Author's note: Same disclaimer. Please review!

Sarah watched as Jareth climbed up precarious pile of rubble with surprising agility, given his impractical footwear. They were in the western section of the Labyrinth, traveling over the mountains of lost and forgotten things Sarah had found herself in after the bubble-ball years ago. As he searched for a stable step, Sarah caught an uninterrupted glimpse of Jareth's backside. His tight, perfectly-formed backside. Sarah cocked her head to the side, entranced by the fact that his pants left absolutely nothing to the imagination.

What are you doing?!?! The thought cut through her haze, and she averted her eyes immediately. Seconds later, Jareth reached the top of the mound and struck a triumphant pose. Sarah giggled, hoping that her blush wasn't very obvious. If Jareth noticed, he chose not to acknowledge it as he bent down and offered her a hand up. Sarah took it, eyeing the shifting junk dubiously.

Up she went, step by shaking step. As she found another teetering foothold, Sarah wondered balefully how he had managed to make it look so easy. When she was almost at the top, she put her foot onto a rusted something that decided it didn't like being stepped on, and promptly rolled out from under her foot. Sarah had tottered for a moment, watching the rubble under her feet shift and fall. Realizing she'd soon be lost under an avalanche of clutter, she leaped and grabbed a hold of Jareth, her hands seeking purchase anywhere they could find it. His hands closed around her arms, hauling her up to the relative safety of the top.

Sarah continued to hold onto him, one hand on his shoulder and the other tightly clutching his jacket. When she felt that it was safe to stand unassisted, she released him slowly, the hand that had been grasping his jacket just barely grazing his ribs. The moment her hand touched his side, Jareth started. Sarah stopped, a suspicion taking root in her mind. She repeated her action, eliciting a larger reaction from Jareth. She couldn't believe it: the goblin king was ticklish.

Sarah met Jareth's eyes, a rakish grin on her face, and a look of growing alarm on his. She raised her hands menacingly, preparing to attack. Jareth put forth his hands, palms facing her, as if he could stave her off while he slowly backed away. Sarah wasn't that easy to deter. She pounced on him, driving her hands into his sides and wriggling her fingers about. Jareth struggled to get away from her tickling fingers, biting his tongue in order to prevent any undignified laughter from escaping his mouth. Both efforts were in vain. His knees buckled momentarily as he released the uncontrollable laughter burgeoning within him.

Sarah was unrelenting, relishing in her power over him. He was so human, in the way he was laughing, in the way he was helpless under her hands…and in the way he felt. Beneath that leather jacket was a body as warm as it was exquisitely firm. Jareth sank to his knees before Sarah could take her thoughts further, taking her down with him as he panted between bursts of laughter. He hadn't yet begged for her to stop, but Sarah suspected he couldn't draw enough breath as it was now to even try. She let up for a moment, giving him a chance to catch his breath.

It was a mistake.

Jareth took advantage of her brief moment of mercy, seizing her wrists in an iron grip, forcing her hands behind her back. He held her like that, his hands on her wrists, his arms around her in a playful but solid embrace. Sarah stopped struggling when she realized how close his face was to hers.

She could feel his breath warming her skin, its soft caress bringing her an intoxicatingly masculine scent that was entirely his own. God, he smelled great! So close to his face, Sarah could see the exact shades of his eyes – their azure depths just a few tints apart. Her eyes came to rest on his lips, watching as the soft, pink flesh formed itself into a nervous smile. And then something clicked in Sarah's mind. Their proximity was the catalyst she'd needed to realize that she was attracted to him. More than attracted…far more than just attracted to him. She was bewitched by him, and from the way he was looking at her now, she could see she wasn't the only one who'd fallen.

Jareth released her hands, and ran his own down her arms, caressing her skin lightly. One traced its way across her face, skimming her brow, her cheeks, and her lips. Sarah felt an electric thrill pass through her as she realized he'd removed his gloves.

His hands, soft, slender, and pale, gently stroked her flesh, the feel of his bare skin on hers making Sarah close her eyes in temporary ecstasy. The hand that had toyed with her face cupped itself softly around the back of her head, and suddenly Sarah knew what was going to happen. She raised her own hands to rest around his neck, giving him all the encouragement he needed. Jareth closed the distance between them, touching his lips to hers in a soft, restrained kiss.

Too restrained for Sarah; she wanted more. From the way his body trembled in her arms, she guessed he was keeping a tight reign on his desire, as if he were unsure of what she wanted. Sarah hastened to show him that there was only one person she wanted. Parting her lips slightly, she gave him an unspoken invitation, and he accepted. Jareth deepened the kiss, invading her mouth, claiming all that lay beyond. As her blood began to boil under his passionate attentions, Sarah realized how much he had held back to begin with, and encouraged him all the more. Her hands tangled in Jareth's hair as she clung to him, claiming him as effectively as he was claiming her, his lips a brand on her flesh. Yes, she sighed in her mind. This is what she'd wanted; this passion, this rapture, the excitement of his touch. Her body had longed for it; why hadn't she obliged it earlier?

She made an appreciative sound in the back of her throat as his lips moved to her neck, leaving a trail of heated flesh in their wake. One of his hands skimmed down her back, lightly passing over her side. As his hand passed closed to her ribs, she felt a moment's panic, thinking he might return the favor of her earlier ministrations to him, before that hand dipped daringly lower. Sarah trembled in anticipation, his every touch driving her body into a fiery frenzy.

His sharp teeth nipping at her neck, Jareth teased her ear with melodious words, a vaguely familiar song, sung so low she had to strain to hear him…

"Still in bed!" Sarah opened her eyes at the sound of Mrs. Chartha's voice, and winced at the sunlight streaming in from outside. Was it just her, or were the days getting progressively brighter? No matter. Sarah sighed and threw off the covers, reluctantly letting go of her dream. The problem was that it wouldn't let go of her.

As Mrs. Chartha grumbled about the room, setting a breakfast tray on the table and then pulling the coverlet on the bed back into place, Sarah remembered her dream. It wasn't hard – she could recall every detail in vivid color. The bottom line was that she had kissed Jareth, or he had kissed her. Well, they'd each kissed the other, so that part didn't matter. What did matter was how much she had enjoyed it. How much I dreamed I enjoyed it, Sarah amended. He hadn't actually kissed her, so she hadn't actually experienced it to judge whether or not she liked it, but she suspected that if he were to do so, she would enjoy it immensely.

And therein lied the problem. Sarah found Jareth attractive, very attractive. She didn't have to be a PhD dream analyzer to figure that one out. And the dream she'd just had was not the most…graphic one she'd ever had of him, not by any means. Those dreams had been fine before, when she knew she'd never see him again. When shethought she'd never see him again. This was different. Then, when she'd had dreams of that nature, it didn't matter what she had imagined – she'd never have to think about it when she spoke with him, because she'd never speak with him again. Now, that possibility was entirely too likely. Perhaps it was a good thing she wouldn't be spending today with him; she didn't know if she could look at him without blushing. Without remembering the feel of his lips on her skin. The imagined feel of his lips on my skin, she amended again.

Just forget about it, she ordered herself. Pretend it never happened. It's not like you haven't dreamed of him before; you've dealt with that. The only difference now is that he's here. Well,you're here and you have to see him. So just forget about it. Sarah wished it was that easy. Deciding activity would help, she walked into her lavatory and performed her morning toilette. By the time she emerged, Mrs. Chartha was no where to be seen, which was fine by her. She didn't have a problem with the matronly housekeeper, but she couldn't help but feel that Mrs. Chartha had a problem with her. Probably because of the Labyrinth. Sarah couldn't blame her for that, so she did her best to stay out of Mrs. Chartha's way.

Setting her towel down on the table, Sarah sat down and unveiled her breakfast: porridge, toast, and a red-colored jam. Probably strawberry. At least that made the meal palatable, but it hardly mattered. Since Sarah'd been in the Underground, she'd developed a very healthy appetite. She'd indulged it, caring little for extra calories because of how much walking she'd been doing. Come to think of it, it was probably all the walking she'd been doing lately that sparked this appetite in the first place. Probably.

Later, Sarah walked through the castle, taking the time to really look around as she went to meet her friends. So it was over a thousand years old? And still standing? That was incredible. Jareth had confirmed what Hoggle had said: the goblins had built this castle. She let out a sound of exasperation. There I go again, thinking about him. Shaking her head, she rounded a corner, and came face-to-face with Hoggle.

"Hoggle! I was just looking for you! How are you?"

"I'm here, ain't I? You sure you were lookin' for me and not Jareth?" He asked skeptically.

"Of course I was looking for you. You're not jealous of the time I spend with him, are you Hoggle?"

He looked affronted. "Me? Jealous? Right." He scratched the back of his head absently. "It's just you said we were friends, and I-"

"Oh, Hoggle, we are friends," she interrupted. "But Jareth's my friend too. He and I have a problem to solve, and that's going to take time. Time away from you, and from Ludo, and Sir Didymus, but that doesn't mean I love you any less."

That seemed to hit the nail on the head. Hoggle's demeanor brightened immediately, and he changed the subject, asking what they were going to do today.

Sarah wasn't sure. Today was the one day she hadn't planned out, and it was a bit refreshing. She had planned exactly what to do in the Labyrinth ever since Jareth had agreed to go along with her plan. It had been quite simple, actually. Exceedingly simple. So simple that she'd been glad Jareth hadn't asked her what she was doing. If she'd explained it, she would have sounded terribly naïve and silly. How could she say that she'd concentrated all those days on sending positive thoughts to the Labyrinth? That she'd told the Labyrinth (making the assumption that it could listen) that she wasn't going to go far, that she'd be back, not to worry, she'd return. Aside from repeating those thoughts a thousand times each day, well… there was no aside from that – that was all she had done. It sounded so stupid when she thought about it, but it had seemed to make a difference. For one thing, the Labyrinth hadn't thrown such a fit (for that's what she'd decided that bit with the thunder and lightening had been). Sure, it had grumbled when she'd left, but it had let her leave, under her own free will. Also, when she'd set foot into the Labyrinth, she'd been able to fight the depression, panic, and anger that had bombarded her before. She projected positive thoughts, spoken to the Labyrinth as if it were a person in need of comfort; a child in need of love, and that had kept those feelings at bay. And then there was that flower Jareth had found yesterday, exactly where she'd been sitting.

Jareth hadn't known what to make of the flower, and he'd said as much. Sarah, eyeing the dead gardens around them, had taken it as a positive sign, a sign of hope. That one tiny, fragile, living thing could survive here seemed to say that soon the tides would turn; life would return to this garden, to the Labyrinth, and to the entire kingdom. She could only hope so. Sarah'd also seen that flower as a small peace-offering; a present, from the Labyrinth to her. After all, it was beautiful, and the current conditions certainly made it unique and all the more pretty – it was the perfect gift for a girl. She hadn't mentioned that to Jareth either. Although he'd probably never say it outright if he thought she was stupid, that certainly wouldn't stop him from thinking it, and that would be more than Sarah could bear.

Argh! Why can't I stop thinking about him? He's not even here and every other thought I have is about Jareth. Give it a rest! Her self-chastisement finished, Sarah and Hoggle arrived at a small wooden door that barely came up to her waist. Hoggle didn't stop to investigate; he simply pushed the door forward, revealing the morning outside in the goblin city. A side exit! Sarah'd been looking for one, just in case she ever had to avoid the hustle and bustle near the entrance hall. Immediately outside the door were Ludo and Sir Didymus.

"Ah! My lady, you grace us with your presence." Sir Didymus swept off his hat as he took an elaborate, courtly bow.

"Arise, Sir Knight," Sarah said, jokingly, before turning and embracing one of Ludo's giant arms.

"Sar-wah, friend!" Ludo's excitement was palpable.

"You, uh, you got one of those for me?" Hoggle's query was almost timid, and Sarah wondered what had happened to make him so unsure of himself. She hurried to greet him in the same manner, wrapping her arms around him and planting a big, theatrical kiss on his cheek.

"I'm sorry, Hoggle. I must have forgotten to do that earlier. Can you ever forgive me?" She smiled to let him know she was only teasing.

He faked a gruff scowl, "Well, just don't let it happen again."

Sarah smiled, relishing the feeling of being surrounded by friends. The only thing that could have made it better was if Jareth were there. She wondered what he was doing this very moment.

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Jareth was trying to concentrate. He was listening to one of his subjects, trying his hardest to pay attention, but thoughts of Sarah kept distracting him.Where is she? Who is she with? What is she doing? It was enough to drive him mad. As it was, he pushed those thoughts out of his head for the umpteenth time and listened.

"I don't know what you said to him, your majesty, but it's done the trick. He's been off the bottle and working up a storm in the forge. It were enough to amaze both me and Duggle."

That was welcome news indeed. "I'm delighted to hear it, Mariah. Now, what were you saying about your friend?"

"Clara. She's not been the same since, well…" Mariah stopped, perhaps because the problem was too similar to her own grief.

Jareth understood her hesitancy: Clara's loss was very much like Mariah's. "She's not been the same since her brother disappeared," Jareth supplied. Oh, yes. He should have seen this coming. Clara had been widowed a few years before Sarah'd won, and had gone to stay with her brother, Thineus Disby. Thineus had taken good care of her, giving special attention to the needs of her delicate condition, and when the time had come, had given both her and her newborn son a home. Then Thineus had been taken by the darkness, the first disappearance, but not the last. Poor Clara. Jareth's heard went out to the dwarf-woman, and her young son Gerry.

Mariah nodded, grateful he'd caught on. "She's awful lonely, and young Gerry is too. I've tried to get her through her grief, but I've not been able to work much change. She needs a friend, someone to talk to. And her boy needs a father. Problem is everyone's already got enough on their plates; they don't have time for her, and she won't go looking for herself. I don't know what to do." Mariah was worrying her apron again, and Jareth reached out a gloved hand to stop her.

"Don't worry; we'll think of something." Jareth wondered if Mariah knew what he did – that Clara already had a new friend, someone Jareth thought had definite potential as a friend. As a future husband and father, Jareth wasn't sure. But he kept all of that to himself, saying instead: "Why don't you let Clara look after herself for a while, let her take charge of her life, and her son's. When she's ready, she'll realize just what she needs, and how to go about getting it."

Mariah nodded, letting the certainty in his tone reassure her. "Thank you, your majesty." She dropped her apron and clasped her hands matter-of-factly. "Well, I've dinner to be getting on with."

"Of course." Jareth stood and turned to leave. "Give my regards to your husband and brother-in-law, Mariah. Good day." He walked away, relieved that at least in this case, he wasn't alone. Perhaps he'd have a chat with Clara's would-be suitor. Or maybe not; that might scare him off. Best just to let things work out on their own. For now.

Maybe he'd tell Sarah; he could imagine the smile it would bring to her face, the lights that would sparkle in her eyes as she realized…

No! Stop thinking about her. You have work to do. Work first, play later, understand, Jerry-boy? You are the Goblin King for goodness sake. Act like it! The thoughts jarred him from his reverie, and he consulted a scroll of parchment. After spending most of the day in the goblin city, Jareth had finished with the Goblins and was now in his great hall with the dwarves. Consulting the parchment again, he saw that he was due at the cobbler's, and hastened across the busy foyer.

As he passed through the make-shift market, Jareth caught sight of a jeweler's cart. Necklaces and beads and pendants hung down from every side, glittering alluringly in the faery-light. One necklace in particular caught his attention. The chain was made of fine silver links, and the charm was simple enough: a soaring, silver raven, with tiny green stones for eyes. It reminded Jareth of Sarah, what with her flowing raven hair and her verdant eyes. Maybe she would like it? He couldn't remember her ever showing any sign of interest in ravens, or any bird for that matter. Still, Jareth pulled out a pouch of money and, after peeking inside it to count the amount, presented the whole lot in payment for the necklace, which he pocketed.

Not sure if he'd ever have the courage to give it to her, Jareth focused on something else. Anything else. The first thing that came to mind was the Labyrinth, which, surprise-surprise, was a topic irreversibly connected to Sarah. He couldn't deny that the Labyrinth was changing, and for the better. There were obvious changes, like letting Sarah leave with little fuss. But there were subtle changes as well. He'd noticed this morning how bright the day was. Too bright to be a meaningless fluctuation. No, Sarah was doing something and it was working; he just had to figure out what. Jareth hadn't asked her yet, perhaps because he was afraid that it was something impossibly simple and that Sarah would think him an idiot for not thinking of it himself. It irked him a bit that she'd been able to think of a solution in the one week she'd been here when he hadn't been able to in the months beforehand. What did she know that he didn't?

He'd find out soon enough. Right now, he had to speak with the cobbler. From what he'd been told, the tanner had been sending up substandard leather and the cobbler couldn't make a decent shoe out of it. Jareth needed to be the impartial judge and see if the leather was as bad a quality at the shoemaker had said. If it was, and Jareth thought it probably would be, he'd be forced to visit the tannery to see just what the problem was. The bog of eternal stench may posses the worst stink imaginable, but the tanner's ran a close second. He'd reek for the rest of the day! Well, then perhaps it was best that he wouldn't be seeing her today.

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Children really were quite sweet, Sarah mused to herself. She'd roamed the streets of the goblin city with her friends for a while, sometimes listening to their comical bickering, and sometimes taking part herself. A few hours ago, they'd come upon those same goblin-children, and a few dwarf-children as well. They'd been excited to see her, remembering the fun she'd brought them last week. And now she'd brought new friends!

Ludo had been a dear, sitting down squarely and letting the children climb all over him like a jungle-gym. A few had pulled his hair, probably to see what he'd do, but Sarah had quickly set them straight. They'd then amused themselves dangling from his outstretched arms, swinging about before launching themselves exuberantly into the air. Sarah had caught each one, laughing at the joy such easy actions could bring them.

When her arms had gotten tired, Sarah'd gone and joined Sir Didymus. He was perched on a low wall, regaling all the children seated on the ground below with epic tales of brave deeds and courageous battles (his own). As soon as Sarah sat on the ground, three young goblins had immediately climbed quietly into her lap, their warm weight soothing her. Looking around, she saw Hoggle seated apart from them, but not very far away, smoking a pipe. No goblin-children were brave enough to climb into his lap, she noted, but there was one dwarf-boy seated quietly beside him, looking a bit drowsy. Maybe Hoggle had made a friend?

Sarah turned back to listen to Sir Didymus's tale, eager to hear the words that had put such a captivating hold on these young listeners.

"Our losses had been great, our victories small, but still I kept heart. Spirits were low, soldiers huddled 'round sputtering fires, ready to lower their shields and yield to the enemy, but still I kept heart. I mounted my noble steed Aurelius and rode through the camp, quenching the fires of discontent and surrender with the draught of steely courage and fortitude. By the pale morning light, the glow of hope shoneth from their eyes, bravery and mettle burning in their hearts. My comrades ready, we rode on to battle, joining the forces united under our liege."

Sarah wondered what battle it was he spoke of. Surely they had had wars in the Underground, but if Sir Didymus had fought in one, it must have been quite recent. He didn't look very old, so it couldn't have been long ago, although she suspected it was before he'd had Ambrosius.

"As we approached the field of battle, the enemy's forces were waiting, the light of the sun shining off their cowardly armor. A few of our men quailed at the sight of the enemy's weapons, but before they could tuck tail and run, King Jareth called forth their courage, following my prior example by delivering a rousing speech. He reminded us why we were fighting. 'They cast us out,' quoth he, 'Man, woman, and child. They wish to exterminate us. They think they have only to lift their heels to stamp us out! Let us show them their error. Let us show them our power, our determination, our worthiness. Show them that we are a force to be reckoned with. Make them rue the day they ever had the nerve to banish us from our own lands! Citizens of the Underground, attack!' Heartened, we augmented his harrowing battle cry with the howl of our own ferocities and sprang forth…"

When was Jareth in battle? Where? How? Why? Sarah was confused. Jareth had said he was the son of the high king and queen of the Underground – but according to Sir Didymus he had been banished? Was that why Jareth was touchy about not inheriting the high throne? But Jareth had said 'us;' that meant more than him – but who? And who had banished them? Jareth's parents? Were they 'the enemy?' Sarah would have a lot to ask Jareth about tomorrow.

And tomorrow would be all too soon. The sun had just passed beyond the horizon, just barely illuminating the sky. Soon it would be dark, and cold, and as Sarah's stomach gave a loud rumble, she realized she was hungry. The cat-like goblin-child that had been leaning into Sarah's belly started, toppling the other two children out of her lap. Sir Didymus stopped in mid sentence at the disturbance.

"Perhaps we should call it a night, Sir Didymus," suggested Sarah. She stood up, "Why don't you guys run along home and I'll see if I can't convince Sir Didymus to come back tomorrow and tell you some more tales." Given the way that he was nodding right now, Sarah doubted she'd have a hard time convincing him of anything.

The children grumbled a bit, but surprisingly did as Sarah had asked. They scattered to the streets, going in all directions at once, disappearing into the tiny houses. Soon, it was just Sarah and her friends, and one dwarf child that had fallen asleep at Hoggle's feet. Hoggle tapped out his pipe and tucked it away, standing up.

"I think this one's had it. I'll take him inside." Hoggle surprised Sarah greatly by bending down and scooping up the sleeping boy with the utmost gentleness. When Hoggle was gone, Sarah turned to Sir Didymus.

"Would you be so kind as to escort me back to the castle, bold Sir Knight?"

Sir Didymus leaped down from his seat, springing into action at once. "For thee, anything, gentle maiden." He rushed forward, leading the way. "Come, come, brother Ludo. Lady Sarah needs our protection!" Sarah smiled to see his stalwart chivalry.

Soon they were off, Sir Didymus beside Sarah and Ludo bringing up the rear. "Sir Didymus, I couldn't help but hear how you said Jareth had led you into battle. Is that true?"

"Why yes, my lady, it was of King Jareth that I spoke. His Majesty and I share noble souls-"

"When was this battle? What brought it about? Where was it fought?"

"I say, over a thousand years ago, methinks. Hast His Majesty not told thou? Wouldst thou like to hear the tale?"

"I would, Sir Didymus, but later. Perhaps you could give me the main details – who, when, where, why?"

"Certainly! Let me see – who? That was King Jareth, myself, the dwarves, the goblins, the gnomes, the trolls, and the ogres. When? Some thousand years ago. Where? In the deserts of oblivion, and then the Labyrinth. Have I forgotten anything?"

"Why," prompted a bewildered Sarah.

"Ah, yes – Why? Because the Fae rounded up all the creatures they had the gall to label unseemly and unpleasant and pronounced a sentence of eternal banishment upon them. King Jareth was the only Fae to object, but that made little difference. He then renounced his claim to the throne and joined the outcasts, and with the help of my fellow knights and myself, led them in a war for right, for justice, for virtue, for…"

Sir Didymus supplied an infinite amount of causes for their war, but Sarah had stopped listening. It was too much to take in. Sir Didymus and Jareth had fought in a battle over one thousand years ago? That meant that Sir Didymus was over one thousand years old. Jareth was over one thousand years old. No wonder he hadn't wanted to tell her his age yesterday – he'd probably been afraid that she wouldn't believe him. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Sarah had always known that Jareth was a king, but she had never before thought of him askingly. Sure, he had goblins and dwarves and strange-looking creatures at his command. Sure, he had a throne room, and he had a castle, and he had a kingdom. But the fact that he actually, truly cared about his subjects and his country had never been so clear to her. He'd gone to battle when he hadn't needed to, given up all claim to the high throne of the entire Underground and subjected himself to the same banishment as the others. It certainly wasn't a move for his own best interest, so why had he done it? I don't know him at all, Sarah thought.

They arrived at the castle, and entered in through the main entrance, into the bustling foyer. Sarah remembered how last week, Jareth had spoken to that dwarf – Daggle – and gotten him back on his feet. She remembered that today was his day to visit with his subjects to…what had he said? To hear their concerns, grievances, petitions, and to lend a hand when needed. He wasn't afraid of hard labor, of getting his hands dirty, or of visiting with his subjects. Sarah had seen that, but she'd never actually stopped to see it. He was the Goblin King, but she'd never realized what that meant. It was as if he was a completely different person from the sneering king who had challenged her to solve his Labyrinth if she could. No, hewas a different person, or rather, he was never that person. It must have been an act. Why hadn't she realized it before?

Because then I only saw what I wanted to see. And I didn't want to see how good a man he was. The best, actually. A real knight-in-shining-armor. Damn it. She'd given it all up, his love, this kingdom, and the chance to spend the rest of her life with him. It was amazing the sort of perspective one week could bring.

Sarah realized that she'd walked right through the active hall, and had ended up in a sort of residential area. There were white canvas tents all around, each one personalized with the possessions of its owners. There was a motion to her right and she felt the inexplicable urge to hide. Crouching down, she looked for the source of the movement. Someone was coming out of one of the tents. It was Hoggle, Sarah saw, and she sank even lower when she realized he wasn't alone. From where she hid, she could just hear their conversation.

"Thank you for bringing him home, Hoggle. I hope he wasn't too much trouble."

"Yer welcome, and don't you go worrying yerself about me, Clara."

The dwarf-woman smiled. "You're so good to us Hoggle. Thank you. I need to get back to the seamstress's before I'm missed. Thank you again." She leaned forward and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek before walking away rapidly.

Hoggle raised a hand slowly to his face, touching the spot where her lips had blessed his skin in wonder. He turned to watch Clara go, and Sarah could see the look on his face. Hoggle's in love with her! Hoggle was in love! Sarah couldn't imagine his horror if he found out she knew, that she had spied on him and knew something so very personal about him. Without looking, she slowly backed away, into something quite solid.

"Good evening, Sarah. How's the view from down there?"

Sarah nearly choked on her heart. Quickly, she turned around, grabbed Jareth, and pulled him down out of sight. She mimed being quiet until Hoggle had walked away. When he had, she finally looked at Jareth. He arched an eyebrow at her, curiosity written all over his face.

"I don't suppose you'd tell me just who we were hiding from?"

Sarah blushed, intriguing Jareth all the more. "It was Hoggle. Jareth, I think he's-"

"He's got a…new friend, shall we say?"

Sarah nodded, looking guilty. "I didn't mean to spy on him, but then there he was, and then there she was, and I was so shocked – I panicked. But why don't you look surprised?"

"Well, to be honest, I'm not. This has been developing for sometime now. I've been meaning to have a little chat with Hoggle on the matter, but I decided to hold off a bit this morning lest I frighten him off."

"Oh." Sarah stood. "I'm sorry I pulled you down like that. You probably-" Sarah's stomach gave a very audible rumble just then, cutting her off in mid-sentence. "Sorry," was all she could think to add.

Jareth noted that she was still blushing, although Hoggle had long gone. Is this blush for me Feeling bold, Jareth took some initiative. "Sarah, I don't suppose…that is…would you do me the honor of dining with me tonight?"

Sarah paused before answering. Here it is, the opportunity to know the realJareth, and maybe, just maybe, to get a second chance. Take it! "I'd be honored."

Jareth covered his sigh of relief by dramatically offering her his arm. Sarah giggled as she accepted it, making Jareth's heart beat faster. Oh, you precious thing, he thought. How you turn my world.

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Author's Addendum: Like it? Hate it? Love it? Forgot it? Send me a review and let me know!!