A/N:I have entitled this little story "Following the Leader".

Those of you who dance will realize the importance of the phrase... those who have yet to discover dancing will learn it here. After all, it is a theme that runs through the entire history of the two royal rulers of the Labyrinth. And, just to warn you - the Lady Sarah does not know i am making this public... direct any comments and questions to me, and i shall find out the answers form the One who was there. The Goblin King.

lol, ok seriously - i love reviews, so please don't hesitate - its just a click and a few key-taps away! and it gives so much encouragement!

LadyTari aka MyFaeLady

1

"So you bet… what?" Jake asked with a sideways glance at the new girl in class.

"Shall we say…50 bucks?" His friend answered, lowering his voice.

"50? On what, getting her to go out with one of us?"

"No, that wouldn't be very interesting. And too easy. I wouldn't give you 5 if you did that. And I could do that anyway. "

The business-economic major was quite sure of himself when it came to money and wagers. And girls, for that matter.

"Fine, then what?"

"You know what. If you can't do it, just say so. She's a cute one."

The girl in question looked around the huge room, taking in the battered hardwood floor and the soon-to-be dancers, gathering on the walls like trapped bugs inside a glass jar. Avoiding the center at all cost.

She brushed her dark hair back nervously. She'd liked the first and second lesson very much, but felt like a complete klutz none the less.

The foxtrot had seemed easy when it was demonstrated, but it was a completely different thing in practice. With partners as new to it as she was, Sarah found herself doing most of the leading and none of the following.

She had felt like a clown, really – having to guide five-year-olds through the steps of some stupid birthday routine.

She had appreciated a forceful lead at the tender age of 15, and though it did not quite agree with her, she knew the worth of it well. So far, swing looked fun and wasn't too hard. Currently, it was at the top of her short favorites list.

Rumor had it that today would be tango.

"Ok, 50 bucks says I'll get further with her than you will."

Adam was eager to get this deal rolling.

He had noticed the dark-haired, dreamy-eyed stranger from the first. She couldn't move worth a damn yet, but there was something about her which drew him. If resources and labor were put in, she would make an enviable girlfriend and dancing partner.

The two female roles were completely inseparable in his mind.

"Deal. But you'd better play fair – she's got to be willing," Jake supplemented.

Less in-you-face than Adam, he was never the less a force to be reckoned with when it came to getting the girls. He embraced the sweet and sensitive stereotype fully, always making for a soft but unavoidable presence.

"Of course. I promise."

The grin on Adams face appeared in spite of his sincere tone. Of course she'll be willing. He would see to that. Personally.

Jareth sprang from his throne in rage. Letting a crystal fly through the multitude of his goblin subjects, all in various stages of drunkenness, he paced the throne room.

Exactly *WHAT* were those two slimy, human creeps planning to do?

He did *NOT* just hear that little bet, did he?

The bastards! The Bog of Eternal Stench would be too much of a reward for them!

Oh.

But then, he DID hear that just now. And it was good thing he was watching, too.

"And I can promise that if any one of you two lay a paw on Sarah, you'll pay. I'll see to that."

Personally.