A/N: I am back. Sorry I haven't worked on this story in 2 years, but a lot has been going on and I didn't have the muse or motivation to work on it at all. Luckily the inspiration is back. So enjoy. Thanks again. And thanks for being patient and following this story.

A/N: Thank you to everyone who takes the time to give my story a read. This is my first Labyrinth fanfiction and I was nervous as all get out about posting it. There isn't going to be a set schedule for me to upload chapters as I have work and real life issues to deal with.

Please leave a review if you have time, I would absolutely love the feedback. And without further ado…

I do not own anything except the OC characters that I choose to add into the story. Thank you.

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XXIV.

Sarah managed a soft smile in return as he led her through the corridors.

It was quiet for a few moments. "I will not ask what you spoke on, but I will ask, if you decide to speak about such things again, could you maybe let me be present? Just to help with your emotions, if nothing else?" He asked quietly, averting his gaze from her as they walked.

Sarah didn't answer right away. Her mind wandered back to her time in the Labyrinth and her perception of Jareth then. At the time, she only thought of him as a tyrannical villain. It surprised her now to find that there was more to him than she previously thought. And this both scared and excited her.

"We're here." Jareth's voice cut through Sarah's musings and she was pulled back to reality.

When Sarah looked up they were in front of the door to her chambers. She turned her head to look at him.

Jareth released her arm, but didn't let go of her hand. "I will send for some refreshments to be brought up to you. In the meantime, you should rest." He brought the hand he still held to his mouth and grazed his lips gently across her knuckles, his gaze never leaving hers.

Sarah shivered slightly as she felt his lips brush along her hand, almost feeling as though electricity passed through where their skin connected.

Jareth made the move to release her hand, but Sarah suddenly gripped him tightly. His eyebrow raised as he stared at her. "Sarah?" He breathed out cautiously.

Sarah was torn. On the one hand, she knew of her own feelings for Jareth, but didn't know his. And on the other hand, what did that matter? She knew how she felt right at this moment and as soon as that thought passed through her mind, her decision was made. She raised herself up on her tiptoes and could feel Jareth's breath on her cheek as she leaned in closer. After a quiet swallow, Sarah placed a kiss on his cheek, then whispered a soft "Thank you." She then pulled back, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Jareth tensed when he felt Sarah's lips on his cheek. He almost groaned at the feeling of her body so close to his. When she whispered the thanks and pulled back, he smiled gently at her crimson cheeks. He reached up with his free hand and cupped her cheek. "What was that for, Precious?" He asked, quietly.

"Because I felt like it." She replied, not meeting his gaze, her face still flushed.

"Of course." He released her hand and reached up to place it on the opposite cheek. He pulled her face close and kissed her gently on the forehead before he released her fully and stepped back.

Sarah finally met his gaze and couldn't understand the strange look that he held.

"Rest, Sarah-mine. If you are feeling up to it later, I could escort you to supper this evening?" He asked, his voice straining to stay level.

"I'd like that." She replied, before turned around to place her hand upon the door, which swung open immediately.

"In that case, I will send someone to help you later. And remember, someone will be along shortly with your tea and luncheon. Rest well, Precious."

"Thank you." She answered, stepping inside and moving to shut the door.

Jareth turned to depart back down the corridor.

"Oh and Jareth?" Sarah asked, smiling softly.

Jareth froze for a moment when Sarah spoke, but turned his torso and head to look back at her without moving his feet. "Yes, Sarah?"

With the flush still evident on her face, she looked away for a moment and then met his gaze, her emerald eyes glittering. "Rest well." And with that, she shut the door with a snap.

Jareth chuckled to himself as he released the breath he didn't know he had been holding. He gently touched his cheek where Sarah's lips had been. Daresay had he imagined the jolt of electricity that had zinger through him. If that was the case, Goddess only knew what it would feel like if our actual lips met, was the thought that passed through his mind. Jareth shook his head and continued on down the corridor towards his chambers. Merlin's beard, did that woman even know what she did to me? One could only guess.

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Sarah turned her back against the door and clutched her chest over her heart. Her heartbeat was rapid and she could feel the warmth across her cheeks. She was shocked at both herself for her actions and Jareth's for reciprocating. Her mind danced between the possibilities that Jareth might have the same feelings for her, though she couldn't be sure. She wasn't even sure how to bring it up to him or if she would even have time before the arrival of the other royals and contestants. Sarah sighed softly as she let her heartbeat slow before she moved. She made her way over to the bed and curled up around the pillows. Sarah yawned sleepily and let her eyes drift closed as she pondered on everything that had happened so far today.

It wasn't long before she heard a crisp knock and sat up, the pillow still clutched in her arms. Sarah put the pillow down and headed for the door, answering with a quick, "Coming!" She swung the door open and revealed a short, stout female dwarfish looking goblin that held a tray filled with a kettle and a dew different food items. The female had bright blue eyes and thick, course black hair that was pulled back into a braid. She was wearing a tattered and worn version of the servants dress with an apron that looked similar to Uma's. "Hello!" Sarah exclaimed and moved to the side to allow the female to enter.

The woman busied herself with setting up the tray on top of the covers on the bed. There was an assortment of finger sandwiches, small tea cakes, cookies, and an ornate teapot with a matching cup and saucer set. As the woman was pouring the tea, she looked up at Sarah. "C-cream or s-sugar, Lady S-Sarah?" The woman stuttered out, her voice quiet and timid.

Sarah smiled warmly. "No thank you. And just like I told Uma, you can drop the Lady. It's just Sarah." She said as she came over to sit on the bed. "And you are?" She asked, reaching for the teacup.

"M-my name is R-ren, Lady S-Sarah." The woman replied as she curtseyed as best she could. "Do y-you req-quire anything els-se?" Ren struggled to get put, her voice dropping in volume as she spoke.

Sarah sighed and shook her head. "It's Sarah, and no. That's it, I think. Thank you, Ren. And if you could, tell his Majesty thank you for as well, please?" She replied.

Ren nodded quickly and then curtseyed badly again. "Have a g-good lunch-cheon, my lady." She said and with a rapid turn of her heel, she was gone.

Sarah blinked as Ren disappeared in front of her. She would have to ask Jareth about her later. Can this day get any weirder? Sarah thought to herself and then remembered where she was. Of course it can. She mused as she sipped her tea and partook of the spread of sandwiches and snacks on the tray. In the middle of a bite, Sarah remember the crystal that Jareth had given her.

Sarah pulled the crystal out of her dress pocket and set it on the bed as she ate. She stared at it questioningly. It looked like a normal glass ball, with no cracks or blemishes marking it from the inside to the outside. After Sarah finished the sandwich, she picked up the crystal and tried to hold it in the same manner as she had seen Jareth do in the past. Sarah started into the depths of the sphere and a thought popped into her mind. Could she look upon Jareth as he used to do with her, while she ran the Labyrinth?

Sarah rolled the crystal back and forth between her palms while she debated on following through with her thought. What could it hurt? She thought, as she pulled the crystal up in one hand so that it was at eye level. Sarah took a deep breath and very slowly she said as calmly as she could,

"I wish I could see Jareth."

For several seconds, nothing seemed to happen and Sarah began to doubt her ability for a moment. Sarah sighed and was about to put down the crystal, when she noticed an iridescent smoke start to swirl inside the crystal. She brought it closer to her face to examine it.

As Sarah moved the crystal, the smoke cleared and she was rewarded with the image of Jareth sitting at a very large desk. It looked as though it was in some kind of study, and he was surrounded by scrolls of parchment and books. He also had a pair of half-moon spectacles balanced perfectly on the edge of his nose, seemingly held on by nothing.

Sarah smiled and was quite happy with herself for being able to conjure up the whereabouts of Jareth from the crystal. Well what do you know, I guess I do have magic after all. She thought, giggling softly.