see you again!" Sarah found herself near tears with joy.

"Of course not, Sarah……but…." Hoggle reserved himself, then backed out of her arms modestly. "…..oh never mind…"

"But, what, Hoggle?" she asked, looking at him curiously.

"….I best not tell ya, you might get frightened."

"I know about your world. Jareth told me."

Hoggle was silent and continued to dust. They both silently agreed to drop the subject.

"Those darn goblins were here this mornin' and made a mess of the place. I've been working all day tryin' to make it nice for ya, Sarah." he sounded bothered as he spoke, but Sarah ignored that.

"Thank you, Hoggle. That's very kind of you."

"Yea, well, if that Jareth hadn't disappeared on them, they woulda never left me be."

Jareth took shelter beneath a bridge with his goblins around him. They were creating their havoc as usual, but Jareth was thinking. He pulled one knee to his chest and gently touched the skin where a kiss had been placed.

End of chapter

A/N: Wow, I was on a roll! These chapters keep getting longer! Okay, hope you enjoyed that. I had Jareth being rather soft in this chapter. That's on purpose, believe me, he had to be sweet in order to keep his cover. But do not worry, our Jareth will be himself throughout the rest of this story. Oh, just in case you need to know, James looks like David Bowie. Not that you couldn't figure that out. : ) I have to Thank you for all your reviews. You all are awesome, I cannot say it enough. I'd like to address one in particular (and for anyone who caught onto this as well):

LadySorrow: Oh no, you don't sound nit-picky, I definitely appreciate things like that because someone like me just misses little things like that completely. Actually, I've been reading Cormak3032 's stories and she had named them Robert and Karen and that had sounded right to me, like I knew that's what their names are, but I didn't want to actually take that and use those names because I thought that I would have like "stolen" it or something. I guess I should have paid more attention. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll go and fix that, thanks again.

Okay, thanks for reading!

One more thing before I go. I'm just wondering if anybody would like to help me edit my story. I'm just not very good at it and sometimes parts sound weird to me and I feel like I need a second opinion. So if anybody is interested, email me, my email should be in my profile. thanks.