Disclaimer: The song belongs to The Payolas. Seriously listen to it if you're never heard this song, it really fits with Jareth and Sarah!

Can I touch you to see if you're real?

'Cause in nothing there's something I feel

Will my heart take the strain?

Or will it break down again?

Sarah paced the bedroom anxiously as the new song started.

What's taking so long? She thought anxiously.

Every ominous tick of the clock on the armoire prickled her nerves.

In your lips I sense a danger

You've got the eyes of a stranger

"Please don't worry, miss." Gookie's voice comforted.

The goblin sat on one of the easy-chairs by the fire place, knitting a brown scarf. She glanced up at her mistress sympathetically.

"I'm sure everythin's alright."

Sarah sighed and plopped down into the chair beside the bookshelf.

"It's been two hours, Gookie." She ran a nervous hand through her hair as the image of Jareth's frightened demeanor flashed through her mind. "He looked so afraid when Arkus mentioned our engagement."

Gookie shifted in her seat, but her eyes were determined.

"They can't, legally, do anythin' ta stop the king from marryin' ya. The Fey Council give their word that their laws will be upheld, and words are yer honor and blood in the Underground. No matter how much they may hate his majesty, the Fey Council can't interfere with another kingdom's private affairs."

Sarah felt herself relax slightly at the reassurance.

"Are all fey like Arkus?"

"Essentially, yes." The gobliness muttered with a frown. "They're a very proud race and they look down on everybody else."

Have I been sleeping for all these years?

Is it magic that makes you appear?

When you walked in the room I felt my heart race

But knew I'd been fooled when I looked at your face

Sarah tilted her head back and stared up at the floating fire crystals. A nostalgic smile spread across her lips.

"You know, this song always used to remind me of Jareth."

She rose languidly to her feet and crossed to the balcony doors, singing softly along with the music.

In your lips I sense a danger

You've got the eyes of a danger

In your lips I see a danger

You've got the eyes of a stranger

"After I won the Labyrinth, I'd dream about him sometimes."

She absentmindedly stroked one of the green velvet curtains as she gazed at her reflection in glass pane, completely lost in the tune.

"I had the LP and I'd play it after I woke up."

Before Gookie could say anything in response, the Goblin King's shimmering image appeared in the glass right behind Sarah.

Without a word, he spun the woman around and crushed her to his chest, burying his face in her neck.

"Jareth!" Sarah cried in alarm. "You scared me!"

He didn't answer.

"Is everything okay?" She asked cautiously. "Is Arkus gone?"

"Yes, he's gone." He replied in a toneless and slightly muffed voice. "There's nothing to worry about anymore."

Instantly, Sarah felt all the tension leave her body. She started to pull away so she could meet his eyes, but Jareth held her fast.

"Please," he whispered, "just let me hold you like this for a while longer."

She beamed and nuzzled his shoulder affectionately.

Gookie continued her project with an amused grin.

Jareth was like a statue; he didn't speak nor move a single muscle.

The tender moment carried on until a random memory invaded the forefront of Sarah's thoughts.

"Hey, Jareth? Not to kill the mood but, I was wondering…"

"Yes, precious?"

"Well um, Arkus called you something before you showed up. What was it…Rowky? Ricko? It started with an 'r'."

"Rauko?" He supplied dryly.

"Yeah! Yeah, that's it…I-I was just wondering what that meant." She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"It's the fey term for what I am." He said, still keeping his head down. "It's how they describe one with my magical strength. However, there's a more literal human translation."

"Oh? What does it mean in English?"

There was a heavy pause before he finally spoke.

"It means demon."

Sarah's breath caught in a sharp gasp and she, again, tried to shift in Jareth's arms to see his face, but his grip was unrelenting.

"That's-that's horrible!" She exclaimed, ceasing all movement.

Hot, angry tears sprung into her eyes.

"How can they be so…so cruel? They have no right to call you that!" She growled furiously.

Jareth stiffened.

"You were born with these powers." She went on, rubbing soothing hands up and down his taunt back. "You couldn't help it! And they have the nerve to torture and insult you over something you couldn't control?! Well they're wrong. All of them! You're not a rauko, you're not a demon, Jareth! What you are, is the most amazing person I've ever met."

She tilted her head to press an earnest kiss to his cheek.

Her fiancé remained rigid for a few seconds before he shuddered and tightened his embrace, as if he was afraid she'd evaporate. He then abruptly leaned back, his face unreadable.

"I have…something to show you." He stated in an oddly quite voice.

She peered at him curiously.

"What is it?"

"You'll see."

He reached up and traced the curve of her cheek with a single gloved finger. His mismatched eyes were out of focus, like he was looking straight through her.

Wrapping his cape around her shoulders, he turned to Gookie.

"Wait here." He instructed firmly.

"Yes sir!" The goblin servant eagerly squeaked as the couple departed in a whirlwind of glitter and black fabric.

When Sarah felt the air settle around her, she opened her eyes.

She and Jareth were standing inside a marble gazebo. A wall of tall hydrangea bushes surrounded them, but left a single opening to the outside.

It was strangely familiar.

"Jareth, where are we?"

The distant sound of a child's laughter met her ears and Sarah felt her heart skip a beat.

I know that laugh!

Moving away from the Goblin King, she crept to the structure's opening and peeked outside, mindfully staying in the shadows.

To the left, about ten yards away, Michael and Madeline were running around in the smooth grass of a little field. Samantha and Toby were standing on the old stone bridge of the park, watching their toddlers while tossing pebbles into the stream. Robert and Irene were reclining under the shade of an oak tree, a spread out picnic blanket beneath them.

Sarah's hand flew to her mouth as emotion overwhelmed her. She whirled around and threw herself at Jareth, kissing every inch of his face.

"Oh thank you, Jareth! Thank you! I can't believe you did this for me!" She tugged him towards the entrance. "Look! They're all here! I've missed them so much!"

The couple watched the Williams family for several long, silent minutes.

"What if they see us?" Sarah wondered aloud.

"I would transform into an owl."

"And me?"

"Since you're still human," he remarked, "they'd see you as you are. I'd have to change you myself."

A gentle frown marred Sarah's features and she gave one last forlorn glimpse in their direction before facing Jareth decisively.

"I'm glad I got to see them again. You don't know how much that means to me. We should get going." She took his hands in her own.

But the fey royal stayed deathly still. His blank expression stood out in the darkness.

She felt a small chill run up her spine.

"Jareth? What's wrong?"

Avoiding her eyes, he slowly drew his hands away from her and stepped back.

"You're staying here."

Sarah felt her cheek pale. Had she misheard him?

"Wh-what?"

"You're going to stay here, Sarah." He repeated.

"But…but w-why?" She stammered pitifully.

"Because you belong here, with your family." He reasoned in a detached voice. "Your real, human family."

"J-Jareth, we made a deal!"

"Yes, and the Labyrinth was satisfied because there was a human soul taken in response to the wish," he explained, "but the deal was made with me, so I controlled the terms. I could return you to the Aboveground anytime I wished. Of course, I'll change reality back to the way it was so your family will think that you've been with them all this time."

The sounds of Michael and Madeline's playful yelling came closer and Sarah trembled with panic.

"But, Jareth, what about us?" She argued desperately. "You asked me to marry you! You said you lo-"

"I do love you." He interrupted. "That will never change. But I've been selfish. You already have a life here and you-"

"Jareth, look at me." She demanded, clenching her fists.

His eyes slid shut.

"Sarah, please try to-"

"Dammit!" She shouted. "I said LOOK at me, Jareth!"

The Goblin King flinched at her outburst, but he complied nonetheless. He fixed her with such an impassive glare, it burned her to her core when he opened his mouth to speak once more.

"Good bye, Sarah Williams."

"No! Jareth, wait!" She lunged for him.

Time seemed to move at a snail's pace.

As her arms reached out for him, she thought she saw his emotionless mask crack with pain, but when the tips of her grasping fingers brushed against his clothing, he suddenly reared back and shoved her shoulders.

Startled, she stumbled backward out of their hiding place and into the broad daylight, landing flat on her backside. She looked up, just in time, to see a barn owl soar into the air and disappear over the treetops. She was so numb, she didn't even feel the two tiny, giggling bodies tackle her then.

"Gotcha An' Sawah!"

"Hoggle! Hoggle!"

Giving a quick kick to the fairy he'd just sprayed, the Labyrinth groundskeeper stood up at the sound of his name being shouted frantically from behind. Turning around, he saw a hysterical Gookie sprinting towards him.

"Gookie!" He yelped in surprise as the goblin female crashed into him and clutched the front of his vest. "What in the world are you doin' out here? And what are you cryin' for?"

"Oh Hoggle!" She sobbed uncontrollably. "It's t-terrible! M-M-Miss Sarah's gone!"

The dwarf froze.

"What? Gone?"

He carefully raised her quivering chin.

"What do you mean she's gone?"

"She and the k-king left a little while ago, he s-said he had somethin' ta show her. I-I-I think he took her ta the Aboveground and-and left her there, cuz-cuz she didn't come b-back with him and he-he was in his owl f-form when he re-returned. He-he just n-now told me ta go back ta the sc-scullery!"

Poor Gookie then dropped to her knees, taking Hoggle to the ground with her, and cried even harder.

He patted her back awkwardly as depressing grey clouds covered the sky and thunder rumbled ominously.

"It's-it's all my f-fault!" She wailed. "If I h-hadn't opened m-my big mouth in f-front of Arkus, this never would've h-happened!"

"It's not yer fault." Hoggle insisted, fishing a handkerchief from his pocket and drying her wet, red eyes. "It's not anybody's fault, Gookie."

She rested her head against his chest.

"What are we gonna do without her?" She whimpered. "The king will be lonely again. So lonely."

Hoggle wrapped his big hands around the shivering gobliness.

The thunder rolled again and a dark, distant melody began to drift through the Labyrinth.

"I don't know." He shrugged helplessly as the first drops of rain fell on the huddled pair.

Jareth stood motionless on one of the castle balconies.

The rain pelted him mercilessly and the wind whipped his cape around him with the speed of a dancing flame, yet he paid no heed.

The lightning flashed and the thunder shook the earth, punctuating the rhythm of the beautifully tragic music as he sang one last dreadful line:

I can't live within you

He then collapsed in a broken heap as the storm raged overhead.

A/N: Do you guys trust me? Review me if you do!