At Sarah's question, spoken so softly and with tender curiosity, Jareth transformed in a puff of glitter. He watched for a reaction, but Sarah seemed cool and unaffected. She looked at him with her big innocent eyes, waiting for him to speak.

"Hello Sarah." He kept his voice gentle and soothing, not wanting to put her on guard.

"So it is you." Sarah said civilly. "Why are you here? Toby doesn't remember anything, I don't think." She didn't sound angry or frightened, simply impassive. What had happened to change her so much? Jareth decided to stick with the truth.

"I thought I hear you call my name."

"So, this isn't about Toby or revenge?" She sounded surprised.

"No. I admire Toby and wouldn't have kept him and you won by Labyrinthine rules." He explained, refusing to lie to get his way.

"Oh." She said quietly, obviously having no idea why he was there.

"No, the whole event was for you. You needed the challenge and I fulfilled the role you expected of me." Jareth sat down on the foot of her bed. "And I came back because I thought I hear you call my name."

She's taking this surprisingly well. Jareth thought. Maybe she wants to be with me after all.

"I don't think I did, at least, not on purpose." She sat on her vanity chair thoughtfully. Suddenly her eyes snapped up to meet his, and he knew that she did indeed call his name.

"I must have done it in English class." She muttered. "Mrs. Hurston was talking about prom and I was wondering why – wait a minute. Why should I tell you?"

"You don't have to." Jareth replied evenly. "I just wanted to know why you'd called me."

Why is he being so polite to me? After all, I did beat him. Sarah wondered. He seemed to be acting as if her were passing acquaintances, not arch rivals. But they didn't feel like rivals, but new friends. Taking a deep breath Sarah plunged ahead.

"When I was a freshman I couldn't wait until prom, but now I would do just about anything to not go." Sarah met his intense gaze. "I think you and my journey influenced me more than I knew."

"So you know you've matured, but what does that have to do with me?" Jareth asked.

I want you to take me to prom.

The thought popped into her head. She didn't know if she dared to voice her thoughts. Sarah had a feeling that Jareth wouldn't hurt her, but did she dare to try for her dreams again? Just spit it out.

"Well prom is a week from Saturday and I don't have a date." She hedged slowly. "And if we could get past our differences I would like the idea that maybe you would – I mean might you – damnit." Sarah gave up with a frustrated growl.

"You want me to be your partner?" He asked lightly.

"Yes, No, Oh I don't know." She huffed.

"Maybe you should explain it." He urged gently.

Jareth thought that Sarah would throw him out, or at least snap his head off. But he was surprised when Sarah pulled her knees up to her chest and began to speak.

"Ever since that peach dream ball I found that I can't stand to dance with a partner unless it's you. I think you spoiled me for anyone else." She sighed. "It was magic. I barely remember it, but I know that I felt special when I was with you."

Jareth didn't know what to expect, but never thought that Sarah would open herself to him so completely. He knew the ball had been special to him, but he didn't know that it had meant that much to her.

"My senior prom wouldn't even measure up if you weren't there. It would be completely boring." Sarah confessed quietly.

"Sarah." Jareth sighed. "I never knew that the dream meant that much to you. If you want me to I'll be glad to escort you to your prom."

"You would? Why?" Sarah asked hostilely. Jareth bit back his smile, knowing her temper would kick in sooner or later.

Sarah didn't believe her ears or her eyes. Jareth was offering to take her to prom. What happened to the cruel Goblin King that she had known two years ago?

"Dear Sarah," Jareth said pulling off his black gloves, revealing pale, slender hands. "Do you remember what I said to you before you won?"

Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave.

Yes, she did remember, and she remembered the look of vulnerability in his eyes. Sarah's heart began to pound madly.

"Yes, I remember." She said softly.

"You know why I'm offering you accompany you to this prom." He reached across and took her hand into his. Despite being a king Jareth had strong, capable hands with smooth, rougher skin than her own. Electricity flowed from him and into her, making her giddy.

"I do?" She looked down at their linked hands. His powerful, pale hands encompassed her small, tanned ones. A symbol of what is to come? She didn't know.

"What does your book say concerning the King's feelings towards the girl?" He asked instead; thumb stroking the back of her hand softly. Sarah fought the urge to tremble, avoiding Jareth's eyes at all costs.

The King of the Goblins fell in love with the girl, and gave her certain powers.

Sarah's eyes lifted and searched his and she knew.

"Yes, Sarah, your heart knows." Jareth murmured at the surprise in her eyes. So far everything was going according to plan for Jareth. Sarah hadn't pushed him away and was slowly accepting destiny.

"But, it can't be." She shook her head and pulled away from his grip. He missed the softness of her hands, but if things went as he hoped he wouldn't be missing them for long. Sarah stood and moved to her window.

"Why me?"

"Why not you?" He countered back. "Why do you doubt yourself?" Jareth moved to stand behind her, close enough to give comfort, but far enough away to not crowd.

"Why do you not believe anymore?"

"You don't understand." Sarah sighed, keeping her back to him. "You're ageless and possess magic that I can't begin to fathom. I'm an eighteen year old high school student who is mortal and has no magic whatsoever."

Wordlessly Jareth wrapped his arms around her waist slowly, giving her a portion of his strength. He was pleased when slowly and naturally Sarah leaned against him, snuggling close like a kitten would.

Gods, how I love you, just give me a chance Sarah.

"Let it all go Sarah. You know this is how it should be. Time is all I'm asking for." His lips brushed a quick kiss across her cheek, and he picked up a hint of what her skin would taste like. It made him hungrier than before, but he would hold off for her.

Time is all he's asking for, it's not a written pledge. Sarah thought hazily, tempted to loose herself in Jareth's arms. He was so very warm and fit so well against her. She had always known this was what she wanted, a life with her dream. Dismissing her fears Sarah came to a decision.

"Jareth?"

"Yes?" His sexy voice rumbled by her ear.

"Can you take me to prom?" She asked in a small voice. His hands were like hot irons through the material of her t-shirt as he laid them flat against her stomach.

"As you wish, my Queen." Jareth's lips brushed her ear.

Queen, that sounds nice. Wait QUEEN!

"Jareth, what do you mean by Queen?" Sarah tuned in his arms to look into his face. His eyes were soft and warm, catching her off guard.

"Just as I said." He replied. "I have every intention of you being by my side as queen and in my life as wife and lover."

"Really?" She whispered. She couldn't get how someone as powerful and as sexy as him would want her, but heaven forbid that she should push him away. Sarah pushed him away once, and she wasn't going to let Jareth get away again.

"Truly." Jareth's head lowered and his lips brushed hers. Warmth flowed through Sarah as he firmly pressed his lips to hers. He was about to deepen the kiss when her door swung open and a gurgled,

"Srrah, Jrrth." Came from the floor.