Happy New Year! This is a story for my friend and wonderful beta for some of my fics RMBiehl. She mentioned that a fic she is currently helping me with that she did not like the attitude that Jareth had. We discussed it and I promised her I would write one where he was sweet and fluffy. I promised cotton candy-sweet and I am not sure I reached that level, but this is as sweet as I could make him. So, my friend this one is for you. I hope you like it. For anyone else who stumbles across this, I hope you like it too. Sweet with a splash of lemon at the end.

Thank you to mrygm who betaed this for me. You were a huge help.

Jareth, King of the Goblins was lounging on his throne. His leg was thrown over the arm, and he was staring into a crystal ball that hung in the air magically in front of his face. He was staring into it, oblivious to the chaos around him all of his attention was on the movement inside the crystal. Slowly a smile spread across his face. Now was the chance he had been waiting years for. He would need to make arrangements quickly; this window of opportunity would not stay open long. Who knows when he might have another chance?

After looking in the crystal for a few more moments he made it vanish with a wave of his hand. Rising from his position on the throne he looked around at the goblins drinking and cavorting around the room along with the random chicken or two. Not seeing anything that required his immediate attention he snapped his fingers and disappeared in a swirl of glitter.

Jareth reappeared in an area of over grown shrubbery between a hill and a stone wall covered with vines and random flowers. Stones peeked out here and there through the grass. The whole place looked neglected, just as it should be. He peered around, obviously looking for someone when he heard the telltale sound of a sprayer being deployed. Next came the excited chirp of "93!"

Following the sounds Jareth rounded the corner and saw a dwarf toting an insect sprayer on his back, jumping up and down gleefully. He kicked some dirt, and started looking around. He then saw the king standing near the wall looking at him. The dwarf froze, his eyes darting around looking for an escape. When he saw none available, he tried what he hoped looked like a smile, but did not quite make it.

"Your Majesty," the dwarf said. "What a nice surprise. What can I do for you?"

"Higgle," the king began.

"Hoggle," the dwarf interrupted.

"Whatever," the king waved dismissively. "When was the last time you conversed with Sarah?" he asked.

"Sarah, Your Majesty?" Hoggle feigned ignorance badly.

"Yes, Sarah the Labyrinth Champion. I know full well that you and your little band of traitors have had regular communication with her since she returned home. Now I have allowed this to go on without interference, because it pleases Sarah and she considers you, her friends. But why she would want a miserable little scab like you her friend I will never know." The king waved another dismissive hand.

Hoggle, realizing that he had no other choice sat on a log and got ready to talk. He hated giving any information about Sarah to the Goblin King. He knew that the real reason that the Goblin King allowed him and the others to keep talking to Sarah was that he routinely pumped them for information about her.

The king started this practice when Sarah ran the Labyrinth. It was the only time, which anyone remembers, that he took such interest in a runner. It made Hoggle uncomfortable then and he did not feel better about it now. Well, he decided, he would just have to answer the rat's questions as quickly as possible without giving him any information that would hurt his friend.

"What do ya want ta know?" Hoggle asked suspiciously.

Jareth looked around and finding nowhere suitable to sit waved his hand and a stone seat, almost throne-like, appeared. After sitting down and making himself comfortable, Jareth stared at the dwarf. He really disliked having to depend on his subjects for information on Sarah, but he had no choice.

"Nothing of importance, I was just curious about how the Lady Champion was doing. It was the family feast day in the Above recently, correct?" Jareth knew full well that it was, but he knew that he had a better chance of getting the information he wanted if he started slow.

"Thanksgivin' yeah that was last week. She celebrated it with her family like always." Hoggle wanted to know what he was getting at.

"Did you speak to her while she was at her family's home? Were there any other guests that Sarah may have mentioned?" Jareth hoped that he sounded uninterested, just a king making small talk with his gardener.

"Course she did. She always calls us when she stays in her old room. We is able to cross over through that portal easiest," Hoggle replied then slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Oh, come now Hogbrain I know all about the times you three cross over to the Above to visit the Champion. I am king I do know what goes on in my kingdom." The last thing Jareth wanted was the little coward to get scared and clam up.

If he did not get any more information from Hoggle what he did say encouraged him. If Sarah had brought someone with her to her family's celebration and stayed over, she would not have his subjects come through the portal, would she?

"She never said nothin about anyone visitin. I didn't ask either. We talked about friend stuff, not visitors." Hoggle sounded indignant.

"Good…good," Jareth said absentmindedly with a smile on his face. "If you do talk to the Champion, I expect you to tell me, as Labyrinth Champion she is under my protection."

"Sure, your Majesty. Can I get back to gardenin now? There's lots to do." Hoggle wanted to get as far away from Jareth as she could. The rat always scared him, but when he questioned him, it was worse. You never know what the rat wanted to hear, and if you did not give him what he wanted you risked a trip to the bog.

Jareth stood and with a wave, the makeshift throne disappeared. He took one more look at Hoggle and sneered at him, "Well what are you waiting for Hogshead the fairies aren't going to spray themselves now are they?"

Hoggle got to his feet quickly, "No Your Majesty." With that, he trudged off grabbing his sprayer, and began looking for fairies to spray.

With another explosion of glitter, Jareth disappeared and found himself back in his throne room. So, the Champion is finally free, something he had been waiting for. Now he just needed a plan in place that would cause her to call for him. Once they were face to face, he was sure he could woo her. If this was his only chance, he would not waste it.

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Sarah sat at her apartment trying to get into enough Christmas spirit to decorate. Not that her decorating was ever anything to write home about, even when it looked like she had her shit together and was going to have a Merry Christmas. Usually, it was her dinky artificial tree with the handful of ornaments, a wreath, artificial of course, on her door, and a single stocking tacked up on a wall.

Karen, her stepmother, would have the entire Victorian house decorated inside and out. The lights that her father was getting ready to hang outlining it as she left the day after Thanksgiving would be a tasteful white that stayed lit and did not blink. Every room in the house would be trimmed with evergreen boughs, candles, nativities, wreaths, and trees. You would think it looked like a Christmas special threw up all over the house, but instead, it looked festive and even stylish. Sarah honestly did not know how she did it, not only didn't she have the energy to do more than she did she knew that if she tried it would just look like a bunch of junk was scattered all over the apartment.

Sarah thought back to this time last year and how different things were. Everything seemed so perfect. She was in her final year at NYU finishing up her English degree. Her grades were solid and had been throughout her college career. She had an internship, unpaid but hey it's a start, at a small publishing house in the city. Best of all she was going to spend the holiday with a steady boyfriend whom she had been dating for since they met at the Valentine's Day party at a local college hangout. Her friends would comment about how she was leading a charmed life.

How had it all gone to hell so quickly? She wondered to herself looking around at the apartment still trying to decide if she would bother with decorations at all this year. While she graduated on time and with honors her family had missed the commencement ceremony. Linda had just forgotten, but Sarah had not expected her to show up. She knew she would get a card and an expensive gift to make up for it. Toby had come down with the flu and Karen had stayed home with him, and her father had gotten involved in a case that needed his attention. He ended up tied down and could not make the trip.

One odd thing did happen during the graduation ceremony which took place at an outdoor stadium. Sarah had been idly glancing around during one of the many speeches when a flash of white caught her eye. Perched high near the top of the stadium on a beam was an owl. Seeing it her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment she let herself believe that it wasn't an owl at all but the fairy tale king that had haunted her dreams for years. Earlier she had told her friends about her graduation through the mirror in her parents' house at Easter. She quickly talked herself out of that line of thinking. While Didymus might have told him, she knew Hoggle never would. He was terrified of Jareth and interacted with him as little as possible. Even if he did find out about it why would he bother to come to a boring college commencement?

While she enjoyed her summer internship, and it allowed her to stay in the city which she now thought of as home, she was not able to parlay it into a paid position after the summer internship had finished. She was a wonderful intern; she was told but they just did not have anything for her. They would call her to interview if a position opened. No call had come yet. The holiday season also brought the fact that she had graduated six months ago, which meant that she would have to start paying on her student loans.

The icing on her Yuletide cake was that her relationship with Christopher her boyfriend for eight months was over. They were supposed to go to a Halloween party together, but she had begged off the day before not feeling well. She started feeling better after sleeping through the night and most of the day. Chris decided to go to the party anyway she didn't mind a lot of his friends would be there. When she felt better, she decided to show up at the party and surprise him. She put on her costume, a sexy which outfit, complete with a mini dress, fishnet stockings, and fuck me red stilettos.

She walked, well tottered, into the party. A few people she knew tried to waylay her when she was looking around for Chris in the crowded house. She wound her way through the revelers in various stages of intoxication, and then she saw him. He was sitting in a chair enjoying the party, but he was not alone. Straddling his lap, in fact grinding into it was a blonde in a skimpy cheerleader outfit. It did not look like she was holding him against his will since he had his tongue down her throat and his hand up her skirt.

Sarah had wanted to come up with some scathing remark or at the very least call him a bastard. All she could do however was stand there in shock staring at them with her mouth hanging open. Someone must have gotten his attention because Chris pulled himself from the cheerleader enough to glance her way.

"Sarah babe, you made it," he slurred. "Meet Bambi." He gestured to the blonde still on his lap.

"Tammi," The blonde giggled playfully slapping at his arm.

"Since you are feeling better Sarah, you should join us. The three of us can have some fun. We can move our private party to another room." He gave her what she was sure he thought was a sexy smile. And Tammi gave another giggle.

Sarah could not believe it. He was actually suggesting that she happily join them for a threesome. Blind fury overtook her. She stomped over to the chair, pushed the girl off his lap, which elicited a cheer from the onlookers whom she flashed. She turned on Chris and slapped his face. Sarah turned on her heel and managed to walk out of the house without killing herself on the heels.

As soon as she got back to her apartment, she packed up everything that Chris had left at her apartment, along with everything that he had given her over the months. She left it outside the door to the apartment in the hallway. She called his number and left a message letting him know where to get his stuff, and to never call her again.

The final blow was he didn't seem to care. So here it was Christmas time and she was sitting home alone on a Saturday, no job broke, and boyfriend less. Not exactly the recipe to make her want to deck the halls and jingle bell rock.

The final blow came on Thanksgiving when her father took her aside for a talk in his study. He forcefully suggested that she move back home. He told her to think about it, but he wanted her to make a decision when she visited next. It would be a long visit from Christmas straight through New Year's Day. She was happy to be with family this year a quiet evening at home would help her forget about being depressed that she did not have a date for New Year's Eve. It made sense to save money on rent, job hunt without the urgency, and she would be around family. It all sounds reasonable, but also made her feel like a failure.

These thoughts sent her in a direction she did not want them to go. The memory of her greatest success also made her feel like an empty shell, just like she did now. In the Labyrinth, she had done what had seemed impossible. She had gotten to the castle at the center and had taken her brother safely home. Even as she celebrated her victory that night, the empty feeling gripped her heart. The feeling was centered on the Goblin King, the one who took Toby, her adversary, and in those final moments, she was with him her broken angel. She could see the look he gave her as she said the words that sent her home behind her eyes. It had haunted her since that night.

"Stop it, Sarah," she said out loud to herself. "He isn't your anything. He never was. You were just a spoiled selfish kid that wished away her brother. He probably forgot about you once you were gone."

Her fascination with the Goblin King had started the night she returned, but unlike most teenage crushes it did not fade. While she did date, had a few serious relationships, and even a couple of one-night stands he was always the standard that she compared them to that they could never hope to reach.

"Oh, Sarah you have to quit thinking about him, what you need is to find a guy that is not a pushover, but will treat you right. Who will let you stand on your own, but is always ready to support you when you need it? Who will accept you for who you are faults and all," she realized she was talking out loud and laughed?

"Talking to yourself already Sarah," she chided herself. "Next you will be starting on your collection of cats." But the silliness of the situation did not stop her. Sarah walked to her little living room window with no view to speak of unless you twisted your neck to look up. She did this now looking at the stars that were appearing in the darkening sky.

"I wish I could find that special someone, who is all of that and more. Someone I can love and who will love me too." She looked at a twinkling star and whispered, "I wish I can find my happily ever after."

Jareth who had been standing on the balcony of his chambers watching the rising sun felt the tremor through the Labyrinth. He closed his eyes realizing it was a wish, but not the wishing away of a child. He could hear her voice as if she were next to him whispering in his ear. His eyes shot open when he comprehended what he heard. Taking a deep breath, he realized that by making her wish she had given him the power to make both of their wishes come true.

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Sarah was back in her childhood room. Yes, at this point it was still just a visit, but soon she had to decide if she would be back permanently well at least for the foreseeable future. While her first evening at home went fine, her problems and her subsequent decision weighed heavily on her mind. She had avoided any serious conversation with her father and Karen by claiming fatigue and heading for bed soon after Toby was reminded it was bedtime. She knew she was avoiding the inevitable, but she did not care. Any reprieve was a good one.

She sighed as she looked around the room from her spot on the bed. Not really tired she was trying to decide what to do. If I do move back here the first change I make is getting a television in here. She thought to herself looking at the digital clock on the bedside table. Nine-thirty, no wonder she wasn't tired. Well, at least she brought some books she could read for a couple of hours before going to sleep. She was reaching for one of the books she had stacked next to the clock when her eyes landed on her old vanity and its mirror.

On second thought, she said to herself. I wonder if anyone is around on the other side. She rose from the bed and walked to sit in front of the mirror. She was looking at her reflection and not for the first time marveled at how she could talk to her friends in the Underground through it. She also knew better than to try to understand or explain magic. She was just glad she could.

"Hey Hoggle, are you there?" Sarah called softly into the mirror. She saw the shimmer that always was a precursor to connecting with someone in the Underground. While she called for Hoggle she waited to see if the dwarf would be the one to appear. For some reason, the person she called was not always the person that she connected with kind of the Underground equivalent of a party line. To her relief, the wrinkled face of her friend was soon staring back at her.

"Sarah!" Hoggle was always happy to hear from his friend. "You're back in your old room again?" He knew that Sarah did not like visits too close together.

"Oh Hoggle," Sarah could not keep the frustration out of her voice. "My life is a mess."

On Thanksgiving, she had let him know some of her problems, not being able to get a decent job, and the fact that her boyfriend was not visiting with her. Tonight, she just let everything loose.

"Chris turned out to be a real jerk, and we broke up, so I am dateless for the holiday. My dad thinks since I have no man or job or prospects on either that I should just move back home." She put her head on her arms laying on the vanity.

"Would that be bad? We could talk more. You know this mirror connects better for some reason." Hoggle saw only good things from such a move.

"Really Hoggle I moved out when I started college. Now over four years later I am back where I was? No worse, I had hope back then." Her voice was muffled by her arms.

Hoggle realized he missed something in her story. Well, he thought it wasn't the first time. More than once he had misunderstood and said something that Sarah thought was foolish. "So when do you need to decide?" he asked her.

"My dad wants a decision by the end of my visit. That would be New Year's Day. The move if I decide to might not happen for a minute, but we need time to take care of everything in the city." Sarah lifted her head to look at her friend.

"Do you have plans for the Yule?" Hoggle thought a change of subject was a good idea. He also wanted to know if she intended to call him during her visit.

"Christmas," Sarah corrected him. "Yes, unfortunately."

"Why, what are they making you do?" He was curious. He did not understand all of the traditions of the Aboveground holiday.

"We are having family over for Christmas," Sarah started.

"I thought you liked your family?" Hoggle interrupted.

"I do. I just don't want the questions about me and work or me and a man." Sarah sighed.

"Will they be stayin the whole time?" This worried Hoggle. She tended not to call him if others were in the house. She could make excuses for strange behavior around her family, who had lived with her more unusual behaviors through the years.

"No, Grandma will be here the whole time, we pick her up at the airport tomorrow, everyone else will only come for Christmas dinner. Karen is unbelievably excited about entertaining everyone." Sarah liked talking with her Underground friends. They were the ones that knew her as she was and accepted her warts and all.

She suddenly had an odd thought that it would make her happier if she was moving to the Underground than back to her family house. She shook her head dismissing the thought. Where did that come from? What would she do in the Underground? And somewhere in her psyche was the thought that if she were to go back, she would have to see him. She was sure she would at least need his permission. He was the king, right?

Sarah suddenly realized that Hoggle had been talking to her and she hadn't been listening. Her thoughts had strayed to a certain king…one that wore sinfully tight pants. One that made her feel things that…well that was just no good spending time on since there was no point. He was an all-powerful magical being, and she was even at the age she was now still a kid as far as he was concerned. She was sure that he had all but forgotten about her anyway, he had never once contacted her, or sent any message or greeting through Hoggle or her other friends.

She had asked about him on and off but was only given basic news from Hoggle. He was entertaining guests at the castle, or he was at a ball or soiree in another kingdom. The Goblin King was definitely not sitting in his castle pining after her. Not that she would admit to pining, but he definitely occupied her thoughts, and her dreams, especially when she was in-between boyfriends.

She saw that Hoggle had stopped talking and was looking at her. Oh crap, she thought I haven't heard a word he said. "Sorry Hoggle the connection glitched a bit," she tried covering not wanting to tell Hoggle where her thoughts had been.

"I said try to have some fun, maybe a party with your friends there. Aren't they popular at this time? I kinda remember you talking about having too many of them last year." Hoggle repeated apparently believing her excuse.

"No, and I really don't think I would want to, too many questions." Sarah sighed again. "There is a party that my dad's firm is throwing. Grandma will watch Toby and I am expected to go with dad and Karen. Going without a date I will be forced to have to suffer any of the losers that are there solo too."

They talked for a little while longer and then said goodbye. Sarah finally did reach for her book, and after changing for bed settled down to read for a while. When she did finally go to sleep, she dreamed of him. She knew she would. While she dreamed of him at college or after, she dreamed of him every night she was in her childhood room. That had been the case since the night she ran the Labyrinth.

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Somehow Sarah managed to make it through most of her holiday visit, and Christmas. She really did enjoy the season and usually had little trouble getting into the holiday spirit. Sarah enjoyed all the trappings seeing the decorations, helping with the cooking and baking, exchanging gifts, and even attending church services with her family. All of the same happened this year, but she just could not feel merry this Christmas.

She did a lot of soul searching wanting to find out why this year was different for all the others. Sure, her life was not all beer and skittles, but she had other stressful years in the past and it had never kept her from enjoying a Christmas. Even after her parents had split up, even after her dad married Karen, Sarah was not a fan at that point, she still managed to get into the Christmas spirit.

It was true that most years she was involved with someone during the holiday season. In fact, she always seemed to have a date for most major holidays since she was in high school. Not always a serious relationship, but someone who was there and available. Breaking up with Chris the creep wasn't the catalyst for her mood, was it? No, she would not let him have that kind of power over her, there was only one who did and she was not going to think about him now.

After Christmas Karen took Sarah out to get a dress for her father's firm's New Year's party. She had attended before, with a date of course, but the last time was three years ago. Karen had seen the clothes she brought and decided that none of it would do. The event was always black tie optional, but as her father had recently been made partner, he and his family were expected to adhere to a higher standard.

Karen lamented the circumstances, namely having Robert's mother visiting that kept them from going to the city to shop. They would be going to the city for the party, and her dad had booked rooms for them all including grandma. Sarah wanted to just go back to her apartment, but her dad insisted that she stay and finish out her holiday with the family. Also, Toby who would be spending the evening with grandma in the hotel insisted Sarah be there the next day and not just disappear on him. Sarah always found it hard if not impossible to say no to her brother.

They were walking through town looking at some of the shops there. All of a sudden Karen stopped in front of the window of Be Social, Sarah turned to look at what had caught Karen's attention. The dress was beautiful and unlike anything she had seen. Black bodice with thick straps and a deep v neckline, with pewter wrap skirt, and a crystal-encrusted belt.

Sarah found herself following Karen inside the shop and before she knew it she was trying on the dress. To her surprise it fit as if it were made for her, no alterations needed. That never happened. When she had it on the more modest front gave way to a much more daring plunging back, and the skirt had a peek-a-boo slit that would show off her legs.

The owner of the store was complimentary of the dress and its fit. It must be a new arrival for she was not familiar with it or the designer. The price she gave was acceptable to Karen, who purchased it immediately. A pair of strappy metallic stilettos completed the look. Karen was thrilled that they found what they needed so quickly she took Sarah to lunch.

While they were at lunch Sarah was able to talk to Karen about her feelings and if she should move back. Karen told her to look at it not as a step back, but as a safe place to regroup and figure out her next step. Sarah felt so much better after, she was amazed at how her relationship with Karen had changed from wicked stepmother to more of a friend. She would never be her mother, but the love between them was genuine.

On December 30th the family caught the train to the city. Sarah's dad decided that it would be better for everyone to get settled in the day before. New Year's Eve can be crazy in the city, not that the day before is much better. The family including Sarah's grandmother spent the day doing touristy-type things like skating at Rockefeller center and visiting the Natural History Museum. All these things were geared toward Toby and having fun as a family, so Sarah went along with it though she felt funny with her apartment only a few subway stops away.

The next night the family, minus Toby and grandma, dressed for the party. Sarah pulled her hair up and fastened it with crystal pins her mother had given for Christmas a few years ago. She applied her makeup carefully and dressed but she could not get excited about the night.

There was a reason the last time she went to one of these she had a date, Dinner would not be a problem. They would share a table with a couple of the other partners and their families. She would be asked probing questions about her personal and professional life that she had been avoiding. She would politely answer when all she would want to do is throw a tantrum like when she was a teenager and run to her room and slam the door.

No, the worse part was after when the dancing, mingling, and the drinking would start. She being unattached would be a beacon for every single man in the room. From the clerks who thought getting with one of the partner's daughter would help their careers to one of the partner's current or retired after overindulging. Neither was a situation she was looking forward to. Again, she looked out the window, at nothing in particular, and whispered, "I wish I could be with someone at this party that wants to be with me because of me. Not because of who my family is or just because of how I look. I wish I could find someone not interested in a night's entertainment, but I want someone who wants forever."

Not knowing her wish was being carried to someone very interested Sarah turned to leave. She grabbed her bag and made sure her id, hotel key card, and other necessities were inside. She pulled her lips into a smile and walked out the door to meet her parents and go to the party.

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Jareth paced the throne room like a caged tiger. Goblins and chickens that littered the room went flying after making contact with his boots if they got in the way of the path he was making. Ever since he had heard Sarah's wish he knew that this was the chance that he had been waiting for. Possibly his last chance, his only chance.

He thought about the last conversation he had with the dwarf. Hoggle had come to the castle, which was something he was not in the habit of. Jareth was tempted to insult him and send him back to his work but stopped to hear what he had to say. He was grateful he did. Hoggle had talked to Sarah.

Hoggle had confirmed that she had stopped dating her latest paramour. She was upset about it, and the fact that her father wanted her to move back to the house she had grown up in. Jareth could not have had better news. There was magic in that room, from her living in it for so long. Contact between their worlds was easier there, and that would only aid in his endeavors to court his Champion.

Jareth was not sure when his feelings for Sarah had changed from fascination because of her absolute belief in him and his world, to an affection that he did not want to name, but by the end of her run, he was absolutely in love with the girl. He did not want to pressure her, she was so young, but he could not help but make the offer. He was fae, and while love was an emotion that was unwanted by some when it was felt by his kind it was permanent and overwhelming.

When she had turned him down, he was hurt and angry. After raging over the loss of a love that he had just found he started to think about things. He realized that she was just too young. If he could have just kept control of his emotions and sent her home victorious, she might have thought of him more fondly.

They could have gotten to be friends. She still contacted others from his land and stayed close with the three that helped her. They could have been like that, and when she grew up and was ready, he could have come to her and asked to court her properly.

She never asked to see him though. Every time he demanded information from Hogworth he hoped that Sarah would have enquired about him, but it seemed that she had forgotten about him. The dwarf just gave him news that of how her schooling was going, or the adventures she and Toby had together. He found as the years went on he savored each morsel about his Sarah like it was the finest wine.

When she was old enough to declare himself there were other obstacles. He felt that it should be done during a special occasion, but during each of her above-ground holidays and the anniversaries of her run, she had been involved with someone. Not that he feared a human boy as a rival or for a minute thought that they did not belong together. He did not want her to use a current relationship to cause her to not consider one with him, he could not take her rejection twice.

Now was his chance. The new year both here and in the Above was a time of renewal and new beginnings. She was now at a point where she was looking for someone to be in her live in the way that he wanted to be. All the pieces were falling into place. Now was his chance, he just needed her to give him the chance.

From what the dwarf said she was attending a party that evening. She was not happy about it but would go to please her family. Jareth decided that he would attend as well he would have one night to convince her to give him a chance. He would do what he could to make it a special night for her. That's a promise.

He had a dress crafted for her for the event. He created one that was as special as she was, completely unique. Where others would be wearing garish gowns of bright colors or dresses that screamed for attention with sequins, he opted for one that would complement her natural beauty instead of competing with it. The black lace bodice while modest would show off her curves to their best advantage. The shimmer from the pewter skirt gave it a rich elegance of someone who knew what she was worth. She would look like a queen.

He managed to magically place it in the window of a shop that they were sure to pass, and as he expected both she and her stepmother were entranced at first sight. He looked through his crystal as she caressed the fabric. A small smile crossed her face, a real smile, not the fake one she had been wearing around her stepmother until now. Jareth smiled as well.

It took a little reconnaissance but he was able to discover where the party would take place. He did not bother with an invitation. There would be so many people there, employees of the firm, clients, and various guests an extra gate crasher would never be noticed. He would pop in, act like he belonged there, and no one would be the wiser no one except Sarah that is.

With a large kick, he sent a final goblin flying. In a shower of glitter, he was gone. Reappearing in his chambers he bathed and dressed for the evening. While he longed to wear the formal clothing from his realm to this event, he wore Aboveground fashion. A black tuxedo as was required for the event with a pewter-colored silk shirt and tie. In his world a couple would match as a display to others, he might be presumptuous, but he intended that they would be a couple before the night was over. In another shower of glitter he disappeared, but this time when he reappeared, he would be in the Above.

Translocating between worlds always held inherent risks, least of all was the chance of someone seeing him appear out of what would seem as thin air. He had been monitoring the venue in a crystal and had chosen the place that would allow his entrance to appear unnoticed. He knew the timing had to be perfect, but for her, he would risk it all. That's a promise.

His arrival was in fact unnoticed by those in the hotel ballroom. The dinner was just finishing and guests' attention was either on their desert or talking to each other. Waiting for this part of the evening to end he leaned against a pillar emitting an air of nonchalance were anyone to notice him. While there his keen eyes scanned the room looking for the object of his affection.

He smiled as his eyes came to rest on her sitting at a table halfway across the room. Her almost too bright smile that didn't reach her eyes and the slight furrow in her flawless brow were the only signs of her true feelings about the situation as she listened to the man across the table who was talking. He wanted to fly to her side immediately and rescue her from her distress.

He felt the pull towards her and wondered if she felt the same. She must, this feeling was too strong to be one-sided. He took the time that he had waiting imagining the different ways he might approach her. Should he go up to her without warning, taking her by surprise? Would it be better for her to see him first, and go to her after she gave a sign of recognition? Maybe waiting for her to notice and approach him first was the right move? Each option had its positive and negative points.

While Jareth had been lost in his musings the plates had been cleared and the music had begun. It was that sound that brought him out of his thoughts. Looking again to the table at the place where Sarah had been sitting, he saw only an empty chair. Unnerved a bit he scanned the room, found her again, and gave a soft growl. She was in the arms of another, dancing a waltz. He watched her graceful movements and stepped out from behind the pillar.

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The dinner had been as excruciating as Sarah had thought. Her mind kept wandering instead of paying attention when those around her nattered on. Her father's reaction to her dress that he said he liked it, but then bemoaned that she had no gentleman's arm to be on. Toby told her she looked pretty but wanted her to stay back with him, a sentiment she honestly shared. Thanks to her mother she knew how to put a bright "interview" smile on that would hide the fact that she had no idea what was being said to or around her.

As soon as the music began playing someone asked her to dance. She looked up to see one of the associates Brian or Brendon looking down at her. She sighed inwardly, and now it starts. Of all the prospective duds she would be forced to deal with Brian or Brendon wasn't the worst. Sarah had always enjoyed dancing, and while not the best partner he had had he was adequate.

After the first dance ended, another man was waiting to take a turn dancing with her. The speed that another wanted to dance with her surprised even Sarah, and she wondered if her dad was responsible. She knew he wanted her to end up with someone connected with the firm it had been his dream since she started to date regularly, but this was embarrassing if he was recruiting partners for her.

While looking over the shoulder of her current partner, she did not know him and did not remember his name, something caught her eye. She looked around surreptitiously looking for what had drawn her attention. That was when she saw him, standing alone off to one side, but not hiding. Tall and lean, with blond hair shorter on the sides and longer on top and in back, he looked different, but she knew him. She just could not believe that he would be here.

Moving her head around as she danced, Sarah needed to get another look. She had to be wrong there was no way he would be here. After another turn, she looked for him again and the spot he had been was empty. Following her partner's lead, she finished the dance but refused the next prospective partner in line.

Instead, she began weaving her way around the room, looking for wisps of blond hair. As she made her way, she was reminded of another time she was at a dance searching for a man. She shook her head, knowing that this only proved who it was she was looking for. Much like when she was fifteen, every time she thought she saw him he wasn't there. Unlike when she was fifteen, she now realized that if he was here, it must be to see her.

So, she should let him, and she simply stopped. No longer looking for him she walked to the bar set up at one side of the room. Smiling and returning greetings of people from the firm that she knew she accepted her glass of white wine and moved a small distance from the bar where she was no longer surrounded by people and she waited.

Sarah did not have to wait long. He slid up to her silently, but since she was expecting him if surprise was what he wanted he was disappointed. Plucking the glass from her fingers he placed it on a low table next to her he took her hand and led her back to the dance floor.

"New look Your Majesty?" she asked sliding her eyes up and down his frame as he turned and brought her into his arms.

The look she gave was not lost on Jareth, nor was the appreciation in her eyes. It caused him to simultaneously preen and have his heart swell with encouragement. He could feel victory in his grasp as he held his love in his arms.

"The changes were necessary since our reunion would be here in your world. I thought it would be more acceptable to look the part. But if you would rather…" He let go of her hand and held his gloved one in the air as if to vanish the glamour.

"No!" Sarah put her now free hand up quickly to stop him. "Keep it for now. It is definitely you, just a little less…" She gestured spinning her hand at him.

Jareth reclaimed her hand, and they continued the dance, neither one missing a step. "So, what brings you here to this stuffed shirt convention?" Sarah asked. Then she cursed herself for her cowardice. You have the Goblin King here, your dream man for as long as you can remember, and you are acting like a chicken shit. You told yourself if you saw him again you would lay your cards on the table and let the chips fall.

You know why she reminded herself. You just had one man disappoint you. You are too afraid of being hurt again. Even though you realized that Chris meant little to you now that he is gone, you know the Goblin King does. That raises the stakes here.

While she was having this internal dialogue, she did not realize that Jareth had been talking to her, and was now smiling down at her with a bemused expression. "Sarah dear, I don't believe you have heard a word I've said."

"I'm sorry, it just seems so unreal that you are here," she tilted her head to indicate the room that they were in. "Now with me. It caused my mind to wander a bit at the whole situation."

"We will talk we have much to say to each other. But for now, just know that I am very real, I am very much here, and you have nothing to fear from me. And that's a promise." As he said that he drew her closer to him, and without any more words only the quiet sound of his humming they finished the dance.

Once the song ended Sarah found herself being escorted off the floor her arm securely placed around his. Others started to approach to have a turn dancing with her. One look at the Goblin King's face and their posture, however, stopped them in their tracks and sent them after other partners. Jareth led her to a quiet corner opposite the bar where there was little foot traffic since all dishes had been cleared.

Jareth stopped and faced her propping his shoulder against a pillar. "I am here because you wished for me," he said simply.

"What, no I never wished for you ever." She saw his quirked eyebrow. "Well not since the last time, but that wasn't a wish for you that were a wish for your goblins." Sarah looked around her voice was a bit loud for talk of wishes and goblins.

"True enough," Jareth relented. "And I will rephrase. I am here to fulfill the wish that you made three wishes actually but who is counting?"

"What wishes?" Sarah was treading carefully now. What did she do, and what would be the consequence of careless wishing now?

"Your first two wishes came to me weeks ago. You wished for someone to whom you could love who would love you in return. You wished for your happily ever after, still connecting with fairy tales." Jareth said it in a way that was affectionate, not condescending.

Sarah's mouth started to open, but before she could say anything he continued. "Your third wish came this very evening. It was a wish for someone at this party who wants you simply for yourself, and who wants forever with you."

His smile widened but was warm without the predatory gleam that she thought she would see when her wishes were recited back at her. "I am here to be all of that and more for you. You also had a lengthy list of prerequisites and I am more than willing to satisfy them too."

"So, you are telling me that you are here to be with me because of a wish? That's all? That would be the last thing I would want Goblin King!" Sarah's voice was rising again, and Jareth worried about someone overhearing not understanding the context.

"Maybe we could take this conversation somewhere more private?" he asked her moving to stand in front of her, acting as a shield between her and the others in the room.

"No thank you, I've seen this movie before," Sarah said looking up at him. "I prefer to stay in this lovely crowded ballroom with my family and several other lawyers in shouting distance.

Jareth relented, but purposely lowered his voice, hoping that she would take the hint and do the same. "To answer your question yes, I am here because of your wish, but that is not the reason I want to be here."

"How does that even make sense Jareth?" In her confusion, she slipped and used his given name. This caused another wave of happiness in Jareth.

"I so love hearing my name on your lips, I had not thought I would ever hear it from you in person." Jareth smiled at her.

"If you wanted to hear me, say your name, why didn't you come to see me, or talk to me through the mirror?" she finally asked the question and dreaded hearing the answer. Sarah fully expected to hear that she was just a silly little girl, that she had hurt him too much for him to even want to be her friend. So, his answer surprised her.

"I wanted to, so badly, so many times, but I couldn't. When you had declared that I had no power over you, you closed the door at least for me." He took her hands, holding them in his gloved ones.

"But the door was open, my friends were able to contact me, in fact, they contacted me first, the night I came back," Sarah was insistent.

Jareth shook his head sadly but did not drop her hands. "The only declaration you made to them was that you needed them. To allow me back into contact with you, it had to be initiated by you with a wish for me."

"Again, I did not wish for you." Even though I was thinking of you when I made it, she said to herself. "It was just a general wish."

"Precious, your wish was for me, because it was my greatest wish too. I am the one who you can love who will love you in return. I want forever with you. I want you to be yourself, and keep that independent spirit that is so much a part of you. But I want to be a part of you too." He kept his eyes on hers willing her to see the truth in them.

"But when we last were together? You weren't angry the way that I left? It wasn't that I wanted to, I had to…" She was working herself up.

"Shh." Jareth squeezed her hands to quiet her. "I was hurt, and angry I will not lie to you Precious; I wouldn't even want to. Once I calmed down enough to think I knew why you did it. Your loyalty and sacrifice of your own happiness for your brother only made me love you more.

Sarah could not believe her ears. This couldn't be real. This was everything that she had wanted since she had run the Labyrinth. She searched his eyes looking for deception in them, but she only saw him without artifice.

She decided that she needed to be just as brave. "Jareth I…I love you too. I think I always have."

His smile glowed with the force of the sun. His arms came around her, and he lifted her face to his. Their lips came together in a kiss full of love and completion. Sarah was getting lost in the feeling of his lips on hers when she felt the shimmer around her, and she knew the feeling was magic. Lifting her lips from his she whispered, "Where are we going?"

Jareth smiled at her and answered before taking her lips with his once more, "Home."

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The pair reappeared in a large well-appointed room, still locked in an embrace. Instantly the fire ignited in the grand fireplace along the far wall. The air quickly became comfortably warm. Jareth lifted his lips from Sarah's and leaned in pressing their foreheads together.

"I love you, Sarah, I have loved you since what no one knew." His confession was cut off by Sarah leaning over and taking his lips with hers. She opened her mouth to his questing tongue. Moaning into his kiss she brought her hands up over his shoulders and through his hair, longer now that the glamour had been removed.

She knew why he had brought her here but was looking for her acceptance. She knew if she asked, he would return her to the party, and no one would know she had been gone. Was that what she wanted? No, she decided what she had wanted for as long as she can remember was here in her arms.

Sarah shifted in his arms pressing herself against him. She molded her soft curves against his hard plains, feeling him even through their clothing. Reluctantly pulling out of their kiss Jareth looked down at her, wanting to know explicitly that this is what she wanted.

"Are you certain Precious?" he asked almost fearing the answer.

"Yes, Jareth," she replied. "You said you were bringing us home; I want to be with you."

Jareth could not believe that this was happening. He had Sarah, his Sarah in his arm and soon in his bed. If this was simply another dream he never wanted to wake up.

Slowly and deliberately, he slid the zipper down her back loosening the dress. He slid it off of her arms, and watched the material fall to the floor, pooling at her feet. Learning down Jareth scooped her into his arms bridal style, and carried her to the bed.

He laid her down and looked at her wearing nothing but her lacy black bra and panties and metallic shoes. Jareth was sure in his long life he had never seen anything sexier or wanted anyone more. He took hold of an ankle and lifted it off the mattress slipping the shoe off her foot and letting it drop to the floor. He did the same with the other shoe.

Keeping her ankle in his grip he began to kiss his way up her body. Starting with each of her toes, and then up each leg, he peppered them with kisses. She moaned louder the further up her leg he got. Once he nipped at her inner thigh, she let out a groan and lifted her hips from the mattress.

Jareth chuckled at her eagerness but wanting to stoke the fire of her passion some more switched to the other leg instead of continuing any further. The smell of her arousal surrounded him and only became stronger as he worked his way back down to her other foot.

Jareth crawled his way back up her body and captured her lips in an ardent kiss. His lips worked to open hers. He slid his tongue into stroke her own before exploring the recesses of her mouth. She moaned from the feelings he was stirring in her.

Sarah was refusing to stay passive with the heat that threatened to burn her from inside. As their mouths were locked together, she brought her hands up over his shoulders scratching at his back through the silk shirt. The glamour gone leaving him in the tight trousers and silk shirts she remembered.

He moaned as his hands continued down to cup his ass through his pants. He ground against her in response causing her panties to become soaked from the juices inside her. Jareth ran a hand of his own down her side to slide into her panties, caressing the seam of her nether lips.

"Oh, Precious you are so wet already. The smell alone is enough to drive me mad, but feeling it," he moaned again as his finger moved between them and stroked against her clit causing more liquid to drip from inside her. "I don't know how much longer I can wait."

"Then don't," she moaned grabbing his ass again pulling him against her as she bucked her hips up to meet his. The friction caused both of them to become close to completion.

Jareth brought his hands around her and deftly unfastened her bra removing it and throwing it somewhere in the room. He lowered his mouth to one breast, kissing his way over the mound to the pert nipple, straining toward his lips.

At the same time, he grabbed the sides of her panties and slid them over her hips down her legs, and off. They joined her bra somewhere in the room. He brought his fingers back to explore her, ghosting over her clit again, as his lips moved to the other breast giving it equal attention.

Sarah was on fire. She was shaking with the need that Jareth was causing with his mouth and hands. She reached up and practically ripped off his shirt in her haste to divest him of it. Jareth shrugged out of his ruined shirt and waved his hand removing his pants before she could move onto them.

Jareth worked a finger inside her, but if he worried about her readiness he needn't have been. She was wet and tight, and the feeling of her grasping onto his finger was enough to make him cum right then. Groaning against the feeling he was determined to pleasure her first. He was determined this first time to make it all about her. To show he that it was her happiness that he was after, not his own, for nothing could make him happier than having her with him finally.

A second finger joined the first and was followed with a third. Jareth curled them inside her stroking her while thrusting them in and out of her. Sarah could feel her orgasm approaching. The quaking started from the inside and threatened to shake her apart as she fell over the edge.

Jareth kept thrusting with his fingers, as the tremors racked her. He waited until she came down from the high. Feeling her muscles relax around his fingers. Removing them he lifted them to his lips and licked her orgasm from his fingers.

With a smile on his face, Jareth positioned himself at her entrance and pushed inside. The feeling of them joining together caused them both to moan in pleasure. For the first time in all of Jareth's vast experience, he felt complete when he was with someone. It was unlike anything he had felt before.

Sarah lifted her legs to wrap around his hips and pull him even further inside. With a groan, Jareth began to thrust. They moved together as one, not knowing where one ended and the other began. The pull of her body was causing Jareth to quicken his thrusts, both of them racing toward ecstasy together. He could feel her walls clasping at him milking him as her second orgasm overtook her. The feeling of it alone caused his own spilling his seed deep inside her.

Jareth moved to the side so as not to crush her. He gathered her up to his side pillowing her head on his chest. When they were able to speak, Sarah looked up at his mismatched eyes and whispered. "How long will it be like this?"

"Forever Precious Sarah," Jareth replied. "And that's a promise."

Thank You for reading please review. Happy New Year!