Disclaimer: Labyrinth and all characters from said film belong to Jim Henson and George Lucas, those geniuses. I own nothing (nothing, nothing, tra la la) but Ilie and the plot.

A/N: Chapter 2, again fixed up and all pretty. I got rid of the review replies – it's not that I don't appreciate them, because I really do, but they were just taking up too much room. Enjoy this chapter!

Wishes In The Night
Chapter 2

Jareth twisted in his bed, unable to sleep. He could smell her. Her perfume had permeated the covers, the mattress, and the very scent of her was rendering him pathetic.

He sighed, exasperated, and climbed from the bed. Sleep was elusive tonight, and he knew why. Her presence – so close – was enough to send a myriad of thoughts spinning through his head. Stepping out onto his balcony, he let the warm summer breeze wash over him, the moonlight turning his skin silvery and pale, and contemplated the mortal girl that had become his obsession.

He had watched her for some time before she had wished her brother away. Her reading of the red leather bound book had caught his attention – she had spoken his name, and his magic had reacted in kind, forcing him to see who she was, and why she had called him by name.

He had watched her act out the story many times, always casting herself as the spirited heroine. He had cringed every time she spoke the fatal words – which, incidentally, were the ones she could never remember.

"You have no power over me."

Her voice echoed through his head, mocking. He may not have had power over her, but she had certainly sparked his interest.

When she wished her brother away, he could almost not believe his good fortune. There were few children wished away in this world now. He supposed it was because people were forgetting the magic. The Underground had once held connections with the mortal world – connections that had been destroyed many years prior. The few children he was called to take belonged to families that had somehow rediscovered the Underground, but passed it off as a fairytale. When they wished the children away, it was as a last resort – and most were surprised when he appeared to take the child.

However, Sarah had remained one of the believers – a preciously rare group of people. She called upon the goblins in a fit of annoyance, but deep down, she had known that it would work. Still, duty had finally given him a reason to discover who this creature was, that had entranced him so.

She had been frightened, of course, when he appeared at the window. Upon learning who he was, she argued – she hadn't meant to wish her brother away. But duty was duty, and he had to present her with the challenge of running the Labyrinth.

He had been astonished when she had accepted. Too many people chose never to enter the maze – people far older and braver than a fifteen-year-old girl – and the children were lost forever to the mortal world, given to families in the Underground. Those who tried did so half heartedly, believing that they would fail – and so they did. But Sarah had entered with only one goal – the retrieval of her baby brother.

This had intrigued him even more. Never had he faced such an opponent. Their discussion just before he had sent the Cleaners after her had been most interesting. She was still afraid – and rightly so, for she believed that he would have killed her – but she was also defiant.

"It's a piece of cake."

No one had ever said such a thing about the Labyrinth – his Labyrinth – and it had both angered and fascinated him. Her steadfastness, her determination, had been extremely attractive.

Still, he needed to maintain his position as the adversary. She had been flustered by his seductive manner, and he realized later that she had only marginally understood, too young to fully comprehend why she was suddenly receiving such attention from an older man. However, he could most undoubtedly prey on her sense of romanticism – a reoccurring trait in young mortal women, it seemed – and he did so.

He had carefully crafted the dream she would have after tasting the peach. Somehow, her mind had twisted it slightly – his version had certainly not involved him singing to her – but it mattered little. Until, unfortunately, that blasted clock had caught her attention, and she remembered what she should have been doing.

He had been very annoyed with her one-track mind. It had been quite easy to distract others who ran the Labyrinth, but this girl had managed to ignore him twice – once with the crystal, and a second time with the dream. Had she given in, he would have captured her effortlessly.

Her calm face as she climbed the stairs in the room he had created inspired the same mix of annoyance and curiosity in him. Coolly ignoring his interruptions, his words of enticement and his offer of a crown, she recited the words from the book, words she had spoken so many times.

"Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered…"

The only falter had been when she once again forgot the last line – at that instant, at the look of fear and panic on her face, he was certain he had caught her. She would give up now, and agree to his terms…to rule with him, as Queen.

But she had somehow remembered the final line, and her expression had been one of triumph and joy.

"You have no power over me."

He had lost control then, transforming into his owl form and taking flight, conquered. All his plans, his manipulation had gone out the window in one fell swoop. But under it all was the bitter sting of rejection. She had discarded him, regarded him as inconsequential. One did not act this way towards the King of the Goblins. She was supposed to accept his offer, not throw his words aside.

Still, the experience had only served to deepen his interest in her – what kind of girl did she have to be, to refuse him? And so he had watched her for many years, watched her grow up. She was a strong woman, he realized now – though she had been determined when she was younger, she had had an odious disposition – and yet the whiny adolescent he had seen in the Labyrinth had gradually melted away, only surfacing in times of adversity. The "it's not fair" that dropped from her lips last night had been the first time he'd heard it in years.

And so he watched, knowing she would once again wish him back into her life. She was a believer, and her time in the Underground had only intensified the belief. Sooner or later, she would bend, and then he would have her. And as he predicted, she had called him. Now he could again work at making her his Queen.

Casting a triumphant glance at her balcony, visible to his left, he turned and went inside.

Unfortunately, Sarah woke to the sound of birds trilling prettily outside her window. Taking the fact that she had never once heard a bird at her cement-engulfed New York apartment into consideration, it was safe to assume that she was still in the Underground.

Opening her eyes, she rolled out of bed. She had to somehow convince Jareth to allow her to go home. She had a job to go to, and a boyfriend who would…

"Hang on," she said aloud. The confusion of the previous night's events had made her forget what had happened during the day. There was no job awaiting her at home, no boyfriend to worry about her disappearance. The only people who would care that she was missing would be Karen and her father – and that was only because she owed them money.

There was a knock at the door, drawing her out of dour thoughts. "Come in," she called, hoping it was Ilie and not Jareth. She was not exactly in the mood to deal with him at the moment.

The door opened and Ilie scurried in. "Good morning, Miss Sarah," she greeted. "Master sent me to request that you join him for breakfast this morning."

Sarah glanced down at her sleep rumpled top and loose pants. "I'm not exactly dressed for it," she said slowly.

Ilie shrugged. "The seamstress is not yet finished with your clothing, but there is surely something in here you can wear," she commented, opening the door of the wardrobe.

Sarah made a face, but it slowly melted as she saw the quality of the dresses in the closet. They were beautifully made, with vibrant colours and unfamiliar cuts. Once again looking at her casual clothes, she swallowed a lump in her throat at having to wear a stranger's clothing. Her current attire was simply not fit to dine with a King.

She sifted through the garments, running her fingers over the gorgeous material. Wondering absently what Jareth's favourite colour was, she stopped upon uncovering a lovely gown of royal blue. Recalling the blue décor in his bedroom, and the blue jacket he'd worn during their dance in the ballroom, she pulled it out. Ilie smiled in approval.

"Yes, that one is quite nice. Shall I help you with it?"

Twenty minutes later, Sarah stepped into the dining room. Finding it empty, she took a minute to tug again at the bodice of the dress, wishing it didn't reveal as much cleavage as it did. Clearly the women here in the Underground had no qualms with showing their chests.

She smoothed the material of the dress over her hips. She was unaccustomed to wearing clothes like this – Ilie had bundled her into so many undergarments that she was sure the dress would not fit – and if it did, it would look horrible. The corset she had been strapped into was a new experience in pain, and she still could not draw a full breath. The overall affect, however, was very flattering and she admitted to her reflection that she looked lovely. And it would be worth the discomfort – she needed to go home, and if being nice to Jareth was the key, then she would certainly put all her effort into it. Dressing in his favourite colour, in the style he was used to, seemed to be a good first step.

She glanced around, trying to decide whether or not to sit down. The entrance of the King of the Goblins made the decision for her.

If he was surprised at her apparel, Jareth said nothing, merely arching a blonde brow. "Good morning," he addressed her, inclining his head. She hesitated for only a second before dipping a curtsy – not nearly as deep as Ilie's, but then she didn't want to seem subservient.

Seating himself at the head of the table, Jareth indicated that she should sit opposite him. "What, he doesn't even hold my chair?" Sarah muttered as she sat down carefully, hampered by the tight corset. "Some king."

Mismatched eyes flashed in her direction, and she quickly smiled. "I was wondering…" she began, unsure of how to phrase her question.

"Yes?" Jareth asked, his tone slightly crisp – it seemed he had heard her words.

"How am I getting home?"

The Goblin King blinked at her, remaining silent. Sarah leaned forward, expecting a tirade about the trials she would have to endure to return home. Perhaps he would make her run the Labyrinth again – without the help of her friends this time. She was certainly not expecting him to throw back that wild blonde head and laugh.

"Go home, Sarah?" he inquired, traces of amusement still clearly visible on his face. "You are not going home. You are to remain here with me. I thought I had made this quite clear."

Sarah gaped. "What do you mean, not going home?" she demanded. "I can't stay here with you! I've got a life in my own world, I don't need one here!"

"In that world?" Jareth said softly. "In that world, who are you?"

Sarah threw her head up, meeting his eyes. "Sarah Williams, that's who," she replied firmly.

"And who is Sarah Williams? Is she a great ruler? Does she have any sort of power? No. Sarah Williams lives alone. She has no job. Her parents will no longer assist her. Her suitor, fool that he is, left her." Jareth stood, walking around the table to lean close to her, speaking low in her ear.

"But in my world, Sarah Williams would be a Queen. She would rule, along with me, one of the most powerful kingdoms in the Underground. Now, in which world do you think Sarah Williams would be happier?"

Sarah dragged her chair away from him. "Nice try," she snapped. "But guess what? I'm not fifteen anymore. You don't frighten and fascinate me anymore. You can't spin me a tale of pretty words and shiny promises. Promises are bullshit. They mean nothing."

Jareth watched her through hooded eyes, leaning against the table. "Who made you so cynical, my Sarah?" he asked. "Who destroyed your dream world and made you forget your fairytales?"

"That's none of your business," came the reply. "They helped me, in the long run. Helped me open my eyes, and grow up. Helped me realize that life isn't a fairytale – and that I'm no damsel in distress. I'm not interested in be a queen, Jareth." Her eyes dropped and she sighed, the streak of anger that had animated her gone. "I'm not looking for a prince anymore. There aren't any left."

Jareth approached her again, stepping behind the chair this time, and letting his fingers trail across her shoulders. "There may not be any princes left in your world," he said. "But this is the Underground. And I am more than fitting to be your prince."

"Uh huh." Her voice was dry. "Do you mind explaining why, if you're such a powerful ruler, you're interested in a lowly mortal girl – one that defeated you?"

He shrugged. "You intrigue me. You make a refreshing change to all the women that I've known in the past – women who are merely interested in a crown, not the person wearing it. And as for you defeating me – what better way to have access to your power than to marry you?"

She stood abruptly, pulling away from his caress and facing him. She was pale, her eyes flashing. "So you're only interested because I'm not chasing after your crown, and because you can make sure I don't kick your ass again? There's got to be more to a marriage than that."

He smirked derisively. "I assume you are referring to love?"

She nodded, growing wary at his expression. He scoffed. "Sarah, my dear, I am Fae. Leanan Sidhe, to be exact. We do not love. We obsess, without doubt. But we do not love."

"What kind of life is that?" Sarah took a step towards him. He merely smiled. "A far simpler one, to be sure."

She frowned, shaking her head. "I won't marry if it's not for love."

Jareth shrugged again. "No matter. I'll catch you soon enough. Keep in mind, Sarah, that you are in my kingdom now. You cannot avoid me, and you cannot disobey me. Eventually, you will see the advantages in marrying me."

"Not likely."

He laughed darkly. "By the way," he said, slowly advancing on her. "I'll be needing an heir, as well. I'm certain you know of the…activities involved in such a situation. If that is not reason enough to consider marriage…" he trailed off, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

She jerked away, storming out of the room. He laughed softly, watching her go.

A/N: Please review!