My Date With Jareth

When I woke up Sunday morning, I didn't realize how important the day was until I looked at the calendar. I had written "DATE WITH J" on Sunday's date.

Jareth is taking me dancing tonight, I thought. I don't know why he insists on taking me out. I mean, why can't he be satisfied with us just being friends?

That afternoon, I was reading Labyrinth fanfic when I received an e-mail from His Royal Tightness.

Subj: Tonight
Date: 7/05/98 3:15:00 PM Central Daylight Time
From: GBLNKNG
To: Dreamin122

I will be at your house at seven. Do wear something attractive.

Jareth

Of course, I just had to write back.

Subj: Re: Tonight
Date: 7/05/98 3:18:35 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Dreamin122
To: GBLNKNG

I'll wear whatever I feel like. See you at seven.

Dreamin'

Despite what I had told Jareth, I really did want to look nice for our date. It's not every day that a king wants to go dancing with me.

A few hours later, I was standing in front of my open closet. I had just taken a shower and was wearing my pink terrycloth robe. Going through the clothes, I knew that nothing I owned was appropriate.

Jareth had given me a crystal, to be used in an emergency only.

Well, I considered having nothing to wear an emergency, albeit a small one. I went over to my bookshelf (the crystal makes a great bookend), picked up the crystal, and concentrated on Jareth. An image of his face appeared in the crystal.

"Dreamin'!" Jareth exclaimed. "What's wrong?!"

"I don't have anything to wear on our date," I said, trying to sound as helpless as possible. Maybe he would pity me.

Jareth calmed down. "Dreamin'," he said, sternly, "when I gave you that crystal, you swore that you would only use it in an emergency. Having nothing to wear is not an emergency."

Who was he kidding? "J, when you have nothing to wear, you act like it's the end of the world. All I'm asking for is a new outfit."

Jareth sighed. "Very well, but I want this to be the only time you ever use that crystal for something that is not an emergency."

"It will be, I promise." There was a small flash of light, then an outfit appeared on my bed. There was a white short-sleeved shirt, a blue denim vest, and a knee-length navy skirt with a blue-and-white flower print. I smiled. "J, you've outdone yourself."

Jareth smiled. "Thank you, my dear. I will see you in an hour."

"Alright, J. Don't be late."

"By the way, you look very fetching in that robe."

*****

An hour later, I was pacing back and forth in the living room,
waiting for Jareth. I wore the new outfit plus black leather flats, a small crystal heart on a silver chain, my watch, and my silver turquoise ring.

Where is he? He said he'd be here by now.

On a hunch, I went to the computer and went online. Jareth was there. When I IMed him, I found out that his magic wasn't working.

"Something about the moon and tides," he said. I decided to go through my e-mail while I was waiting. Two hours later, Jareth informed me that his magic would be working when the crystal moon rose, but that that wouldn't be for another hour. By the time ten o'clock rolled around, I was ready to skin Jareth alive. I was wondering how he'd look as a rug when the doorbell rang. I opened the door and gave Jareth a very nasty look.

"Dreamin', don't look at me that way," Jareth said. "It wasn't my fault. I tried to be here on time, I truly did."

I sighed. "All I'll say is that this had better be a date to remember, J."

Jareth smiled. "Oh, it will. It will."

I relaxed. That's when I noticed Jareth's attire. He wore royal blue tights, a royal blue silk shirt, his black vest, black gloves, and his favorite black boots. He looked great.

"You look very handsome, J," I said.

Jareth gave me his most confident smile. "Of course, my dear."

Then, he gave me the once-over. "I must say, I did choose well for you, did I not?"

That's when I noticed that we were both wearing blue. "You just had to give me an outfit that coordinated with yours, didn't you?"

"Of course. I couldn't let you wear something that clashed, now could I?"

I sighed. Jareth always has to look his best. I grabbed my black leather purse. "Let's get this show on the road."

Jareth held out his hand. I took it, and he led me out of the house. I locked the door, then followed him to the driveway. What I saw there made me think that Jareth had been up to his old tricks again.

"J, please tell me that you didn't steal that."

A snow-white horse and a beautiful black carriage stood in my driveway. It looked like the kind they have in New York's Central Park. Jareth has "borrowed" many vehicles in the past. He's very careful about it, so I doubt he'll ever get charged with grand theft auto. Of course, the Fashion Police want him on several counts, but that's another story.

Jareth smiled. "Actually, this is my private carriage."

I gotta admit, that impressed me. Jareth must have known how much I adore England's Regency Era. The carriage did look like the kind they had back then, but it didn't look over a hundred and eighty years old. Jareth helped me in, then got in and took up the reigns.

I turned to see a car drive by, and I realized how impractical it would be to take the carriage to ... wherever we were going. "J, we'll never be able to get wherever it is you're taking me in this. This carriage is just a car accident waiting to happen."

Jareth smiled. "Trust me, Dreamin', we will get to our destination safe and sound in this."

I smiled back. "I do trust you, Jareth." I thought I saw something unfamiliar in his eyes, but it, whatever it was, was gone in a heartbeat. "It's the other drivers I don't trust."

"We don't have to worry about the other drivers," Jareth said, confidently. A little too confidently.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Just watch."

The horse pulled the carriage out of the driveway. Suddenly, there was a flash of bright, white light, and we were in an unfamiliar park. Jareth stopped the carriage in front of a huge stone fountain. He got out and helped me down. "J, I thought you said we were going dancing," I said, confused. I thought he was going to take me to a club or something.

Jareth smiled. "We are. I didn't want an audience on our first date."

"First and only date, J."

"Whatever." He waved his hand, and "Cecilia" started playing from an unknown source. Jareth took my hand, and we started dancing to the fast-paced song.

I was out of breath when the song ended. Jareth is a really energetic dancer. I sat down on the edge of the fountain. Jareth sat down next to me. When I finally caught my breath, I said, "How did you know that's my favorite oldies song?"

Jareth smiled. "We've known each other for five years, Dreamin'. I know a lot about you."

"Well, I know so little about you."

"I'm a very private person."

"That's for sure. I'm mean, what do I know about you? I know you're the Goblin King and the ruler of the Labyrinth. I know you're 997 years old and that your birthday is later this month. I know you've got a mailing list of devoted fans." I grinned. "I know you still sleep with a plush Snoopy." Jareth glared at me. He hates it when I mention the beagle. "But I don't know your favorite anything." Jareth waved his hand, and "In The Arms Of Love" started. He stood up and held out his hand. I took it and stood up. Jareth took me arms, and we started dancing close.

"I see your face and feel your heartache. I see the trace of the tears you have cried. The silent sound of the hurt left unspoken you were strong enough to hide.
"All your life, no one's ever shown you what it's really like to have someone hold you.
"In the arms of love, heaven's just a heartbeat away. I'll be your light in the dark, your shield from the storm, your shelter from the rain.
"And in the arms of love, I'll lift you above all the madness, all of the pain. And you'll be safe and warm here in the arms of love.
"We search this world for a little compassion. For just one look through the eyes of a child. For one more chance to be a believer, while there's still a chance in time.
"All your life, no one there beside you. Close your eyes and let this moment find you.
"In the arms of love, heaven's just a heartbeat away. I'll be your light in the dark, your shield from the storm, your shelter from the rain.
"And in the arms of love, I'll lift you above all the madness, all of the pain. And you'll be safe and warm, here in the arms of love.
"High above the world where dreams are sailing. Far beyond the brightest shinin' star. Where everything you've waited for is waiting.
"In the arms of love, heaven's just a heartbeat away. I'll be your light in the dark, your shield from the storm, your shelter from the rain.
"And in the arms of love, I'll lift you above all the madness, all of the pain. And you'll be safe and warm, here in the arms of love.
"I'll keep you far from harm here in the arms of love."

It felt so good to be in Jareth's arms, so right. I don't know why. Maybe he had put a spell on me. All I know is how disappointed I felt when the song was over and we stopped dancing. I pulled away. "I think it's time you took me home."

Jareth agreed, but I think I saw hurt in his eyes.

The carriage pulled up in front of my house. Jareth got out and helped me out. He walked me to the door. I knew what was coming. The question was, did I want to kiss him? Did I want him to kiss me?

"Tara..." That caught my immediate attention. I looked up at him. Jareth had this devastated look on his face. He never calls me by my real name. It's always Dreamin' this and Dreamin' that. "Tara, I don't want this night to end."

I agreed with him. It shocked the hell out of me, but I didn't want the night to end either. "I don't either, J."

For the first time since I met him, Jareth gave me a sincere smile. He held out his hand again, and again I took it. As soon as I did, there was a flash of light and I found myself on the hill overlooking the Labyrinth. The stars were out, and the crystal moon was full.

I could sense that Jareth was behind me. He whispered in my ear, "Lovely, isn't it?" I turned to face him. He looked so confident, so at ease in his element. "Of course, it's not half as beautiful as the sight before me."

I blushed and turned away. Compliments always make me uneasy.

Jareth produced a wool blanket and spread it on the ground. He bade me to sit. I sat down, and Jareth sat down next to me. I looked out over the Labyrinth. "J, would you ever let me go through it?" I asked.

"I really wish you would call me Jareth," he said. "You've called me J for years. It was fine when we were just friends, but don't you think you should call me by my real name now?"

"What makes now any different? We're still just friends."

"I beg to differ, Tara. You know there's something more between us."

I knew he was right, but I decided to be evasive. "Such as?"

He leaned closer. I could feel his warm breath on my face, and I knew what he wanted. "Desire, for one."

I turned my face away, but he gently took my chin in his hand and turned me back to face him. "What else?"

Jareth looked a little frustrated. "Tara, do I really have to say it? I think you know how I feel."

I'll admit it, I wasn't altogether sure, but I did have some idea, and it scared me. Still, I knew one way around it. "J, never in your life have you been able to commit to just one woman. What makes you think you can start now?"

"I would gladly commit my life to you, Tara, if I knew you felt the same."

"I don't," I lied. I finally realized how he felt and how I felt, but I just couldn't tell him.

Jareth could tell that I was lying, but he knew that since I was lying, I obviously wasn't ready. He stood up and once again helped me up. "One last dance, then?" I nodded. Jareth waved his hand, and "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad?" started playing. It was the chorus that stuck with me.

"Have you ever needed someone so bad? Have you ever needed someone you just couldn't have? Did you ever try so hard that your world just fell apart? Have you ever needed someone so bad?"

Jareth held me so close; I know he didn't want to let go. I didn't want him to let go, but I knew he would have to when the song ended. We stopped dancing, but he didn't let go. I looked up into his eyes with a questioning look on my face. The strength of the longing in his eyes was immense. He couldn't hold back any longer. Jareth brought his lips to mine, and I thought I would die from the pleasure of it. I opened my mouth at his gentle urging, and I felt his tongue take possession of my mouth. The only word I could think to describe it is heavenly. I felt weightless, like we were flying.

I could sense how much Jareth wanted me. I wanted him just as much, but I wasn't ready. I knew that if we did, I would have to share him with so many other women. I am willing to share anything else. I simply don't think that women should share men. Reluctantly, I pulled away. Jareth looked so hurt. "J, you know it's for the best. We're not right for each other."

"Are you sure about that?" he asked.

"I'm sure. Someday, you'll find a woman who's willing to share you, who's able to give you more than I can."

Jareth gave me a sad smile. "Maybe, but I doubt she'll be as wonderful as you."

I felt a tug on my heart strings, and I knew it was time to go home. "Goodnight, J."

He took my hand and kissed it. "Goodnight, Dreamin'."

There was a flash of light, and I was back in my bedroom. I went over to my nightstand and picked up my diary. I opened it to the next blank page and started writing.

~Dear Diary,

~You're not going to believe what happened to me...~

The End?