"Hi! I’m Harriet Horn, and we’re standing outside the Sun Studio Music Preservation Party. Here to my left is Jerrica Benton, head of Starlight Music!"

"Hi, Harriet," Jerrica said, smiling into the camera.

"Well, what’s this about Jareth Trevale singing with the Holograms?" questioned immediately.

"Well, this is a very, very special occasion for music. A lot of older music studios are in danger of being destroyed and their historic significance lost, and tonight, Memphis’ Sun Studio, recording home of greats like Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, is holding this benefit in L.A. to support other historic studios."

"You didn’t answer my question, Ms. Benton."

"I’m getting there." And she was. But Jerrica knew how to use a camera to plug something important, and didn’t want to waste an opportunity. "We wanted to make our support really known, and so we decided to do something extra special tonight. So Jem has stepped out for the evening and handed over the microphone to Jareth Trevale."

"But Jerrica, whose songs will they be performing?"

"They wrote all new ones," Jerrica said, beaming. "And I’m sure you’ll love them. The recording from tonight’s live performance will be available on Starlight Records, the proceeds benefiting Starlight House and Haven House."

"Well, thank you, Ms. Benton. And wish the performers good luck tonight!"

"Will do," she promsied.

"And here’s Linda Williams!" cried Harriet, bounding over to the actress and leaving Jerrica alone, thank heavens.

But Jerrica’s lovely smile fell the instant she was inside. It was wonderful what had happened, and of course she was thrilled that Starlight House was most assuredly saved once again…

But her heart hurt, and that was the truth. She would never hold Rio again, never feel his arms around her or his kiss on her lips, whether she was Jem or Jerrica. Her tangled heart had straightened out the moment he’d left her, and she knew now she had lost the one man she’d ever loved, the one man she could ever love.

She walked backstage, to help the Holograms, trying to force her smile back up. There they were, testing equipment, Jareth pacing moodily around.

"Stop it!" Raya was telling him. "You’re making me nervous!"

He paused, and looked up. "Jerrica, you made it."

"Yeah, I did."

Kimber could read her sister better than any of them, and she was at Jerrica’s side in an instant. "Oh, Jerrica, I’m sorry. I know you’re not happy. But just think, this is all working out; at least there’s that."


She nodded, and took a deep breath. "I know. Don’t worry, Kimber. I’m okay. You’re all going to be spectacular tonight, and I just want you all to know that I’m one hundred percent behind you."

"And so am I."

Jerrica whirled around. "Rio?" she cried.

He was standing in the entrance to the stage, hands in his pockets, a small smile on his face. "Hi."

"Um…well…we have to go change," said Shana.

"No, we don’t," Kimber answered in confusion.

"Yes we do," the all, Jareth included, told her together.

"Oh! Oh, right. Gotta change. Okay…um, we’ll just go to the dressing rooms now…heh…"

When they were alone, Jerrica asked him, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you."

"Why?" she demanded.

"Because…" Now he dropped his nonchalant posture. "Because I love you."

"Still?"

"Yes. Still and always. Jerrica…just don’t lie to me. Ever again."

She smiled, and ran into his arms. "Never again," she promised, and his lips found hers.

"Awww…" Kimber sighed.

"Eavesdroppers," Rio told them.

The Holograms and Jareth only shrugged.

Danse and Sarah wandered into the closed stage. "Hey!" cried Sarah. "You made up! That’s great!"

"Yeah," Danse agreed. "Tonight wouldn’t have felt right unless you had."

Jareth shook his head at them. "You shouldn’t be back here," he chided. "Get back to your table; we have lots of work to do."

"Alright," Sarah sighed.

"Oh, but before you go…" He smiled. "I want you to know that our first song is for the both of you."

Sarah grinned. "I can’t wait to tell mom!"

*****

"I can’t believe we turned down this gig! How stupid can we be! This is all your fault, Eric…"

"Shut up and sit down," Stormer ordered.

Pizzazz, much to the surprise of the rest of the Stinger Sound table, took her seat. "I didn’t want to stand," she sniffed.

Riot leaned over to Stormer. "This is a new you, Stormer. I’d like to see more of it…later tonight?’

Stormer smiled seductively, her blue eyes looking directly into Riot’s. "Then close your eyes…"

He complied, expectant.

"And fall asleep. Because the only way you’ll have me is in your dreams."

The room darkened on his disappointed face, and Stormer sat up in her chair. "It’s starting!" she whispered.

The stage opened in the shadows, and suddenly the lights came up on the performers. And then it happened. Whatever one may call the amazing thing that happens between the performers and the audience when they connect totally…it happened then. The Holograms played, and then the final light came brilliantly up behind them, and Jareth began to sing.

I spent so many years
Searching, searching, fighting back tears.
Spent so much time looking for
Someone to love, someone to adore.

You taught me the magic of love.
You're my angel from Heaven above.
You're my world, my light, and my fire.
You are my love, my hope, my desire.

Before you came, I was cold, I was cruel.
I didn't need love -- I was such a fool.
I lived in a world of illusions and dreams
Where not even love is as it seems.

You taught me the magic of love.
You're my angel from Heaven above.
You're my world, my light, and my fire.
You are my love, my hope, my desire.

Now that I have you, my world is whole.
You give me love, gave me back my soul.
We are together, never to be apart.
One mind, one soul, one body, one heart.

You taught me the magic of love.
You're my angel from Heaven above.
You're my world, my light, and my fire.
You are my love, my hope, my desire.

The music ended softly, and Jareth paused, waiting. The room exploded in applause.

"Yeah Kimber!" Stormer rooted from her table.

Danse and Sarah, laughing together in a shy, flattered way, clapped loudly, the other Starlight Girls at the table joining in.

Jareth looked directly at them, and bowed. The audience screamed its approval.

When some of the noise had died down, Kimber took the mike. "We’re going to do our next tune, now…"

*****

Success. Pure, unadulterated success.

They were drunk with it, and that was perfectly understandable. "We did it," Jareth kept saying, over and over, his voice filled with amazement.

"Yes, we did," Aja agreed. "We really did."

They sat around the living room in Starlight House, on the floor and in chairs. Jareth and Danse sat together on the fireplace hearth, Jareth reclining with his usual easy dignity and Danse curled up near him, but not too near…even though everyone could see she wanted to be.

"Good news," Rio told them, clicking off his cell phone. "I just heard. The investigation is over."

This was met with silence. "I think…I think it might be time to put Jem away…" said Jerrica softly.

"No," Rio told her firmly. "No."

She looked at him. "Rio, I thought…"

"She’s a part of you. And you need her."

Jareth nodded. "He’s right, Jerrica. And I’m sure it gives you something to think about. But…" He stood up from the stone fireplace. "I have to go."

They looked generally alarmed, and he heard them all disagree with that statement. All except Danse.

"Well, if you have to," she said. "Then…goodbye, Jareth. I’ll miss you."

He looked at her sadly. "I must. And I thank you for your thoughts, Giselle."

The rest was a blur of goodbyes, shaking hands with Rio, accepting hugs from the Holograms, conveying his thanks and best wishes to all of them, and sending goodbye messages for the Starlight Girls.

"And Giselle," he said, suddenly, turning to Danse. She smiled as he called her by her given name once more. "Remember this…I’m no more than a wish away."

And then he vanished.

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