Description: Set immediately after Sarah's defeat of the Labyrinth, Jareth returns home in a fool mood. His views of the brief aftermath.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Labyrinth or any of the characters, I have just borrowed them for my own personal amusement. If I did, I wouldn't be here right now

Omg. I LOVED writing this chapter. I recently got an iPad and realised I could write on that, but I rally loved this chapter. I'm not sure why, I think it's because of the feelings both the characters are fighting, but trust me, things are about to kick off ;-) I hope you guys like it. I love it :-) R and R peeps. Love you all

Sarah awoke the next morning to sunlight beaming across her tired pale features. Blinking slowely into the morning sun she spotted Jareth perched by one of the great windows. His shadow cast a dim light around the grand bedroom they both occupied. He looked deep in thought as he sat cross legged on the windowsill, gazing out at his kingdom below. Sarah noted that he had changed his clothes since last night, black leather pants and a black poets shirt had replaced his ones dirtied by the battle the previous night. Sarah flushed as she took in his appearance. He really was gorgeous.

"Great" she thought to herself "here I am, looking like I've been dragged through a bush backwards, and there he is looking like he's fallen out of a modelling magazine. Brilliant."

Shifting her weight slightly against the soft pillows, and trying to tame her tangled bush of hair, a hacking cough tore through her lungs, leaving a metallic taste in her mouth. Jareth's head cocked slightly towards Sarah, but he did not turn. Sunlight danced through his golden locks, as he continued to stare out towards the horizon. He looked so powerful at that moment, a king watching over his kingdom.

"Ouch" she muttered to herself quietly as she pulled herself upright. Her lungs were sore, bruised, but she was ok.

Silence weighed heavy on the room as Sarah too became lost in her own thoughts. A smiled played on her lips as she remembered the sleeping king, how different he had looked. How helpless. Now she could practically see the power radiating off him in magical waves. Sighing softly to herself, Sarah realised, that the harsh truth of the situation was that the two of them, we're meant to be enemies. He was meant to hate her and she was meant to hate him. Wasn't she? There was no certain doubt in Sarah's ,mind that he could certainly be an arrogant ass, who seems to make it his life's work to make her life a living hell. But yet, last night she had seen something different in him. Something Sarah couldn't put her finger on.

Jareth stared longingly out of the window before him, his legs crossed tightly underneath him. He had heard Sarah wake some time ago, but couldn't bring himself to turn and face her. He laughed inwardly at himself. Coward.

For years he tried to put the mortal behind him, years he had wasted trying to mend his heart. And now he was right back where he began. If not worse. Sarah, the one true love he had even felt, had nearly died because of him, because of his stubbornness to have his revenge. And yet she was the one having her revenge on him. Seeing her broken like that had nearly killed him, his heart ached at the thought of it. Closing his eyes he tried to regain his composure. Sarah didn't need to see his weakness.

"How are you feeling?"

His low velvet voice pulled Sarah from her ever growing thoughts. She turned to look at the lone figure still staring out the window.

"Erm, I'm ok I guess. It's a little sore, but I'm here" Sarah responded timidly half smiling.

Her words cut into Jareth like a knife, of course she was still here. No thanks to him. Sighing, he swivelled himself on the windowsill so that he was facing her with his legs dangling off the side. His leather riding boots tapping gently against the stone behind them.

Jareth couldn't help but notice the half smile she worn despite everything. Even when she was injured she still look beautiful, messy hair and all. He returned the gesture and absentmindedly conjured a crystal in his palm, rolling it back and forth between his hands.

Sarah watched intently as the crystal rolled seamlessly from one hand to another. She knew it was only a matter of time before the burden of questions that filled her mind came spilling out. Gritting her teeth she decided to ask the first question that came to her mind.

"What happened?" She asked, cautiously raised her eyes to meet his.

Jareth's heart skipped as his eyes meet hers. She was so trusting, allowing herself to be alone with him in her fragile state. After everything they had been through, she trusted him enough to be here. "she doesn't really have any choice" his conscious snarked quickly. The crystal in his fingertips never lost momentum as he worded his answer carefully.

"After you lost consciousness I brought you back here. A friend that was visiting helped me, she healed you. She saved your life." Jareth explained as he returned his attention to the crystal in his hands. He wasn't greatly interested in it but it helped him keep his guard up, helped him stay disconnected.

Sarah pondered his answer for a moment. Jareth had friends? When did that happen? And a friend that was female? Sarah's heart dipped a little as the jealously came clawing back into her stomach.

"What happened to Ebony?" She asked eventually, changing the subject, she didn't like the bitter taste Jareth's female companion had left in her mouth, but Sarah regretted the question as soon as she asked it.

Rage burned in Jareth's veins at the mention of his name. The crystal he had so skilfully been playing with shattered in an instant in his gloved hand. His eyes turned cold, as blood pounded loudly in his ears.

"He ran. The coward that he is." He said bitterly, through his pearly white gritted teeth. "But I doubt it's the last we've seen of him." Especially now he knows about you. He added silently to himself.

Sarah watched the king as his feelings toward his cousin shone through his mask. As much as Jareth had claimed to have hated her, it was nothing compared to the rage he felt to the mere mention of Ebony's name. He hated him with every fibre of his being, that much was very clear to Sarah. Jareth's eyes had turned cold as he dusted the broken glass off his elegant fingers. He looked broken, as if he held the weight of the world on his shoulders. A sudden urge came over her, to try and relieve his burden, but she knew she couldn't. Not as long as Ebony was still free.

"Sorry." Sarah apologised meekly. "Hoggle filled me in..."

Jareth laughed under his breath. "Of course he did." He muttered while standing upright and began pacing the large room. His riding boots clicked on the stone floor with every terrifying step he took."Hoghead never did know when to mind his own business." He spat, the rage still pounding in his system.

Sarah smiled to herself. This time last week she would of been quaking in her, pretty fancy, bed sheets, but somehow, she found it hard to be so afraid of the mighty Goblin King now that she had seen him snoring in his sleep.

Jareth cast a weary blue eye towards Sarah as he paced across the room in front of her. She was smiling? Why was she not terrified? His insane cousin had just tried to kill he because of him, and yet she sat there grinning like an love struck school girl. Rolling his eyes he resined to the fact that he would never understand women. Goblins, yes. But women? No.

Several minutes of silence passed between the pair. All the could be heard was the click-click-click of Jareth's heels on the stoned floor.

Sarah found herself wondering why he needed to constantly wear riding boots, did he even own a horse? It dawned on her in that moment, that there was so much that she didn't know about the blonde. Yes, he had played his part of her villain. Yes, he had an insane cousin that goes around threatening young girls. Yes, he liked to wear pants that really left nothing to imagination. Sarah blushed rapidly at the last thought and quickly pushed it aside. But other than that what did she really know about him? He must of lived for hundreds of years, there must be so much more.

Eventually Sarah summoned the courage to break the silence and ask the question that had been burning in her mind. The question she knew had to be asked, and in his part, answered.

"So, what happens now?" She asked, casting her eyes to the expensive bed sheets she lay in, twiddling her thumbs.

Jareth stopped in his tracks and sighed. He knew this would be hard, but they would get through it. "You must remain here in the castle until I deem it is safe for you to leave. You will be clothed, fed and the servants will look after you. You are not to leave the safety of the castle without my permission. Is that understood?" Jareth answered sternly, his eyes baring a cold stare into Sarah's form

Sarah's head flew up at his words, her bright eyes meeting his cold fierce ones. "What?!" She exclaimed. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Why can't you just send me home and be done with it? You're still going to keep me here after everything that has happened? Are you really that cruel?" Anger pounded in Sarah's veins as she questioned the lean man in front of her. He really knew how to make her blood boil, all she wanted to do was go home.

Jareths temper flared as Sarah's accusations reached his ears. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself. "I'm keeping you here, precious Sarah, because of everything that's happened." He spat coldly. "Do you really think its safe for you to return Aboveground with him still out there? He knows who you are Sarah, and he will find you. Trust me, I would love to send you back and forget everything that has happened but I can't. I'm stuck with you."

Jareths words felt like a punch in the stomach to Sarah. How could she of ever thought of this man other than the cruel selfish king he is. Tears fought their way to the corners of Sarah's eyes. No, she would not cry, she would not give him the dignity. "Well I'm sorry for being such a burden to you." She answered, glaring angrily at him.

Jareth sighed, hanging his head.

Well done Jareth.

"Sarah, I didn't mean it like that. This is all new to me." He sighed apologetically.

Sarah blinked, stunned momentarily. Was this his way of apologising. The fearful, almighty, goblin king was apologising to her, Sarah Williams? Well, as close as apologising as she was ever going to get.

Silence hung heavy in the air once again. Not even the click of Jareth's heels broke the silent as he had came to stand in front of the window again, gazing out across the land.

"I'm sorry to hear about your brother" Sarah said, finally breaking the ever growing silence between the pair.

Jareth closed his eyes tight. "Thank you." He replied quietly. "Im sure he would of loved to of met a mortal with as much fire and passion as you Sarah." Jareth smiled quietly, remembering his older brother. Turning on his heel his eyes met Sarah's once again. "You should get some rest. There is suitable clothing in the dresser for you." He motioned a leather clad hand towards the far side of the room.

Sarah smiled slightly, unsure of what to say to the king. "Thank you." She mumbled as he made his way to the door.

"Jareth?" She asked, stopping him in his tracks as he reached the door frame.

Jareth's heart skipped a beat as he heard her speak his name. "Yes?" He answered turning to meet his cool blue eyes with her enchanting green ones.

"Thank you. For saving me." She sighed shyly, giving him a small smile as she made her self comfortable for sleep.

Jareth was speechless. He stood there for what felt like a lifetime with his mouth hanging open like a common fish. It was only when she smiled that he regained his senses. There was not denying it. He didn't know why he had ever even tried. He loved her, and he always would. No matter what. He stood in the doorway watching her as she turned over to get some rest.

"No Sarah, thank you, you saved me." He muttered softly to himself before exiting the bedroom.

No matter how much he fought it. His heart would always belong to her.

Belonged to Sarah Williams.

Did you love it? I loved it :-) anyway. Keep tuned for the next installment. Lets just say Ebony isn't gone for good ;-)

R and R peeps :-)

Love you all

xxxx