Disclaimer: I own nothing: Jareth, Sarah, and all Labyrinth-related stuff belongs to Jim Henson, George Lucas and Brian Froud.

Chapter Two

The barn owl on the tree shuddered. He had heard the wish and felt deep inside him something click, as the magical chains that kept him from entering Sarah's life disappeared. She had finally called for him, after all that time. Eagerness nearly overwhelmed him as he opened his wings and flew closer to the girl, landing right above her without a noise.

Sarah's eyes were still closed, her head leaning against the tree, her hands resting on her lap, while Pymp admired her latest drawing. The eyes of the Goblin King sparkled as he too noticed the unmistakable subject of the portrait.

Sarah opened her eyes and frowned. She had the feeling of being watched. She looked around her, but there was no one else in sight. She gathered her things and stood up, ready to go home.

But as she turned and took a few steps, she saw a tall figure approaching and froze.

This can't be real... I must be dreaming. She thought as she looked shocked at the man who was now standing right in front of her. She had barely recognized him in tight black jeans and a dark grey sweater, but even if he looked incredibly human -and hot-, those mismatched eyes couldn't belong to anyone else.

Goblin King.

Her mouth opened but no sound came out. She closed it again.

He smiled at her, not the creepy and ironic smile he had shown her during her time in the Labyrinth, but a more innocent and real one.

"Sarah" he said, sending a shiver down her spine. His voice was deeper than she remembered, and more sensual. He didn't move, just stood staring at her.

She gave him wide eyes. Why on earth would he choose to reappear in her life now?

Things really couldn't get worse... she thought just as the first raindrops started falling.

Oh, so not fair. She straighten her back and looked right in his eyes.

"Hello, Goblin King" she managed to keep her voice steady.

"Hello Sarah" he slightly bowed his head "It has been long since we last met"

She nodded "Indeed. What do you want?"

He cocked en eyebrow "Now Sarah, there is no need to be so grumpy. I was merely curios to see how fare thee"

"I was great until a moment ago" she took a brave step forward, then pushed herself to walk past him "Now, if you don't mind, I gotta go home"

"Sarah, wait" he called, and she stopped, but didn't turn.

"What?" she snapped "It's been six years, Goblin King. Too late to come back and try to trick me again into your damned Labyrinth"

Jareth frowned. He had expected some wariness on her part. "Sarah" he walked past her and turned to face her. "I am not here to trick you back into the Labyrinth" he lifted her chin with two gloved fingers to make her look at him. "Yes, it has been six years, but the reason why I did not come to you until now is because I could not"

She looked at him skeptically, but before she could say anything he spoke again: "You have no power over me, Sarah" she widened her eyes at his words "Yes, Sarah. And that is exactly the reason why I could not come. Not until you summoned me"

"But.. But I didn't! I never summoned you!"

He grinned "Sara, Sarah... Words have power, and you did summon me, otherwise I could not be here now"

Sarah blinked, confused "But.. I didn't..." then realization hit her like a truck. She had said the words! And she was thinking about him while she said them.. Damn.

Jareth observed the girl in front of him, saw how she connected the pieces and came to understand what she had done, and smiled. "So as you can see, you did call for me"

Sarah looked at him, angry "Fine. I may have wished something"

Jareth cocked an eyebrow, a mocking sparkle in his eyes.

"Fine... Fine. Maybe the wish concerned you. But I didn't..."

"Mean it?" he laughed "My my Sarah, will you ever learn? What's said is said"

She bit her lower lip, thinking "What do you want, Goblin King?"

He smiled down at her "Why, Sarah, I have come to fulfill your wish"

Sarah looked at him in shock "You what?!"

The rain was coming down faster now. She raised the hood of her coat over her head and crossed her arms on her chest, trying to calm down the storm that was roaming in her head. She didn't know wether to be angry or scared... or happy.

She shook her head "I gotta go" and she started walking past him, but he stopped her again.

"Sarah, please" he grabbed her arm "Give me a chance"

She gave him a harsh look "A chance?! For what?!"

He let go of her "Let's go somewhere warm and... talk"

"Talk?"

"Yes, just talk" he offered her his arm "Please"

She stared at him for some moments, doubtful.

Then, she took it.