I'm not even going to say anything on this chapter, and just scream profound apologies. This chapter has become my downfall. Not the fanfic, that will live on.A big thankyou to whoever reviews this,whoever stuck with me even through my Labyrinth silence.You guys really are my biggest inspiration.You made me write this.

Please don't lose hope and enjoy.

Aislin was out of place. Maybe it was the barrier between them, but Jareth couldn't tell.

But she wasn't as he remembered her. Even for similar siblings, they had changed so much. Although, that said, Aislin had only been 15 the last time he had seen her, just before he had become Goblin King.3 years younger than him, but now, strangely, they were the same age.That was to do with the Labyrinth time gap, but what had happened in those years?

Jareth wondered if she was solid, most un-invited visitors weren't. Unknown to her, he strode over and placed a slender hand on her shoulder, and to his surprise, she turned to face him/Her eyes, upon seeing him, showed a trace of hope and relief. But then that changed to faint disbelief.How did he seem to her? A strange thing, a vision of some long lost brother, clad in lace and hidden behind makeup. Only his eyes were the same, they say the eyes never change. They were identical, the mismatched narrow brown and blue eyes.

"Jareth." came her voice, soft and breathless, hinted with joy.He didn't reply, only contemplated her with a look of curiosity.Something changed in her face, creases on her forehead, she frowned slightly.

"Jareth?"

-

During their dance, Jareth and Sarah had attracted attention form the surrounding guests. Under their stares and gazes, Sarah felt hot and looked for a way out. She pushed her way through the sea of dancers, making for the big oak doors.Once out of the ballroom, she glanced down the long corridors for a place to go. She needed space to think. But where to go?Becoming annoyed, Sarah felt a soft breeze across her face. Cool and coming from the left corridor. Outside.

-

The night air was deliciously warm and heavy, rowing the sound of music from the packed ballroom. She was confused with the Goblin King, what had happened?Jareth had changed from when she first came, going from quiet to missing and then back to his old self. This excited Sarah, she had secretly liked his sly comments last time. His actions were more natural to her now, his…

The crystal. It was weighing down Sarah's hand; she brought it up to her face to see.Nothing unusual, perfectly round, but it showed her reflection in it.Jareth had once said that it showed her dreams. Her dreams, what were they?

She sat down on a stone platform, housing a variety of unusual flowers and plants unknown to Sarah. She had never seen this part of the castle before, it ended in a balcony railing, giving a beautiful view of the Labyrinth and Goblin City. The horizon didn't stop at the maze's border; it seemed to go on forever, unending. How big really was the Underground?

A colder breeze swept across the balcony, making Sarah shiver despite the warm surroundings. She felt uncomfortable suddenly, a familiar feeling.A watched feeling.Turning around, she saw a figure in the archway from which she had come. Tall, and unfamiliar. Whoever it was took a long stride out into the sunset-drenched light and ignored her, going to lean on the balcony rail. A head of curly blonde hair and he -for it was a he- wore a simple pair of trousers, a baggy shirt, with black velvet waistcoat. He was turned away from her, so she couldn't see his face. His skin wasn't extremely pale, almost tanned.

But his voice rang out across the stone floor as he said

"I haven't seen you here before."

He turned to face Sarah, a pair of ice grey eyes fixed intently on her face, it made her blush slightly. His voice was soft but prominent, accent-less.

"I…I'm not from here."

He opened his mouth slightly in an oh and nodded with a smile.

"That would be it. My name is Diadalos." he added, Sarah had certainly never seen him before either, but she didn't want to seem rude. The way he held himself, his stance, though, that was familiar. It reminded her of-…

"Sarah."

Diadalos smiled again, a small smile, and walked over to her/His movements were like the masquerade guests'; it seemed he made no movement when he moved.

"Sarah," he repeated, pronouncing the consonants strangely. "I suppose I have heard that name before."

Sarah was looking back into the crystal, an absent-minded expression on her face.

"It's a common name, I think." She answered.

"No, no. Here, I heard it here." She glanced back at him. Those piercing grey eyes were still watching her, the crystal in her lap, the pale dress. "The Underground has many strange and unusual names. Mine, for example."

Something clicked in her head; all the guests were from the Underground, this Diadalos too.

"You're from the Underground?" she asked curiously, interestedly.

"Of course. Where else?" he laughed abruptly, the sound echoed on the stones and walls.

"Diadalos, that's an Underground name then. And Jareth?"

She figured that he knew Jareth, if he didn't, why was he here?

"Ah, no." Lines creased on his forehead, he frowned. "Jareth isn't…"

Footsteps rang out behind them both; Sarah looked towards the corridor arch. Someone was coming their way.

"Sarah?"

-

That wasn't Diadalos; it was a voice she recognized. Jareth came to a halt upon seeing her/his face thrown into shadow like Diadalos' had been. She turned to see him, but he had vanished. Diadalos was gone, like Jareth had disappeared many times during her last visit. Strange.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Thinking." She answered simply, omitting the part about her visitor. This wasn't the time.

He stayed silent, listening to the music from the ballroom floating through the balcony.

"And you?"

He looked back to Sarah, her brown hair falling elegantly around her shoulders. The sunset's light made her seem all the more striking as she fixed Jareth with a stare.

"I came to find you. I…we need to talk Sarah." The last sentence was softer, almost muttered. He didn't want to admit it; he wasn't really strong enough to tell her. Yet, at least. He lowered his gaze and contented himself in staring at a vibrant red bush in the platform.

"I know Jareth." He glanced at her hopefully. "I've already told you that."

He smiled and laughed slightly. He felt better than he had in 3 months; he was back to his old self again. Time to show Sarah that.

"Then let's."