The storm outside was whipping tree branches around causing Toby to clap his little hands and laugh. He loved storms, he always felt like he could fly like a bird during the rain. His mother told him that someday, if he was really lucky, he might have a little magic in him. He looked over at Jareth, wondering if his cousin was causing the change in weather. Jareth grinned back at him and nodded.

It is as you say, I've brought you a little rain to amuse you, my young cousin.

I can hear you, Toby said, amazed at the clear mental connection. I thought I could only hear Mama.

Your time in the Labyrinth forged a bond between us, little one. We are kindred spirits, you and I. Both explorers and both destined to be kings.

I'd miss Mama if I was a king...

Oh Tobias, it would not be for many many years. You have an entire human life to live before thinking of our world in that way. And if all goes well, your sister shall be my queen.

Maybe Mama and Daddy could live with us there...

You never know what will happen, Toby. Magic is unpredictible.

So is love, Jareth...that's what Mama says...

"So Jareth," Robert said brightly as he took a sip of wine, "You're going to be here for a whole week, right? Are there any places you'd like to visit? Museums? Zoos? I'm sure Becca here would be happy to take you anywhere you'd like to go. She'd be a really good tour guide for you, you might have a lot in common."

"I hadn't thought of it," Jareth said, taking another helping of lasagna. "I think for the first day or two I'd like to spend time with my aunt and get to know her again. And I'd also like to get to know Toby a bit, he's a very bright child - reminds me of myself at that age." Toby smiled at Jareth and clapped his hands again.

Jareth nodded at Becca. "I am certain Becca has many plans for herself this week and I would not wish to impose."

"And I have so much to discuss with my nephew," Karen added meaningfully. "Family business."

"That can't take too long," Robert argued cheerfully, pouring another glass of wine. "I think Jareth would enjoy spending time with Becca. She's a lovely young lady and I think she'd be a perfect date for him."

"Date?" Sarah asked, a curious gleam in her eye. "Why would Becca date my boyfriend?"

Jareth stared at her. She called him her boyfriend - was he making progress or was Sarah simply baiting her father out of annoyance with his manipulations? He wanted to reach over and take her hand but he was still too unsure of her motives just yet. The rain beat steadily against the windows, in time with Jareth's racing heart and all he could do was stare at his Champion.

"Boyfriend?" Robert laughed, finishing his third glass of wine. "You don't know each other well enough for him to be your boyfriend. Besides, fifteen is too young to be attached to one person."

A loud clap of thunder shook the house and Jareth's face grew dark. Sarah noticed and her breath caught in her throat. She found herself wishing that she didn't have to leave after dinner. She wanted to know what that look meant. She wanted to kiss him until he told her what he was really wanting from her. She wanted to give him what he wanted even though it scared her. At the same time, she wanted to run away from Jareth and hide like a child because he made her feel things she didn't understand. If this was growing up, she wasn't sure she could handle it without making a total fool out of herself.

"I agreed to let him court me," Sarah reminded him. "That's dating, Daddy."

"Robert, they are dating," Karen said through gritted teeth. "Don't tease your daughter."

"I'm just saying that Jareth might want to spend time with someone his own age while he's here. He can't be expected to hang around us the entire week. He'd be bored. Becca would be a fun person to be with while he's in town."

"Well, I'm going to be with my two cousins, Jake and Elisa - they're twins and a year older than I am. They're visiting from Norway. If Jareth wants to, he can tag along with us to a movie or maybe the archery range." She looked at Jareth, "I'm class champion in archery, it's a fun sport."

"Really? I too enjoy the sport, it calms me to shoot - especially when I imagine people I do not like as the target." He glanced over at Robert and narrowed his eyes slightly. Sarah coughed to hide a nervous giggle.

"See you do have things in common - it's perfect. Jareth should get out and meet new people, have fun while he's here. You never know, Jareth, you could meet someone special."

Sarah gave her father an annoyed look, was he trying to set Jareth up with Becca now? She could not believe he was starting up again and they hadn't even finished eating. She felt a bit of jealousy at the thought of Becca spending time with Jareth which was silly because she knew that this courting wasn't going to last long. She toyed with her food, trying to find her right words to get Robert to just give it a rest.

"I have met someone special," Jareth said, a hint of coldness in his voice. "And we are courting. She is everything I have ever wanted in a girl and I hope to prove it to her soon." He turned to Sarah who had been trying her best to stay out of the conversation. She was now staring at him with a strange look on her face as if seeing him for the first time. "Sarah, you are very quiet. I hope you are looking forward to spending time with your family."

"Oh I am, but I will miss - my family." And I'll miss you, she thought glumly. Why can't I get the words out? Becca's looking at Jareth like he's dessert. Maybe I shouldn't go. And then what? Share your bedroom with Jareth?

"Well I'm sure they'd understand if you wanted to stay home, we could put Jareth up in a hotel or something," Robert said. Karen slammed down her fork.

"Robert, might I have a word with you in the kitchen?" Robert looked from Jareth to Sarah and stayed seated. "Now," Karen emphasized the word and her husband nodded reluctantly. They left the room and a silence settled over the dinner table.

"Hmm, seems like young Toby needs a diaper change," Jareth said abruptly. "I shall take him upstairs. I will only be a few moments." He took Toby and walked out of the room, humming to himself. Becca took a deep breath and smiled at her best friend.

"I'm happy you found a boyfriend Sarah," Becca said cautiously. "I can see you guys really like each other."

"Thank you," Sarah said softly, "I guess I didn't realize how much I liked him until Daddy started causing trouble tonight. What if Jareth decides I'm not worth the headache?"

"Don't be silly, Sarah - the guy's been watching you all night like you were the only woman in the world. Don't worry about me spending time with him - I know I couldn't compete with whatever you two have."

"I trust you Becca. I just don't understand why my dad doesn't trust me."

"What are you talking about - it seems like he doesn't trust Jareth." Becca sipped her juice and leaned back in her chair, relaxing for the first time this evening.

"It's like he wants me to be more mature and take responsibility for my life but then when I try, he tells me I'm too young to understand. I know he wants to protect me from everything, but it's just getting out of hand. Jareth is not a bad person. He's funny and smart and he makes me feel like anything's possible. And I'm glad I know him."

"Your dad is just being a dad, Sarah. Give him time. He'll come around - maybe this week will give Jareth and your dad a chance to bond or something."

"It's the 'or something' that's worrying me," Sarah grimaced.

JSJSJS

"Just what do you think you were doing out there?" Karen asked, arms folded over her chest. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sounded?"

"Sarah is just a child and she should be allowed to stay one as long as possible," Robert said stubbornly. "She's not ready for this."

"Not ready? She went through Jareth's Labyrinth and won, she is hardly a child, Robert."

"Toby wasn't in any danger."

"No, but Sarah was. That Labyrinth is a test of character. If Sarah had not been deemed worthy, she could have been hurt - or worse." Robert paled and shook his head in denial, Karen was livid. "You knew this. You said you were sure Sarah was mature and ready for the challenge."

"I didn't think you were serious. I thought it was just another fairy tale - something to scare kids with at night. Who could believe there was really a Goblin King anyway? And just why has he set his sights on my daughter?"

"Sarah believes in our world, she has a pure heart. She is kind and loving and gentle. Her heart has been searching for Jareth her entire life and she is just now realizing what that means. You cannot live her life for her, Robert."

"No, but I can keep him away from her. She doesn't have to ever go to the Under Ground again. She'll be here with me and she'll be safe." He was slurring his words and she realized he was a bit drunk. Lovely.

"Banning Jareth from this house or keeping Sarah from going to my homeworld will not change the fact that those two were made for each other. I knew when I came back to you that Sarah was meant for him. I tried telling you then but you wouldn't listen to me. Well now you have to listen because it's happening."

"You don't know what you're talking about - your visions aren't carved in stone," he blustered.

"No, but they are carved from love - and faith. Things I thought you believed in as strongly as I do. I've been in your life for so long because my people knew that you were destined to have a little girl who was meant to be our queen. I was not meant to fall in love with you or become your wife."

"So you only married me so that you could give Jareth a way to get my daughter?" Robert was incredulous.

"No, I married you because I love you and I've never been happier - I love you and Sarah and Toby. But I was always meant to come here to guide Sarah into her destiny. The fact that you don't want to deal with that is your issue. As I see it, you have two choices. You can be a loving, supportive father and help Sarah work through her feelings - or you can continue to act like an irrational child and risk pushing Sarah away. I have half a mind to take Toby and go with her for the week."

"And leave me with him?"

"Don't push me, Robert. I've been more than patient with you and your overbearing behavior. Sarah is very forgiving but there are limits to what I can overlook. As you like to point out so often, Fae are not the most rational of beings."

"Are you saying you would leave me?" the question came out as a choked sob. Karen sighed.

"No, I will not leave you. But I would not trust you the way I still do trust you now. We would not have the marriage that we promised each other. I gave you my heart and soul when we wed, Robert - don't abuse those gifts. If you cannot trust me then you break my heart. Remember what that does to a Fae, remember what would happen if I felt I had lost our bond over your lack of trust in me."

"I wouldn't let you die," he said, horrified.

"It wouldn't be up to you. We must have complete trust and faith in each other, or we have nothing. It is the way of my people and it's what we promised each other on our wedding day. Nothing has changed for me. Has it for you?"

"No - no. I just - oh Karen. I do trust you. I'm new at this, all right? I don't know how to let Sarah grow up."

"You don't let her grow up, Robert," his wife said softly, embracing him. "You love her as she does. Believe me, that love is precious to her and she will always need it. She will always need you. But she'll forget all that if you continue to try to rule her life."

"I - I'll try to do better."

"Come on, let's go serve the cake and say goodbye to Sarah. We have a fun week ahead of us with our Goblin King." At his look of anguish, Karen laughed and hugged her husband again.