Labryinth property of Disney and Jim Henson Company.

"Why the violin, Sarah?" Jareth asked. It was their first official date; dinner at nice little steak restaurant. Jareth had tried very, very hard to get her to come to the palace for a proper dinner, but his beloved was adamant about sticking to mortal customs, for now. He had gone to Chara, who was in New York City working on over one hundred humans, for the current customs. Her delighted laughter still rang in his ears, but she proved herself a good friend and explained everything. Thus, here they were, him in a charcoal suit with a deep purple silk shirt and his Precious in a little black dress. He had tamed his hair with a glamour and carried mortal money. It was all very novel. Thank the gods the restaurant understood "rare".

"Music therapy," She said, dragging a piece of her medium t-bone through a puddle of steak sauce.

"What do you mean?" He asked, curious. She shrugged and ate the bite.

"After my Run," He smirked at how she capitalized it with her voice. "my head was even more in the clouds then before. I mean, I stopped going to the park and spouting off lines from the book, but I couldn't stop...dreaming. Daydreaming, mostly. I knew I couldn't tell anyone about it, I'd be locked up in the loony bin." Jareth hissed softly. Sarah frowned at him and pointedly glanced at another table. He sipped his wine to cover his annoyance. Loony bin. Hah! If she had ended up in such an establishment, he would have broken the walls down and taken her. Still, it was best that sad scenario had not materialized. "But Karen, well, she and Dad got really concerned when my grades dropped. I wasn't paying any attention in class and not doing my homework. So they dragged me to a counselor. I played it off as a series of very vivid dreams, escapism. The counselor said I had a fantastic imagination."

"You do, Precious. I especially like some of your more...inventive dreams," He purred. Sarah glared at him while blushing adorably. He folded his hands and propped his chin on his fingers. "Do go on."

"We'll be discussing your spying after dinner," She growled. He nodded and made a few plans to turn the discussion into reenactments. Sarah did have a delicious imagination for...bedroom activities. "Anyway! She said I needed a better outlet for my dreaming and recommended art or music. I tried drawing and sculpture, but it felt...fake. Shallow. So I looked into music. We couldn't afford a piano or a saxophone, but Karen had an old violin from when she was in her college orchestra. When I picked it up, I…" She trailed off, staring at his hair. He smirked.

"What happened?" He asked softly.

"I felt...right. Like a small piece of me that had been missing had returned. It wasn't a really good violin, only a Stentor student, but it fit me perfectly and I knew I had what I needed. I didn't have enough experience to join the school orchestra, but I managed to bribe the second chair leader to give me some instructions. She put me in touch with a teacher and it went from there. I was never interested in performing, but I quickly realized that if I played before doing my homework, I felt more clear headed. I would also play first thing in the morning and after lunch to help me focus. I did short, simple songs during school and over the breaks I would learn more elaborate pieces. My grades picked up immediately and I managed to score a scholarship to Uni. I was in my third year at Uni when I realized I wanted to play your song."

"You'll have to play it again sometime, so I can sing to you," He said, stroking her calf with his foot. She glared at him and took a long drink of water. She had refused wine, stating she was the designated driver for the date. Jareth was not impressed with the wine menu, so he only had one glass.

"Stop that!" She hissed.

"Stop what?"

"Playing footsie under the table!" Jareth smirked at her faint blush.

"Is that what it's called?"

"What do were owls call it?" His smirk grew when he dragged the toe of his boot down to her ankle. He could feel her pulse increasing and it made him shiver.

"Foreplay," He purred. Her cheeks flamed and she put her utensils down a little too firmly.

"Are you done?" She asked. His sharp eyes caught the pulse throbbing in her neck, matching the faint beat against his toe. His gaze darkened.

"I haven't even begun."

"With dinner, Jareth," Sarah said icily. He was impressed with her voice control, considering her heart rate. Oh yes, she was the perfect mate for him. Cool control in public, he couldn't wait to get her behind a closed door and make her scream. He glanced down at his plate. A brightly colored vegetable assortment gleamed against the china.

"Yes, I suppose I am. Unless you'd care for dessert?" He asked, meeting her gaze. Her cheeks stained pink again and she looked away, muttering. He grinned, able to clearly hear her complaining about snow cocks with a leg fetish. She had no idea. She looked back at him, frowning slightly.

"If I say no, will you accept the date is over? I have a full shift plus two labs tomorrow, I need my sleep."

"If you do not wish for dessert, I will be happy to escort you back to your flat, Precious. I can also help you relax."

"Escort is enough for now." She pushed her plate to the side. A waiter removed their plates and left the bill in a leather booklet. Jareth did the tip math in his head and tucked the bills into the booklet. He pulled out Sarah's chair for her and tucked her hand through his arm as they walked out. It was a warm night and they weren't going far. Jareth escorted her to a nearby alley, pulled her into his arms and teleported them to her living room.

"Next time, we use my car," She grumbled, pushing away. He shivered.

"Precious, that little glass box you drive is not a car."

"Merlin is too a car! He's a Smart 2x2, very economical and easy to drive around London. You should be thankful I didn't get a Gee Whiz!"

"You can buy expressions?" He asked, truly confused. Sarah blinked at him.

"It's a car, Jareth. Smaller than mine and fully electric. Great for the planet."

"Well, it's a good thing you're leaving this planet! I shudder to think what could happen to you in a smaller vehicle."

"Presumptions, Jareth. I warned you about those." He folded his arms and pouted at her. She stared and he gave her his best googly eyes. Her mouth fell open. He smiled and advanced on her, eager to taste that mouth again.

"So you did, but I am a king and certain presumptions are expected."

"Such as?" She asked, breathless and pink again. He stopped a few inches away and leaned towards her.

"Such as the date isn't over without a kiss."

"I suppose that's fair." He smiled and swooped down, catching her in his arms and kissing her soundly. She made a delightful noise in her throat and wrapped her arms around his neck. He teased her lips with his tongue and she eagerly separated them, her clever tongue dancing out to meet his. He sucked in a deep breath through his nose as desire swamped him. Her pounding heart matched his and she tasted wonderful, spice and smoke. Jareth couldn't suppress the trills rising in his throat and tore his lips away to taste her neck. Sarah whispered his name and he moaned as his body responded. He was teasing her pulse when her hands moved to his chest and pushed. He backed up, eager to continue, and shrugged out of his jacket. Sarah raised her hands.

"Um, no, that's not what I meant," She said, husky voice slowly bleeding back to cool. Jareth paused at his cufflinks.

"What?" Sarah shook her head and folded her arms, improving her cleavage and fanning the fire within him.

"We need to talk about you spying on me."

"Only when you dreamed of me, Precious," He said softly, moving closer.

"So you never used your crystals to watch me awake?" She looked suspicious. Jareth sighed. This was not how the conversation was supposed to go! A little paranoia was required of Underground rulers, but not with mates! Except, she wasn't his mate. Yet. Chara had warned him about this.

"No power means just that, Precious. I did insist on reports of your general health and wellbeing from your companions."

"Did you interrogate them?" She growled. Jareth sighed again and threw himself in the only chair in the room.

"Perish the thought! A simple 'How fares the Lady Sarah?' was sufficient. I never asked for details." There was no need, Didymus would expound on Sarah's clothes, appearance and emotions without prompting. He was also the one who delivered the small gifts Jareth occasionally sent when the Lady Sarah was not happy. As the furry knight had been giving Sarah trinkets and flowers and such the entire time, his subterfuge went unnoticed. Jareth had also smuggled birthday presents in Didymus' bag, with strict orders to credit the items as part of Didymus' own present and not reveal the true source. Sarah sighed and sat on the small couch, close to his chair.

"I sometimes felt...watched. Like when I went to a party or club."

"Ah, yes, well, I am somewhat responsible for that."

"JARETH!" Sarah shouted. Jareth raised his right hand

"If your companions knew of the event, I would send a few goblins for…backup."

"Backup." Her voice had gone flat and hard. He swirled his wrist and started juggling a crystal to avoid the dangerous gleam in her eyes. A faint growl suggested he was too slow to respond.

"In the event some stupid mortal boy ever tried to take advantage of you, they had orders to intervene. Not for harm!" He added when her gaze turned razor sharp. "Inconvenience and publicly humiliate only. If you did not protest the attention, they did nothing." Sarah frowned and looked away, thinking. Jareth added another crystal, rolling them up and down his arm. Sarah snickered.

"Well, that does explain John Patterson's spectacular leap into a pool twenty feet away." She looked up and grinned, watching the spheres glide over his silk sleeve. "Did you have anything to do with the cat?"

"What cat?"

"The cat from the Cross Roads that followed me for a week a few months ago."

"There are no cats in the kingdom, Sarah. Goblins hate them and the sentiment is mutual. Nasty little hunters."

"Ah." Sarah nodded. "I will remember that." She stood and yawned. "This was nice. Shall we do it again in a week or so?" Jareth rose, crystals rolling down his arm and onto his hands. He juggled both for a minute, enjoying the fascinated expression on Sarah's face, before dismissing one and holding the other up.

"This is a special crystal, not meant for ordinary women."

"I am not ordinary," Sarah said, propping her hands on her hips. Jareth leered.

"No, you are not." He tossed the crystal to her and she caught it easily. "Use that to call me when you're ready to go."

"Go?"

"As our first date was your choice, I claim the second. Dress comfortably."

"How comfortably?"

"Walking tour comfortably with nice weather." Sarah rolled the crystal around her palm.

"Walking tour. Okay. What's the time difference between London and the Labyrinth?" Jareth picked up his jacket and slung it over his shoulder rakishly, grinning.

"Precious, the one thing you should never worry about around me is time." Sarah chuckled.

"I'll remember that."

"See that you do." He walked over, tipped her chin up and kissed her firmly, only to teleport away as she responded. Appearing in his bedroom, he walked into his closet, a room almost as big as the bedroom, and changed into more comfortable pants. The night sky called to him and he hurled himself out the window, shrieking happily as he flew. He'd kissed Sarah so thoroughly she was bound to have exciting dreams! He flew two laps around the city and returned to his room. Landing on the bed, he shifted back to man, made a nest of his covers and snuggled down to join his Lady.

Sarah sighed as she shouldered her way into her third story walk up. It had been a rough week, with school projects in various stages of done-ness and that creepy penguin keeper giving her dirty looks. Not the "I don't like you" looks, the "I want to eat you alive" type. Guess the cat wasn't as effective as she first thought. She had been looking forward to her "walking tour" date, but all she wanted to do now was sleep for twenty- four hours followed by a day of Doing Nothing. Sighing again, she dropped her bag at the foot of the bed and belly-flopped on the squeaky mattress. She should let Jareth know before he freaked out. Lifting her head, she reached for the crystal sitting on her nightstand and missed.

"I wish the Goblin King would understand I need some rest." She said into her pillow. She expected a response, but he surprised her by stroking her hair.

"What has exhausted you, Precious?" He asked softly. She turned her head to face him, he was crouched next to her bed looking worried.

"Ugh. School and penguin keepers. I'm sorry, Jareth, I don't feel up to a walking tour."

"Hush, love." She blinked at the endearment. "Chara warned me about this. She also pounded into my head that when exhaustion smothered you, the appropriate response is to take care of you. So, how can I help you, Precious?"

"You talked to Chara about us?" Sarah wasn't sure how to feel about this information. Then again, she had bawled the whole story to the pub owner on her birthday last year. Jareth flinched, but didn't stop stroking her hair. It felt really nice.

"It seemed...wise. I…" He trailed off and looked away. Sarah sighed, relaxing under his touch.

"It's okay. I'm sorry."

"Hush, love. The walking tour can wait." She blinked sleepily at him. He smiled. "Tell me what you need."

"Sleep. Lots." Her eyes closed. The hand disappeared from her hair and she whined. She woke up when she felt mJareth climb into bed behind her and snuggled up.

"Shh. Go to sleep, love."

"No popping Underground." He sighed.

"No popping Underground," He agreed, grumbling. She smiled and squirmed closer, feeling safe in his arms. She fell asleep to his soft trills.

Morning came all too early. Sarah groaned against the sunlight playing on her face, rolled over and buried her nose into a warm, smooth, spice and musk scented pillow. A pillow that moved all on its own in measured ways. She groaned again and tried to pry an eye open.

"Shhh." With a distinct rattle of rings on rod, the sunlight disappeared. She silently cheered this and rubbed her cheek against her pillow. Wait. Why did her pillow feel like skin? "Go back to sleep, Precious." The soft, male voice whispered in her ear, followed by light kisses along her hairline. Jareth. He had come on the heels of a wish. Had he cuddled her all night?

"Too late," She said, pulling back and blinking up at him. He raised his eyebrows.

"Are you sure? If you are still tired, you should rest." Sarah thought about it. Surprisingly, she felt well-rested.

"I'm not tired," She grinned up at him. "I might even be up to a walking tour." He blinked before a very large smile grew on his face. He pushed her into her back and kissed her soundly. She whimpered, kissing him back. A hormone laden thrill ran through her from tip to toes when he moaned into her mouth. Her naughty dreams could not hold a candle to the real thing! Jareth shifted, one leg making itself right at home between hers and putting just enough weight on her chest to make her breasts ache. Her hands got busy in his hair. He tore his mouth away and stared at her. She grinned, feeling his chest brush against hers while he panted.

"Sarah," He breathed, his expression one of absolute adoration. She blushed and looked away. He was the sexiest thing on two legs she had ever known, but she knew his endgame and she was not there. Yet. He stroked her cheek and she glanced up. He smiled, but there was a trace of pain in his eyes. She bit her lip and his eyes tipped into hot and heavy. She needed a distraction!

"Breakfast!" She said rather loudly. Jareth blinked. "I...I need breakfast before walking tour. Big, hearty breakfast. And tea. Yes." Great, now she was babbling. Jareth blinked again, only to turn ever so faintly pink when his stomach rumbled.

"Ah. Yes, food would be a good idea," He said with a sigh and rolled over her and onto the floor. Sarah flushed at the impression of whipcord strength pressed against her briefly. "Well? Come on!" She blinked at him standing over her, holding out his hand. Shaking her head at his mood swing, she shoved the covers off and winced as she took his hand and stood. She had slept in her clothes!

"Change of priorities. Shower first, then breakfast."

"Do you want me to wash your back?" The question was asked in a matter of fact voice, but the eager gleam in his eyes warned her. She gave him a Look, took her hand back and stomped to her wardrobe.

"No!"

"Then I'll take care of breakfast."

"Wait, what?" She asked, turning with her hands full of clean undergarments. He was already gone and no glitter. Happy owl noises drifted back from the cubby masquerading as a kitchen. She slapped her forehead. "Male barn owls provide for the females during clutches. God help me, he's going to be the worst sort of nervous father to be." Realizing what she had just said out loud within earshot of a were owl, she seized the first clean shirt and jeans from the wardrobe and fled into the bathroom.