After this long, emotionally stirring night, Jareth woke up late in the morning. The memories of their conversations, of the laughter and the tears, still hung in the air like a warm veil.

He slowly opened his eyes and turned to Sarah, who was still in the land of dreams, and smiled.

But Jareth knew that today she would go back to her world. That was their compromise. A week in his world and a week in hers. He wanted her with him so much, but he understood that she couldn't – she didn't want to leave her friends and family behind.

Jareth closed his eyes and thought of all the things they had done while Sarah was with him. A wave of infinite love and warmth ran through him and he pulled Sarah close to him.

She made a few noises and woke up hesitantly.

"Jareth?" she murmured and pressed her head to his chest.

He ran his fingertips over her back and looked at her. "Yes, Sarah, my darling? What's wrong?"

Sarah looked at him and he saw a small spark of sadness in her eyes.

"Today I'm going back to my world," she said and sighed deeply.

"I know. But you know you don't have to? You can just stay with me and live with me, Sarah. And you know how much I want that. But I understand if it's not possible for you." He leaned towards her and kissed her gently.

"Come," said Jareth after he had broken away from the kiss and got up from the bed. He held out his hand to Sarah, which she immediately took. He pulled her out of bed.

"Take your time getting ready, Sarah. I'll be waiting for you downstairs with breakfast."

"Breakfast?" Sarah laughed in disbelief. "It's almost noon."

Jareth looked at her and shrugged. "Lunch, breakfast – it's all just a question of perspective, my love." He glared at her mischievously, kissed her again and left the room.

Sarah began to freshen up and then ran to Jareth in the great hall and sat down at the table with him. They ate together and talked about their wishes and ideas for their future together.

Then Sarah went back to Jareth's room and began to pack her things in the suitcase. Not everything – because she wanted to leave a few things with Jareth. That way she always had something with him.

"That way I have something of her with me when she's not near me," Jareth thought, chuckling at the idea of smelling her clothes to have her scent in his nose. He liked that.

"Sarah? Are you ready?" Jareth put his arm around her and looked at her questioningly. He wasn't ready, that was clear.

"Yes and no," Sarah answered uncertainly and looked him in the eyes. She was very happy to see her friends again, but she didn't want to leave Jareth and his world. She felt so incredibly good here that it hurt to leave this place.

This time, Sarah didn't feel so dizzy, and she was able to observe the brightly swirling colours and shapes before they formed into her room.

"Welcome back to your kingdom, dear Sarah," Jareth whispered in her ear and bowed to her without taking his eyes off her. Sarah blushed slightly.

"Thank you, Jareth." Her gaze pierced into his and her feelings overwhelmed her.

"For what, dear Sarah?" Jareth looked at her curiously.

Sarah smiled. "Just for everything. I felt so...so comfortable with you. Comfortable, loved and wanted. I haven't felt that in a long time. I love you." As she said the three words, she looked at the floor.

Jareth put a finger under her chin and gently lifted her face to his. His gaze searched hers, penetrated her, and for a moment time seemed to stand still.

"I love you too, Sarah. So much." With these words and a quick movement, he pulled Sarah to him and held her tight. So tight that he felt he could break her.

"I have always loved you. And I will always love you."

They looked at each other and in that moment they both realized that this was a promise. A promise for eternity.

They both knew that they were facing a challenge – two worlds, two lives. But in that moment, in that embrace, they felt only the certainty that their love would find any way it needed to.

THE END