Ok, now at the end of this chapter is a tad bit of foul language in the dinning room… But you guys won't get to find out who says it until next chapter- evil cackle

I don't own the Labyrinth, or a mansion in Cuba, or the Eiffel Tower, or the Taj Mahaal, and certainly not Jareth.

Now, have you guys heard, or have you guys heard about the bogus new rule for reviewing? We can't do shout outs! That is so a huge suck fest- and I'm not talking about the Jareth kind of suck fest. But don't ya's worry- just coz someone shoved a cork up someone on the ff board's butt does not mean I'm abandoning you- Id faster rid my room of everything owl-related- and that ain't gonna happen! Well, make your lemons into lemonade, as I always say. Check out my profile for my solution. The good bit; you don't have ta wait for a new chappie for my replies!

LLLLLLL

Chapter 18

A Bouquet of Flowers and a Peach's Second Chance

Jareth lead Sarah out of the castle and into the beautifully manicured gardens. He seemed alert, but it was most certainly a case of 'The lights are on but no-one's home' as his mind was positively reeling with information.

How is it possible, thought Jareth, that mere hours ago Sarah was petrified of me and hated me beyond all comprehension, but now I'm showing her my gardens- with her arm through mine, no less?

Jareth shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts.

Sarah looked around the gardens in absolute wonder. They were the most beautiful gardens she'd ever seen; with roses of all colours and shades, including a small bush of black roses that looked to be the best tended; there were pansies, but much larger than the Aboveground varieties: the flower was about the same size as a saucer; fragrant frangipanis and so many more.

And then there were the trees. There were apple trees with apples and blossoms and leaves all on the same branch; weeping willows on the banks of a huge pool of crystal clear water dotted with immaculate water lilies; ghost gums- actual gum trees from Australia (A/N ok, I can't help it, but I have one of these in my backyard and it's so pretty, so I thought it warranted a special place in the gardens), tiny bonsai trees in a little grove and far too many others to see at once.

There were so many plants from the Aboveground- and the Underground too, from the looks of it, as the Underground has a lot of the Aboveground flora and fauna- just modified a bit (A/N just an extra mouth here, a scary horn there- and let's make the bunnies poisonous!). It seemed that the only person who knew what they all were and how many there was, was Jareth, who was silent with his own thoughts- leaving Sarah's to wander.

It was out of pure habit that Jareth took her where he did next; into a tiny clearing that housed just one tree: a peach tree, the Peach Tree, the one from which a enchanted peaches spring.

Sarah gnawed at her bottom lip. Why has he brought me here? He must know that I that I don't eat peaches anymore…

She hesitated a little before Jareth lead her into the clearing, bringing him out of his thoughts.

Jareth looked down at his unwilling company, then looked around at their surroundings, and he, the mighty Goblin King, could have kicked himself. He hadn't realised where he was going- he just subconsciously lead himself to his thinking spot; the base of his favourite tree.

Sarah looked uncomfortably up at him. 'I don't like peaches, Jareth.'

Jareth blinked and looked down at her again. He looked over at his tree, then back at Sarah. 'I'm sorry… I didn't realise.'

Sarah smiled. 'That's okay.'

Jareth looked at her curiously. 'Why don't you like peaches? You used to like peaches.'

Sarah blushed and looked down. 'I really didn't like the… ball-vision-thingy…'

Jareth frowned. 'Why?'

'I just… didn't like the people; they were pushing and they were all a bit scary. And that dress was hideous!' Sarah added with a laugh.

'But that had nothing to do with the peach,' reasoned Jareth.

'I guess not.'

'Well, what about giving the peach a second chance? No worm included,' Jareth smiled.

Sarah examined the grass as she mentally battled with a self taught habit; peaches hallucinationsamnesiabad.

She sighed and looked up. 'If nothing will happen, and if you will have half.'

Jareth grinned and summoned a crystal, turning it into a normal peach.

Sarah took the peach and split it, holding each half in her hands. 'You go first,' she instructed.

Jareth took the half with the pit, took out the inedible seed and had a large bite.

Sarah looked at him cautiously and then took a bite out of her own half. She chewed and swallowed the fruit, finding nothing wrong with it. She smiled and wiped a little juice from her chin. 'I think that you just put me back on peaches.'

Jareth chuckled and tossed the pit away. 'I'm glad. Now what about that tour?'

The two finished their peach and walked slowly around the gardens. Jareth made Sarah a bouquet made of one of each of the flowers that she admired- by sunset she had acquired over fifty different plants in a vibrant and fragrant mix.

Jareth looked over at Sarah as she splashed her toes happily in the creek flowing through a rose glade.

'Are you hungry?' he asked.

Sarah dried her feet on her skirt and slipped her shoes back on. 'A little', she said as she picked up her flowers.

'Time to go back up to the castle, then, dear.' He took up her free hand and guided her through the creeping shadows up to the castle.

Sarah, having always been a little afraid of the dark since her sojourn in the oubliette, clung to Jareth's hand a bit tighter than what was really necessary as the sunlight quickly vanished. All of the plants and bushes appeared to jump out and stray branches seemed to grab at Sarah's dress and arms.

Jareth looked down at her but kept his silence.

Sarah was so distracted by her fear that by the time Jareth had guided her into the castle and up to the dinning room, she only just realised the disappearance of her garland of flowers as he was seating her.

'Where are my flowers?' she asked dumbly.

'I sent them to your room while we were walking. They're on your bedside table in a vase of water,' said Jareth as he sat down in his own seat.

Sarah smiled gratefully at him. 'Thankyou,' she said quietly.

Jareth returned her smile with one of his own. 'You are very welcome.' He clapped his hands and Vapora appeared.

The maid served the two dinner, then left as quickly as she could.

Sarah started eating with much more enthusiasm than she had the night before.

Jareth chuckled. 'Hungry much?'

Sarah swallowed. 'Yep.'

Both of them started laughing.

Suddenly, the door burst open and an angry shout rang through the room: 'You lying bastard!'