Title: A Love That Will Last
Author: Etsuki-chan
Summary: Nicky Wood has been left to live with her sister and brother-in-law after her parent's death. But when things get to be too lonely in her new home, Nicky calls on the infamous Goblin King for help. Unfortunately, Jareth is not one to help for nothing.
Pairings: Jareth/OC
Warnings: Rated M for strong language, possible violence, and mature situations. (Possible attempted rape)
Disclaimer: Surprisingly enough, I do not own the Labyrinth, or any of the characters.
Chapter 1: A Desolate Beginning; The Goblin King Steps InNicole Wood lived for fairy tales. Ever since she was a child she had been literally taken over by the mystery of them, the intrigue. But none affected her quite like the story of the Goblin King. He had offered everything to her, that girl Sarah, he had promised everything she could ever dream of, and she had refused. She had shattered his heart. She had broken his dreams. And…he loved her. His beautiful songs, and glamour filled fantasies; all for her, his love. And…still she had walked away. Nicky couldn't understand that. How could you leave behind everything you has ever wanted, how could you say no to a man that would reorder time for you? It didn't make sense. Nothing in that fairy tale did.
"Nicky, have you seen my purse?" Melody Wood, Nicky's twenty-year-old sister called from the living room, "I could have sworn I put it on the coffee table but it's not here."
"It's on the kitchen counter," Nicky answered with a sigh. Her sister was such an airhead. All she ever cared about was makeup, shopping, boys, and…well shopping. For being an adult she sure didn't know what it was like to have any responsibilities. Of course, the fact that her husband was loaded helped her out in that area.
"Oh, thanks!" Melody called with a ditzy giggle. Nicky rolled her eyes at the ceiling. Honestly, if their parents hadn't sworn that they were sisters (birth certificate and all) even Nicky wouldn't have believed it. Melody was tall and gorgeous, with sparkling blue eyes, fiery red hair, and a figure to die for. Nicky was short and plain, with dark brown hair that fell to her shoulders, and bright misty green eyes. Plus Melody was twenty and married, while Nicky was only fifteen and boyfriend-less. They were, in all aspects, complete opposites.
"I'll be home late," she called out, not even bothering to step in and face her sister as she abandoned her on a cool, brisk Friday evening, "so don't wait up or anything. Tell Clay I'll see him in the morning."
"Yeah," Nicky muttered, listening to the front door open and close as her sister left the house. In all honesty, Nicky wasn't planning on telling Clay anything. Clay was Melody's twenty-five year old husband and, though he was fine when he was sober, he was a complete pig when he got drunk! Whenever Nicky and him were alone and he had had more then a few drinks he was constantly hitting on her. She was fifteen, for God's sake! Nasty! But anyway, when she did have to be alone with him, she simply locked herself in a room and listed to her I-pod super loud, so she couldn't hear his catcalls.
See, Nicky's parents had passed away about three months ago, and left Nicky to her sister and Clay. Clay had been thrilled of course, but Melody…well she just didn't want her kid sister cramping her style. Well, that was fine with Nicky, who just wanted to be left alone. Unfortunately, Clay would have none of that. One thing Nicky will always admit is that beside from being a pervert, Clay was actually a pretty cool guy. Every once in a while he'd take Nicky and her friends to the mall, or the movies or something. Once, when Nicky was seven and still living with her parents, Clay had come over after Mel and her had gotten into it. He had found her crying in the backyard, and invited her for some ice cream. (Don't worry; even Clay wasn't gross enough to hit on a seven-year-old)
After he had calmed her down, he had promised to let her visit his horses if she tried to patch things up with Melody. She did, and he let her have Rien one of his most beautiful and gentle mares. From then on out, no matter how perverted he acted, he had been prince charming in her book. Tonight, however, she just wanted to be by herself. She just wanted to dream her dreams in peace.
"Nicky?" Came Clay's voice through the door, "Are you in there, hon?"
"Yes," Nicky answered gritting her teeth at being called 'hon'.
"Oh," she could hear the smile in his voice, "Good, I was worried about you. Mrs. Bryant called and said you didn't show up for class today. Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine, Clay," she answered with a sigh, "I just…didn't feel like going today."
"Uh-huh," he answered sternly, "and does the Goblin King have anything to do with this?" Nicky flushed. The night of her parent's accident, she had run into Clay's arms and started screaming about the Goblin King taking her away. Later she had confessed her secret love of the fairy tale, though lately she was beginning to regret it.
"I hate you, Clay," She stated flatly to the door. She heard Clay sigh.
"I was only joking, baby, don't get so snippy," he called out, "Whatever makes you happy is fine with me." Silence, "Say, sweetie?"
"What!" Nicky snapped hating his stupid pet names.
"Did…did Melody say anything to you before she left?" Silence. Nicky cringed, she hated the way her sister treated Clay; he really did love her. But Mel was only in it for the money, as they all knew. But still Clay hoped…
"I'm sorry, Clay," She said softly standing and strolling towards the door, "She… she said she'll talk to you in the morning is all."
"Oh," he said dejectedly on the other side, "Okay." Silence. "You…you want to go to a movie or something, honey? Just the two of us…it could be fun." He was begging. Nicky could hear it in his voice. Poor guy.
"Um…I guess," she answered on a sigh, "Just…just give me a few minutes, okay?"
"Okay," she heard him sigh in relief. Clay hated being alone.
"Clay?" she called out one last time.
"Yeah?"
"No drinking. Promise me."
"I promise, Nicky," he said, a note of regret tinting his words, "No more scaring my little girl." Nicky laughed and flung a pillow at the door.
About three and a half hours later found Nicky and Clay sitting in his Mustang on the way home from some stupid gladiator movie. Well…Clay at least seemed to have enjoyed it.
"That was fun," Clay said on a laugh, as they neared their turn, "Maybe when we get home the three of us can go for ice-cream or something."
"Clay," Nicky said hesitantly, "I…I don't think Mel is going to be…um…back by now."
"Hmm?" Clay asked with a strained smile.
"Never mind," Nicky said with a shrug. Poor guy, best let him find out on his own. About two minutes later they pulled into the long sloping driveway Clay loved so much. Gave them 'privacy' he said. Really he just hoped it would dissuade Melody from fucking other guys. It didn't work.
"Guess she got caught up in traffic," Clay said with a laugh. Nicky didn't say anything.
"Clay…uh…. can we talk for a minute?" Nicky asked quietly as they entered the house.
"What for, baby?" He asked with a longing look towards the liquor cabinet, "It's pretty late…don't you think you should get to bed?"
"Clay," Nicky moaned, practically begging, "Please. You promised me, no drinking remember? Please Clay I really...I really need to talk to someone. Please Clay… I…just…just for a minute?"
"Oh, sweetie," he looked like he was actually in pain, "Can't it wait 'till tomorrow? I know I promised, hon, but…Mel's having her fun tonight, why shouldn't I? You…just go on up to bed honey. Lock your door, put on your headphones, and…and we'll talk in the morning. I promise, baby, after this no more drinking. Please? For me?"
Nicky was silent for a long moment after that. The she nodded slowly and walked to the door.
"Okay, Clay," she whispered sadly watching him unlock the cabinet, "I'll let you drown your pain one more time."
"Thanks, sweetheart," he called out after her.
But she didn't hear him. By the time she had reached her room she was crying hard. Closing the door behind her, she locked it and placed herself face down on the bed. Reaching for her headphones she turned her I-pod to David Bowie, and listened as his voice filled her mind, and drowned out the sound of Clay killing himself slowly downstairs.
"No one can blame you
For walking away
Too much rejection
No love injection
Life can be easy
It's not always swell
Don't tell me truth hurts, little girl
'cause it hurts like hell.
But down in the underground
You'll find someone true.
Down in the underground
A land serene
a crystal moon.
It's only forever
Not long at all
Lost and lonely
That's underground,
Underground. "
By the time the song had ended Nicky was fast asleep, and Clay was well on his way to becoming his usual drunken maniac. His last conscious thought was of Nicky earlier that night pleading with him, begging him to talk to her. She had finally reached out to him, finally wanted to open her heart to him, tell him of her pain, and he had selfishly thought of his own. But all thinking of that did was add to the list of pains he was trying to drown away, and he took another shot of whiskey for every sob he had heard in the hallway as she had walked away. God, he hated himself.
"Nicky? Baby, open the door. Let me in, hon, I want to talk to you."
Nicky sighed heavily as she rolled over onto her side. Obviously her I-pod had reached the last song, because she could hear quite clearly Clay's drunken voice through the door as he attempted to get in.
"Go sleep it off, Clay," Nicky called, sitting up and reaching for a pillow to cover her head.
"Oh, but you do have smart mouth girl," Clay said with an over-exaggerated laugh, "Now come on and open the door. You said you wanted to talk, right? So lets… talk."
"Where's Mel?" Nicky asked blinking blearily at the clock. It was four in the morning; surely she had come home already?
"Not here," Came Clay's mournful voice, "I'm lonely, Nicky-Baby, you're lonely too, aren't you? I know you are. So let me in. Come on, hon, we can comfort each other. We don't have to be lonely anymore."
"Go fuck yourself, Clay," Nicky hissed at the door, for that moment in time hating Clay with all of her being.
"I'd rather fuck you," he answered back with a nasty chuckle.
"Shut-up and die," Nicky whispered, tears now welling in her eyes. She hated it when Clay drank. The monster he became when he was drunk was nothing compared to the man he really was. And…though she hated to admit it without Clay around, without his confident smile and cheer-filled voice, her life seemed to amount to nothing. She needed Clay there; she needed him to be able and strong. The fact is, without Clay, she was alone.
"Go wait for Mel, Clay," Nicky said softening her tone, "She just called, said she'd be home soon. She said traffic caught her, and that she misses you. She needs you Clay, go wait for her, okay?"
"Oh…okay," she heard him answer. Moments later she heard him stumble down the steps, and sighed deeply. God, he would believe anything she told him about Mel. Of course he would, she mused silently, he loves her after all. So now he'd go down and pass out on the couch 'waiting' for Mel to arrive and fill him in with her excuses. And Nicky? She'd sit in her room and cry herself to sleep like before. Like she had every night since her parents had died. Except, no one would come and take care of her. No one…because the only one who ever had, was stone drunk and cared more about his cheating wife then the fifteen year old girl under his charge.
Nicky sighed. It was her birthday in a week. It fell on a Sunday. On the three month anniversary of her parent's death, for that matter, a day when her life had ended. A day…that no one would remember. Not even her sister. She lay down gently on her bed and allowed the tears to fall. By the time she heard her sister return home, she was quietly sobbing her heart out into her pillow.
"I hate this," she whispered, "I hate my life. I wish it would all go away. I wish I could be someone else, or…or go someplace else. No one would miss me. God…I…I wish someone would take me away."
Sobbing, Nicky rose to cuddled her pillow close and glanced across the room at her favorite movie and book; Labyrinth.
"I…" she whispered as she felt her eyes drifting closed, "I wish…I wish the Goblin King…the Goblin King…would take me away…right…right now…"
"Your wish is my command, Nicky," came a quiet voice near the window. Nicky smiled as she lost consciousness, her last thought being 'what a wonderful dream this is going to be' though she had no idea she was definitely not asleep.