A/N Alas, I have NOT forgotten this fic. My beta has been without a computer for quite sometime, and I've been forced to upload it anyway! Though, my work on the HP stuff has taken up most of my fanfic time, because I have more readers over there, I will NOT forget my first fandom. Aye me…how I adore Jareth and Sarah….

Chapter 14

Tad slowly walked towards her, watching her with every step he took near her. He kneeled before her, taking her hands in his, and laying eyes upon hers as if to give her a bit of strength to absorb the reading. He squeezed her hands in his own, looking down at them, as if he was ashamed he had offered her the truth, but knew it had to be given.

"I'm sorry Sarah, but you had to find out. It's the reason you felt what you did just now, with the King. But, let it be known that he is feeling it too." Tad tried to explain, looking up at her with big brown eyes, trying to offer her some support, as if she was about to crack.

She had put herself in such a state, that her lack of words started to make him think that any moment she was going to run off screaming. Or worse, confront the King with the idea that he had made all of it up, and was trying to seek revenge on her in some way. But, the latter didn't happen, and instead, a small, sweet and concerned voice broke the silence.

"Does he know?" she inquired softly, asking as if not to disturb her second train of thought.

"I believe so, yes. I found him asleep in here, with this book open to his side. It was opened to this very page." He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts, "I'm sure he's concerned about it as well."

"But, what should I do? I can't confront him about this. I shouldn't even know this. I," her voice began to catch as subtle sobs started to escape her, "I can't get involved in this. It's not supposed to be me. It's supposed to be Isabelle. He loves Isabelle. Doesn't he?"

Tad didn't know how to answer, at this point. He had left it to her to read about the Divine Signals, but it was another thing to actually answer to them. He hadn't thought about the aftermath of showing her the book. The little wheels in his head where only turning fast enough to give him the strength to take her down here to read the book. Now he thought to himself, as he kneeled before this fragile girl, that he may have not thought this out entirely.

"Lord Thaddeus, everything all right?"

Sarah looked up with newly moistened cheeks to see a tan skinned man standing at the door, in similar formal attire then the other men in the Underground. He looked a bit concerned as he watched Sarah, his hands folded before him, and afraid to speak until Tad answered.

"We're fine, Benjamin. Just give me some more time and I'll speak to you later. This matter with Sarah requires a bit more attention, right now." Tad answered, throwing a dark glance back at the man standing at the doorway. The man turned and took his leave at Tad's request and left the two alone. Tad bowed his head and under his breath sighed, "I'm going to get it for that."

"What?" Sarah asked, concerned with his quiet tone.

"Nothing."

"I asked, doesn't he love Isabelle?" Sarah repeated her inquiry, gripping Tad's hands for strength and company to help her think it this through.

"Sarah, I'm not sure if I need to answer that. I'm sure he's fond of her, yes. But, the power he yields with you is something much stronger, something very old and ancient. I can't confront him with it, because he doesn't know that I know. I'm telling you this, to help you, my dear. Knowing this, gives you the advantage. Use it to your strengths as you pursue a friendship with him."

"Tad, I don't think…"

"Sarah, you must. You can do this. He's only marrying Isabelle to gain lands. He needs to have his eyes opened to another life. His parents were an example of love, not from this level, but at least different from what he's about to embark on. They didn't expand their kingdom, and for that, Jareth suffers. He cannot become a greater King, without expanding his lands. For him, all he thinks he wants is power. But, after your challenge, it changed him. You were the one that "dangled the carrot" in front of him, you could say, so he knows what he's capable of."

"Tad, are you suggesting that I…"

"I'm not suggesting anything, other than you helping him see another life."

Sarah paused over his concerned words, watching the way Tad was so passionate with the other life. Maybe she was confused, but she had noticed Tad throw a few glances in her direction that might think that there was an alternative plan to all of this. As Sarah stilled, Tad conjured up another bottle for the two of them to keep their thoughts of realism away.

Tad let go of Sarah's hands, turning his back around and leaning against the couch while sitting on the floor. Sarah felt the need to remain close to Tad, seeing as he was her only friend through this, and decided that the two of them would fair much better with a high intake of alcohol.

The bottle had revealed its bottom, after being passed back and forth between hands, being devoured without the sophistication of glasses. Coats and shoes had been removed, dropping all displays of titles and class. Sarah and Tad put themselves into a giggling state. Conjuring up hidden strength, Tad believed he was able to stand on two feet to retrieve another bottle, but was proven wrong.

He fell over in a crumpled heap, laughing as he rolled over on his back, laughing at the ceiling being their only witness. As he struggled to sit up, Sarah plopped herself on the floor next to him, giggling at him. She curled her legs under her gown and pushed against Tad with a playful shoulder. Her mind was sent to another dimension and it was almost surreal that she be in a beautiful ball gown, drunk, sitting on the floor.

"Sarah, it's been nice having you here. It's been awhile since I could just act…foolish." He snickered, trying to be serious, but erupting into a fit of laughter.

"Yes," she said proudly with a mock stern brow, "I usually bring the best out of people." She paused for a second to look over at him smiling at her, his eyes twinkling, "It's been nice having a friend like you, during all of this."

"It's been," he stopped for a moment, feeling a twinge in his heart as she watched him. She sat there, looking so beautiful, like a forbidden fruit and knew that it was wrong. The moment they shared was not meant for him. "It's been an honor to be your friend, Sarah."

"Thank you," she leaned in, giving him a sweet smile. Her hair was falling from their combs, with wisps of hair framing her angelic face.

Her innocent eyes blinked and he did the first thing that came to mind.

Tad kissed Sarah.

It was only for a few seconds, before Tad broke away from her. He quickly turned away, glancing at the door, in case anyone were to have seen them.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." Tad said, a bit ashamed that he broke her trust.

"No, it's okay." She paused, looking away from him, "I wondered why you hadn't done it, yet."

Tad looked back at her. He couldn't help but admire her profile, as she was a picture of perfection, with the way her dark raven hair kissed her softly rosed cheeks. Her bosom heaved with a passion that he would yearn to know of, but still he was guilty.

"I shouldn't have done it, Sarah. Forgive me. It was purely for selfish reasons." He quietly began to explain.

She turned back to face him, watching the concerned look on his face begin to feed into guilt. "I don't think you're selfish, Tad."

He watched her look back at him with such innocent eyes, "At times, I can be. Forgive me, Sarah."

"Don't Tad, it's done. It's fine."

"It's just," he lifted a hand to her soft cheek and watched as she closed her eyes at his very touch. "It's just that you're not mine to claim, Sarah."

"I'm not anyone's to claim, Tad."

"I'm not in a position to even pursue you, even if I wanted."

"You have a girlfriend, Tad? Why didn't you tell me?" She began, intrigued with the idea that a nice girl had missed him the whole time he had been busy helping her.

"Not exactly."

"Then, why did you kiss me, Tad?"

"Because," he began, dropping his hand to his lap, and turning away, "Because, I'm ashamed to say that I wanted to see what it was like."

Sarah shook her head, indicating that she wasn't following.

"I wanted to know what it was, in you, that you had. I wanted to know what it felt like to be wanted by someone so…incredible."

Sarah sat, still lost with his words.

"You are what the King desires, Sarah. It's proven in the Divine Signals. "

"Oh, Tad, that may not even be true."

"It's true. It's very true, Sarah." He shook his head, avoiding eye contact, but still trying to help her see. "You are something," he sighed, "that I could never be."

Sarah shook her head, not at all clear on what he was trying to explain. She brushed it off for a moment that it was just the champagne talking and he wasn't making any real sense, until it had donned on her what it was he was trying to say.

Her eyes got real big and she placed a hand on his to get his attention as she kept talking, "Tad," she whispered, "are you trying to tell me, that you," she swallowed in case she was wrong, "are in love with the King?"

Tad didn't move, infact, he only stiffened every muscle in his body. He closed his eyes tightly and appeared that he might be on the brink of tears, before he composed himself. He was silent for a few moments, preparing himself how to move forward with Sarah.

"This is, the first time, I've told anyone, Sarah." He whispered back. "No one knows." He shook his head, quietly asking her not to repeat it, for sake of traveling ears.

Sarah was shocked. It made sense why he wasn't interested in her, but rather he was interested in other powerful figures.

"So, you're also saying that I'm not any kind of type of yours, am I, Tad?" she smiled, a bit taken with his passionate confession.

He slowly shook his head, his eyes still shut, his body poised as if preparing to take a fierce blow to the body somewhere, "Please, this is all very private, Sarah. I've told no one, but a handful."

Sarah couldn't help but wrap an arm around her friend, knowing that this was indeed a deep confession for the night and just went ahead and comforted him as best as she knew how.

"Tad, it's nothing to be ashamed of."

"It is, here, Sarah. I've had to court women my whole life to keep it quiet."

"But, that's ridiculous. You can't live a lie. Believe me, it's not fun. Living a life, thinking all about what you really want, when having to put up this false exterior to not let the inner you come out. Tad, you can't be completely alone."

"No, not completely, but no one really knows. I didn't mean to come out with it to you, but my actions got ahead of me, and you deserve to know all of the truths. I'd hate to for you to think poorly of me, Sarah. I was just getting used to having you around."

"Tad, you've always been wonderful to me. It's meant the world to me to have someone like you around. To be honest, when I leave, I'll be sad to see you go. If I could take you home with me somehow, I would. I'd introduce you to a world that's far more accepting than this one, with your preference."

"Thank you, Sarah. I'm glad that you've only seen my best interests for you."

"Not just my best interests. You're mostly looking out for someone else's, aren't you?"

Tad looked over at Sarah, "He doesn't know what you figured out. He does, however, know my truth. When I came into his employment, I had to be upfront with everything. He's been forever grateful at keeping my secret and I would do anything for him. The reasoning behind my getting you is my repayment. I just wanted you to help me, help him see what he's doing to himself."

She tilted her head to the side, letting her hair fall over her shoulder, and reached up to touch a hand to his cheek. He was so sweet and sincere, that the one that he wanted, he could never have. However, it was an amazing thing to want to help him see the light. Jareth could never know the truth behind the deal, that was certain, because he'd think terribly of Tad. But, it was an incredible thing for Jareth to protect Tad's secret throughout the kingdom.

"He's a good man, Tad. As are you." She whispered, moving in to give him hug. Something he needed right now, in his deepest confession.

A night full of confessions and truth was just too much for the two of them to handle for the rest of the night. Tad was beside himself and Sarah took the liberty of escorting Tad back to his own bedroom, to make sure he returned safe and sound. She was sure that in the morning, his head would be telling a detailed story of woe and tablets. She said her good nights to Tad, assuring him that she'd make it back to her room unscathed, and in the morning, they'd talk a bit more about it, if he wanted. After a sweet kiss on his cheek, Sarah turned to the hallway of dark corridors and enchanting torches, leading the way to her room.

The hallways carried sounds from strange unnamed creatures to the click of her own shoes. It took awhile to tune all the intimidating sounds out, for fear that they might overcome one's nerves and take them away, but Sarah was strong. She tried to only focus on her own two feet making the hallow sound, but up ahead, she could hear quiet voices down an adjacent hallway. As she neared, she was careful to try and pad her steps so as not to bother the owners. She passed the hallway and stilled as she saw Jareth leaning against an open door less than halfway down the hall, wearing only a robe and his hair slightly tussled. She watched as a small blonde left his room and lifted her hood over her head. She took a last look at Jareth, saying something sweet to him, causing him to smile and then taking a walk down the hall in the opposite direction as Sarah.

Sarah didn't mean to watch, but Jareth lifted his face from Isabelle as she left him and saw Sarah standing there. A moment passed between them, as Jareth stood there with almost a shamed look on his face, waiting for Sarah to say something from her twenty feet away. Sarah didn't take but another moment before she bowed her head, and continued on passing the adjacent hallway. Jareth lowered his eyes in thought, sighing as if he had just been caught doing something extremely naughty. He had been, he thought to himself, and it wasn't any of Sarah's business to judge him for doing what every man does.

But, for the first time in his life, Jareth wished that she didn't see him. He wished that she hadn't caught him so exposed standing there with only a bathrobe, his hair looking like he just got out of bed and completely vulnerable. He always stood before Sarah as a regal man of power and for the first time, she saw him as a person. She was only supposed to see him as the Goblin King, not of someone harboring old feelings.

It struck Sarah with a strange tinge for a moment. She had seen the Goblin King in a different light, as if he had let his guard down. Not the way she had seen him in her chambers, but as a way that he wasn't supposed to be a certain character she had longed believed him to be. He was flesh, blood, bone and magic and to her, it was charming. Not charming in a way that her entire opinion of him had changed, but charming in a way that she'd forgotten he bled the same way we do. He was more than just that mysterious figure that haunted her dreams. He had come down to her level for a few moments when he confessed to her about the mind-reading spell. Perhaps, now, breaking him down to befriend him wasn't going to be so hard, anymore.

Miss Sophie came in that morning to raise Sarah. Upon entering the room, Miss Sophie sighed as she went to hang up the dress that Sarah had thrown so carelessly on the floor. She opened the windows to allow the light to flush the room and awaken their sleeping beauty that hid her face under the pillows.

"Get up, young girl. It's nearly nine o'clock and your day must begin. Lord Thaddeus has asked for your company at breakfast, and already you're keeping him waiting. I suggest that if you do not want me to throw ice water on you in your slumbering state, to get up or at least answer me." Miss Sophie called, rushing around the room with strict military poise.

Sarah quickly sat up in a shot, fearful that her keeper would do as she promised. The air outside had already started to turn quite chilly, indicating the seasons changing and the last thing that Sarah wanted was pneumonia in the Underground. Miss Sophie had started to fix her a morning cup of tea, when she was cut off by the young girl.

"Miss Sophie, can I have but one request, please?" Sarah quietly asked, fearful that she would lash out on her for the very idea.

"Yes dear, what is it?" Miss Sophie asked, fixing tea and rustling around in the closet.

"That you just let me fix my own tea? It's nothing personal, I just like it a certain way." Sarah held her tongue, ready to dive under the covers again, should Miss Sophie get angry.

Miss Sophie pulled her head out of the closet and glared back at the girl, as if she had just asked for a kidney.

"Please, ma'am. I like to fix it a certain way that my grandma used to. It's just a small request." Sarah softly pled.

Miss Sophie curved an eyebrow, appearing that she may not fly off at that moment, "That's fine, young Sarah. I understand the desire to feel more at home at this stage."

"Thank you." Sarah sighed; at least one thing was going to go her way with Miss Sophie.

"Now, get up!" In a split second, Miss Sophie hardened that moment of softness and ushered Sarah to get up and dressed for the morning.

Sarah met Tad for breakfast, and relieved Tad of any poor thoughts he might have felt he left with her. The truth remained the same, both with the book of Divine Signals and for Tad's secrets and they promised to only use it between themselves. Tad had Sarah's word to keep it private as well, and was comforted with the idea of another friend, even if temporary, he could confide in. The night before changed nothing and both were relieved that they had cleared the air. A night after drinking always causes a slight bit to worry.

The new day and confirmation of the Signal gave Sarah new strength to press on with the deal. She could no longer hide in Tad's shadows or in libraries, if she intended on befriending the King and receive a clear memory and a peaceful home back in New York. If she didn't start, she was never going to finish and now was the time.

Jareth sat in his study, sifting through letters and papers of diplomacy. His papers joining the kingdoms together seemed to involve further negotiations with other realms, and the work before him seemed to pile up and there never seemed to be enough messengers when needed. His thinking process of how to find a translator for the trolls' contract was interrupted with a knock on his door.

"Boq, it better be important and not having anything to do with the cellar being on fire, again." Jareth huffed; frustrated with the constant interruptions he'd had to endure all morning regarding ridiculous events.

"Well, if the cellar is on fire, that's a lot of wine to go to waste." Sarah said, closing the door behind her, to leave them in private. It had taken a lot of guts to even conjure a knock on the door, and she didn't want to be interrupted.

Jareth's eyes shot up from the jumble of words in a language he couldn't translate and was somewhat shocked she had grown so bold as to come into his study. He looked her over, noticing that she didn't appear to be shaking as much as the last time they were in close quarters together. He laid down his quill and slowly stood to welcome her. He didn't wish to frighten her, if she came on her own to see him, so he took extra caution to be aware of his every move.

"Good morning, Sarah. I have to admit that I never thought you would seek me out during your stay here, in a million centuries." He smoothly cooed. Her eyes remained on him, watching him as he made his way around to the front of his stone desk.

Her eyes dropped to his form to take in the heavenly sight in which he graced her. He was dressed almost as regal as the night before, but without the elaborate coat. His hair was perfectly straight, a few wisps hanging into his eyes, with the normal white and blonde streaks throughout. He leaned against his desk, crossing one leg over the other and crossing his arms over his chest, looking quite relaxed.

Sarah swallowed a bit; afraid to look directly into his eyes for fear that she would experience that euphoric tingling feeling, again, with him. "Yes, you're probably right. But, I've done some thinking."

Jareth raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Whatever could the girl have to say?

"I have a request, while I'm here." She stated, her eyes breaking through their barrier and lifting to meet his beautiful mismatched ones.

He was quiet for a moment, as if thinking that what she had to say mattered little to him. He licked his lips a bit, dropping his eyes to the floor to prepare what she might throw at him, this time. "And that is?" He humored her.

She looked deep into him and found the strength to summon, "I wish for us to be friends."

Jareth couldn't help but crack a small smile and tilt his head ever so slightly with his interest peaked. His eyes remained on her, watching as she looked on him for an answer. She amazed him, like usual, with the hidden strength she harbored in the deepest of her heart. When he gave her that challenge, she put on her adult mask and tromped through the Underground without any fear. Now here she stood before him, a grown woman, finding the same strength to confront him once again.

"Something else you wouldn't think of me in a million centuries?" She teased, waiting for him to say something further, rather than to just stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Something like that." He kept on grinning. He was pleased, yes, that she had made a move past the position of remaining as enemies. They obviously had some issues between one another, but it impressed him that she made such a bold first move. He knew her to be quite selfish, and this young girl had done a little bit of maturing while he was away.

"Well, say something more than just that. We're not getting anywhere if you keep saying rhetorical things." Sarah huffed, getting impatient. It had taken a lot within her to remain standing, for the very idea of him dangling this in front of her, made her skin crawl.

This time, he let out a laugh. He'd been holding it in, but whatever had struck him so funny, caused him to release a rather pleasant and friendly sound. The kind of laugh she heard of his before, sounded cruel and heartless. Seeing him with a genuine smile on his face was a new change, and it was well welcomed at that.

He uncrossed his arms and pushed himself off his desk to round on her. He stopped just shy of about two feet in front of her, enough for her to slap him and run or just slap him. Instead, he outstretched his hand as a peace offering.

Sarah jolted a little at the gesture, as if he was casting something on her she needed to be ready for. But, as he stretched out his hand in a kind offering, he looked legitimately honest. She still flashed him a glance, inquiring if there was anything further he wanted to say in the meantime.

"All right," He gave in, granting her quiet request that he say something further. After all, she did force him speechless, "I'll accept your request and grant it."

With that, she broke into a smile and took his hand to shake it. Finally...a draw.

"On one condition," he added, dropping his smile.

That was it. There had to be a catch. Nothing went smooth with this man and everything had something attached to it. She immediately dropped her hand, as well as her smile and was ready for it.

"What?" She huffed, waiting for a good excuse.

"That you have lunch with me, this afternoon." He teased, turning to return behind his desk. The room echoed with his boots clicking on the stone floor and Sarah stood there stunned.

Her frustrated frown began to break and she lowered her eyes to smile, feeling slightly embarrassed. She promised she'd meet him and quietly excused herself until later.