A/N: Hey, people! Here's my first of many (hopefully) Labyrinth fan fictions! It was originally supposed to be a one shot thing, but I guess I kinda got into it. Heh heh. Well, I hope you enjoy it!

Sarah is now 21, and Toby is now about 6 (or 7). It had been five years since Sarah had 'rescued' Toby from Underground. Now, five years later, Sarah's life seems to be falling apart. Is there someone who can put it back together?

Dreams

It had been nearing five years since Sarah had left Underground…and it's King. Now a grown woman of 21, Sarah Marie Williams was majoring in acting at a local college. But her grades were becoming lower and lower, because she wasn't getting enough sleep.

"It's because of your dreams, genius!" Sarah thought to herself as she glared down at another 'F' on an essay.

A voice in the back of her mind spoke up. "But it is very hard to concentrate on worthless school work when your thoughts are on someone else!" The voice seemed to be mocking her, though it was her own.

Since she had gotten into the school, everything in her life had fallen apart. Her grades dropped horribly, her father had decided to pick up Toby and her step-mother and move away, her boyfriend of two-and-a-half years had broken up with her, and, worst of all, her mother had died last spring. Bobby, her ex-boyfriend, had stormed out, claiming that her expectations were too high.

"I am exhausted from living up to your expectations of me"

his voice filled her head again; and not for the first time that day. "Jareth…" she thought, her eyes closing thoughtfully.

Five years' time had given Sarah a lot of time to think about the mystical King. And she had thought of him very often.

"Maybe my decision was made too soon. Maybe I should have stayed in the Labyrinth…" Sarah had questioned herself. Suddenly, she was back in the crystal, in a beautiful gown, surrounded by masked people, feeling very out of place. She was searching for something, or someone, but she didn't know what or who. Her vision blurred and blackness appeared before her eyes. She was swirling down a dark hole, hands were grabbing at her, and she was calling for help. she dropped into a pit, an oubliette, and all light was shut out.

"It's not fair!" Sarah commented as she was brought out of her memory.

"You say that so often. I wonder what your basis for comparison is"

Jareth's voice filled her head again, and she welcomed it. Remembering his voice always seemed to calm her. and when she remembered his singing, everything was like a dream; she would relax and smile; she would be happy, whenever remembering his songs.

She stood and left the building, heading toward her apartment before going to rehearsal that night. Maybe she would study for an upcoming exam.

"Maybe you should get rest. You are beyond exhaustion." she told herself. The way she 'spoke' was very familiar, yet so unknown to her.

"What does it matter if I'm tired? I need to study more than I need to sleep, or I'll fail this term." Sarah paused for a second. "Why am I arguing with myself? It's pointless, and it makes me sound unstable" With that, the argument between Sarah and herself was resolved. She would go home and study. She needed it more than sleep.

It was nearing 4:30 when Sarah collapsed, exhaustion forcing her to rest. She sat at her desk, her head resting on an open text book, pencil still in her hand.

Her dreams were of Jareth, as they always were lately. She was dreaming that she was confronting the Goblin King. He was, again, offering her, her dreams.

"Look what I'm offering you. Your dreams" he said, his voice almost pleading with her. "Thought dangers untold and hardships unnumbered," Sarah began striding forward slowly. "Sarah, please…" Jareth whispered. "I have fought my way here to the castle, beyond the Goblin City…" Sarah continued. "I ask for so little. Just let me rule you, and you can have everything" Jareth was trying to bribe her. "To take back the child which you have stolen" Jareth was silent, his eyes pleading, begging her to stop. "For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great…" Jareth interrupted her. "Fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave!" hissed the King, his voice nearly failing him. "My kingdom is great…damn! I can never remember that line…" Sarah growled, shaking her head. Jareth looked slightly hopeful, gazing at her deeply, his mismatched eyes sparkling. Sarah looked up and stared into them, realization spreading across her face. "You have no power over me" The Goblin King's chest fell and his eyes closed. He tossed the crystal into the air and changed into an owl. Sarah caught a glimpse of his eyes. They were full of sadness and pain…

During her dream, Sarah was mumbling incoherent semi-sentences. Her eyes flickered beneath their lids and her breathing became sharper. Suddenly she whispered, "I wish I could see the Goblin King…right now"

The air in the room grew colder and the lamp went out. Sarah sat up suddenly, and sat back in her chair. She glanced around, and saw no one. Sighing, she said, "It was only a dream…" She sounded crestfallen.

"Oh, it was no dream, Sarah. It was very real." said the voice that had echoed in Sarah's memory.