Prom Dreams, Ever After

Disclaimer: Disclaimer will only be in this first chapter, but applies to all the following chapters. Characters will range from slightly out of character, to completely out of character; you have been warned. This story was written almost ten years ago, and I finally decided it was time to type it up and post it. Hope you like it. ~SG84

"Now as you all know, next Saturday is prom and I expect to see all of you there." Mrs. Hurston said one April afternoon to her 6th period English class.

Everyone perked up at that statement, everyone but Sarah Williams. She simply rolled her eyes and sighed, causing Mrs. Hurston to add,

"Especially you Ms. Williams."

Ignoring the snickers of her classmates Sarah looked at her teacher, a mask of stone hiding her thoughts. She didn't want to go to some stupid dance where people either get drunk or knocked up. All she wanted to do was take a shower and curl up with a good romance novel. With only a month left of her senior year in high school all the senior activities began. Ordering announcements, invitations, college applications and finishing classes had become the norm.

Sarah was going to go to New York as an intern at a Broadway company. Anything to get her away from home and the memories. They always sneak up on her when she least expected it, plowing over her with a wave of loneliness and sadness. She wondered why she felt as she did. Sarah had done what she had to do and she didn't regret her choice, but she wished it would have turned out differently. She wondered what would have been of she had made the deal, offering herself in trade for Toby. Jareth.

"Now get your notes out and we'll finish up Hamlet." Mrs. Hurston voice shattered Sarah's thoughts. Oh well.

Jareth jerked up in bed, hearing his name echo softly through his head. It almost sounded like Sarah, but he couldn't believe it. Ever since she had defeated him two years ago he hadn't heard the sweetness of her voice or see the beauty of her face. He had forbidden her name to be spoken in his presence and wouldn't allow himself to look in on her. And yet, he couldn't help but listen for her should she call for him. Deep down he hadn't given up the hope that Sarah would want him back.

Standing Jareth pushed away the soft sapphire sheets of silk from his nude body, preparing to dress and break his own rule. He had to see Sarah, even if she didn't see him. He needed to know if she really called for him, or if it had been his imagination.

So Sarah, have you called for me?

Jareth dressed in black tights, black riding boots, black silk shirt and black gloves. Accentuating the outfit was his amulet. He prayed that she wouldn't push him away.

"How was your day Sarah?" Karen asked as Sarah came home that afternoon. Toby smiled his baby smile and gurgled, "Srrah."

Laughing Sarah lifted Toby out of his playpen before answering.

"It was okay, but Mrs. Hurston began harping about prom."

Over the two years since the Labyrinth fiasco Sarah, Karen, Richard and Toby grew closer. They now felt like a family as well.

"You should go Sarah." Karen replied gently. "You don't have to go for the entire time, but you shouldn't miss either."

"You're right, I guess." Sarah put Toby down gently. "After all, it is my senior prom."

"Oh Sarah." Karen called as Sarah went upstairs. "Your dress we delivered earlier, Try it on and make sure it fits right."

"'Kay." Sarah trudged up the stairs, simply ready to get Graduation over with.

Sarah found the dress hanging on the back of her door, the sapphire silk rustling softly. Putting her backpack down at the foot of her bed and stripped to her underwear and took the elegant dress off the hanger. She felt a curious stirring in her stomach, knowing that she had never worn anything so dressy since the peach dream ball with the Goblin King.

The soft material kissed her skin, making her shiver. Fastening the dress Sarah looked in the mirror. She was taken aback at the person who stared back at her. She looked absolutely regal and invincible.

Like a queen. A Goblin Queen maybe?

A knock on her bedroom door pulled her from her musings.

"Oh Sarah, you look lovely." Karen gushed, Toby gurgling in her arms.

"Thank you, but I should get out of it and hang it up." Sarah kissed Toby's forehead. "I'll see you at dinner."

Karen agreed and Sarah shimmied out of the dress, never noticing the barn own perched outside her window.

Jareth thought as he watched her change back into pants and a shirt. She had looked stunning in that dress. The color accented her blue-hazel eyes and chocolate hair. The soft material hugged her curves and enhanced her womanly attributes that have developed in his absence. Despite all of this Sarah still had the same spirit, the same fire she had two years ago.

Sarah, once again dressed, sat on her bed with books scattered in front of her. Reaching across her bed she pressed a button on a box that stood on a stand, and music filled the room. Watching Sarah Jareth realized that she wasn't quite the same woman-child she had been back then. He needed a new tactic if he wanted her back. Pondering possibilities on how to gain her attention without chasing her off.

Using his magic Jareth plucked a dappled feather from his chest, spots of brown on the snowy white. Yes, this will do. Harnessing his magic again Jareth teleported the feather onto Sarah's pillow and ruffling his feathers he set in to wait. Sarah will be his. She continued working as he studied her.

Aside from her physical beauty, Sarah also had a beauty of spirit that would make her a good queen to him and his goblin subjects. She had a sharp mind for details and facts despite having made a few mistakes in his Labyrinth. A kind and caring spirit was housed within her and would be a perfect counter to his stiff cruelty. Sarah also possessed a strong loyalty to those she cared about and Jareth hoped she would come to care for him.

Soon Sarah, so very soon.

"Ung. I hate government." Sarah muttered to herself, closing her government book firmly. She had finally finished the chapter outline and packet, now it was time to jump into her accounting work. Placing the government on the bed behind her Sarah froze. A perfectly formed heather lay on her pillow. Tentively Sarah picked up the feather, noting its softness. Light brown blotches marred the pristine whiteness, being a work of nature.

How did this get here?

She wondered looking around her room to see if were others. But no feathers littered her room, pictures of animals and animal figurines having replaced all her fairy tale memorabilia. Feeling an itch on the back of her neck Sarah lifted her eyes to the window, not feeling any fear, only curiosity. Puzzled Sarah looked out her window, the thought of the Goblin King flitting though her mind. Fear that usually accompanied thoughts of the mysterious man were strangely absent and in it's place was excitement.

Jareth?

Just then her eyes landed on the form of a barn own, whose mismatched eyes were staring back at her. Delicate brown patches were splattered over pure white and highlighted the hazel and green eyes. Smoothly it tilted it's head in inquiry and Sarah's paralysis broke. Standing Sarah opened her window, wondering if it really was Jareth outside her window.

As she stepped back the owl took wing and slipped into her room, landing in the middle of the floor. Leaving the window open Sarah addressed the owl,

"Jareth, is that you?"