The next day Sarah was up early to help Karen prepare for the party. Sarah tried to stay busy in an attempt to not think about Jareth, but she had little success.
"So Sarah, who all are you expecting to show up for your party?" Karen asked as she mixed the batter for the cake.
"The usual people." Sarah responded. "I only invited the important people."
"Is there a certain boy coming today?" Her stepmother grinned.
"Boy?" Sarah looked confused. "Who are you talking about?"
"The boy that's been on your mind all morning." Karen stated. "You've been sighing all morning. It obvious you're thinking about someone in particular."
Sarah's shoulders stiffened. "Boy? There isn't a boy. Well, some boys might be coming, but not a particular boy - no one different than any other boy."
Karen raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh. So what's this boy, the one who's no different from any other boy, like?"
Feeling heat rising through her face, Sarah avoided her stepmother's stare. "I told you, there's no one special, just the same guys and girls I always hang out with."
"I see. So I don't need to whip up anything just for him then?"
"No, you don't. There isn't-"
"And none of these guy and girl friends of yours have any allergies?"
Sarah frowned. "I don't think so."
"And everyone should be arriving at...what time did we say again?"
"Uh, around seven, but..."
"And how many are coming?"
"Uh, I'd have to check."
"But we definitely bought enough soda to go around for everyone?"
"I think so."
"And those chips you like, both flavors?"
"Yeah."
"And the boy's name is?"
"Jareth, but.."
Karen smiled down into her mixing bowl as Sarah's eyes widened and her cheeks caught on fire. "Works every time."
"What works dear?" Robert asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Nothing," Karen smirked at how red Sarah's face was. "Did you remember to have the tents set up? We don't want everything and everyone soaked if it decides to rain."
"Yes the tents are up, decorations are in the car, and The fellas from work are meeting me at the park around 1 to help set everything up." Robert walked over to Sarah and hugged her. "Happy birthday Princess." He whispered as he kissed her forehead. "Hope you don't mind but Bill is bringing his son along. He said he knows you. You two have classes together."
"That's alright Daddy. We have plenty of food." Sarah really didn't like the idea if uninvited people but the men helping set up worked at the law firm with her dad and Bill was Robert's boss, so she didn't want to say anything.
Robert stayed out of the way until 1 when he went to decorate and get the tables setup. Sarah and Karen were in the kitchen all morning baking. Sarah even snuck a peach flavored desert into the collection of sweets.
After the baking was done Sarah stood in her room going through her closet, trying to decide what to wear. She had narrowed it down to four dresses. Sighing, she held the blue one up once more. "Why is this so difficult?"
All she could think of was Jareth's reaction to each girlish, flowing gown, as much as she tried to deny the fact. She thought back to the time they had danced together; even back then, she had been far too innocent in white and silver. She needed a way to show him that their past - the one in which he had lead her, smiling at her naiveté - was finally behind them. She did not have his years, nor his experience, but that night, she was determined to have his full, undivided attention.
With her stomach fluttering with nerves, she reached past her comfort zone for the sleeker, darker one she hadn't yet dared to wear. It didn't cry for attention with a low neckline or short skirt. The sophisticated cut wasn't the style of a girl used to begging for people to look at her; it was that of a woman who already knew she turned heads. As she slipped the dress on, Sarah only hoped she could live up to it.
After 45 minutes Sarah finally emerged from her room. She had decided on the dark blue dress that in her memory matched the color of Jareth's during their ballroom experience. She had her hair down in "Beach waves" and wore a delicate necklace that had been a gift from Linda.
"Alright! Let's get the party started!"
By the time she and Karen reached the park, the day was already darkening into dusk, and the first of the guests had begun to gather. Rows of glowing paper lanterns lit their path, and rose gold bunting stretched between the trees, glittering in the low light.
Music came to her on the breeze, and Sarah grinned as she recognized the hip-hop track that Karen always complained about - something about it ripping off an old Queen song. At the center of it all, dappled in fairy lights, stood a cluster of huge white tents, awaiting her arrival. Sarah felt like nothing less than a princess as she made her way towards them.
As she made her way to the tents, she greeted all the guests she passed. Mostly it was just her father's friends that had come to help set up, but a few of Karen's friends had arrived with food the offered to make for the party, and a few of Sarah's friends were already there. Everyone was dressed in slacks, dresses, and skirts, but everyone complimented Sarah on how beautiful she looked. She was enjoying all the praise, but her eyes continued to search for the man she was all dressed up for.
"Looking good Williams!"
Sarah cringed just hearing the voice. She turned to see Brian walking towards her with her father's boss, Bill. Her stomach twisted in knots when she saw him. "Oh, no..." She groaned and turned to walk away, but her father grabbed her arm and made her walk with him.
"Bill," he called out to the older man. "So glad you could make it." Robert shook the man's hand and pushed Sarah forward. "You remember my Sarah right?"
Nodding, he handed a small box to Sarah. "You've grown into quite a lovely young lady." Bill smiled. "I believe you know my son, Brian."
"Oh yeah, we know each other very well," Brian smirked. "I told dad my invitation must have gotten lost, but things worked out in the end."
Sarah smiled so hard that her eyes scrunched up into slits. "Lucky you," she said. "*So* sorry about the missing invite, I'm almost positive I included everyone important that I cared about when I wrote them, and yet...here you are, wow. Enjoy the party, Ryan, but if you'll excuse me, a girl's gotta mingle."
Brian turned after her as she swept by. "Uh, it's Brian...?"
Sarah swung round to face him, walking backwards to put as much distance between them as possible. "Oh right, Brian, sorry about that. Must have slipped my mind already!" With both their fathers already occupied with one another, she took the opportunity to mouth a brief 'fuck *you*' before hurrying on her way.
As she rushed to the main tent, she couldn't help but smile at how she handled that. Who needed a Knight or even a King to save her? She felt even more confident now that she dealt with the idiot. Maybe it was the fact that she was 18 an officially an adult, or maybe it was the dress, but something definitely had her feeling like a new woman and she loved it. She had a wicked grin on her face as she thought of making Jareth speechless.
The hours passed and Sarah was already drunk on fun, and the sugary, strictly virgin punch that Karen kept a watchful eye over.
She danced until her feet hurt, swaying along to all her favorite hits with her friends, letting the music and the pleasure of the night wash over her.
Still, as giddy as she was, she couldn't help but check her watch every now and then. Time was ticking on, and her most anticipated guest had yet to even put in an appearance.
She sighed to herself as she recognized the first bars of a slow song - a Tears For Fears number, she thought - and resigned herself to edging back from the dance floor.
It wasn't fair to begrudge the numerous couples on the floor a little time together, but she couldn't help feeling a slightly left out, especially on her birthday. Just as she decided to console herself with another cup of punch, she felt a soft tap on her shoulder.
Looking up, she expected to see Jareth. He would purposely wait so he could make his appearance at the right moment. The face she saw made her groan. "What do you want Brian?"
"Birthday girl doesn't get to sit out on slow songs. Especially when her Prince is here." He grinned as he held his hand out to her.
"Not waiting for a Prince and you certainly don't classify as one anyway." Sarah responded.
"Now that's no way to be." He grabbed her arm and started to pull her towards the dance floor.
She jerked her arm free and tried to walk away, but he grabbed her again. "Let go!"
"Not until you dance with me." Brian demanded as he grabbed her shoulders.
"I don't want to dance with you. Leave me alone!"
Sarah struggled against him, then suddenly Brian let go and fell to his knees, a gloved hand gripping his neck tightly. "She said no."
"When a lady says no, a proper gentleman would walk away. Would you like to walk away on your own two feet or do I need to help you?" Jareth growled into his ear.
Brian tried to remove Jareth's hand, but he held tight. "What is your deal man? I just want to dance with my girl."
"Your girl?" Jareth's grip tightened. "I wasn't aware that Sarah had given herself to anyone, especially an ill-mannered hooligan like you." The Goblin King looked up at Sarah. "Or was I mistaken, Sarah?"
Shaking her head she found her mouth was extremely dry. Something about the wild look in his eyes was incredibly hot. Swallowing, she attempted to speak, though her voice came out raspy, "No, I am not his in any way, shape, or form. I want nothing to do with him."
Nodding, Jareth released him and moved to stand between Sarah and the boy. "Now you've heard the lady. Leave on your own or I will see that you vacate the premises and you won't enjoy it."
Brian started to argue, but something made him stop. Maybe it was the death glare from Jareth or the aura of immense power that radiated from him, or perhaps it was the voices of nearby goblins begging him to be stupid so they could have fun with him. No matter what it was, he fled the area, not even stopping to grab his coat.
Once he was out of sight, Jareth turned to face Sarah. "Are you alright, Precious?"
"Just so we're clear... I'm no damsel in distress that sits around waiting to be rescued," Sarah replied, fighting down an desire to let him know she appreciated his gesture. "Perish the thought Precious. Of everyone here, I alone know just how formidable an opponent you can be," he said, his predatory grin setting butterflies loose in her stomach.
As he stepped closer, she nodded. "Good, as long as we're on the same page."
Taking another step so he was close enough to touch her, he leaned down so his face was inches from hers. "So tell me, if you weren't waiting for a Prince, were you perhaps waiting for a King?"
She tried to laugh at him, but all that emerged was a dry whisper. "You wish."
Jareth chuckled to himself. "I believe the wishes are always your job, Sarah. I wonder just what you're wishing for right now?"
He lifted a hand to push a stray strand of hair out of his eyes, their bodies so close that he grazed her arm along the way. His eyes darkened as he looked her over, a devious little smile lingering around his lips. "If you'll permit me to say so, love, you look delectable. Would you object to a dance?"
"Thought you'd never ask," she smirked. He offered his arm to her and she happily took it and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor, where he pulled her into his arms and swayed with her to the music.
He was as graceful as she remembered, guiding her into every step and turning her around the room with an ease her classmates could only envy. As they moved together, all she wanted was to rest her head against his shoulder.
As she became aware of several guests pausing to smile at the birthday girl, she had to remind herself that in everyone else's eyes, Jareth was her teacher. Her lips hitched up into tiny grin as she registered the respectable distance he had left between their bodies.
"Something amusing I should know about?"
Sarah laughed and shook her head. "Just after everything that's happened between us, you're acting like this."
"Like what, love?" He spun her around and then pulled her close before dipping her. "Aren't I suppose to be the perfect gentleman? I am your teacher, after all, Sarah." He whispered as he pulled her back up. "Or did you wish me to be something else tonight?"
As she watched that perfect mouth of his move, she almost found herself wishing that no one else was around. Fortunately, she managed to avoid saying such things aloud; it was impossible to know just how literally the Goblin King might take her words.
"I think you already know what I want from you, Jareth. I just think you're counting on hearing me say it so it can make that ego of yours swell." As intent as she was on his lips, she caught his smirk and quickly added: "And no jokes about anything *else* that might be getting swollen right now. I've already heard enough speculation around school about what you're hiding in those pants."
"Oh really? And what *am* I hiding, precious thing?"
Sarah couldn't help but chuckle. "One girl in my class always says it's like a rabid hamster, just fighting to get out."
His eyes widened, as the comment caught him completely off guard. "Well I've certainly never heard it referred to in that way before."
"And what, dare I ask, have you heard it referred to as?" Sarah asked as her hand played with the hair on the back of his neck.
"Trouser snake...affectionately named 'Mr. Scales'," he chuckled. "That one was particularly amusing."
A sudden burst of laughter forced its way past her lips, and she held tight to his shoulder, making an effort to calm herself before they drew any more attention.
Karen was no doubt having a fit by now, finding out that the 'boy' she'd had her eye on was actually a much older man. God only knew what her friends were thinking as they watched her cozying up to the new substitute. Right then, Sarah was having too much fun to care.
"Hamsters...snakes...we're really not painting an attractive picture for one another, aren't we?"
That lazy smile returned as Jareth considered his answer, the tip of his tongue making a leisurely path along the fine points of his teeth. "Perhaps, but we've yet to discuss what you have for me under that dress; an exquisite work of art that I'm especially looking forward to unveiling."
Sarah felt herself get increasingly warm at his statement and the way his eyes were hungrily wandering over her body.
As the song ended, Jareth led her away from the dance area. "Would you like a drink, Precious?"
"Sounds good." she replied as she followed him to the punch bowl.
Jareth poured her a glass of punch and then I've for himself. Karen took the moment to be nosy and see just who the man was that Sarah had been dancing with.
"Sarah? Care to introduce me to your guest?" Karen appraised Jareth, looking him up and down trying to figure him out. Sarah nearly dropped her glass of punch having not expected Karen to come over art that very moment. Karen made full eye contact with Jareth.
"Karen, this is my substitute teacher Dr. Knightly. " Sarah smiled.
"Good evening. Mrs. Williams, isn't it?" Jareth asked politely.
"Yes, I am, but you can call me Karen."
Sarah tried to suppress a groan when he answered "Nice to meet you Karen, I'm Jareth".
Karen stared at Sarah, her eyebrows raised "May I have a quick word with you, birthday girl?" Sarah smiled at Jareth apologetically and followed behind a retreating Karen.
"A BOY? That's not a boy, and he is your teacher!" Karen whispered agitated, as soon as they were out of hearing range.
Sarah bit her lip "Well, I actually told you there's no boy..."
Karen shook her head. "I'll have to speak to the school board. This is completely inappropriate."
"What?" Sarah began to panic. "Karen you're going overboard. It's not like I'm dating him. Yea he's good looking, and a charmer, but he's also an excellent teacher. I was failing anatomy until he showed up."
"I don't care how good he is, it's not proper for him to show up here. You're..."
"18, Karen. I'm legally an adult now. And I invited him because he cares. Unlike all the other teachers at that school, he cares about my grades. There's nothing wrong with me being friendly with someone that has been helping me become a better person."
"Sarah I'm just trying to look out for you, because I care." Karen reached out to hug her, but Sarah pulled away.
"If you really care, you'll leave Jareth alone. He's done nothing wrong." Sarah turned and started walking towards the bridge, away from her stepmother and the rest of the party.
"Where are you going?" Karen called after her.
"I just need to be alone for a little while." Sarah replied as she kept walking.
Karen started to follow, but thought better of it and went to talk to her husband. Perhaps she had over reacted.
Jareth had kept his distance during the conversation between Sarah and her stepmother. When he saw Sarah headed for the bridge he followed her but allowed her privacy.
"Why does Karen do this?" Sarah sighed to herself. "Of all nights to have a problem. Sometimes I wish..."
"Ah, be careful of those words. Remember, yours especially have power," said Jareth as he stepped out of the shadows to comfort her.
"Jareth..." She looked over her shoulder at him.
"I take it your stepmother is opposed to my being here?" He asked as he moved to stand directly behind her.
Sighing in frustration, Sarah nodded. "Yea, she thinks its wrong for us to have a relationship of any kind."
"And what kind of relationship does she think we have?" He smirked as he ran a gloved finger up her arm slowly.
The sensation of the leather barely caressing her skin sent a shiver down her spine. "I...I'm not sure what she's thinking but its not the correct thing I'm sure."
"Oh? So what exactly is our relationship, Precious?" Jareth asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him.
"I'm not sure but I would love to find out. You were my villain when I ran the Labyrinth but now...now you are someone who I can't get off mind and often times I wonder what it would be like if we..."
"If we what Precious?"
"Jareth, can I make a birthday wish?"
"Your wishes will always be granted Sarah."
Sarah turned around to face Jareth, still embraced by him, and looked into his eyes and whispered "I wish to be kissed by Jareth the Goblin King."
"Oh Sarah, that is one wish I am thrilled to grant", sighed Jareth as he leaned down to give Sarah the kiss they both desired.
The world around her fell away the moment she felt the warmth and weight of his mouth against hers. She slipped her arms around his shoulders, her fingers stroking along his nape and upwards into the fine silk of his hair. Her mouth moved of its own accord to welcome him, delicious heat searing through her veins as she pressed her body against the solid wall of his. Jareth only held her tighter.
It was as though they were made for nothing else but each other, breathing as one, ensuring the mutual longing that had been building between them would at last bloom into something more. She felt his hands moving over her, one coming to cup her ass as the other pushed into her hair, cradling her head and keeping her mouth locked against his. When the need for air at last parted them, it was all too soon.
They stared into one another as they caught their breath, the evening breeze doing nothing to cool the passion they had kindled as color and sound slowly seeped back into their surroundings. Unfortunately, the most prominent of those sounds was now mere feet away: the disgruntled cries of an over-protective father.
"Get your grubby hands off my daughter!" Robert cried he charged towards them.
"Daddy!" Sarah tried to stop him, but he was already reaching for Jareth, intending to ring his neck.
"I told my wife she was overreacting! That no teacher would dare touch Sarah!" Robert was shouting as he tried to push past Sarah.
"Daddy stop! You don't understand!" Sarah cried as he pushed her aside.
"Just who do you think you are?" Robert demanded as he grabbed Jareth's collar.
"I am someone who cares for Sarah," Jareth replied, easily plucking Roberts hands from his collar, as the man spluttered angrily. "You are an ADULT! She is a child!"
"Is she?" Jareth smirked. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't today her 18th birthday and which makes her an adult by human standards?" He glared at Robert as he smoothed out his shirt.
"She's still too young to understand things. You're old enough..."
"Let's not get into that now," Jareth warned. "I believe Sarah is quite capable of making her own decisions and she's done very well taking care of herself to this point." He looked at Sarah and smiled. "Even if you're not ready to let go, she'll fly from the nest if she feels she's ready."
Sarah stared at him, unsure of what to say. She could tell he was trying not to lose his temper. After all, this was the same King who threatened to Bog Hoggle simply for helping her. She could only imagine what would happen to someone that assaulted him the way her father just did. "Daddy, Jareth is right. I can make my own choices. I asked him to kiss me."
"Sarah, honey we'll talk later," Robert said before turning back to Jareth. "I think you should leave."
The two men continued to argue, but Sarah didn't hear a word. She was too busy paying attention to the feather floating in front of her. "A feather?" She didn't know why but something about it was familiar. She took and deep breathe and blew on it, sending it flying into the air and everything went black.