Sarah sat in her room, idly sketching while listening to the light rain hitting her window. The rain always smile though she wasn't sure why, it was like an old friend was visiting. She reached for another colored pencil and bent over her sketchbook, lost in her work. She'd helped Karen by making dessert and she'd long finished packing so there was nothing left to do but wait for Becca to arrive for dinner.

And Jareth, the little voice in her head reminded her. You get to see him again tonight and then - nothing for a whole week.

Sarah groaned to herself. It had been three weeks since her trip to the Labyrinth and then agreed to let Jareth court her. She hadn't seen him since and was getting a little cranky. Not like she wanted to see him every day, but he could have sent her a letter or something the last time Hoggle had come to see her a few days ago. Or told Hoggle to let Sarah know he was thinking about her.

Lightning flashed across the sky and she remembered the first time she'd seen Jareth. So imposing and regal. She was sure many girls would find him dangerously attractive. She was sure that she would not fall so easily. After a few weeks of this supposed courting, he would realize that she was just a girl and he was a king and that would be that. Her father's paranoia was being wasted. Jareth would move on soon enough and she'd be just fine with that. She ignored the little pang in her heart that argued that thought with her. She was getting very good at ignoring any sad feelings about Jareth moving on from their friendship.

She was a human girl - nothing special. She didn't have powers to wish baby brothers away. She didn't inspire loyalty among her friends in the Labyrinth - they were all just playing parts orchestrated by Jareth. And she certainly didn't make the Goblin King as nervous as he made her just by saying her name softly. No one said her name quite the way he did, like she held some sort of magic that made his heart sing.

She continued to draw, not really looking at what was on the page. She did that at times, just let her mind create something and not really look at it till it was finished. Glancing down at her work, she gasped then smiled slightly embarassed. Jareth's proud face stared back at her as he held out a crystal lovingly.

She still didn't understand why Jareth wanted to spend time learning about her, but maybe it was just an excuse to learn more of the Above Ground and spend time with his aunt again. Maybe Sarah wasn't really all that important to the situation.

And maybe you don't want to admit that you miss him.

She carefully tore out the portrait and put it in her desk drawer, locking it. She hung the key around her Goblin King's neck, smiling at the doll, hearing Jareth's song in her head. A wave of sadness washed over her and she fought back tears. Whatever feelings she might be starting to have were just because Jareth was bigger than life - a fairy tale that couldn't come true. She sighed and stretched. Becca would be here soon.

She ran her fingers over the owl pin she'd worn since the night she agreed to be courted. It felt warm to the touch, almost alive and she smiled for no reason at all.

JSJSJS

"Wow, that rain is really coming down," Becca laughed as she ran into the house. "We weren't supposed to get a storm tonight. Weird."

"Well my gardens can always use the rain," Sarah smiled. "Let me hang up your jacket."

The two girls walked into the living room and sat down, chatting about school and vacation plans. Karen had put out a box of chocolate on the coffee table and they each grabbed a piece hungrily. Although Sarah was leaving this evening, Becca was staying in town because her cousins were coming to visit. They ate their chocolate in silence, thinking that this was the first vacation they'd spent apart since their families were so close.

"I'm glad you're getting to finally visit Karen's family, but I wish you didn't have to go now. We could have had a lot of fun with Jake and Elisa."

"I know, you'll have to tell your cousins I'll see them next time. I wish Jareth would get here, I'm starving."

"Who's Jareth?" Becca asked. Sarah rolled her eyes, she'd forgotten to tell Becca there'd be another guest at dinner.

"Karen's nephew, he's staying here for a week. He's been out of touch with her for a long time and they want to catch up."

A knock on the door startled them and Sarah raced to open it, but didn't know why she was so nervous. Jareth stood there, completely dry and holding out a bouquet of morning lilies. He also looked to be around eighteen years old. Sarah didn't question it, simply took the flowers and breathed in the scent happily.

"Jareth, you're here," she sighed, smiling at him. He raised an eyebrow and smiled back at her, pleased to see she was wearing the pin he'd given her.

"Of course, my dear. May I come in?"

"What? Oh! Of course, come in," she stammered not noticing Becca watching from the living room doorway. Jareth kissed her hand and a wicked gleam came into his eye.

"I hear I am to stay in your bedroom. How delightful." A warm flush spread over Sarah's body and she pulled her hand away, stunned. His eyes seemed to draw her into them, pull her into some sort of dream. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to kiss him right now and she had no idea what was wrong with her. She stared at Jareth, her head spinning just a little as his eyes darkened. He looked as though he wanted to kiss her too, like she was the only other person in the world...and she leaned into him just a little. A soft cough behind her made her spin around.

"Oh, Becca. Jareth, this is Rebecca Simpson, my best friend. Becca this is Jareth, Karen's nephew."

"And Sarah's boyfriend, I am pleased to meet you," he purred, putting an arm around Sarah's waist. Becca's eyes grew wide.

"Boyfriend? You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend," she said, shocked.

"We um, just started dating," Sarah said, flustered. "I'm going to put these in water. Becca, get to know Jareth, I'll be back in a few minutes."

Jareth sat on the couch next to Becca and smiled. "You are a good friend to Sarah. Tell me something about her. Something I would not know otherwise."

"Oh I get it, you want to know things she wouldn't think to tell you. Hmm, let's see. She's afraid of spiders. Silly really since she gardens so much, but every time she sees one she runs screaming into the house."

"I cannot believe Sarah would ever run from anything. She's quite a brave girl," Jareth mused. "However, I myself do not like the little creatures. Has she ever been bitten?"

"Yeah, once when she was about four. She was in the garden with her mom and a spider bit her. I think right about that time, her mom was getting ready to go to California with her new boyfriend." Becca thought about it. "I never put the two things together before. She hates spiders because right after she was bitten, her mom left. You seem to understand people pretty well, Jareth."

"I understand fear, Becca. It is a driving force in all of us, even when we do not acknowledge it."

"So how did you meet Sarah?" Becca asked, scooting a little closer to him on the couch. He thought about his answer for a moment.

"I was - babysitting for Karen. Sarah was busy that evening and Toby hadn't seen my home. Sarah came later to pick him up and take him home. I was drawn to her the first time I saw her, she's quite charming."

"Jareth, you're here," Karen came in and hugged her nephew. "And Becca, welcome! Dinner will be served in about ten minutes. Where is Sarah?"

"She went to put some flowers Jareth brought her in water," Becca said, confused. "Isn't she in the kitchen?"

"She's out on the back porch, swinging," Robert said, wandering in. "Becca, why don't you go talk to her? She's going to be leaving soon after dinner."

"Um no. I need Becca's help in the kitchen. Jareth, why don't you go keep her company out on the porch? I know there were some things she wanted to discuss with you."

"I'll go out there too," Robert said, but Karen grabbed his arm.

"No you will not. You have to change out of that suit and get Toby ready to come down. He should be waking up from his nap."

"But - " Robert started and caught Karen's glare. He sighed, defeated.

"Fine, I'll be right down." He glared at Jareth. "I can hear everything on the back porch from my bedroom window."

"Good to know," Jareth drawled and walked towards the back door. Robert stared after him then ran upstairs to change.

Becca was silent for a moment.

"What was that all about?" she asked Karen.

"Over protective fathers and first boyfriends are not always a happy combination," Karen shrugged. "Come on, let's go frost that chocolate cake for dessert."

JSJSJS

Sarah sat on the large porch swing, staring at the rain. She didn't hear the back door open or Jareth walk up to the swing. He sat down next to her and watched the rain, not speaking.

"The flowers were beautiful, Jareth. Thank you," Sarah said quietly, stealing a glance at him.

"I know you like morning lilies, I am pleased to bring them to you," he answered, not looking at her.

"Why are you here?" Sarah asked. Jareth was a bit surprised at the question.

"Karen invited me to spend a week in your world. I needed a break from my goblins and my sister relishes the idea of playing Goblin Queen for a short time. Why are you going to my world?"

"Um, your mom invited me. Ok I see your point. Why did you want to court me? What are you after?"

"Sarah? I do not understand the questions. I wish to know you, you were brave and loving in my Labyrinth to your friends. You showed great love for your young brother. I do not understand human love and wish to know more of it. That is all there is to it."

"Is it? Aren't you after a queen?"

"Are you offering, Precious?" His eyes shone with humor and she found herself blushing. "I admit I would like a queen someday. Do you not wish for someone to love as well? Don't we all wish for such things, Sarah?"

"I like how you say my name," she admitted. "Like I'm special."

"You are special Sarah. You're my first friend in a very long time and I'd like to know you better. I wish to court you because you are strong and beautiful and spirited. You are honest and put your loved ones before you're own wishes. I do not understand human love Sarah - but I want to understand." He took her hand. "Will you help me?"

She smiled then and it made his heart leap. "Yes, Jareth, I will help you."