Disclaimer: Copyright of all labyrinth characters are not mine.

Sarah stared at the stars above her without really seeing them, one leg dangled down from where she sat on her balcony and the cool air swirled around her making the leaves on the trees dance. At midnight she would be 18, legally an adult she would finally be able to move out. She loved Toby and would miss him but she needed to get out on her own. She was anxious to get out into the world and away from her stepmothers constant nitpicking. Try as she might she just couldn't seem to please her no matter what she did. Unfortunately their relationship hadn't gotten much better since that strange and fantastic night long ago. The night she had made the worst and best mistake of her life. When she had to run through a magical world, made some unusual friends, and met… him. A small noise from downstairs interrupted her thoughts and she turned her head just as the shrill voice of her stepmother carried to her.

"Sarah? Are you awake?"

"Yeah, I'm awake. How was your night?" she called.

Karen walked in as she answered. "Good, is Toby asleep?"

"Yeah, we watched a movie, had dinner and I put him to bed an hour ago."

"Alright, your father and I are going to bed, you should too, you have a big day tomorrow." Karen reminded her.

Forcing a smile she wished her goodnight as she left down the hall closing the door behind her. Sarah had already started to pack her things and had found a small apartment close to where she worked as a waitress. She would miss Toby and her father but it would be nice to get away from her hawk-eyed stepmother.

She still spoke to her friends every now and again but the visits had grown farther apart over the last 3 years. It had been 4 months since she last called them and though she felt guilty for neglecting them she knew they understood. She was older now, no longer the spoiled, immature child she had been.

Suddenly the clock struck midnight and she sighed, moving from the balcony she closed the windows and started getting ready for bed. Picking out a comfortable silk nightgown she snuggled under her covers and quickly fell asleep.

The sudden sound of a crystal shattering against the wall accompanied by an annoyed growl caused all the goblins to stop what they were doing. The one the crystal had almost hit fell from his seat onto one of the chickens causing it to let out a loud squawk as it shot across the room. They all froze and turned their eyes to the king as he burst into another tirade.

"6 hours and she's only just reached the oubliette!" Running his gloved hands through his hair in exasperation as he stood and paced. "What I wouldn't give for a runner to actually give me a challenge! It's been years since a runner has even made it halfway before running out of time or giving up, and half of the wishers don't even try at all!" Sighing he picked up the baby girl and sat back down on his throne, in an effort to calm down he absently bounced her on his lap as she giggled. Looking at her he gentled his tone. "Well little one, it looks like you're here to stay."

The goblins started moving again when they were sure one of the many tantrums of the king was over. They had noticed that over the past 3 years he had been angrier than he had been before and at times they could swear he was even depressed. They all knew the cause of the change but none of them dared to say it aloud. Those that had said her name were thrown into the bog before they had time to realize their mistake.

Jareth conjured another crystal and watched as the girls babysitter frantically looked for a way out before collapsing and bursting into tears. Groaning at the pathetic sight he decided to have Hophead or was it haggles... go and let the girl out. Placing the infant in the arms of Drinna one of his more trusted goblins he gave a small wave of his hand and transported himself to the dwarf's tiny cottage outside of the labyrinth gates. Looking around he saw him by the pond talking with the orange beast and the knight that he had made friends with when… Scowling he forced his mind from the thought before it could finish and strode towards them "Hoggins, I have need for you to let a runner out of the oubliette; her constant sobbing is giving me a headache." Pausing he noticed pieces of wrapping paper and ribbons on the ground around them. Raising his eyebrow at the sight he asked. "What is this mess about?"

Hoggle hesitated and shuffled his feet. "We're wrapping birthday gifts for sa… uh… a friend." He finished uneasily barely catching himself before saying Sarah's name, knowing that it would be an instant one way ticket to the bog. Hoggle winced as Sir Didymus piped in.

"Tomorrow is my lady's 18th birthday your majesty." Since he made his home in the bog he had no fear of being sent there.

They all froze as Ludo growled "Sawah friend." in response not understanding the consequences of saying her name.

Jareth froze as a burst of pain in his chest rendered him temporarily speechless at the mention of her. Scowling he pushed it away, merely repeating his order to the dwarf before disappearing. Materializing in his private study he paced across the carpet. Stopping at his desk he threw himself into his armchair. Since he was alone and none of his goblins were allowed to enter, he quietly he whispered to himself as he dropped the glamour and let the pain of her memory show. "After all this time why do you still haunt my every moment you precious thing?" He closed his eyes her face swimming before him.

He'd tried to put her behind him, to forget about her and her rejection of his offer. Something he had never before offered another. He knew now that she had been too young to fully understand it but that didn't keep it from wounding him, shredding the heart he had held out to her. Absently he traced the black lines that originated at his heart and had slowly spread across his skin. Because he was fae he was dying of a broken heart. He had been careful to hide the signs and keep the information to himself. He didn't want anyone to know that of all people the goblin king himself had fallen in love with a mortal. Sarah, his precious Sarah. Tears escaped before he could stop them and he was unable to keep himself from creating a crystal for a glimpse of her. His heart stuttered at his first sight of her since he had flown away from her window 3 years ago.

She had grown, no longer a child her figure was that of a woman, with soft curves and dips that drew his gaze as she slept. She stirred quietly moving onto her back and bringing her face into his view as her lips parted on a soft sigh. He gasped quietly; she was even more beautiful than he remembered. The childish roundness was gone, replaced by high cheekbones and full lips that begged to be kissed.

She held him mesmerized until he heard her whisper his name in her sleep. Shocked he actually dropped his crystal to the floor barely registering the sound of it shattering at his feet. She was dreaming of him! Had whispered his name without a trace of hatred or disgust in her tone, but like a soft prayer. Hope filled him for the first time in years, could it be her opinion of him had changed? Smiling at his discovery he started to plan.