Part III: The Greatest Gift

It's Christmas

All I wanted this year

On this Christmas

Was for you to be near

I won't wonder

If you're thinking of me

'Cause you're here

My one wish has come true

It's no longer Christmas without you

Saying goodbye was always hard and she wanted nothing more than to stay just a little longer, but Sarah had to leave. Her father said it was a shame she had to go back to work so early and both he and Irene were worried she would exhaust herself with hardly any spare time. She assured them she would be fine and said that if she didn't leave now, she would miss the bus. Toby was the last person she hugged.

Once again she found herself alone on a bus, but when she looked out the window, there was not a soul in sight. They were probably inside, warm by the fire and having a good time. She had had a good time as well, but now it was over. If anything, she felt more depressed and even lonelier now than before. Well, she thought, I guess you can't have everything you wish for.

She stepped into an empty apartment – dark and dismal. No fire to keep her warm and no one to keep her company. She was all alone again. On Christmas. It just wasn't fair. But now was not the time for self-pity, she told herself. It could be worse. She took off her outer garments and entered the kitchen where something caught her eye. A present was waiting for her on the kitchen table. It was wrapped in blue paper and silver strings. A note was attached to it. The handwriting was neat and curvy. For Sarah. That was all it said. The package itself wasn't that big, but when she picked it up in her hands, it was quite heavy. If she didn't know how it had gotten there, she probably would have thrown it out the window, thinking it was a bomb or something. But Sarah was undeterred, knowing that nothing was impossible. Magic existed, that much was true.

"Aren't you going to open it?" She tensed at the sound of his voice and didn't quite know what to do. If she turned around, would he really be there? Or would it all be some twisted dream? She decided to find out. Without turning, she asked:

"Why should I?" A low chuckle was all that came from him and then she heard his feet shuffling across the floor, getting closer and closer. They stopped just behind her and when she felt his body making contact with hers, she knew it wasn't a dream. He was even closer now than he had ever been before. Feeling his body heat was enough to make her weak at the knees. His face leaned in closer still and he breathed down her neck. She kept staring ahead and held her breath.

"Because it's Christmas," he whispered and she could clearly picture the smirk on his face. Hearing his voice so close to her ear was almost torture. All of a sudden, she felt something that she shouldn't be feeling. That very something she had been missing with every other man she'd met. Slowly turning her head around, the first thing she saw were his lips, curved into that perfect smirk she had pictured. Then she met his eyes. His perfectly imperfect, mismatched eyes.

"I didn't think you'd come," she breathed.

"For you," he said and gently stroked her face with the back of his gloved hand, "I will always come." His touch made her heart flutter. She didn't respond, but turned to look down at the gift in the palms of her hands. There was no telling what was inside. Feeling her hesitating, he decided to help her along the way by snaking both arms underneath hers to pull at the silver strings and unwrap the present. She felt herself leaning back into his embrace. She was safe there. The strings fell to the floor and Sarah picked up where he left off and started tearing at the paper while his unoccupied hands went to rest on her waist. The blue wrapping followed the strings' descent to the floor and now she was holding a box in her hand with a lid on top. Sarah removed the lid and reached one hand into the box. It closed around a circular object. A snow globe. Inside it she saw a couple dancing. The man was wearing a blue, sparkling jacket and the woman was wearing a pearl white, shimmering ball gown. It was beautiful. When she shook it, instead of snow flakes, it was glitter that whirled all around. Her jaw dropped as she marveled at the ornament before her.

"Do you like it?" She turned around fully this time and stepped back so she could have a proper look at him. He wore a dark red leather jacket with a grand collar, skin tight, black pants and tall boots to go with. She thought he was like a very sexy Santa Claus, but without a white beard or a silly red hat.

"I love it," she said, not only referring to the snow globe. "Thank you." His smirk was replaced by a genuine, warm smile. He was happy to hear she liked it.

"You're welcome." Sarah put the globe down on the table and then remembered her brother's gift.

"I suppose I should thank you on behalf of Toby." Jareth's face lit up at this, as if he was just then remembering some fond memory from long ago.

"Yes, how did he like his present?"

"Very much," she assured. Then his smile faded somewhat.

"He's grown a great deal, the little lad." There was a hint of sadness in his voice. "You know, I grew quite fond of him. It's a little sad he has to grow up so fast." She nodded in agreement.

"It is." There was a pause. The only sound came from the ticking of the clock. But this time, there was no need to run.

Jareth closed the distance between them again, grabbing both her hands in his. "I miss you, Sarah. Not a day goes by without me thinking of you." So he did think of her. Then why didn't you come? She hadn't realized she'd voiced the question out loud until he smiled again with a shake of his head. "Sarah, I cannot come unless you wish me to. Those are the rules." All the pieces fell into place. Last night she had made a wish. And it came true. She smiled knowingly.

"Then I know what I'm going to wish for my birthday." He raised his angled eyebrows.

"Oh, do you now? Pray tell what it is." She shook her head.

"Nu-uh. If I do, my wish might not come true."

"Then perhaps you might grant my wish?" He briefly glanced up at the ceiling, indicating for her to do the same. She looked up and saw mistletoe hanging there right above their heads. Mistletoe that she knew had not been there before. When she looked into his face again, his smirk was back. She couldn't say no. He had granted her wish and even given her a present. It would be very cruel of her to deny him this one wish. She rolled her eyes with a sigh and gave in.

"All right, but just a little peck."

At least that's what she told herself.

They both kept their eyes open as she reached up to kiss him. It was all over in a second. Then their eyes met and it was as if they were seeing each other for the first time, in a whole new light. She should have known it was dangerous. Once she'd had a taste, she only craved more and it seemed he was thinking the same thing. This time, he took the initiative and brought her face close. The kiss was anything but forced. It was all rather affectionate and neither of them thought to rush things. Taking it slow only meant they could appreciate one another better and simply bask in the moment and the feeling of finally not being alone anymore.

When they broke apart, Sarah was feeling lightheaded, but in a good way. And should she faint, she knew he would catch her from falling. They smiled at each other. "Merry Christmas, Sarah."

"Merry Christmas, Jareth."

It's only a kiss, you know

So don't you ask for more

Under the mistletoe

We'll fall in love for sure

I Wanna Kiss You So by Girls Aloud

A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you enjoyed this little fic and that it got you in the right spirits! So now we know who our secret Santa was. ;) I suppose it was not unforeseen, so the element of surprise was lost. Anyway, I'm not going to ramble any further. Have a very Merry Christmas and take care!