Deep down Sarah was a conflicted soul. She would force smiles and pretend that all was alright. The following week, not a day went by that she didn't think of The Goblin King. At night it was the worst. At first she was apprehensive about going to sleep. Since that one last time that he was in her dreams. She feared that he would invade them again. She fought against her body's want for rest. The girl walked around in a trance like state, drinking cup after cup of coffee or caffeinated sodas. Her parents chalked it up to studying for the finals. Then finally out of sheer exhaustion would she submit to the need of sleep. On Friday she decided that she couldn't take it anymore. She chanced an afternoon nap that carried over into the next day. To her surprise not once did she dream of him at that time. Was he really gone? Did he really back off and give her some space? In a way she was relieved and yet she still thought of him often. Anything would trigger it. Watching television was the worst trigger. Anything where romance was involved, it made her think of him.

Sarah would remember the intensity of his gaze, his firm and yet gentle embrace and stirring kisses. She could be seen shaking her head at random moments, muttering to herself. Karen noticed this new trait. Something was off about her stepdaughter. She seemed more distant than usual. The older woman kept a watchful eye on her.

Sunday morning Toby was up to his usual three year old antics. He began to beg his sister for her special pancakes. Sarah still in her pajamas, shuffled around the kitchen. She didn't feel like cooking. She didn't feel like doing anything. "Sorry Tobes, not today."

"Awe Sarah! Ah want pancakes! Pweeaase!"

His hopeful little face reminded her of a little goblin, that instantly made her think of Jareth . Sarah squeezed her eyes shut trying to block out his image.

"NO", she shouted. Little Toby shrank back and tears began to well up in his eyes. Sarah never yelled at him like that before. His big sister would always make pancakes for him . Sarah saw the distraught look on the child's face. Little tears began to run down his round cheeks.

"Oh no, no, no Toby! I'm sorry, please don't cry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell." Her heart lurched as he began to cry. She knelt down and pulled him into her arms. "I'll make pancakes ok? With extra chocolate chips and lots of whipped cream! " The little boy looked at his sister with watery red rimmed eyes. "You not mad at me?"

"Oh, no Tobes, you're my little brother, my only brother. That makes you extra special! I would do anything for you, don't you forget that." Little did the child know how true the statement was. He was still unaware of what lengths she went through to win him back from the Goblin King. She was still living with the consequences of a rash decision made years ago.

After breakfast, Toby settled down in front of the television watching cartoons. Sarah began to clean up her mess when Karen entered the kitchen. "Sarah, honey, are you alright? I saw what happened with Toby a moment ago. That's not like you! Are you...how can I say this? Are you doing drugs?"

Sarah couldn't believe what she just heard. "What?!"

"Well you haven't been like yourself lately. You don't do anything, you just mope around..." Sarah rolled her eyes, "Geeze Karen, have a little faith in me. I'm not doing drugs!"

"Well then, what is wrong?"

"I...uh...you...you would never understand!"

"I might if you would just tell me!"

Frustration sprang fourth in a new burst though Sarah. Tears welled up in her eyes and clouded her vision. She couldn't handle this interrogation anymore. Sarah ran from the kitchen, leaving her stepmother more confused than ever. What happened to her? Question after question kept rolling through the older woman's mind.

Sarah pounded up the stairs, slammed and locked the door to her room. She threw herself on her bed and began to cry. Damn him! She swore to herself. It's his fault! Why couldn't he leave me alone? I was perfectly fine until he had to rear his smug... beautiful head up! That's it, I am going to give that royal jerk a piece of my mind!

A/N: So...another computer bites the dust...I'm tired of cheap used replacements. So I edited this as best to my abilities via the FF app. Sorry some of it is on the bold setting. Also I know some of my grammar sucks, so please bear with me. Until I catch a deal on a new computer, this is the best means of submission for the time being. Thanks for understanding and reading. It's flattering that people read and enjoy despite my lack of fine skill. Love to you all!

FFM