He had kissed her; Jareth had actually touched his lips with hers. Sarah's head was swimming with thoughts. His touch was so tender and gentle as if he was afraid, but then… Her heart rattled in her chest at the thought of his force. Sarah jumped up onto a counter, in the kitchen, "Ugh, I can't stop thinking about it!" she exclaimed.

"What can't ya stop thinking about deary?" Angie hobbled into the room.

Sarah jumped out of her skin at the voice coming into the room, "Oh thank God, it's just you." the paranoid girl said, holding her heart.

The old goblin gave a toothy grin, "Ya weren't thinking about the Goblin King, were ya?"

"N-no," Sarah stammered, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.

"Well it's probably for the better." Angie started for the outside door, "Come on now, stop your daydreaming and help me pick out some eggs for breakfast."

Sarah hopped for the counter, following the elderly goblin.

"Angie, why do you say that it is probably better?" Sarah asked.

The small creature tiptoed to reach an egg, "Well I probably shouldn't be tellin' ya this, but the King is well… he is…"

"He is what, Angie?" asked a serene voice.

The two jumped, not knowing that they were being eves dropped on.

The Goblin King walked over, acting as a cat, who had captured the weak mouse, "What am I, kind? cruel? cunning? lovable? courageous? generous?" his voice lingered on the last word, as he stared at Sarah.

"I was just about to tell the little dear about how ya are our king and should be thought of as just the Kings of the Goblins, your Majesty." Angie explained.

"Very well, but tell me, why would my dear Sarah need to understand that better?" Jareth gave a wicked smile Sarah's way.

"She was thinking about ya earlier and I wanted to explain to her about you." Angie smiled. "Now if ya will excuse me I have to get breakfast started before the other mongrels get fussy."

The king nodded letting the kitchen goblin get back to work, now leaving Sarah and him alone.

Sarah gnawed on her bottom lip trying not to look at him, feeling completely embarrassed at what her 'friend' had said. However, she thought she could perhaps explain Angie's words.

"Listen, she doesn't know what she is talking about I didn't tell her about what happened." she explained, moving the dirt around with her foot, "I mean whatever happened last night was…"

"Last night?" Jareth cut in.

Sarah, blushing, said, "Yeah, I know it didn't mean anything and I know that it was nothing, but…"

"I don't know what you're talking about Sarah."

This time she looked right at him and saw his beautiful face was blank, "You mean you don't remember that you kissed me?" she felt dumb saying it aloud.

Jareth laughed at her statement, "Where do you get these ideas Sarah?" he walked over and thumbed her red cheek, "That never happened my dear sweet Sarah, but that would be a lovely thought." With that, he turned and left.

The young very, very hurt girl kneeled on the cobblestone scrubbing with tears streaming down onto the floor, It never happened! How can he say that? He kissed me and I fall for it. l fell for that asshole again! Sarah threw the rag across the room, "I fell for him again?" she questioned aloud, thinking over her words. "No, I didn't mean to say that, did I?" Thinking over her train of thought, Sarah stood and began to pace about the room.

He kisses me and then tells me that he would be there for me, but I needed to let him. So, why, the hell is he saying that he did not kiss me? Suddenly Sarah stopped in mid-step, What if he felt sorry for me… I mean we had just come back from the funeral… oh what a fool I was, he was just saying that because of my brother. Sarah cradled her face in her hands, "I feel so stupid."

Sarah picked up the bucket and threw the rest of the water out of the window, then headed back to the kitchen.

"Hello Angie."

"Oh hello deary, how are ya this fine evenin'?"

"Fine, I guess," Sarah sat down at the table biting her lip, "Angie?"

"Yes,"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure deary ya can ask me anything," she answered.

"Well the Goblin King… what is it that you were going to say about him?"

"Oh that deary, well see the king he is someone who ya should not be thinking about. See, he someone changed him... I don't know what caused him to change, but I remember him being in high spirits. Then one day, everything seemed to darken around the castle. Oh, I remember making his favorite meals and the king would just stay in the ballroom and not even touch them. Every night ya could hear crystals being thrown against the round walls." Angie gave a long sigh at the memory.

"You don't know what caused this down fall?"

"No, child I don't, just after that he was so cold and cruel."

"So, what? Just one day he woke up and was a complete jerk to every one?"

"Not really, he wasn't a jerk, as ya put it, until he came out of the ballroom."

"What happened in the ballroom?"

"Don't know, all I remember was his majesty telling me never to speak of it, that it didn't exist."

"May I ask you another question?"

"Of course," Angie said, grabbing another dish to wash.

"Well… was it after the night I came that this happened?"

Angie turned around and looked at Sarah in complete amazement, "Ya have been here before?"

"Yes…"

"I was never told that ya came here. When did ya come child?"

"Three years ago...how come you were never told about me coming?"

"Well, we goblins are always told about someone coming to get back a child, but I guess when ya came the Goblin King decided to keep it to himself."

"Why would he do that?"

"I don't know, deary" the old goblin set down the dish she had just cleaned, "Why don't ya go, ask him? I'm sure he would like to tell ya his reasons."

"Oh, I don't know… he seems not to be able to remember things lately." Sarah said with anger behind her voice.

"Well just make a pot of tea to send up to him and then ask. I'm sure if ya just ask nicely," she turned and gave a wink, "he would tell ya."

Sarah laughed and made the tea.

A light knock came to the door as the king sat in his loft, "Go away!"

Sarah opened the door.

"What part of go away didn't you understand?" Jareth questioned, and then held his tongue after seeing who appeared on the other side.

"I thought you would like some tea." She walked swiftly over to the low table in the middle of the room.

"Well, thank you, my dear Sarah, you always now how to take care of me." he said with cocky tone.

"Anything for the King of the Goblins," She retorted, with a roll of her eyes.

"My, is something the matter Sarah?" He got off the couch walked over to Sarah. Suddenly grabbing her about the waist and whispered against her cheek, "Tell me what troubles you, love."

Sarah did not want to ask him this closely to him, but he held her so tightly, "Why do you keep on denying everything that has happened?" She did not even remember her lips moving as she spoke, being so nervous.

"What are you talking about, Sarah?" he stepped away from her.

"The kiss, the ballroom… you tell me that you are here for me, but I don't understand why you keep pushing me away" Sarah sank to the floor, "Why are you doing this to me?" she asked in despair.

"Because I'm afraid of you."

"Me?" Sarah pointed to herself.

"Yes." His tone, it was as blank as his face, giving nothing away.

"Why?"

"Because you ran once, why wouldn't you do the same?"

"Oh Jareth," Sarah tried to stand to embrace him, "I would never…"

"Don't pity me, Sarah; I don't need…"Jareth knelt in front of Sarah, "Tell me why you made him up?"

Sarah looked up at him puzzled, "Who?"

"Me… Sarah, why did you make me up?"

"I didn't make you up, you are real, the Labyrinth is real."

Jareth took hold of the young girl's chin and leaned in close, "Tell me why you wanted me to come that night when you were upset with your parents, why did you want me to come and take you away?"

Sarah's head fell to her chest, letting the Goblin King's hand slip away, "Because I needed… I needed someone…." Sarah covered her face feeling vulnerable; "to lov- to be on my side."

"I think that you should go to your room." He stood, "Angie!" he called.

The hinges squeaked as the goblin peered around the corner, "Yes, you're Majesty?"

"Show, Sarah to her room."

Sarah looked at him, but he did not even glance at her, "Say something."

Jareth stepped closer over to her, "Thank you for the tea." he spoke in an impassive tone.

With that, Angie took Sarah's hand and guided her to her room.

Jareth ran his gloved hands over his face and through his blonde hair, "Just tell me that you need me to love you Sarah and I will be there for you," he confessed aloud. ......
A/N: Told you I would try to get the next chapter in fast. I hope you all like where this is going. Thx for the reviews!

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