Love Without Your Heartbeat

ann no aku

Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth.

Plot: Sarah loses her memory and has forgotten about Jareth and the labyrinth. Then she sees him again, and the memories trickle to the surface.

Note: This is a re-upload with edits, brought back by request. The story will be completed. Originally published April 30, 2002.

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Chapter One: There's Such a Sad Love

Sarah Williams drove past the park where she used to play, but found that she could not recall those days. Still, the park called to her, haunted her like a ghost of past she used to know. A snow white owl with crisp brown fringe on its wings stared at her, perched on pole of the wooden bridge over the lake. Its icy black eyes burned into her as if trying to imprint her image in its mind as she faded into the distance. A loud clap of thunder brought Sarah back to reality. She was on her way to her parents' for Toby's eighth birthday, and her boyfriend was to meet her there.

The sedan rolled softly onto the driveway; Seth's car was already parked along the curb. Before exiting, Sarah neatened her appearance--brushed her hair before pulling it back in a clip, put on lipstick, and quickly powdered her nose. She grabbed the large package in her passenger seat and started towards the door. Toby greeted his older sister before she had time to reach the steps.

"Sarah!" he squealed and greedily grabbed the gift. "What is it?" Toby shook the present and grinned.

"You'll find out soon enough," she replied in a hushed whisper. Sarah hugged her younger brother and ruffled his messy blonde hair.

"Mom, mom! Sarah is here, and she brought me a present! It's huge!"

"That's nice," Mrs. Williams said. "It's good to see you, Sarah. It's been some time." She moved in as if to hug her step-daughter, but pulled back at the last second.

"College is tough," she said, making an excuse for her behavior. "And Seth is suggesting that we move in together."

"Great!" she feigned a smile, not quite sure if she should be happy for her step-daughter. Sarah was still recovering from the accident she had been in a couple of years ago. The car accident could have killed her, but had only rendered her unconscious and damaged her memory. Sarah had also been on the verge of death, and the only thing that had seemed to help keep her alive was her nightly visitor of a white owl. Mrs. Williams could almost swear that the owl had lamented for her. "Are you ready for such a commitment?"

"I need to move beyond the accident, Mother. It affected my memory, nothing else." She sighed and stared at her father talking to Seth. "He really likes him."

"Of course he does. Seth is a very nice," she paused for a fraction of a second, "nice man. A bit too old for you-"

"Please don't start this again," Sarah begged, lowering her voice.

"What? You're twenty one and he is nearly thirty!"

"Twenty-eight," she corrected. "It is only a seven year difference. Besides, I love him, Mother. He is what I need right now."

Mrs. Williams eyed her step-daughter curiously. "Alright," she said in a defeated tone, and left to rejoin the party.

"Happy birthday, Toby!" Seth congratulated, picking up the child and swinging him around the room. He's so good with children, thought Sarah with a twinge of jealously. Seth caught her staring at him and winked. He set down Toby and walked over to Sarah, greeting her with a kiss. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she assured him, smiling to convince herself it was true. Without realizing it, Sarah studied Seth, like she always did, noting so many things about him that seemed familiar—his piercing blue eyes, messy platinum hair, and his hands. He is so beautiful, like someone from a dream. But who?

"Well, come on, love. Dinner is about to be served." He slipped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her closer to him. "You smell delicious. What are you wearing?"

"What? I'm not wearing any perfume." She sniffed her wrist, an image of a young girl playing in her mother's make-up and perfume coming to mind. The bottle read Chanel No. 5, and Sarah recalled her trip to the mall earlier that day to pick up Toby's present—a woman at a perfume counter had insisted she sample the same perfume from her memory.

Seth released her once they reached the table and pulled out a chair for her at the large oak table. Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah thought she saw a white owl on a tree just outside the window. It looks like the owl from the park, but that can't be. Why would it be following me? Once they made eye contact, it screeched soundlessly and vanished from sight.

"Strange," she mumbled to herself and sang 'Happy Birthday' to her brother. He seemed to be growing up so quickly, but then how'd she know? There were parts to her past before the accident that she knew almost nothing about. She couldn't remember her mother the actress, or all the 'bad memories' as Toby called them. Yet, she could recall other things--memories that made no sense to her.

"Tonight," Seth began after the party had calmed down and the family was about to watch a video, "I want to ask Mr. Williams a very serious question. Mr. Williams," his azure eyes turned soft, "May I have permission to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage?"

Sarah was just as shocked as her father. She and Seth had discussed sharing an apartment, but never discussed marriage seriously. Her hazel eyes grew wide as her boyfriend pulled out a small box.

"It's not much now, Sarah, but I hope it's enough." A small diamond ring glittered in the pale illumination of the parlor.

"You have my permission," Mr. Williams replied, barely able to conceal his joy at the thought of his daughter happy and moving beyond her accident.

"Sarah Lynne Williams, will you be my wife?" Seth questioned after bending on one knee. Never before had he appeared so vulnerable, so scared, yet Sarah did not know what to say.