The fluorescent light flickered in the office, crackling with the current of electricity flowing within. "Sarah." Lisa waved a hand in front of Sarah's vacant eyes.

"Hmmm?" Sarah lost in her thoughts, snapped back to reality. She looked up with red-rimmed eyes at her friend as she realized she once again had zoned out.

"What is going on with you lately? Falling asleep at work. Not paying attention. What gives?" Lisa's lips pursed into a frown as she eyed Sarah. She'd always been prone to recognizing Sarah's various moods and had no desire to pussyfoot around them.

Sarah sighed, replying lamely, "I just haven't been-"

"Sleeping," Lisa finished for her. "You've used that before. Now hear the truth." She leaned in conspiratorially. A slow grin stretched her rum raisin-colored lips. "It's a guy isn't it?"

Guy trouble? Sarah was taken aback by the suggestion. How could she explain? The truth...Lisa wanted the truth. It was laughable to think of explaining wishes that turned to quests and dreams to nightmares. That magic was real and the bogeyman, a tall handsome king. She gave up and gave in. "The worst kind of guy," she managed to say with a shrug.

"Oh no. Bad boy trouble?" Lisa rested against the side of the cubicle. "They're the worst. Gotta kick them to the curb. They never change…" Checking her manicured fingers, she continued as Sarah tried to listen.

No, he hadn't changed. He was still the same as when they first met. And oh, how her teenage libido had swooned even as he tormented her. Invading her space. Mocking and challenging her in the same breath. Maybe she did have a thing for bad boys. For villains.

"Sarah, let me set you up with my friend. He's good-looking, smart. Steady job. You two would be great together. Oh! We could double date!" She smiled at Sarah, the same manic gleam glittering in her eyes that Karen got every time she mentioned a friend's son.

A double date sounded worse than the bog or a game of catch with the fierys. She looked down at the scar on her palm. She could feel it. Thrumming, warning her like all the times her body reacted towards other men before but how? Why? He had no power over her, right? What did it mean?

"I don't think I'm ready to go out just yet. But thanks," said Sarah. Best not to tempt fate when she didn't know what the consequences would be for herself or those that got tangled up in her life. She'd already cost those dear to her their lives. She wouldn't put anyone else in the crosshairs.

Lisa looked crestfallen. All those wedding plans and baby announcements, she'd already concocted deflated without so much as a first date. "You know, no good can come from pursuing a man like that." Her eyes flicked to the side, catching movement from the direction of the manager's office. She quickly waved her farewell to Sarah and scuttled back to her cubicle.

Sarah turned in her chair facing her computer screen once more. She wasn't pursuing him. He was pursuing her. Was that better? Probably not. Safer? Definitely not. But she knew somehow that even entertaining the thought of another man was dangerous. That knowledge angered her and yet also deep, deep down excited her.

Had anyone ever been interested in her? Not that she could imagine Jareth's intentions being anything other than the nefarious. What else could his game be? He couldn't actually be attracted to her. She was just a stupid girl seven years ago. A girl who didn't understand or appreciate anything or anyone. What could a magical king, who probably had no shortage of women, see in someone ordinary? No ordinary girl. Mmph.

She'd been to other worlds. Defeated dangers untold and hardships unnumbered. Nothing since had ever made her feel that alive, that powerful. Her kingdom had been as great and now her kingdom was a one-bedroom apartment. Her only quest was to fill in data at work. She felt like her whole waking day was an oubliette she had yet to escape, but what other option did she have? She was too tired to do anything else and her dream escapades made planning a future difficult.

To make matters worse, there were still the thoughts of her friends. Any musings about mysterious kings and their pull on her desires, ended abruptly when she thought of them and their fate. Shame and remorse filled her every time she thought of Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus. Because of her, they died. And here she was thinking of their murderer, wondering if he ever thought of her as anything other than his next target.

In her world, she knew she was a catch and could get a man if she wanted but she had never felt that urge. Was that strange? Shouldn't she have been in love with someone real by now? Have had multiple relationships? Be close to settling down like Grandma Mary wanted? Why wasn't she? The only time she had ever felt butterflies in her stomach was last night. What was wrong with her?

The warmth that had spread through her body. The feelings of wholeness and contentment, two things she didn't realize she lacked. Had he felt it too? Would it happen again if they touched? No. Don't think about it.

Her stomach twisted and churned. Glancing at the paperwork to her left, she pushed her musings from her mind. There was plenty of time for her to hate herself later as she once again tried to avoid sleep. She dove into the world of numbers and spreadsheets, grateful for the distraction from feelings that she couldn't separate or parse.

Jareth moved through the hallways of his castle with the natural gait of a predator. Goblins ducked out of the way of his long strides, bumbling in his wake. Even their infernal racket could not quell the triumphal frenzy pulsing through his mind.

There was the wedding to see to. The coronation after. Feasting and festivals. Planning was still in the early stages. Only a select few who knew were quietly handling arrangements until announcements were made.

She was so much more than the defiant girl he remembered though she may have forgotten. So much more than he had hoped for. Holding her in his arms. Their palms meeting, enveloping them in the power of their bond. He knew she felt it too.

He could hardly wait to see her tonight. Once again, he took pains to ensure he met her ballroom expectations. It was telling that that area of the Labyrinth replicated the dream he shared with her all those years ago. That she should still desire that deep down. Desire him. He almost had her.

He had always mocked those that bonded with others. Curiosity had gotten the better of him though. He acted impulsively because she had amused him. He never truly believed in love. His kind were fickle and even those with bonds eventually faded into friendships at best and resentful associations bound for eternity at worst. Few remained attached emotionally. Those that did were no more than lore.

But from their brief touch, even though she recoiled now, he knew they would be legend.

All at court would be jealous. Envious and invidious. Although she was a mortal, she would transcend once the bond was complete. Her beauty and intelligence alone made her desirable, but being a champion... The Champion made her a prize beyond all others.

And she would be all his. Always his.

Conscience would not allow him to feel guilty. He would do everything in his power, which was substantial, to make her happy. The ends justified the means. As it had for his father and his before. So too would it be for him.

Sarah hid in an alcove watching warily as the crowd swayed in time with the music, secure in the knowledge that her alarm clock would be going off momentarily. The rain outside her bedroom window was too much to resist, lulling her to sleep as she knew it would. However, between the alarm and her snooze button, she would be able to avoid having to spend any real time within this ballroom. And with him.

She knew it was cowardly. But she wasn't ready. Wasn't ready to face him. To come to terms with all the carnage between them. She needed more time and this was the only way she could figure to do it. Hopefully, he would get tired of her disappearing every few minutes and leave. Then she could breathe.

Time was something she hoped would be on her side. She wasn't even sure if it flowed differently here than it did at home. However, she did not have the opportunity to ponder the space-time continuum as she felt him enter the ballroom. Her heart rate accelerated. Her eyes scanned the crowd. Resisting the pull she felt to find him, she chose instead to bide her time until she was saved by the bell.

Jareth stood on the balcony, both hands planted on the railings, his eyes traveling over the crowd. He spotted her instantly. Hiding, tsk tsk. Where was his brave champion now? His lip curled into a sneer as he turned to the left, shouldering his way past the others within the never-ending party. Waiting for her to glimpse him. Willing her to see him as he ignored the waltzing, gyrating bodies.

The beat of the music that drove them was more pronounced tonight. The strings that had filled the air the night before were overshadowed by drums. The movements around him more primal and instinctual than the carefully choreographed steps he had previously witnessed. He reached the mirrored perimeter of the ballroom, turned, and started his path back across the floor, his eyes never leaving her.

A flash of flaxen hair caught Sarah's attention. Her heart stopped, sure he would come for her but he deviated from her expectations, disappearing amongst his kind.

The world went black. A buzzing filled her ears. Her hand slammed down on the alarm, hitting snooze as the patter of rain and rumble of thunder sounded outside her window. Her head fell back to her pillow in an instant.

Her eyes opened and squeezed shut at the light within the ballroom she found herself in again. So much brighter than the streetlamp that shone into her bedroom. Stepping closer to the dance floor, she surveyed the ballroom but only caught momentary glimpses behind the grinding bodies. When did the ballroom become a nightclub?

Jareth lost sight of her for only a moment. He crossed through the dance floor once more. He swore she had disappeared. As though she had crossed the veil between their worlds for merely seconds. What game was she playing at? He continued his slow slanting approach.

Sarah's hand once again reached for the alarm blaring on her nightstand. The weather outside had intensified. A storm raged. Lightning streaked against black clouds. Thunder rattled her apartment.

And yet, as soon as her eyes closed the storm's crashes and booms were replaced with swelling strings and the pounding of drums. Disoriented, she stepped out of the alcove at the edge of the ballroom, searching for any sign of him. She felt his presence. Drawn to him against her better judgment. Against her will.

Her eyes met his hooded gaze amidst the dancers as he continued his turn through the chamber. Closer than ever before. The blue of his eyes shining in the chandelier candlelight never leaving hers even as hands from admirers reached out, caressing his face and arms. Beckoning him to join them.

Sarah waited for her alarm to go off. Any second now it would be pulling her back. All she had to do was not fall back asleep. She wanted to retreat when he began to stalk directly towards her. But she couldn't deny that curiosity was overriding common sense.

Jareth smiled his prey gasped when he appeared before her, openly gawking at him. Offering his hand, he waited knowing she would not be able to resist as she wet her lips.

Her hand raised of its own volition, placing itself in his. Before she could pull away, the tendrils of warmth and happiness spidered through her body, the slow crawl of euphoria blurring her vision with unshed tears. How had she never felt this strongly before?

She hesitated as he stepped back leading her inch by inch to join the dance. She turned to flee in a moment of clarity but the last vestiges of self-preservation washed away as his hand hovered over her shoulder before gently gripping it. His hands trailed down her arms, guided hers up, before crossing them over her chest as he wrapped his arms around her.

Jareth could feel her warring emotions. The way she denied herself. And for what? "So suspicious, Sarah."

His voice so close to her ear reached her beyond her haze of emotions. "How could I not be?" she managed to reply, her brain extinguishing some of her heart's fickle flames. Her breathing was shallow as she glanced over her shoulder at the man who held her in his arms. His hair wildly arranged as though the wind itself styled it was juxtaposed with the regal cut of his formal wear

He stared down the elegant curve of his nose. "What have I ever done to gain your ire?"

An incredulous laugh, bubbled in her throat. "Are you serious? You kidnapped my brother." She knew it was a weak argument but his arched brow and the slight curve of the corner of his lips provoked her.

"You wished him away." His hips swayed against hers, tempting and teasing. To his delight, she mirrored his motions without a second thought. "I merely obliged."

Sarah had been expecting that response. Yet she persisted still. Her stomach churned or was it just butterflies? "You tried to kill me. Multiple times. The oubliette. The cleaners." When did her voice become breathy? As though she were winded. Her hips continued to move in tandem with his. Cheeks burning with shame and desire as they battled throughout her body.

"You chose down. And you said my Labyrinth was a "piece of cake" as I recall. I only gave you the challenge you so obviously craved. If I had wanted you dead, my dear," his lips whispered against her neck, "you would be."

His words were the douse of cold water she needed to regain herself. Sarah took a deep breath and broke from his grasp, turning to face him. Squaring her shoulders, she glared up at him. "You killed my friends," she accused with as much force as she could muster. He would know she knew what happened to them now. Would he be so smug once everything was out in the open?

Caught off guard by the quickness of his hands, she found herself once more in his clutches. His proximity, chest pressing against her, hands pressed palm to palm, was alarmingly comforting even in her heightened distress.

Jareth's head fell back. His laughter drew the eyes of those surrounding them and the outrage of the woman in his arms.

"How can you laugh?" She struggled against his grip fighting the urge to give in to the tranquility that beckoned her. She was stupid for ever accepting his hand. She should have sought therapy or an exorcism long ago. "They didn't deserve that."

He held her tighter to him. His hand on her waist gripped her hip, keeping her in place. "But they deserve monuments built in their honor?" he asked coldly.

"They were my friends. They were always there when I needed them." She bit back righteous tears refusing to let them fall. To let him see.

"I did everything you asked and yet, you still paint me as your enemy." He spun her in his arms once more.

She struggled against him. The thought of kicking or biting entered her mind, but how would he retaliate? She was truly outpowered against someone who garnered magic. She would have to find other ways to keep herself safe. "How can I see you as anything else when you killed them?"

"Still taking things for granted as ever." He sighed at her dramatics, letting her go.

Sarah fell to the floor once his arms no longer provided resistance. "Are they-they're still alive?"

Jareth sneered. He should have known she would have had some ridiculous reason for running all these years and that those 3 traitors were still getting in his way. "Of course, they are. As if I would waste my efforts."

"Then why wouldn't they come to see me?" She picked up her skirts and stood, brushing them as she straightened herself up. The party around them continued. The dancers in the vicinity were seemingly intrigued yet nonplussed at their confrontation.

Jareth's body tensed. "They have obligations, jobs and responsibilities to see to." Far away from the Labyrinth now. He couldn't have them helping her, helping the Labyrinth. He would not stand for such insubordination. He was still King after all.

They were alive. All these years. The guilt she had carried lifted from her shoulders. She took a deep breath trying to center herself. Breathing fully for the first time in forever. Feeling lighter. She stared at Jareth through new lenses. Not rose-colored. No, he was still not to be trusted. But she no longer painted him with broad black strokes.

Jareth stretched out his arm, raising his hand, willing hers to echo his movements. Their fingers entwined, lacing their hand together. The power of their bond coursing through their bodies. "Not quite the villain you've imagined…" he whispered as they rocked to the music once more.

She fought the urge to believe him. To let her defenses fall in the joy that now buoyed her. "Maybe not, but you've been nothing but a nightmare for years."

"I've only ever offered you your dreams. You chose the nightmares."

That couldn't be right. "Given the choice, you wouldn't feature in my dreams at all." Why hadn't her alarm gone off yet? She was uncomfortable with his proximity yet confused with her desire to close any all distance between them.

"Oh, we both know that's not true." He smiled conspiratorially. He was torn between letting her live her lie, believing herself to be but the victim to his ploys. But sooner or later she needed to know that she started their games. Set the rules. She even rebuilt the board in her image.

"What?" she asked, confusion clear on her countenance.

"You can lie to yourself, Sarah. But you cannot lie to the Labyrinth," he whispered conspiratorially.

Light bounced off a mirror temporarily blinding Sarah. As she blinked it away, sunshine spilled into her bedroom through her window. Her alarm clock blinked the time repeatedly waiting to be reset. The storm had blown through, the sky was opaline as the sun rose.

Another flash of light caught her attention. A large pearl cluster ring sat on her finger. She prized it off, throwing it across the room.

Confusion and relief set in. She was happy her friends were safe for now. She yearned to see them but knowing the worst had not come to pass was enough. But thinking of the way he held her in his arms, the way her body reacted. How they moved in perfect tandem. Sarah realized she was in far more danger than she had feared.