They weren't even out of the car when Karen opened the front door.

"Sarah!" Completely ignoring the rain Toby came hurtling out, almost knocking Sarah down with the force of his hug as she stood up. Jareth got out and opened the umbrella above them. Toby belatedly noticed that she was not alone and looked at Sarah questioningly.

"Hey Toby. This is Jareth."

Toby squinted at Jareth but obligingly raised his hand to shake. "Do I know you?" Jareth shook his hand and winked.

Karen called out "Come inside before you get soaked!" Once they were inside she took their coats and put them in the closet. She slid up beside Sarah and whispered. "I didn't know you were bringing someone!"

"Karen, I'd like you to meet Jareth. Jareth, Karen."

Karen held out her hand to shake but Jareth clasped her hand and lightly kissed it. Karen tittered and blushed. "Robert, Sarah is here!"

"Coming!" Robert exited his office absentmindedly, a few papers in his hands. He looked up. "Hi sweetie!" Noticing that she was not alone he paused, adjusting his glasses. "You didn't tell us that you were bringing a friend."

"Daddy, this is Jareth Archer, my... boyfriend." The term felt wrong, but she couldn't think of another word.

Jareth extended his hand. "Honored to meet you Mr Williams." Robert shook hands but his face was reserved.

"Robert! Don't keep them at the door! Please come in." Karen led them into the living room and then grabbed Toby's arm and disappeared into the kitchen.

As Sarah sat down she glanced at her Dad, Robert leaned forward in his chair. "So... Jareth is it?... British?"

Jareth sat back on the couch, seemingly unaware of Robert's scrutiny. "Yes. Born just outside of London."

Karen returned with a tray of gingerale and glasses, Toby following with a bowl of chips and some small plates. He quickly put the bowl on the table, grabbed a plate full and ensconced himself in the corner of the couch with his gameboy.

Karen handed out the glasses. "So... how did you meet?"

Sarah accepted her glass and took a sip. "We bumped into each other Sunday. But we met each other several years ago."

Putting the tray down Karen looked up in surprise. "Really? You never mentioned him Sarah!"

"Well, we met in the park, once. And you were already yelling at me for being late so it wasn't the best time to mention chatting up a stranger."

Robert narrowed his eyes at Jareth.

Jareth ignored Robert's hostility and added. "I was in town for business and went to relax in the park, Sarah was play acting scenes from one of my favorite plays. We struck up a conversation."

The word business cought Robert's attention. "Business huh? What you into?"

"I own an estate and I dabble in trading art and antiques. There was estate sale I came to observe" Jareth spoke nonchalantly but Sarah noticed Karen's jaw drop.

Robert got a sly look. "Which estate sale?" Sarah frowned slightly, her Dad was trying to get Jareth to slip up.

"The Harper place." Jareth was nonplussed.

Robert seemed satisfied with that answer. "I remember the battle over that will, tough stuff."

Jareth nodded. "Indeed."

Karen tried to steer the conversation back. "So, Sarah, what happened on Sunday, did you see him at the aquarium?"

Sarah was relieved for a chance to redirect the conversation. "No, actually I bumped into him in the park near my apartment. When I was parking my car I heard the song he had played the first time we met. I went to inspect and he was in the gazebo with his guitar."

"A musician as well? So romantic!" Karen was beaming.

Robert on the other hand frowned. "And what, pray tell, were you doing near her apartment?"

Jareth did not take offense at Robert's accusing tone. "I am on holiday. I had visited the antique shop around the corner. I didn't even know she lived nearby but I was thrilled to see her again."

Robert looked like he was going to continue his interrogation. Sarah coughed and pointed to the clock. "Hey, Dad, your going to be late for your reservation."

Robert frowned but got up. Karen rambled nervously. "The stew is in the crock pot. It will be ready in half an hour, I've set a timer. There is fresh bread in the bread box. Please have Toby in bed by eight."

"Yes Karen, as always."

They put their coats on and were halfway out the door when Karen paused. "Oh, and I almost forgot! Your Dad just got a call this afternoon from a client and he would need to go next week and finalize the details in person. But it's in Texas and you know how Toby hates the heat, so it would be better if he stayed here. That would be okay with you, right?"

Sarah sighed, things were much better with Karen than they used to be, but Karen still had a bad habit of railroading Sarah's plans. Sarah had already intended on spending time with Toby during her vacation but having him the whole week hadn't been the plan.

Sarah rubbed her neck nervously. "Um... I kinda already had plans. I-"

Karen's face fell. "Really? Are you sure you can't adjust?...Anyway, sorry but we need to go. We'll talk more later. Bye!"

Sarah closed the door behind them and let out a long slow breath. She went back to the living room and found Toby eagerly explaining his favorite videogame to Jareth.

"See, there's this big maze, and the hero has to get through all these levels to get to the castle to save the princess."

Jareth glanced at Sarah and smiled. "And what if a princess wants to save a prince?"

Toby made a face. Sarah sent a warning glance at Jareth and tried to steer the conversation into safer subjects. "So, Toby, looking forward to summer vacation?"

"Yeah!... Except I don't wanna go with Mom and Dad to Texas. I wanna stay with here, with you."

At Sarah's surprised expression he mumbled guiltily. "I overheard them talking about asking you."

Sarah fluffed his hair. "You know I'd love to spend the week with you, but I won't be here."

"Huh?" Toby swiped her hand away, brows wrinkled in a slight frown.

Sarah lowered her voice, as if confiding a secret. "Jareth and I are going on a little vacation."

Toby perked up. "Ya think mom would let me go with you?"

Sarah smiled at his enthusiasm and the fact that he still enjoyed spending time with her. "I don't know, Daddy doesn't seem to like Jareth much."

"So we have to convince them! I don't wanna go to Texas again! It's too hot!"

"I'll see what I can do. I'll talk to them again when they get back."

The timer beeped and they all headed to the kitchen, which smelled wonderful. Sarah started portioning out the stew. "Toby, set the cutlery please!"

Jareth helped and they soon sat down to eat. After their delicious supper Jareth even offered to help wash the dishes, Toby dried and Sarah put them away. As soon as they were done Toby ran into the living room.

Sarah watched the rain slashing against the kitchen window and frowned, "I hope the roads aren't too bad."

"Your father seems to be quite a careful man, they should be fine." The corner of Jareth's mouth quirked. "You know we can get home regardless."

Her lips quirked too. "Yes... but leaving the car here would be difficult to explain."

He pulled her back to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. "Who says we'd leave it behind?"

She peered at him out of the corner of her eyes. "You can transport cars?"

He chuckled. "Well, I have never tried cars but antique furniture can be rather heavy."

She half turned to look at him. "So the Goblin King really does dabble in antiques?"

"Sarah! Hurry up or we wont have time to watch the movie!" Toby yelled from the living room. When they entered he was proudly holding a VHS copy of The Lion King.

Sarah laughed. "Again? How many times have you watched it so far?"

"Uh... lots?"

Jareth looked at the image on the box. "I have not seen it."

Sarah asked. "You familiar with Shakespeare?" He nodded. "Imagine Hamlet but with lions."

Jareth's eyebrow raised in query. Sarah smirked.

They munched chips and watched the movie. Toby jumped around and sang along to all the songs, Sarah often joined in. Once the credits were rolling Sarah raised an eyebrow at Toby. "Okay, it's quarter past eight, time for bed!"

Toby groaned but trudged up the stairs. Sarah called after him. "Don't forget to brush your teeth!"

She turned to Jareth. "So... how did you like the movie?"

"Actually very good, that Scar fellow had style."

"Of course you like the villain." Sarah made a face at him.

"That Zazou character was also quite amusing." He paused and a look of mild horror crossed his face. "I would ask though, please don't show this to the goblins. It's bad enough that I am now pestered with random cries of "Inconceivable!" I really would prefer that they not discover "Hakuna Matata"

"Okay, so maybe it wasn't a good idea to show them the most quotable movie ever." Her grin was mischievous.

Jareth shot a glace at Sarah, she only grinned harder.

"You know Precious, this may very well be the first time that I am simultaneously tempted to both kiss and bog someone."

Her eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare!"

He smirked and put his arm around her shoulder. "You should know that you are far too precious to me to risk such a thing."

Sarah was mollified, but she gave him a gentle nudge in the ribs. "Good, because if you ever do bog me you will join me."

He chuckled in her ear. "I believe you."

Toby came thumping back down the stairs. He hugged her. "Goodnight Sarah."

She gave him a good squeeze. "Goodnight kiddo."

To her and Jareth's surprise Toby gave Jareth a quick hug. "Goodnight, I hope I get to stay with you guys next week!"

Sarah smiled softly. "I'll see what I can do." She fluffed up his hair again.

"Hey!" Toby waved her off and headed upstairs to bed.

Once he was gone Sarah plopped onto the couch and sighed. Jareth lounged beside her, a coin appeared at the tip of his finger. "Penny for your thoughts?"

She took the penny and played with it absentmindedly. "I just feel torn, I really want to visit the Underground, but I'd really like to spend time with Toby too."

Jareth shrugged. "So why not do both?"

Sarah thought for a moment. "Well, it would make things more complicated. I don't know if he could keep a place like the Labyrinth a secret. And it isn't exactly resting chasing after an eleven and a half year old."

Jareth attempted an innocent expression. "My goblins could keep him occupied."

She smirked at him. "Sure, their combined force of chaos!"

"And what about your friends in my kingdom?"

Sarah counted off her options. "Um... Sir Didimus is charming but reckless, Ludo wouldn't harm a fly but would have trouble keeping up with Toby... and... Hoggle is mad at me."

An eyebrow raised.

She stared at her hands. "They appeared in my mirror this morning and I told them that we were courting. Hoggle didn't take it well."

He lifted her chin, his eyes were solemn. "It is not his affair, he has no say in the matter."

She sighed. "Perhaps not, but... why does he distrust you so much?"

Jareth shrugged. "Quite possibly from the many ill advised pranks that I played on him as a boy. He was one of my favorite targets. I believe he mistook my mischief for malice and has never forgiven me. He may fear that I would harm you or that I would influence you away from his friendship."

She shook her head. "But it isn't a contest."

Jareth voice fell to almost a whisper. "He knows that I was once jealous of your friendship."

Sarah lightly brushed a strand of hair from his eyes. "There is nothing for either of you to be jealous about. Hoggle is a dear friend...and... you..."

"And I what, Precious?" His smirk was back in full force as he pulled her closer. She smiled and placed a lingering kiss on his lips.

There was a thump coming from beside the couch, followed by an "Oops!"

A vase wobbled off the side table, Jareth cought it and ordered. "Show yourself!"

Spikey helmet slid out from behind the couch, holding a glittery parchment with a gold wax seal. The goblin held out the envelope proudly. "Gold seal means important, right Kingy?"

"Thank you Igor, you are dismissed." The goblin disappeared as Jareth broke the seal and began reading. A frown creased his forehead.

Sarah craned her neck trying to see. "What?"

He handed her the parchment. "It seems that the Council is aware that I am courting and has summoned us both."

Sarah began to read the contents herself and gulped. "What for? Are we in trouble?"

"Not precisely, it is common for the Council to invite courting royalty to be inspected. I just had hoped to have more time, for you to have more time."

Sarah read to the end and blanched. "Three days! Are they crazy! I can't be ready to face a Fairytale Council in three days!"

He held her hand. "We don't have a choice."

She bit her lip nervously. "What happens if we refuse?"

Jareth's face became shuttered. "To disregard a direct summons would show gross disrespect for the entire Underground. It would most likely adversely affect relations with the other kingdoms. It could set them against our union."

Sarah tightened her grip on his hand and managed a small smile. "I knew that I would have to face this eventually, may as well get it over with." She kissed him. "So what do we need to do to prepare?"

The look of joy on Jareth's face made her kiss him again. She cuddled up beside him on the couch. "So what do I need to know?"

They spent the next couple of hours overviewing what she could expect at the council and some basics of court etiquette.

...

Author's note

Thank you so much to Guest 2020, mae-E and Guest for the reviews, your encouragement really helps me keep going.

I don't own Labyrinth or the Lion King. I do own my goblin OCs