Silver boots clicked loudly on the deserted throne room floor. Nicolae wore the noisy boots and he circled the throne before smiling. It was eerily silent, and he relished in the absence of noise. The goblins had been cleared out of the palace and rounded up in the city. Their screams from there could still be heard as they were chained and shackled and pronged like the pathetic beasts they were. He smiled at the thought and ran a slender hand through his short silver hair and sat on the thrown. He was quite amused when the chair was more comfortable than it looked. “Well, Jareth always did say this place was special.” Upon thinking of the Goblin King, the mysterious man pounded his fist on the chair. “You avoided me. How?” How, how, how?

Sarah entered her bedroom and was pleasantly surprised when she saw Jareth sitting up by himself. His eyes glinted mischievously, and Sarah had the feeling he was feeling better. His eyes smiled at her and she couldn’t help but laugh as she approached him. “What?” She asked as a laugh escaped her.

“I can’t help but feel that you have come back just to torture me.” He sat up more, but winced slightly with the pain.

She shook her head and came to the right of the bed and checked on the side wound. “Yeah, well, it would probably serve you right.” Sarah removed the bandage and looked amazed. The wound was almost gone. Only a small red welt remained. She rubbed her fingers over it, only to have her hand grabbed.

“That makes me laugh.” He said without humor while releasing her hand.

Smirking, she sat up. “Turn around so your back is facing me. Is your shoulder still hurting?”

Jareth moved as she told him and nodded. “Yes. I have little to no movement in it.”

Sarah removed the bandage. The skin had healed, but the area was red and felt hot. She gingerly removed the small stitches, as there was no more need for them, and grimaced whenever Jareth sucked in air from any pressure she applied directly to the previously cut skin. She touched the skin around the wound and sighed when his back muscles tensed. She started working the knots out of his back and decided this was as good as time as any to strike up a conversation.

“What exactly are you doing here, Jareth?” The words left her mouth before she had time to polish them, and she immediately regretted saying them.

“That was unusually blunt.” He said quietly. She continued kneading his back, not trusting her mouth to co-operate, and felt him take a deep breath.

“Something has invaded the Underground, and I don’t know what it is. I can’t fight an invisible force.” His voice dropped, “and without my magic...” He left the sentence drop.

“How were you injured?” She said trying to slightly change the subject.

He glanced behind him, “Aren’t we the curious one?”

She stopped rubbing and folded her arms in mock anger. “Well, wouldn’t you be?”

He turned his head away from hers and let his gaze fall upon the window. “Probably.” He said silkily. “So I propose a small game.” He allowed the suggestion to settle, knowing fully well she would distrust him.

Sarah did have her doubts about his comment. The last game she played against him she had won, but it had still been a terrifying experience. A little frightened she whispered, “Well, what is it?”

Jareth laughed aloud as he got the response he was expecting. “Don’t be so fearful. Look at the shape I’m in! This exchanging of information is interesting. You ask me a question, I answer. I ask you a question, you answer.” He gestured swiftly as he spoke, and Sarah could almost see the crystal orbs gliding softly over his hands.

She continued to massage his back, “Alright, that doesn’t sound to horrible. Who starts?”

“You have already asked a question, so I’ll ask now.” He said it as a statement, not a question and Sarah knew he was feeling much better as the arrogant sound returned to his voice.

“Okay?” She said to get him to ask the question.

The question he did ask shocked her, “Why aren’t you acting?”

She smiled. “I had started acting, and I actually starred in some great movies.” She felt as she was telling this to someone who already knew, and wondered if he did. She continued instead on lingering on that thought. “My agent suggested I do something humanitarian for good publicity, so I started medical school. Soon I became so engrossed in the doctoring world; I let my dreams of acting take a back seat. I still do some acting though, and oh damn!” She added in frustration while pounding on Jareth’s skin.

He cried out and glared at her. “What are you doing?”

Frowning, she gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, Jareth. I just remembered I have a fundraising gala to attend tomorrow.”

Still furious he growled, “And that has what to do with you hitting me?”

A sweet smile appeared on her face. “You’re very sensitive without your magic.” The look he gave her made her realize she had gone too far and her blood turned cold at the sight of his searing eyes. She put her hands up, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” She said quietly and sincerely.

He turned from her. Changing the sensitive subject and to cure his curiosity he asked, “Why are you so upset?”

“I was supposed to go with Robert, but I doubt that will happen. He has a tendency to dwell on small squabbles.”

Jareth shrugged. “I’ll go with you. I haven’t anything else to do.”

“But you’re still hurt.”

He stood and walked with little effort. “My shoulder is still hurt, but I can at least walk now.”

Sarah scrutinized his wispy hair and stained pants. “You don’t actually fit in, I mean, you can’t go as a king.” She added quickly to his hurt look.

“All right,” he said hesitantly, “I’ll go as the man out of town.” He bowed elegantly.

Sarah laughed despite herself. “Oh, brother.” Sarah’s eyes followed him as he glanced out the window, bringing his good arm up and touching the smooth glass. She suddenly realized he was trapped, and in more ways than one. Trapped in a non-magical world, trapped in an injured body, trapped without an exit. She wielded to his request. “I guess I’ll have to find you some suitable clothes.” She said humorously.

He looked at her wickedly. “So I’m going?”

She ignored his comment and then she noticed his bare chest and rolled her eyes. ‘Good job, Sarah! Heal his wounds and then allow him to catch pneumonia.’ She went to her closet and pulled out one of Robert’s shirts. Jareth turned his gaze to her and she tossed the shirt to him. Catching it effortlessly, he grimaced when he examined it. Laughing she closed her closet and spoke. “Just put it on. You can get sick walking around like that.” He turned back to the window and reluctantly placed the cotton shirt on. Sarah shook her head and began walking out of the room, but before she closed the door she peeked and saw him standing still, staring wishfully outside. He looked human there; just standing. She sighed, “Get some more rest. I’ll be back later.” She got no response from him, except a slight nod of the head. A part of her understood his need for silence and she left without another word.

Jareth stood still at the window and watched as Sarah waved down a taxi and disappeared in the tangled streets of the large city. There was too much for his eyes to take in. He wasn’t ignorant, he knew the people Above had great marvels, but they lacked magic. All except one, and she kept her magic locked deep within her.

It was fascinating to watch the population swarm beneath him from the high window. They swarmed and hovered in the narrow charted streets. In a way, those people reminded him of his goblins, which he realized he was missing with absurdity. The thought of his goblins brought him back to his current position and he grew angry. Very few beings Underground possessed enough power to challenge him, the mighty Goblin King. And some of the more dangerous ones he kept under strict spells by his will, forbidding them to use magic. And the only time his will had weakened was when Sarah had--. He erased the thought from his mind.

Silently he turned from the window. The street mazes made him long for his home. And he knew as long as he was without magic he couldn’t return, and it made him feel slightly depressed. A small beacon of light etched its way into Jareth’s dark thoughts, for his situation could be worse. Although his magic hadn’t returned, his immortal body was healing as quickly as it could without the magical assistance. He tried rotating his left shoulder, but it protested being used. He was annoyed at the handicap, and further annoyed when he couldn’t force Sarah’s cruel words from his head and echoing memories. “For my will is as strong...” Jareth smirked and whispered under his breath. “No, your will was much stronger.” He dropped to the bed while a healing sleep over took his body and senses, relieving him from remembering any more.

Nicolae sat on Jareth’s throne and forced himself to concentrate. Over taking the Underground had proved too easy once the King had abandoned it. He abandoned it! That one slice of information confused and angered Nicolae at the same time. Swirling a strong red wine in a crystal glass, he frowned. It wasn’t like Jareth to run away, and once he knew Jareth was running he sent a spell of destruction on him. But somehow Jareth had pulled himself out of the depressing spell. The silver haired man tapped his chin. What was keeping Jareth alive, and where had he gone? He peered into the liquid for the answer; the same way Jareth uses his crystals. He saw the dethroned king standing and talking to a young brunette woman. He looked closer and was filled with glee when he realized Jareth hadn’t escaped harm. Nicolae chuckled. Jareth must be devoid of power if he hasn’t noticed me yet. He said thrilled with himself. He strained his hearing and could make out the faintest whispers of their conversation. Smiling coldly, he let the image disappear. “The boy will be greatly pleased,” he said before leaving the thrown room to the world above.

Sarah sighed again as she stared at the black leather pants shining in front of her. She couldn’t decide if she wanted them because she liked the pants, or did she just want to see how they looked on him, and that wasn’t a very comforting thought. She shifted a bag with a black tux to her left arm and sighed. Hesitantly she reached and grabbed the pants that would seem to fit. She hadn’t thought to ask his size and doubted he would have known anyway, so she guessed. An attendant came behind Sarah and touched her on the shoulder.

“I’ve seen you looking at those pants for the last ten minutes. I was wondering if you were ever going to touch them.”

Sarah smiled. “Yeah, well, I’ve decided to get them.”

The attendant took the pants, smiled and walked to the register. “It’s a nice style. Who are you buying them for? Boyfriend? Husband?”

“Hardly.” Sarah said handing the woman her credit card.

The attendant accepted the card, but looked at Sarah strangely. “Then why buy them? They’re pretty expensive.”

Sarah frowned at the question, though it was fairly simple. She then noticed the other clothes she had picked out for him. Several silk shirts that buttoned down the front in blue, black, and white were folded and placed in bags. Two pairs of jeans were also added to the tally. She had really gone overboard, but she shrugged it off. “Don’t forget the others,” she said changing the subject slightly. Sarah watched as the attendant rang each item up and sighed as she signed her name on the receipt. “Let’s say I’m being generous.” Sarah took the clothes heavy bags from the attendant and began walking out of the store. A strange man was walking in as she was walking out. He was tall, standing a good foot above her. He had silver hair that flowed, and then Sarah saw his eyes as he opened the door for her. They swam like a black sea. The pupil was impossible to see. Sarah walked out of the door with her mouth a gap. She felt a certain energy from the man, and she didn’t like it.

“Jareth! Are you awake?” Sarah’s voice echoed from the kitchen and flowed in the bedroom.

Jareth opened his eyes and tried to use both arms to sit up. He hissed when his left shoulder objected. He had heard Sarah, and if he hadn’t been awake before, he was now. He pushed his wispy hair from his eyes and slowly placed his feet on the floor. The door opened and Sarah came through, her arms full with bags. He stood and took several from her hands and placed them on the bed. Peering into them curiously, he heard Sarah laugh and turned questioningly to her. “What?”

“Nothing.” She said ending her laugh, “Go ahead and open them. They won’t bite.” She said as she placed the rest of the bags on the bed, except the tuxedo.

Jareth opened a bag and brought out the black pants. A glint of approval sparkled in his mismatched eyes and he smile. He pulled out the shirts and the pants and his smile broadened. So engrossed with these gifts, was he, that he didn’t notice the hurt and expecting expressions Sarah wore on her face. Jareth turned to her. “Interesting, quite interesting.”

Sarah glared at him. “Interesting?” She yelled at him. Jareth took a step back. “Is that all you have to say?” She threw the tux at this feet. “Well I hope you found that amusing.” She stormed out of the room and slammed the door shut, leaving Jareth bewildered.

He stood confused and stared at the door. What had he said? He bent down and picked the tuxedo off the floor. An old woman’s from his early years of ruling suddenly rang through his ears. ‘Don’t forget to show appreciation, Jareth.’ He lowered his head in slight shame. Years of ruling goblins had forced him to dispense of certain pleasantries, as they did not respond to any thing but yelling and threats. He had even stopped appreciating everyone. Well, not quite. He smiled to himself and began changing into the dark suit.

Sarah slumped into her sofa and mindlessly flipped through the TV channels, not really paying attention to what she was watching. Instead she was fuming inside. He was such an arrogant bastard! She smirked inwardly. The thought of a ‘thank you’ probably never even entered his egotistical, self-righteous mind.

Swimming in her loathing, she was taken aback when the smug looking king melded out from the shadows in the hallway. He was wearing the black tuxedo and the slimming black slacks. The white of his hands flashed oddly against the black suit, and so did the rest of his pale features. She realized she was staring when Jareth allowed a small smile to creep unto his lips.

She glared and returned to watching the TV, not really noticing what it was. She didn’t notice his sigh, but couldn’t help but raise her eyes when he approached her and sat beside her.

“Sarah-” he tried to begin, but she cut him off coldly.

“Shh, I’m watching something.”

Jareth looked at the TV and heard a strange language in the silence between them. Sarah heard it as well. She had stopped on a Spanish station, just her luck. She turned it off once Jareth began laughing.

She saw his eyes glittering while he spoke; “You don’t want to watch that?” He laughed again as Sarah’s eyes narrowed to a glare.

“Don’t patronize me, Jareth.” She started getting up, but a cool hand reached out and grabbed hers. The motion surprised her, and for along while she just stared at the white hand clutching her own.

Jareth released her arm, “Sit down, Sarah.”

He was so certain she’d obey, and she was kicking herself inwardly when she actually sat at his words, not even fighting his authority. Once she sat and looked him in the eyes, he took a deep breath and spoke extremely low.

“Sarah, being a king, especially a Goblin King, has forced me to abandon certain pleasantries. My job also does not help that.” He paused and Sarah wondered what he was doing. She saw something in his eyes that she didn’t understand. Sarah scoffed inwardly. What did he expect, compassion?

Jareth sighed and leaned back, resting his head against the wall. He felt much older today. “Not compassion, Sarah.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “No, not compassion.” Sarah squirmed under his sideways glance. “Perhaps understanding?”

She allowed the thought merit and became angry with herself for considering his point of view. Besides, this soft voiced Jareth unnerved her to no end. She started hating the idea that he wasn’t always cruel. She turned her head from him, not quite sure if she could handle his questioning eyes.

Sighing once again, Jareth briefly closed his eyes before continuing. “I’m not uncouth, Sarah. I hadn’t meant to hurt your feelings.” He last sentence was barely audible.

Sarah rolled her eyes and turned to him. “You can’t even say it, can you? Too proud to admit you’re wrong. You’re so ungrateful for all I’ve done.”

She shivered as his eyes turned dark. He stood silently and looked down upon her. Sarah thought she saw a glimmer of hurt in his eyes, but dismissed the thought. Jareth glared at her. “You’re more ungrateful than I am.” He turned from her before she could speak and walked back towards the bedroom, and Sarah saw with dismay his elegant shoulders slumped.

A sense of doubt wiped over her. Had she been wrong? She never had wanted to think Jareth had a soft side to him. It was easier to think of him as the baby-snatching villain, but it seemed the king was actually trying to apologize and thank her at the same time. A depressing sensation snatched her heart and tried to bring about tears. She fought off the feeling, then remembered Jareth as he had walked off. It had taken a lot of strength out of him just to say those few words. He had swallowed much pride for her, and she was expecting too much. She was being ungrateful. Sarah kicked and screamed with herself, but knew what she was going to have to do.

Jareth sat miserably in the deep cushioned chair looking blankly at the window. He felt distraught and that vexed him greatly. Or was it the fact that he had tried something nice and was shunned for it? He rested his head on his hands and closed his eyes for a brief moment. All he wanted was to go home to his irritating goblins, his filthy throne room, and his beautiful labyrinth. He buried his eyes in his palm. Those things weren’t his anymore. He’d have to fight for them, but who was he to fight? He had a vague idea, but that monster of a man could only be released if called. So who would have called him?

And Sarah! Sarah was driving him insane. She wasn’t a girl anymore, he realized that, but she did so many childlike things. He noticed her slide in the room and added sneaking up on him as another adolescent habit.

He brought his hands away from his face and looked as Sarah entered the room fully. He didn’t really know how long she had been there, and then again, he wasn’t quite sure if he cared. He felt so old and weary in her presence. He watched as she came in front of him, and for once her expression was unreadable, until she spoke.

“You seem so sad.”

He didn’t trust her suddenly. Her next moments baffled and shocked him. She gently caressed the side of his face with her smooth hand. He looked at her and saw her age and grow wiser before his eyes. Instinctively, he touched her hand, and she moved closer and smiled.

“I think I’m beginning to understand you.”

He grinned. “We can’t have that, can we?” Gently pulling at her arm, he motioned for her to sit with him. Jareth watched as she hesitated only for a moment, then came and accepted the chair next to him. He took a deep breath and looked into her dark, brown eyes. “I’m sorry, Sarah.”

Her head span. He said it, he actually said it and she didn’t feel any anger towards him. She was telling the truth when she said she was starting to understand. He wanted to go home, and she made it her personal resolve to help him do so. She blinked at his eyes, his eyes that could hold the seas. ‘And mine can hold the moon and stars.’ she thought as his faded words echoed in her mind.

She pushed her hair away from her face. “I’m sorry too, Jareth. I didn’t realize what you were saying until later.” Was she still thinking of the apology or a mysterious dance? ‘The apology,’ she said to herself quickly. She looked up at him and for the first time noticed his hair lying flat. It still held its shine, but seemed to surrender to a fate unseen. She touched it. It was soft and fell through her fingers. His hair was the only thing keeping him from being totally lost in a world of mortal humans and she knew she had to destroy it if he was going to pretend to be a normal person.

Sarah saw his eyes light up with fear and anger as she almost began to cry while holding the locks of silky hair.

“No. No, Sarah.” He struggled to get out of her reach, and she let him retreat.

“Jareth-” she began, but he interrupted her.

“No.”

Sarah met his icy gaze and waited for him to concede. She wouldn’t. As much as it pained her, his hair had to go. Not only could he not style it, but it gave him an air of other worldliness.

His eyes fell to the floor. Sarah saw him slipping further into depression, and he hadn’t even been here that long. He slid back into the chair and adverted his eyes from hers for a split second. In a final attempt to change her mind, he brought his eyes up and reached out to hers for some sort of reprieve. Instead of answering those pleading eyes, she walked in the bathroom and brought out scissors. He turned his head away, slightly angry.

“Jareth, you can’t be without magic forever, why don’t you just grow it back?” She asked hopefully.

“I’m glad you’re so confident.” He said sulkily.

She walked behind the chair and slowly brushed his hair back. “Don’t be sarcastic, though I know you enjoy it. Besides, why wouldn’t you return to power?”

“I don’t know who-” A cutting sound made him jump out and away from the chair. He looked on the floor and saw large portion of his golden hair lying on the floor. He reached back and felt the large chunk missing for his head. “That was tricky, Sarah.” Yet he couldn’t help but let some appreciation show through his words.

She gestured to the chair. “Let me finish.”

He obediently sat in the chair and didn’t utter a word as Sarah sliced the locks away from his head. After making it as short as she could with scissors, she went into the bathroom and grabbed Robert’s shaver. She smiled as Jareth looked at it strangely. “Just trust me.” She shaved the hair along the back of his scalp, around his ears and above his temple. She then retreated back into the bathroom and poured gel in her hands. She began smoothly shaping his hair to where the top, where the longer strands were, held curved spikes. She let some of the gelled spikes hang in his face. She grimaced when he dropped his face in his hands. Consolingly, she wiped the hair off the handsome black coat. Surprisingly she found herself giving him a small hug. “Go look.” She said encouragingly.

He got up unenthusiastically and strolled to the bathroom. Sarah watched. After almost fifteen years, her anger was melting away. After all, he had done everything for her. And seeing him in this state made it difficult to hate him.

Jareth came back into the room with a weak smile on his face, but at least it looked genuine. He brought his right hand up to the hair spikes.

Sarah laughed, “So? Do you like it?”

He turned towards the hallway smugly. His shoulders had straightened and his head was held high. He turned abruptly to her. “Yes.” Sarah shook her head and followed him into the living room, smiling to herself. One simple haircut and he was happy again.

Robert sat with his head on the bar counter with a cold drink his hand. Noontime drinks were desperately needed to block out reality. He didn’t know why he was so threatened by this Jareth guy. I mean, he has weird hair! He gulped down the burning liquid and was surprised to see black eyes glancing at him from a seat besides his. Robert wrinkled his nose and tried to get better picture of the man. It was obvious he was tall, and he was sitting down even. He had silver hair and it flowed on an invisible breeze. Robert nodded at this strange man. “What’s up?” Robert could have sworn the man was contemplating his question. “How are you?” He rephrased quickly.

The strange man extended a gloved hand. “I am fine.” Robert took the hand and shook it. “My name is Nicolae,” the strange man continued, but at least he had a name now. Nicolae sat back and grinned. “Woman trouble?”

Robert’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah, how’d you guess?”

Nicolae tugged at one his gloves. “The brunette with the eccentric man?”

Licking his lips, Robert wondered how this ‘Nicolae’ knew everything. “Yeah,” he almost growled.

“Did you know she’s going to the gala with him?” Nicolae said coolly. Robert’s head jerked up. Nicolae smiled and leaned forward. “Did you know he hurt her several years ago?”

Pounding a fist Robert stood up and grabbed Nicolae by the collar of the leather jacket he was wearing. “What do you mean by that?”

Nicolae just smiled. “Interesting.” He brushed Robert’s hands off. “How would you like to get her back from such a terrible, abusing, monster?”

Jealousy pounded in Robert’s ears, and his face turned red. Crossing his arms he faced this ‘Nicolae’. “What do I have to do?”

A clock in Sarah’s meticulously organized living room chimed once and Jareth stared at it slightly fascinated. Twelve hours, not thirteen, how odd. A slight mumble from his stomach made him smirk. He ignored it, yet again, and turned to observe Sarah working at the round kitchen table. Out of boredom he walked silently behind her and glanced at the paperwork. He disapproved slightly, for the entire table was literally covered with different documents, all with numbers on them. Sarah sat and twirled her pen in her fingers. There were several sets of numbers before her and a strange device with numbers on it. Sarah exasperated and Jareth rose an eyebrow.

“Anything wrong?” He was greatly amused when she screamed and jumped at the same time.

She spun and glared at him. “Don’t do that!” She sat back down and Jareth laughed softly. “And yes, I am having a problem. I need to know these sums, but the calculator won’t work.”

Jareth looked at the small device quizzically, then down to the figures on the paper in front of Sarah. It was just simple addition and subtraction and told her the answer. He returned his examination of the calculator and ignored her shocked expression. He did notice that she wrote the answer down. Placing the calculator down he scoffed at her. “You need this to do that?”

Sarah glared. “What? You don’t use magic?”

He leaned on the table. “Magic gets it done too rapidly.”

“Isn’t that the point?”

“Not when you rule over a bunch of mindless goblins and are bored more than half the day.”

“Right.” She said sarcastically.

Jareth’s stomach growled again and Sarah looked up at him. He just shrugged. Sarah sighed and sat away from the table. “I’m sorry, Jareth. Are you hungry?”

“Yes.” He said simply to hide his shame. He felt inferior not being able to produce sustenance for himself.

Sarah shook her head and stood up. “I guess I’m a bad hostess.”

Shrugging, Jareth allowed a secretive smile, “I remember letting you go hungry as well.”

Sarah didn’t feel like remembering that particular memory. Jareth was still wearing the tux from earlier, and to occupy her mind, she focused on the fact that he would have to change if they were going to go and get something to eat. Which they were going to have to do because her apartment was bare-fit of anything edible. “I don’t have any food here.” She said while the thought was still fresh.

“Obviously,” Jareth added quickly.

Sarah rolled her eyes and continued speaking, “Go change and I’ll take you to get something to eat.”

His eyes shone as this idea appealed to him. The people down below on the streets were interesting to watch. He was eager to see if they were interesting to socialize with as well. To protect himself from rising hopes he asked Sarah one of the most stupid questions he ever thought he would ask. “Outside?”

Sarah looked at him curiously, “Yes, outside.”

A bright smile overcame his features and he walked out of the kitchen to change. Sighing, Sarah began organizing her messy table.