Hearts Reset
By Kryptonite
Disclaimer: The Labyrinth is owned by Jim Henson, the muppet master, and whoever else worked on the movie. I wish I could get a copy of the book/play but all I have are my fanfics and the movie. Go figure.
A/N: Hey. I just couldn't get this out of my head for three days so, here ya go. I just had to write it down. Otherwise it would have played in my head over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and... well... you get the idea. Please R/R and if you have to flame me, try to do it constructively please. If I did something wrong, point out specifics not generals, it would be much more helpful to my writing skills (which I desperately want to improve).
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It's been almost two years since... The Time. Everything's just progressively gotten worse. It's not all bad. I still get to see Toby, and I've gotten tons of more freedom. Maybe I should start over.
I was fifteen when I defeated the Labyrinth and saved my half brother Toby from the cruel, devious, and extremely cute Goblin King, Jareth. Ever since that night, Daddy's arguments with Elizabeth got progressively worse.
She and Toby left a week before my sixteen birthday. Since then, daddy's started drinking on the weekends and bringing girls home with him. Girl's that look like they're only a few years older than me.
When Elizabeth's relationship with my father was deteriorating, our relationship was getting better. She still let's me come over and play with Toby. He's getting to be such a big boy.
School's going just as well as it did before the Time. I have no friends outside of my books, I still try out for the school plays and still get turned down. I've been able to keep my grades at the A range despite... everything that's been happening.
Sarah. I'm leaving for a little while. I'll be back later.
Okay daddy. I couldn't stop calling him that even though I wanted to slap him and ask why he was doing this to himself.
To us. I picked up the phone and dialed a much memorized number. Please be home, please be home. When the answering machine clicked in I simply hung up. I wasn't about to leave a message asking Elizabeth if I could stay the night at her house.
Elizabeth had picked up her life after she left my father like she had never been married to him. She had started dating almost immediately. Whenever she did, she asked if I could baby-sit Toby. Only now she paid me.
Biting my lip, I did something I hadn't done for almost six months.
Hoggle? Sir Didymus? Ludo? I need you. I closed my eyes and sent a silent prayer that it would still work.
What's wrong Sarah? My heart leaped into my throat when I heard Hoggle's voice.
I just needed to see you guys that's all. Can you stay here tonight? I... don't want to be alone.
We'll have to ask Jareth. Hoggle said, starting to fade out. All the anger I had bottled up at my father burst out at my friends.
If that's the way you feel never mind. I don't need you. I don't need anybody. I grabbed my coat and stormed out of my own room, out of my own house. How dare they!' I silently fumed. I knew I would regret my actions when I was thinking straight.
I got a block away from the library before something bad happened. I almost got hit by a car, a black and gold trimmed Izuzu Trooper to be exact, because I wasn't paying attention.
Luckily someone swooped in, almost literally, and save my life.
Come now Sarah, you know better than that. The british voice sent chills down my spine, the mocking tone bringing back a time of my life I almost half wish I could forget.
Leave me alone. I couldn't find the breath to make the sounds above a whisper.
Is she okay? A small crowd had gathered around us and Jareth answered the question.
She'll be fine. Just a little shaken. I'm going to take her home. Come on Sarah. He picked her up and carried me down the street and out of sight of the crowd before stepping into an alley and simply transporting to my bedroom.
Lie down.
Are you all right milady? Sir Didymus asked, jumping lightly onto the bed.
Sarah okay? Ludo's deep, slow voice penetrated the haze around my thoughts.
I'm okay. I'm sorry I yelled at you. I didn't mean it, honest.
That's okay. Jareth reentered the room a glass.
All right Huggle.
Hoggle. Jareth waved his hand in dismissal.
You and your friends can leave now.
Will you be all right milady? Sir Didymus looked Jareth up and down with distrust.
I'll be fine. Thank you. I called as the three faded out.
Anything else I can get you? Only thing in the cupboards was hot chocolate. Jareth handed me the mug and pulled a chair next to my bed to sit down. I was touched by the show of kindness but I was very ready for some onslaught of something bad.
Thank you. Why are you doing this?
Doing what? Jareth leaned back in the chair, his trademark smirk playing across his face.
Being nice, saving my life. Why?
What would you have me do?
Let me di- Let what happens, happen. I hadn't realized until just now how much I didn't want to be living here, living this nightmare of a life. I don't know if Jareth caught my almost slip.
Why in the all the Underground would I let something like that happen to you? I simply looked at the wall, refusing to look at him and admit to this man what I really wanted. Sarah. He paused. Sarah, look at me.
What? I didn't look at him until he reached an un-gloved hand to my face and forced me to look at him.
I will never let anything harm you.
A loud noise made us both jump. Sounds of raucous laughter and much stumbling was followed by some girl trying to giggle coyly. With a groan, I looked at the digital clock by my bed. I didn't realize that it was already eight o'clock. Dad had left at six.
I was hoping he would stay out later.
What was that? Jareth asked, a look of anger and annoyance flashing over his face. The noise got louder as my father and his date' came up the stairs to his room.
Sarah! I'm home! As usual, my father came stumbling into my room for half a second to check on me. His whore came in behind him, not half as drunk as she appeared. Who're you? He tried to slur angrily.
I saw the picture as he must see it. Me sitting up in bed, this strange man leaning over me, hands on my face, way too close for comfort.
A friend. Who're you?
That's my dad. I whispered, instantly ashamed, as I always was when daddy got this way.
With a wave of his hand a crystal appeared in Jareth's palm and was instantly directed at my father. The crystal was thrown and my dad and the girl left my room without a backward glance.
I'm sure under other circumstances I would have been very glad to meet him.
Don't bet on it. I muttered but he overheard anyway.
I won't.