A/N: Sorry it's been awhile since my last update. I couldn't figure out how to write this chapter and not make it sound corny. I hope you like it ;)

Chapter 3: Toby and Tyler

Every time Sarah came home, they went through the same routine. A knock at the door … Toby rushing to answer it as if she was going to disappear if he didn't hurry … hugs all around … quick small talk … Sarah and Toby going to Sarah's room to catch up as Irene calls out that dinner will be ready soon.

As always, the minute the door was closed and the siblings were comfortably situated on the bed, Toby began to bombard Sarah with questions.

"What did you get me for Christmas?!"

"How's life in France going … besides what you've told Mom and Dad?!"

"Have you found a boyfriend yet?!"

"When can I come visit you?!"

"Are you really living in France? … because I don't think you are."

"Why … "

"Toby!" Sarah laughed, "Give me a moment to answer. As for what I'm getting you for Christmas, you're going to have to wait," she ruffled his hair and tickled his neck, "just like everybody else."

She laughed again at Toby's it-was-worth-a-try look and shrug and asked, "Now, what were your other questions?"

Toby looked at his sister seriously and said, "Actually, there's only one question that I really want to ask you, but I want an honest answer, Sarah. No avoiding the question or vague answers." Sarah didn't know what could make Toby so serious. Typically, Toby was more of the comic, not the voice of reason or the one to be stern. It wasn't that he couldn't be these things, but he preferred to be the one that made people laugh and that's one of the traits that Sarah loved about her brother. He always seemed to know when she needed a good laugh and was always the one to make it happen ... at least, when she was Aboveground.

"Sure. Go ahead," she replied. First, Toby looked unsure, like he wasn't quite sure how to word his question or if he should even ask at all.

"Sarah, I know that you're not living in France," he stated bluntly. Before she could interrupt, he continued, "I mean, come on. You don't even speak French. You don't talk about life there. You don't mention friends, a job, a house … anything! I want to know where you're really living, but for now, I'll settle on just knowing the truth."

Sarah knew that Toby had always been suspicious about her real life. Once, when he was about seven, she had slipped and mentioned a goblin, but she was able to quickly take care of that little problem. However, since that slip-up, Toby had always been suspicious and was continuously asking trick questions to find out the truth. The fact that he was asking her straight out now was foreign to her. This time, she wasn't going to directly lie to him, but she also knew that she couldn't tell him everything.

Toby looked his sister in the eye and said, "Please Sarah. I already know. I just want you to tell me yourself. I'd like to know where you're really living. I won't tell Mom and Dad. You know I can keep a secret … but if you really don't want to tell me that part, I'm not going to force you."

Sarah took a breath and ran a hand through her hair. "Ok Toby. You're right. I'm not living in France. I've never even been to France. As for where I've really been living, I can't tell you yet. It's not that I don't want to tell you, but the man that I'm living with says that you should probably be a bit older before you can know the truth and understand everything."

Toby raised his eyebrows at the mention of a man. He smirked as he teased her. "Oooohhhh! A man! So, is he your boyfriend?"

Sarah turned bright red as she childishly responded, "No!"

"Oh really? 'Cause the look on your face tells me that he is!"

"No, he's not! We're just friends! That's it."

"Then why are you turning red, Sis?" Toby laughed as his sister turned a darker shade of red. Luckily for Sarah, Irene came to the rescue when she called up the stairs saying "Sarah! Toby! Dinner's ready! It's your favorite Sarah … spaghetti and meatballs!"

Sarah looked at Toby and said, "Remember Toby. Irene and Dad can't know that I'm not living in France."

"Don't worry. I know. Your secret is safe with me."

"Thanks Toby," Sarah said gratefully. He just smiled and started to head down for dinner.

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It was December 13th when Sarah arrived in the Aboveground. Since she had come home, she spent all of her time with Toby. Their days together consisted of talking, telling stories, talking about life (this was mainly Toby talking), playing video games, going to the park, taking walks, and just enjoying the other's company. The two siblings only had the chance to see each other twice a year, Christmas and Toby's birthday, so they were constantly together. Sarah was so happy to be with her beloved brother that she never noticed the white barn owl that appeared randomly throughout her time Aboveground, checking in on her.

On December 21st, Toby decided that he wanted to go to the mall. Of course, Sarah couldn't say no and the next thing she knew, she and Toby were walking through the mall with a stack of boxes and bags filled with last minute Christmas gifts.

Sarah laughed at how excited and happy Toby was. She remembered being that excited about Christmas when she was young. Lately, she only enjoyed it because Toby was happy and that made her happy. It still amazed her to think that there had once been a time when she had hated this wonderful child. She owed Jareth for this change.

Sarah was so caught up in her thoughts that she never saw the man heading her way, also not paying attention to where he was going. Of course, a collision was the only thing that could have happened.

Both Sarah and the man dropped their purchases and Sarah even fell over. Toby instantly helped his sister up and began to help her pick up everything she had dropped.

"Oh my goodness! I am so sorry!" the man exclaimed in a smooth voice.

"No, no. It was my fault. I wasn't paying attention to what was going on around me." Sarah countered. She reached for one of her boxes when she glanced up to see a gorgeous man.

He had chocolate brown hair that was slicked back and reached his earlobes. He had eyes that matched his hair and a naturally gentle disposition. He was muscular but not overly so. He was wearing a tan jacket with blue jeans. (A/N: Ok, descriptions are not my forte. Basically, if you've ever seen Charmed, just think of Dan. That's this guy in a nutshell.)

Sarah didn't realize that she was staring until Toby cleared his throat. Sarah brought herself back to reality when she realized that this man looked incredibly familiar. A name came to mind.

"Tyler?" she asked. The man looked up and dropped his packages again.

"Sarah? Sarah Williams?" Sarah nodded and both of them began to laugh. Sarah set her bags/boxes on the ground and gave Tyler a hug.

"I haven't seen you since junior high!" she exclaimed. Tyler had been a close friend of Sarah's when they were young. He was one of the few people who didn't think she was a weirdo. The last time she saw him was eighth grade when he had moved away. She had been so sad to see him go.

"Sarah! I can't believe it! Is it really you?!" he cried out as he held her tightly to him.

As Toby watched this, he had mixed feelings. He felt like he could like this guy, but it seemed to him like Sarah belonged to somebody else and this man shouldn't have been looking at his sister the way he was.

As the two old friends caught up with what had happened in each other's lives, Toby was sure that someone wasn't going to like this. He couldn't place who it would be though. Mom and Dad would be thrilled that Sarah had finally found somebody … even though nothing had happened yet. Personally, he felt conflicted because of these strange feelings. All that came to mind was a man with blonde hair dancing around with strange creatures. It was a brief and blurry daydream, but Toby still found the randomness of his mind amusing.

Tyler walked the siblings to their car. Toby got in the passenger's side and waited for Sarah to get in.

*Outside of the car*

"You know Sarah. It was nice seeing you. I'd like to see you again … without your brother around. You know, just the two of us. Maybe I could take you out to dinner or something." Tyler looked nervous and Sarah was shocked. She wasn't used to this sort of attention from a man that wasn't Jareth. The feeling was strange, but Tyler … well, he was absolutely gorgeous and perfectly sweet. He always had been so ...

Why not? she thought.

Why not?! What are you talking about?! What about Jareth? How could you do this to him after all he's done for you?! the other side of her brain scolded.

But, Jareth and I are only friends. He knows that and has accepted it.

Sarah, you know that's not true! He loves you … always has, always will. And you know that you have feelings for him too.

We agreed on being friends only! What harm can it do? I'm leaving for the Underground this Saturday anyway. And I don't exactly live nearby so it's not as if this is going to go anywhere further than one date. It'll be nice to have a change.

But if Jareth finds out about this "one date", you know that it'll hurt him. He loves you so much and is constantly showing that to you and if you go on this date with Tyler, you'll be throwing everything Jareth has done for you in his face!

It's one date! What harm can it do?!

At this point, Sarah chose to ignore the "Team Jareth" side of her mind and sided with the "Team Tyler" side.

"Sure, Tyler. I'd like that." Sarah answered, pushing some of her hair behind her right ear.

"Really? Ok, then how does this Friday sound? I'll pick you up at six." Tyler told her.

"See you then," she responded. Then, letting "Team Tyler" take over once more, she got up onto the tips of her toes and kissed her old friend on the cheek. Turning red once more, she softly said "Bye" as she hurried to the driver's seat.

Tyler's hand brushed against his cheek where Sarah's lips had met his skin and he smiled dumbly. Sarah had absolutely no clue how long he had been waiting to work up the courage to ask her out.

*Inside the car as Sarah and Tyler talk*

Toby was beginning to get annoyed, but he still didn't understand why. He just had this feeling like Sarah had somebody else that she needed to be with and show affection to and it wasn't Tyler.

He liked Tyler. He seemed like an okay guy, but something told Toby that Sarah already had a man who loved and cared for her and would do anything to make her happy.

Toby glanced out the window to see a white barn owl on the branch of a tree near the car. It was one of the most beautiful animals Toby had ever seen.

It also looked strangely familiar, but Toby was sure that he'd never seen it before.

The owl seemed to be staring intently at his sister and her long-lost friend. There also appeared to be some sort of sadness about it.

… But of course, he had to be making that up. Why would an owl be upset that his sister was talking with a guy?

Still, he felt bad for it.

Just as he thought that, the owl turned suddenly and was staring at him. He looked into the owl's eyes and was surprised to find that the owl's left eye was more dilated than its right.

He was also surprised to find that he recognized these eyes and another memory/daydream popped into his mind.

The same blonde-haired man has holding him in his lap. A burp was heard in the background.

"You're welcome," the man said. The man looked at Toby and said, "Lively little chap. I think I'll call him Jareth." As laughter was heard, the man looked at him and smiled.

As the daydream ended, Toby blinked to find that Sarah was getting into the car.

Something told him that he probably shouldn't mention the owl to Sarah.

At least … not yet.

A/N: There ya go! Hope you enjoyed it. In the next chapter, Christmas and maybe the date ... it all depends on the number of reviews *hint hint*

Special thanks to UndergroundValentine, notwritten, L.A. Cornelius, yummytimelord, Nanci'sNeko, IbelongtoJareth, Alexandraya, and my sexy/adorable husband Ducky for your reviews!

You guys are the bomb and I hope to see more reviews from you. You see, I'm on this special diet where I live off of reviews and since I haven't updated in awhile ... I'M STARVING!! FEED ME PLZ!!!

Ignore the sign that says "Do not feed the authors!" ... *whispers* the sign lies O_O

Make sure to review and tell me what you think! ... Jareth wants you to and so do Sarah and Toby