Sarah found herself once again in a ballroom hung with gauze and crystal chandeliers, a beautiful but unfamiliar melody hovering through the air. And she was alone.

Her inner voice smirked. The git is probably waiting to make an entrance.

Occasionally visible between the draped fabric were walls like concave mercury glass. Passing her distorted reflection she paused. She had been expecting to see the pouffy white dress; instead she was wearing a slim sleeveless v-neck silk gown of deep teal, embroidered gorgeously with peacock feathers trailing down to where the dress grazed the floor. Her dark hair had been pulled back in a half updo with intricate jewelled clips also in the form of peacock feathers, the rest of it hanging down in soft waves down her back. Just a hint of make-up brought out her eyes and deepened the hue of her lips. She looked like the lady in her poster.

Wandering the room she found no signs of any other occupant. Her lips formed a wry smile as she also noticed the distinct lack of chairs. Finally she spotted a large cushioned settee nestled under a drape of gauze and went to sit down. The heavy table beside her was set with a delicate silver tray of delectable looking fruit tarts as well as beautiful crystal decanter and two glasses. Sarah regarded them warily. Just as she began to eye the decanter, wondering if it was heavy enough to use to break out of there, she heard a warm chuckle.

"Now, now Precious. After I went through the trouble of making sure there are no poor chairs for you to abuse, please do not start assaulting my servingware."

A drape of gauze was pulled back to reveal her host. He too was different, his pale hair was longer, less gravity defying and it had been tied back, leaving just a few shorter strands to frame his bare face. He was dressed in a long fitted waistcoat of teal velvet over a grey silk chemise. At his neck was an embroidered cravate of the same fabric as her dress, his pendant hanging over it. His snug black breeches tucked into shiny knee high leather boots were familiar. The smirk was the same too. As were his uneven blue eyes that were gazing at her full of mock accusation, but also something else.

Under his gaze Sarah's stomach felt full of butterflies and she had to remind herself that she was mad at him. "You tricked me!"

His eyes glittered. "I prefer the term surprise." She shot a glare at him but he smiled, unperturbed. "Is it not traditional to combine dining and dancing?"

Rolling her eyes she tried to hide a smile. "You could have asked Jareth!"

"Well then...join me for a dance?" He extended his hand towards her.

Sarah released an exaggerated sigh and held out her hand. Jareth flashed her a pointy toothed grin and spun her onto the dance floor. The music changed to something delicate, ethereal and they were almost floating.

"So, I am assuming that we are dreaming again." He nodded, she frowned slightly. "I'm not going to wake up suddenly because I have overbalanced and fallen on my face am I?"

"No need to worry." He held her closer and she let him lead her around the floor. "You are ensconced in my arms, much as you were this afternoon before I transported you to your desk."

Sarah cheeks felt warm. "Wait a minute... I fell asleep in your arms this afternoon?"

His eyes twinkled. "Yes, and you seemed so exhausted I prefered to let you sleep and returned you to your desk without waking you."

"Oh..." The mental picture of him holding her as she slept caused the butterflies to return.

Her inner voice added. You're asleep in his arms right now dear.

She bushed and changed the subject. Taking a strand of his hair in her fingers she looked at him coyly. "So..I see that you made a few changes."

"You did ask to see my original form." He paused in their dance, backing up and turning so that she may observe him. "Does it please you?"

Her eyebrows shot up, giving him another head to toe glance she nodded approvingly. "You look... good." She grinned impishly. "Although I'm sure that the last thing your vanity needs is compliments."

He pulled her back into his arms, smirking. "You wound me Precious!"

Tracing a finger along the embroidery on his lapel, she smiled. "I approve of your choice of my gown by the way, very lovely.

He preened a little. "As you have most likely guessed, the artwork in your apartment gave me inspiration on your tastes." He whispered into her ear. "Although I did have another dress in mind if no other option had become available."

She raised an eyebrow. "I would love to see it one day."

He wiggled his brows. "Shall I invite you to another crystal ball tomorrow?"

Sarah's face fell. "Umm, actually I promised Karen that I would watch Toby tomorrow evening. They're having some kind of business dinner."

Jareth's did not quite manage to hide his disappointment.

Sarah considered a moment. "Would you like to come with me? It would be nice for my family to meet you... Although you know that as soon as my dad finds out that I'm seeing someone he is going to give you the third degree... and Toby can be a handful..."

He stopped dancing and looked into her eyes solemnly. "I would be honored to meet your family."

Hesitantly she asked. "Do you have any family?"

He looked down. "Not anymore."

She held his hand and led him to the settee, they sat down and were quiet a moment. She finally broke the silence. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Jareth leaned over and filled a small glass with amber liquid from the decanter and took a large sip. He sighed. "It is not a pretty story Sarah."

She placed her head on his shoulder. "But it is a part of your story."

He downed the rest of his drink and sighed again. "I promise that I will tell you Sarah, but not today, not here. This evening I do not desire to dwell on the past, I wish to create more positive memories."

"By kidnapping me?" The jab was gentle.

A small smirk reappeared. "I prefer detoured."

She grinned. "Details."

He picked up the tray and held it out to her. "Care for some refreshments?" She eyed its contents warily.

He smirked and chose a tiny fruit tart that was drizzled with chocolate and took a bite. He held out the other half to her just out of range of her lips. She leaned forward and he placed the morsel in her mouth.

"Mmm...this is delicious!" She was about to lean over again to catch his lips instead when he suddenly rose, holding out his hand. "Shall we dance?"

She took his hand and let him lead her back into the dance floor. As he pulled her close to him the music changed again. She recognized the tinkling first strains of the song he had sung to her in the crystal ballroom nearly nine years ago. He began to sing to her.

Sarah felt mesmerized by his gaze and his voice. She had only heard the song once before, but the words were engraved in her memory. She began to mouth the words.

Jareth noticed, and a tender smirk graced his lips as he continued singing to her.

The dance felt like forever, yet not long at all.

The melody wound down and they slowed to a stop on the dance floor. Jareth's eyes held depths that she could drown in as he leaned in close. Sarah's breath felt tight in her chest, her heart was pounding. Their lips touched, just gently at first. Sarah melted into him, sliding her fingers into his hair to pull him closer. He responded, pulling her tight to his torso as his lips caressed hers.

He finally pulled away slowly, as if relishing every second of contact. His eyes seemed vaguely unfocused as he raised a hand to caress her cheek. When he tried to speak his voice was hoarse and his breathing heavy. "Sarah..." his voice cracked.

Sarah put her arms around him, hugging him tightly. She could hear his heart pounding in his chest. She whispered. "Do you know that I had always wondered how our dance would have ended, if I hadn't had to find Toby ." His arms enveloped her and he placed his chin on her head. For a long moment they just held each other.

Finally he spoke. "One more dance before we return?"

She nodded.

A new song began.

There were no words, Sarah put her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder as they gently swayed to the music.

...

Authors note

Still don't own Labyrinth :(

Thank you so much to Guest 2019, mae-E, Melisa-Sama and FrancesOsgood for the wonderful reviews and to those who have faved or followed.

:)