Sarah had been more than content to not lift her eyes even once during dinner. Everyone had been completely silent. As a matter of fact, ever since Jareth had moved down the hallway their eyes hadn't met once. Sarah had made sure of that.

She was wondering what he was currently thinking. The woman could feel his eyes on her. While slowly chewing her food she tried her best not to linger on what had happened by the front door. In fact, she was so hell bent to not think about it that she consciously instructed herself how to chew.

The Goblin King was annoyed, to put it kindly. He was being avoided and it was infuriating. This dinner had seemed to last hours, her bites slow and deliberate. His leg had been bouncing anxiously all throughout the meal.

Once there was no further distraction available on her plate Sarah got up quietly to clear the table. She still resolutely avoided any eye contact despite standing right next to him. During dinner Alana's gaze had been constantly going back and forth between her brother and the woman opposite him. Whenever Jareth shot Alana an annoyed glare she'd quickly look away.

"Hey Alana, do you want to go for a walk? Who knows, I might be gone by tomorrow."

Both the brunette and her brother simultaneously looked at Alana and with wide eyes the pale lady realized that her question was not going to have a right answer.

"Come on, let's go," Sarah pressed with a cheerful smile, already heading to the hallway.

Alana looked at her brother, who warningly shook his head, his eyebrows drawn. From the hallway her name was called. Subtly she turned her legs to the side of her seat and her brother's eyes started to narrow. The woman got up and jumped away just in time before Jareth could grab a hold of her.

—-

Alana was a lot more fun than she let on. Once she felt safe and comfortable her quiet and polite persona vanished quicker than a snowflake on a hot stove. While she was still well behaved in terms of language she was open to more private things and secret opinions. Plus, she'd become a lot more playful as well, showing more resemblance to her brother.

That was how Sarah found herself walking arm in arm with her. Sarah had been talking about Toby and the mischief he often caused, much to the annoyance of Karen.

"So, what were you two like when you were kids," Sarah asked with a smile. It was alarming how quickly Alana's smile disappeared. Her dark eyes suddenly carried pain and grew distant. Sarah felt bad for asking. She put her hand on Alana's arm. "Oh shit, Alana. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

The pale lady wrested a polite smile back onto her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes. "It's okay, dear. I know it wasn't your intent. I apologize for my reaction. I would gladly share with you, but I'm not sure it's my story to tell."

Sarah saw the frown creasing her friend's flawless skin and she playfully bumped her shoulder against Alana's. "Hey, it's okay. I get it, really. How about… sharing some of your customs? What do you magic folk do for fun? What kind of parties do you throw?"

Alana looked at her. "Throw?"

The brunette rolled her eyes. "Organize. What are they like?"

"Oh, I see," Alana said with a nod. "It really varies from party to party. We have magnificent balls to flaunt wealth but we also have sacred festivities to honor and celebrate our roots and everything around us. I personally prefer the latter, though it has been a while since I've been to one. It's a four day celebration, it starts in the afternoon of the first day and ends at sunset on the fourth. For two nights we do not sleep. There's lots of food and dancing. We have often celebrated it on large clearings and grass fields, which is much preferred from the city as the celebration forbids us from wearing shoes."

"You guys stay up for four days? That doesn't sound much like a celebration to me."

Alana giggled. "I am sure you would love it. The way it's decorated is breathtaking, not to mention the traditional outfits are absolutely gorgeous, both for women and men. I would love for you to experience it, so I'd like to formally invite you to the next Olvaisalk."

The brunette smiled at the sincere look Alana gave her. "Sure, I would love to come. Though I might need a reminder by then… And quite possibly I might need you to pick me up."

The blonde's lips twitched lightly in restraint while she directed her gaze forward again. "We'll see how things are at that time," she said cryptically. Sarah frowned, but Alana just patted Sarah's hand. "Let's head back. If I keep you too long, my dear brother might be cross with me. Again."

Mentioning him, Sarah could feel a whole new wave of embarrassment crash into her. She quickly looked away and Alana giggled. "Yes, His Majesty gave me a good earful for my actions earlier tonight. But not to worry dear. I can sincerely say I couldn't be happier, for both of you."

The mortal woman was all too ready to disappear.

—-

Sarah jolted, feeling something touch her hair. Her eyes flew open and she jumped up. Blinking, her vision started to focus and she looked up to see a familiar face grinning down at her. "Jesus, you scared the hell out of me."

"Evidently," Jareth chuckled. He offered her a piece of bread before walking around the couch and disappearing from view.

Gratefully, Sarah took a bite out of the small bun. "Thanks," she mumbled with her mouthful. Slowly waking up various scents were gradually picked up by her weary senses. "You're cooking," Sarah asked incredulously, pulling herself up to look past the couch into the kitchen. It wasn't until then that she noticed it had become dark outside.

"Indeed," the man said. "Though I will thank you for not sounding so horrified."

"I'm not!" The woman got up, twisting her neck to work out a mild soreness. "I'm just surprised that the almighty Goblin King would lower himself to such mundane housework as preparing dinner." She walked into the kitchen, her mouth watering the moment she smelled fresh potatoes, mushrooms and stir fry vegetables.

"You have cooked for me plenty of times. It is about time I return the favor. Besides, if it's inedible your mortal senses are less likely to notice. It's perfect, really."

Sarah mumbled under her breath before speaking up. "Well then I guess it's just up to me to be civil, then. So thank you, Jareth, for providing dinner. It is much appreciated."

"You are most welcome, Sarah. Take a seat, dinner is ready."

Sitting down in the dining room Sarah looked around. "Isn't Alana joining us?"

"No," he said. "She had some business in the city, she left before you were awake. I'm not certain when she will return."

It was hard to feel sad when Jareth served her a dish that looked like culinary perfection. But regardless her face fell. "Why didn't she say anything?"

"No need for theatrics, Sarah. She'll be just fine." He sat down at the head of the table.

"But what if I don't see her before I leave?"

Jareth looked up at her worried frown. He took her hand. "You'll see her again, Sarah. I promise you that." Raising her hand he pressed a kiss to her knuckles, lingering just a second before pulling back and lowering her hand back to the table. "Now eat before it gets cold."

The woman directed her gaze back to the food. She cut off a piece of the meat and joined it with some mushrooms before taking the bite. Her hands lowered to the table and she sighed. "God, I'm going to cry."

Jareth rolled his eyes just before taking a bite. "You give a whole new meaning to the term 'drama queen'. You will see Lana again."

"No, it's not that." Sarah looked up at him, seeing one eyebrow arch in question. "I don't know how many more feathers will fit up your spandex clad ass, but this is delicious."

Jareth burst out laughing. "If you play your cards right I might show you something else that you'll find delicious."

She looked up at him with a curious glint in her eyes. The man grinned suggestively and she rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. "God. Stop or you'll spoil my appetite. If you're like this after little more than a kiss on the cheek, I don't want to know what you'll be like when more happens." It was the first time either of them mentioned it. In a way it was thrilling.

"When?"

Sarah looked up. "What?"

"You said when," he said.

"I-I guess…" She was confused.

"When, not if," Jareth purred. "A Freudian slip, perhaps?" He could see her cheeks flush and pinning one foot on the floor he used it to push his chair closer. The loud groan of the object seemed to add more discomfort to her already alarmed state. "You seem positively flustered. Perhaps we should just get it over with?"

Suddenly the room felt ten degrees warmer and her heart raced at his suggestion. Once she started to get upset the mischievous look on his face faltered and turned to worry. "I can't," she said, looking down at the table.

Jareth backed away a little, offering her some space to breathe. He put a hand on her back gently. "Sarah, what's wrong?"

She looked up at him. "I don't think I want this. I don't want to pursue feelings that are only guaranteed to have me end up hurt."

His hand soothingly rubbed up and down her back, kicking himself for ruining what could have been a lovely dinner. "You're referring to going back home." She nodded. "We keep circling back to this, don't we? But surely you understand my concerns and protectiveness over you."

"I get it," she urged. "I do. It's not that I keep bringing this up because I don't understand." Before she could let cowardice take over she turned to face him, putting her cutlery down. "I keep bringing this up because I hate the thought of you struggling. Every time you have visited, every time you stopped by my apartment. Your entire life, it seems. Every time I bring up your past people shut down. In difficult times is not every bit of help welcome?" Despite the urge to look anywhere but at him she kept eye contact. "The rejection I feel every time you push me away instead of letting me help, almost hurts as much as seeing you suffer." Finally her eyes fell to her lap, a wobbly smile curving on her lips. The light of the candles on the table twinkled like stars in her eyes, unshed tears clouding her vision. "I guess I already have gotten myself hurt."

The silence stretched between them. Once again Sarah had rendered him speechless. He sighed. "How you turn my world," he whispered.

"You said you'd think about it," she pressed. "You promised."

The look in her eyes broke his heart. She looked so… powerless. It was the first time he saw a glimpse of the meek little mortal she'd often made herself out to be. Her eyes pleaded for him to understand. There was a crack in her spirit, raw sorrow seeping through. A sense of powerlessness overcame him. For a few minutes both of them were silent, looking at each other's distress.

Finally, the Goblin King put his hands on hers. "Alright. I will do so," he promised. "But I need you to consider something as well. While, if I let you stay, I will do anything in my power to keep you safe, I need you to hear this. While I pray to the Gods it will not happen, you might not make it out alive." It was a grim possibility, but he needed her to understand fully what the possible consequences could be. "Think of that and think of your family. Should anything happen to you, I am sure they will be inconsolable. Let's revisit this matter later." Sarah nodded quietly. "Now then, I presume this matter has been settled for now? Shall we resume our dinner?"

The woman nodded wordlessly. He smiled patiently at her. Shyly she raised a hand up, pausing briefly before raising it to touch his cheek. "Thank you for considering, it means a lot to me."

Jareth moved his cheek against her hand, briefly breaking eye contact to close his eyes. When he moved back to his own position at the table she bashfully turned to her own plate.

Their now luke-warm meal was still enjoyable, despite the heavy conversation. Jareth seemed to relax as well, leaning on the table in an almost boneless and comfortable slouch.

"You have pretty poor table manners for a king," Sarah teased. Jareth narrowed his eyes at her.