Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames aren't

Chapter 24: The Red Carpet Treatment

"Sarah!" Toby said as he bounced on her bed. "Have you seen Jareth? He's stopped by a couple of times. Especially when I had a nightmare. He tells me all kinds of cool stuff."

Sarah whipped around, almost dropping what she had in her hands. "What!?"

"Yea," Toby grinned as he picked up her pillow to swing it at her. "He said that he'll get me a really cool present."

Sarah plopped into her chair in front of her vanity. "Oh Damn. . . He will be here for Christmas. How do I explain him to Dad and Karen?"

0o0o0o0

Sarah had convinced Karen and her father that she was spending the weekend with friends. She had only been home for a day before leaving for Underground. She hated lying to them but she still hadn't figured out how to tell the adults in her life that she was sleeping with an immortal Fae who just happened to be the King of the Goblins. They would have locked her up in a padded cell. She had only one day since she had been home to prepare for the Broadway opening. Tonight was it.

Standing in front of the full length mirror in her rooms, she had put on the finishing touches to her make up. Behind her was a goblin maid that Jareth had assigned to her, holding the gown that he had picked out for her.

"Oh Nice Lady," the little goblin maid exclaimed. "You'se going to look so beautiful! His majesty will be so proud. You'se going to turns heads! He'll be fightin' mens off of you'se."

The gown, Sarah had to admit, was exquisite and very daring for her. The deep midnight blue elven silk shimmered as she stepped into it. Its strapless bodice hugged her ribs like a second skin to just below her breasts were it cascaded down to pool slightly around her ankles, clinging slightly to her hips. As she moved, the iridescent silk shimmered like liquid, molding to her body with every movement. The gown had no weight to it. She felt as though she was naked but for the silk kissing her skin like Jareth's lips. A shiver of anticipation ran up her spine as she moved to put on her shoes.

Her hair had been arranged to expose the nape of her neck but also cascading down her back. Her favorite hair ornaments were wound throughout. The silver ribbons and leaves that Jareth had given her ages ago accented the dark beauty of her hair. Instead of the silver and diamond hoops that she would normally wear for a night on the town, she decided on plain diamond studs for her ears. Her only other jewelry was the silver key necklace that she never took off.

Fingering the key for a moment, Sarah pondered what it represented in her life. She was positive that there was more to it then just opening the Labyrinth to her. Did it represent Jareth's love for her as well?

Finished with her toilette, she gazed one last time into the mirror. Her eyes widened slightly as she struck a fashion pose. The gown wasn't made for a high school prom. It shouted to the world that the body inside it was a woman in every sense of the word. Damn, but she looked good.

'Where had the young innocent girl that danced with the Goblin King so long ago gone?' She mused with a smile. Tonight would mark a new chapter in her relationship with Jareth. Good or bad, she wasn't quite sure but she could feel something was going to change. Too bad she didn't have time to write her musings in her journal. Jareth wasn't a patient Fae and it was getting late.

0o0o0o0

Indeed, Jareth was waiting for her in his Throne Room. He was wearing what he always wore for a night of entertainment. The deep blue velvet of his waist coat sparkled from the dusting of fairy glitter in the flickering torch light.

He paced back and forth in front of his throne, tapping his riding crop against one leg. The goblins had cleaned the Throne Room and all the chickens had been removed as per ordered. Well, make that threatened with the Bog and a couple of hundred years in an oubliette if they didn't.

Sarah slowly entered. Jareth had his back to her when the Great Doors opened. She was a bit nervous at his reaction. If what she had seen from the goblins reactions as she made her way down was any indication, she was sure that their king would be pleased.

Jareth turned. Sarah noted that his mismatched eyes widened slightly as he took in her appearance. He strolled casually up to her, never taking his eyes off of hers.

"Sarah," was all he said, in a husky whisper as he took her hand in his. Raising it to his lips, as he peered at her.

She felt the shivers that his voice caused run down her spine causing her to feel the banked fire of lust only he could cause in her. She gave him a soft inviting smile.

"Jareth. Sorry it took me so long." She wasn't really sorry if this was the reaction she would get every time she was late. She offered him a shy smile.

Placing a soft kiss on her knuckles, Jareth said, "Well worth the wait. You look lovely, My Sarah. Shall we?"

0o0o0o0

Cory was nervously waiting for them in a small but high class restaurant where he had reservations. He had no date, more's the pity, as he didn't want Sarah to endure any discomfort tonight. Both he and Jareth wanted her to shine like the beacon of beauty and magic that she was.

Looking up, he spied the couple heading towards him. Everything he ever hoped for, every potential that he had seen in Sarah was realized. The young lady coming towards him was breath-takingly beautiful! His cousin was one very luck Fae.

"Cousin. Sarah," he stood as the major-domo ushered the couple to his table. Only after Sarah was seated comfortably, did both men also sit.

0o0o0o0

Sarah never enjoyed a dinner as she had that night. Both Cory and Jareth vied for her attention. Being in the company of two Tolkien wet-dreams did wonders for a girl's ego. She laughed at their quips and stories, adding a comment or two as needed. It seemed to her that both were trying to put her at ease for some reason.

Then it was time leave. As she was escorted out of the restaurant, she was sure all the stares were for the two Fae.

The limo ride was to die for. Sarah smiled as she leaned against Jareth who wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

"Enjoying yourself, My Sarah?" He purred softly, placing a gentle kiss on the spot behind her ear. Again, she shivered as his lips brushed her skin. She almost wished that he would stop doing that. How was she suppose to concentrate on the play with him playing havoc with her emotions?

She snuggled closer, looking up at him. "It's a dream come true. It is everything I hoped for."

The limo came to stop in front of the theatre. It was Opening Night and the Red Carpet was laid out. Sarah was a bit nervous as Jareth got out first, then he offered her his hand.

The lights of cameras flickered as she stepped out. Jareth smiled as he helped her with her dress. Walking down the red carpet, Sarah heard the questions. "Who is she?"

"Who's the dish?"

"Is she famous?"

"Who are the two hunks with her?"

"Man. I would give anything to wake up with that next to me." Jareth growled softly at the last comment.

"Hey Babe! Ditch the two pretty boys. I'll show you a good time."

Having heard enough, Jareth hurriedly escorted Sarah inside. Sarah was torn between laughing and dying of embarassment. Determined, she wasn't going to let anyone spoil this for her.

However, the night, though young, was indeed spoiled when Sarah and Jareth entered his reserved box. A woman barged in. She as tall as Jareth, perfectly gowned and coifed.

Sarah moved to stand as the woman stepped forward and slapped her, almost knocking Sarah to the ground.

0o0o0o0

Que the Jaw theme someone. As I write this chapter, I realized that it's almost finished. I think three maybe four chapters left.

Many of you commented about me making Sarah too nice and not taking the bet. Personally, she's gotten the best prize of all -- The love and devotion of a very sexy Goblin King. Money is secondary in my opinion.

Thanks for the reviews, everyone. As for the person that said I should publish, I tried once but gave it as a lost cause. Once I get everything caught up, I may go over to the original story section post a story I keep trying to write but keeps crashing my system for some reason. But that's a huge 'maybe'.

Until next time. --GF