A New Path Prologue - Epilogue

by Melissa Davis

A new slayer, goblins in Sunnydale, Vampires in the labyrinth, the Goblin King comming back into Sarah's life. Labyrinth/Buffy the Vampire Slayer Crossover.

1. Default Chapter Title: Prologue - Chapte...

Hello, this little fanfiction is a Labyrinth and Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fanfic. Here is my disclaimer: All characters within Labyrinth belong to Jim Henson and who ever else came up with that wonderful movie. All characters within Buffy the Vampire Slayer belong to the WB and who ever else came up with that wonderful show. Please, please give me your opinions on my story. This is my first attempt at fanfiction, so please be gentle and enjoy.

A New Path

Prologue:

She lay in her cot perfectly happy with her self as she stared at the blank wall of her cell. Her black wavy hair cascading over the pillow as she idolly played with one strand of her hair, wearing her uniform in the most stylish way that was allowed, with a white undershirt, long sleeve gray shirt and her baggy gray pants. The long sleeve shirt was off tied around her waist as she kept her eyes on the ceiling above. Faith had a long time to think and a long time to try to make amends for her deeds of the past. She had made her place in the prison as one that no one would dare cross and kept an eye out for those too weak to survive on their own while locked up in the LA Women's prison. Most importantly though she had made her peace with herself, though she wished that she could have taken back the pain that she had caused Buffy and Angel.

Sitting up her eyes scanned the walls of her cell letting out a wistful sigh. It would be a few more months before the parole board would see her for her parole hearing and she wasn't sure if she should be looking forward to it or not. She wasn't exactly thrilled about being locked up in prison but she felt that it was a lot safer than out in the real world. Ever since she had been locked away she had no dealings with vampires or demons and it was surprisingly a comfort. At first she thought she would go insane without having any circumstances where she could kick some demon butt but nothing.

Faith's mind flashed back to her second month within the prison while she was standing in line for her lunch. At the corner of her eye she could see some of the prisoners ganging up on someone. She looked so scared as the women cornered the startled red headed girl, she kind of reminded her of Willow. Making her way towards the group of girls with her tray of food she faked herself tripping and dumped the slimy substance they called a meal over the three women that were ganging up on the red head.

The larger woman in the middle of the group gasped out in horror as she felt the slimy warm impact against her back. Turning she glared her small beady eyes at Faith, "Just what the hell do you think you're doing!"

"Gee, I don't know? Making an improvement!" That got the group's attention off of the red head real quick. Faith was just itching to kick that group's butt. They had been terrorizing the majority of the other inmates since longer than she had been there.

The group of three lunged for her. The large woman in the middle let her fist fly heading quickly towards Faith's face. Blocking the oncoming blow with her left hand Faith slammed her right hand open palmed into the large woman's nose causing her to bellow over in pain. The slanky woman on her right grabbed for Faith's hair but only succeeding in falling over as Faith's foot made contact with her mid section. The woman on Faith's left backed off slightly not at all wanting a beating. Just as the large woman with the nosebleed recovered from her attack she swept her right fist towards Faith, not learning from her first mistake. Faith grabbed her fist in mid flight squeezing hard. The woman dropped to her knees in seconds as she felt the bones within her fist being crushed.

Faith glared down at the large woman, "Now! If I were you I'd think to reconsider your hobby at being super bitch to something a little less painful."

Just then the security came breaking up the fight. That little incident left her in solitary confinement for a few weeks. Faith smiled slightly to herself as she remembered how the woman behaved to her after that little brawl. Yes, Faith would definitely make an impact here. She had already helped several inmates reconsider their lives and change themselves for the better. The light in her cell flickered suddenly making her look towards the flickering light and then outside her small cell window that only showed the dark night sky.

She was about to shrug it off as a little glitch in the electricity when the lights started flickering once again and the door to her cell slid open. Hooting and howling could be heard as the inmates started exiting their cells, looting with papers, books, and toiletries. Walking out of her own cell she watched as trash dropped from the upper cells and looked down in time to see the prison guards fighting off the riot of inmates attacking them. With an "Oomph" Faith jumped over the railing down two stories landing ungracefully to her feet before falling and rolling back to her feet.

Running towards the angry mob of inmates she reached one just in time to stop her from impaling a guard with a sharp piece of metal. Knocking the weapon out of the prisoners' hands she jumped kicked her knocking her out with one blow to the face. The guard took no notice of her help as she tried to stop the oncoming attack from all around her. Faith was largely outnumbered but that didn't stop her from taking down quite a few of the rioters. Things were not looking good as she saw one of the guards lying in a pool of blood staring up at her with blank eyes.

An inmate from behind grabbed Faith but was rewarded with a broken wrist as Faith twisted it away from her neck backhanding the woman with her free hand as she disarmed her. There were so many people fighting that it was hard to make out the good guys from the bad. Just as Faith was helping one of the wounded guards up to drag her away from the ensuing riot she had to kick off one of the inmates as they lunged for her. She felt a sting in her back and was forced to throw the guard's limp body away from her as another inmate rammed into her bringing her down hard. Hitting the concrete floor with a thud she braced her foot on her attacker kicking her off of her. Back still stinging her hand automatically reached back to ascertain the damage. Bringing back her hand she realized that she had been stabbed.

Everything started to move as in slow motion as the loud noise of the riot continued and the cries of injured and dying flooded her ears. She barely heard the loud roar of the prison sirens as she tried to protect the prison guards. A blow to the head brought her to her knees slowing her reactions. Just as she looked up to glare at her attacker she recognized the large woman just as she swung down the sharpened metal and lunged it into her chest not once but several times. Everything went black and silent as her blood soaked the floor beneath her. This time there was no one to help her as her life slipped away and she was no more.

Chapter One:

Flipping the channels on her stereo in her car Sarah Williams slammed the off button tired of trying to find something suitable for her to listen to. Running her fingers through her long straight brown hair she frowned as a car cut in front of her without using its blinker, "Oh, thanks. I really liked your invisible blinker… Jerk!" 'You would think that people would learn how to drive before they're given a license to drive. Oh, whatever. Why am I in such a hurry to get home anyway? Like listening to Karen grip at me about how I need to make up my mind on what college scholarship I'm going to accept. Oh, and don't forget about how much dad loves to talk to me. You would think it would kill him to say something other than hi to me.' Sarah ruefully thought to herself.

Coming closer to where she lived with her stepmother and her father she slowly pulled up into the driveway behind the large house. Turning off the ignition to her black 1995 Honda Civic she lay back in her seat looking up at the house before her. Her mind lazily drifted back to the past.

She was wearing a costume that her real mother had given to her from one of her medieval plays. With red leather bound book in hand she recited her part to her sheep dog Merlin, who was sitting in a park bench in front of her. Later that night she would discover that the play, "Labyrinth" she had memorized by heart was based on reality. She had foolishly said those words that started her first meeting with the Goblin King and her adventures through the dangers untold of the labyrinth. She specifically remembered her time at the ball when she was drugged. His arms wrapped around her as they danced in each other's arms. Eyes locked with his mismatched ones, almost drowning within their intense gaze. Sarah shook her head at that image, the image that she could not, even after all of the years that had past, forget.

"Earth to Sarah! Stop thinking about that." ' Why can I not get HIM out of my mind. It's bad enough that I dream about that ball almost every night.' Stepping out of her car she made her way into the house trying to be as quiet as possible. One thing she was sure of was that if Karen heard her she would jump on her again about what ever small thing she could dredge up to throw at her. For years since her adventure through the Labyrinth she had tried to get along with her stepmother but that lady never did like her to begin with. Sarah could not wait to get out of that house and away from her and her consistent nagging.

Making it successfully to her bedroom without Karen noticing she softly closed her bedroom door and leaned her back against it. Letting out a long breath she slowly made it to her vanity and sat down. Looking at her reflection she took her hairbrush and began to brush out her long brown hair, her mind idly thinking about the labyrinth once again.

She had made her leap from the stairs to her baby brother Toby in a desperate attempt to get to him. The stairs and walls floated about her as she fell slowly and then gently landing on the floor below her feet. Jareth, the Goblin King, dressed in white came from the shadows to confront her.

"Give me the child…" automatically came from her lips.

Just as Sarah was about to recite the lines she had practiced so often but never thought until now the circumstances of if she failed, was stopped by him as he spoke her name, "Sarah! Beware I have been generous up until now but I can be cruel."

Sarah looked to him disbelievingly, "Generous! What have you done that is generous."

"Everything, everything that you wanted I have done. You asked that the child be taken and I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time, I have turned the world upside down and I have done it all for you. I am exhausted living up to your expectations of me. Isn't that generous."

Sarah continued forwards towards him determined to defeat him, "Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered. I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City. For my will is as strong as yours and my kingdom…"

Jareth threw up his hand towards her to stop her descent, "Stop! Wait! Look Sarah, look at what I am offering you. Your dreams." As he spoke to her he formed one of his crystals in his offered hand.

Sarah glanced at the crystal but did not falter as she continued forward drawing him back, "and my kingdom is as great."

Jareth continued trying to stop her from saying the last words. The words that would finally defeat him, "I ask for so little just let me rule you and you can have everything that you want."

Sarah struggled with the last line, how she hated that she could never remember that line, "Kingdom as great… Damn, I can never remember that line." Time was running out and she had little time to remember. She searched her mind fiercely.

"Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave." His eyes held such desperation as if crying out for her to stop before it was to late.

"My kingdom is as great, my kingdom as great…YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME!" her voice echoed around her as she said those finale words. Jareth looked to her with such disappointment, pain, and despair. He tossed the crystal to her, catching it in her hand and watching as it popped as if a soap bubble. The room around her transforming into her living room and Jareth falling down with his white robes flying about him as he dissolves into the white barn owl. She watched as he flew around her and then out the window as the grandfather clock in her living room chimed on.

Sarah's mind came crashing down back to reality as she heard the faint cry of an owl. She looked into her own eyes with question, 'When had I started to cry?' she thought to herself as she saw the water collecting at the border of her eyes and falling down her cheeks.

The faint hoot of an owl pierced her ears once again drawing her to her bedroom window. Nothing…the only vision that came to view was the large tree that was always outside of her window and the night sky. Shaking it off as her over active imagination running overtime she turned back towards her bedroom and headed straight to her dresser to change into her pajamas.

Within the darkened room he gazed in on her watching her through his crystal as she brushed her hair and thought about him. He knew whenever she was thinking about him.

"Are you thinking of me Sarah? I know that you are. You have grown into such a beautiful woman, Sarah. Do you really think that it's over my dear? It is only the beginning."

Vanishing the crystal with the flourish of his wrist Jareth's lips tightened into a knowing grin.

She stood in the middle of the park in front of the park bench where she used to recite the Labyrinth to her sheep dog Merlin. Looking around her she felt confused as to how she had gotten there. The darkness of the night was made faint as the light from the stars above and some street lamps light her surroundings. Sarah wrapped her arms about her self, as she felt suddenly chilled as if someone were watching her. Her eyes darted about herself looking for someone to come out from the shadows.

In the distance a shadowy form started to emerge from the darkness of the shadows. Her eyes searched the form for some kind of recognition. He was dressed in black jeans and a black leather jacket over a dark red shirt, the collar lifted up around his neck as in some 80's retro style. His skin a sickly pale as he came ever so closer.

Her heart raced in her throat as a sense of dread crept up within her very soul. Sarah stumbled back slightly not sure what was about to happen but knowing that it could not be good.

The man grinned to her and within a moment the smooth surface of his face changed into a horrid sight. His forehead heightened and roughened as his teeth were replaced with horrid fangs.

Sarah fell back as her foot caught on a tree root protruding loosely from the soil beneath her feet. Gasping out from the force of her impact and the horror before her, he neared towards her barring his fangs with a growl.

Her mind flooded with confusion, not knowing what she should do. She was alone with no means of defense nor escape. Her desperate thoughts were broken as she heard a woman's voice call out to the creature before her.

"Hey ugly!"

The creature turned towards the voice allowing Sarah to see what the women looked like. She had dark wavy black hair and wore a black leather jacket and pants not unlike the creature but she wore it more successfully making it look a lot more stylish and flattering to her form. The creature lunged for her but stumbled back slightly as the young woman punched and kicked him. As the creature stumbled back the young woman performed a jump kick sending him flying back an amazing distance landing almost just behind Sarah.

Gasping out in surprise Sarah rolled away from the fallen creature and rolled to her feet. As she came to her feet she watched as the young woman pulled what looked to be some kind of wooden stake from the back of her pants and plunged it into the creature's heart. As the stake hit its target the creature crumbled and burst into dust. Sarah's hands came to her mouth covering her startled surprise. Just then she knew that she had to be dreaming. There were no such things as Vampires, that, she was sure of.

The young woman looked to Sarah smiling, "Yeah well, you might be dreamin but vampire's really do exist."

Sarah looked onto the young woman confused, "Who are you?"

"The names Faith and I've dropped by to tell you that your life's about to change."

Sarah looked to Faith still with a confused expression as she approached her, "If this is a dream then…"

Faith held up her hand to stop her from continuing, "This isn't exactly just a dream." She winked, "I'm surprised at you though. You would think after meeting the Goblin King and venturing through that maze of his that you could believe that other things were possible."

Sarah couldn't argue with the woman's logic remembering that she often wondered if all those stories and legends weren't maybe true. Then the sudden realization of Faith's earlier statement dawned on her, "What do you mean my life's about to change?"

Faith came closer eyeing her as in thought, "Let me just say…Welcome to the club. I'm, well, I used to be a Slayer. See, once in a generation a slayer is born to fight and defend against evil, Demons and Vampires and all that. When a slayer dies another is born to take her place, and, well, you're it hun."

Sarah backed away slightly, "This is crazy."

"I know but I didn't make the rules. Oh, don't tell anyone about this, they probably would think that you're nuts." Faith touched her back bringing her hand up looking at it. Covered in blood she knew that she was running out of time, "Damn! Sorry but I can't stay much longer. Say hi to B for me when you see her and tell her that I'm really sorry about what I did."

Faith started to fade as Sarah reached out for her. Faith just smiled as her hand passed through her and walked forward disappearing completely as she stepped through Sarah. Sarah shot up from her bed, heart pounding in her ears, the sheets tangled in a soaked mass about her legs. Looking over at her alarm clock on her vanity she saw the lighted time on the clock's face reading 5:00 am. Slamming back down into her bed she stared at the dark ceiling of her room remembering her dream from just moments ago. "The Slayer," she mumbled to herself trying to comprehend the words spoken to her by Faith.

Chapter 2:

Lifting his eyeglasses with his right hand he massaged the bridge of his nose with the other as he tried to ease the headache he was starting to receive. Buffy, Willow, Xander, and his annoying ex-demon girlfriend Anya sat in his living room talking their usual banter towards each other making Giles wanting for quieter days. Replacing his spectacles Giles was saved from having to respond to another one of Xander's annoying quips when the phone rang.

"Hello," he answered recognizing the voice on the other end as Angel's immediately.

"Hi Giles, its me…" there was a pause at the other end of the line, "Look, I'm not sure how to relay this but here goes. You know how Faith gave herself in and was sentenced to the LA State Institution for Women."

Giles sat back in his seat fearing the worse, escape or murder. "Oh, dear."

The gang, at the sound of Giles voiced concern, stopped there bantering to listen in on the conversation. Buffy got up from the couch and approached Giles mouthing a silent, "What is it?" Giles just shook his head as he listened on.

"Well, there was a riot and people were killed. It was reported that Faith was trying to protect and save some of the guards when a few of the inmates managed to…Giles she was killed."

Giles brows rose and crinkled at the sound of the news, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it was all over the LA front page news."

"Thank you Angel, we appreciate your call." Giles hung up the phone just as he heard the click on the other end.

Buffy made for the phone but stopped when she saw the look on Giles face, "What, what is it? What did he say?"

He stared blankly a few minutes before answering, "There seems to have been a prison riot where Faith was in."

"I knew it she probably started it. Back to her old ways I guess." Buffy huffed remembering her last encounter with Faith, the slayer gone evil.

Giles shook his head no, "No, it seems that she was trying to stop it. She was killed trying to protect some of the prison guards."

Willow and Xander exchanged surprised glances as Buffy started to feel like a real ass for her earlier comment. "Oh…" was all that she could really say. She really couldn't feel any pain for Faith's death, not since everything that she had put her and her friends through. Faith had betrayed them, tried to kill her and her friends, tried to kill her mother, then took her body, and slept with her current boyfriend. She was far from feeling at all sorry for her.

Xander felt the weight of the silence and found it extremely suffocating, "I guess that means that we're going to get another slayer in the mix."

Buffy, Giles, and Willow all looked to Xander in surprise making him shrug as if to say "what, what did I say now" expression.

Buffy was surprised to hear something useful come from Xander, "He's right. When one slayer dies another is born."

Giles shook his head agreeing, "Yes, well that just means that we need to keep an eye out. With the hellmouth here she is likely to be drawn here."

Willow feeling left out thought she would put in her two cents worth, "I wonder who she'll be. How will we find her?"

"It's more likely that she will find us, that is, if the watchers don't find her first." Giles answered her question.

Buffy stared out the window to her side, "I hope we find her first. I don't know about you but I'm not filling all too watcher happy these days... All right, all we can do is keep an eye out and watch for any newcomers that happen into the mix of our wonderful town of Sunnydale."

With that said they dispersed with their usual meeting and went to their usual tasks. Buffy with her nightly patrols and the others…tagging along.

Sunnydale College was a mass of new and old students walking around campus. Some looking lost while they looked for their classes while others hung in their groups massing to their destinations laughing and carrying on.

Sarah steadied her backpack on her shoulder pushing her hair behind both her ears. Taking a deep breath she made her way towards her first class. Unlike some new students she had made sure that she knew the campus grounds well before her semester started. Looking down at her schedule she saw that Advanced Algebra was her next class, room 308 in the east wing. Making her way through the mass of people she finally made it to her first class. Taking her seat she rummaged through her backpack taking out her notepad and pencil.

Buffy and Willow entered the classroom and made their way towards where they wanted to sit. Sitting down beside a woman with long dark brown hair she thought she would introduce herself, "Hi, I'm Buffy and this is my friend Willow."

Sarah looked up to the blond-headed women who had introduced her then to the red head beside her smiling warmly, "Sarah Williams."

Willow leaned over the side of her chair, "So, are you new around here. I don't remember seeing you last semester?"

Sarah smiled at the red head, "Yeah, is it that obvious."

Their short hellos was put to an end as the class professor entered the room and addressed the now fully seated class. Sarah didn't really pay too much attention as the class went on. Her mind drifting off to the one person that had been continually haunting her dreams for the past four years. Doodling with her pencil she looked towards the professor not really looking at him.

Buffy was so totally bored with the class and couldn't wait until it was over. She had tried to pay attention when class first started but the professor was so boring she thought that she would lose consciousness at any moment. 'Give me Demons, vampires and curses, anything other than this! I don't know how I let Willow talk me into taking this class in the first place. Hmm, that's interesting' she thought to herself as she glanced at Sarah's notepad beside her.

She glanced at the notepad taking in the image that was starting to form beneath Sarah's pencil strokes. The sketch was of a strange yet attractive man standing as he was holding out some round object towards them. He was dressed in some kind of medieval attire with a jacket over a poet's shirt and very tight and revealing pants. Leaning in to get a better view Buffy whispered to Sarah, "That's pretty good. Though the hairstyle's a bit strange."

Sarah looked to the blond confused and whispered, "What?"

Buffy smiled and eyed the pad of paper making Sarah look down. Sarah's breath caught in her throat as she gazed at the picture on the piece of paper she was doodling on. She had no idea how she had drawn the very lifelike picture of Jareth, the Goblin King but she had. Her eyes grew huge at first but her expression quickly turned to that of annoyance. It was bad enough that he had to invade her dreams but now he was starting to invade her waking life as well. Part of her wanted him to come back into her life and whisk her away but another part of her was enraged at the way he was starting to toy with her.

Buffy observed Sarah's reaction and noted the oddness about it. There was something about this girl that struck her as off but her thoughts about that were cut short as she heard her name called out. Looking up from Sarah, Buffy saw that the person who had called her name out was the stuffy professor glaring at her.

"I'm so glad that I could get your attention Mrs. Summers. Would you care to comment on what we have been discussing."

Buffy shifted uncomfortably in her desk chair her cheeks flushing in embarrassment.

The professor glared at her with distaste, "I thought as much…Now let us continue with class for those who are actually interested in learning something…" he went on and on with his lectures.

Willow glanced over at Buffy feeling sorry for her embarrassment. She also looked curiously at the notepad that Sarah was starting to put away as the class was coming to an end. The students started standing and gathering their things to leave just as class was called to an end. Buffy was about to say something else to Sarah when she had quickly left before she could inquire about her strange response earlier.

As soon as class was dismissed Sarah made for the door not wanting to interact with anyone at the moment and headed straight for her dorm room. As she finally reached her wanted destination she slammed the door shut behind her leaning up against the door. Tossing her book bag onto the floor she made for the small vanity in the corner of her dorm room. Looking into the mirror before her she shook her finger pointing to the mirror in anger, "Jareth, I don't know what you're up to but its not going to work." At that moment she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

"My, my and what makes you think that I had anything to do with your little art work during class."

Sarah could never forget that sensually heavy accented voice and whirled around knowing that she would find Jareth within her dorm room. Knowing what she would see she still had a hard time hiding the small gasp that escaped her lips.

Jareth, the Goblin King looked stunningly handsome as he leaned against the wall behind her. His eyes sparkled in a way that captured her within them. He was the same as she had remembered dressed like the King that he was but there seemed to be something more. Something that made her want to go up to him and trace her fingers along his jaw line and over his sensually soft thin lips. Sarah flushed, mentally slapping herself for thinking such things of someone who was so obviously the enemy.

"You…because I couldn't draw a line let alone a picture of you if my life depended on it." She was furious now wanting to slap that conceited smirk from his face. She had almost forgotten how much he liked to toy with people, she should have known better. Sarah suddenly backed up as she saw Jareth starting towards her. Her eyes shot towards the door as he came closer and closer, closing the distance between them. One thing she was sure of was that she did not want to be cornered by him. Suddenly she dashed for the door desperately trying to turn the knob that would not budge. Turning to glare angrily at the Goblin King she quickly regretted her decision as she was met face to face with Jareth. Her back slamming up against the door as she gasped in surprise at the closeness of his body to hers.

Grinning like the cat who just ate the canary he tisked at her behavior, "Sarah, I would think that you would have learned by now that there is no escaping me."

Sarah stared up at him unbelievingly; finding it hard to concentrate with him so near she wasn't prepared for what he did next. He looked down to her taking in her flushed faced and soft pouty lips. Leaning down he brushed his lips against hers lightly testing the boundaries between them.

Her lips tingled from his light touch and she was powerless to stop the raging emotions that his small action had invoked. Her breath became shaky and rushed as she felt a burning desire to pull him towards her and kiss him fully on the lips. Her eyes darted quickly away from him not daring to look up into those eyes that could hold you for an eternity within their depths.

His voice pulled her eyes back towards him as he whispered in her ear, "Do you fear me Sarah?"

Her hands shot up pressing against his chest, caught between the desire to pull him closer or to push him away. Her emotions were jumbled but it didn't stop her from deciding on the latter. Sarah pushed at his unmoving form to no avail, as he did not move from his position against her. Frustrated and angered by his unwillingness to move away Sarah raised her chin towards him meeting his eyes. Mistake, big mistake, she was starting to feel a bit faint but quickly recovered, but not without him noticing.

"You have no power over me," she charged, as if daring him to try something.

Jareth chuckled softly at her attempt to drive him away, "Those words won't help you this time Sarah. This time there are no rules and this is not a game." With that said he was gone, vanished as if he never were.

Leaning her head back against the door Sarah closed her eyes trying to calm her now shaken nerves. It had been four years since she had confronted him in the flesh and now…now she was more confused than ever. He was so arrogant, cruel, seductive…the way that he had spoken the last comment. Now that she was older she knew what that look that was in his eyes meant and just then she wondered if she was powerless to stop him. 'Ok, think. Two weeks ago I have some weird dream with a vampire and some girl named Faith in it. She tells me that my life's about to change. Which it has and it still is.' Her mind then flashed back to the morning after her strange dream about being the next Slayer.

She was playing with her five-year-old brother at the park. The day seemed perfect, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and she was in one of her more pleasant moods. Watching Toby squeal, as he chased after a butterfly, Sarah's attention was momentarily distracted when she heard a loud bang behind her. A passing car had discharged. She returned her watch over her little brother but as her eyes darted back to where she had last saw him her heart leapt into her throat. She could see no trace of her little brother. Springing up from her sitting position on the grass she franticly looked around for Toby calling out his name.

Everything seemed to be spinning as she turned and turned looking in every direction. She was frantic. Then she heard his squeal, not the pleasant squeal, but the one where the harshness of it could render one deaf. Running she followed his cry, praying that she would find him soon. To her horror a man had Toby packed under his arm carrying him away. She screamed out Toby's name as she closed the distance between her and Toby's abductor.

Reaching the man she grabbed the sleeve of his shirt jerking him back forcefully with more strength than she knew she had. The man lost his grip on Toby letting the struggling child go. Sarah's full attention was now on Toby as she rushed towards his crying form. Toby sat helplessly on the ground bruised and scraped sobbing his heart out. Before she could get to him though, the man that she had stopped from abducting Toby had recovered from his mishap and slammed his fist hard into her back.

Sarah gasped out in pain as she lost her balance and fell catching herself with her hands before her face could hit the ground. The man rushed past her towards Toby and that's when she did something she never thought she would ever possibly be able to do.

Rushing back up to her feet she lunged towards the man before he could reach Toby. He pushed her off and just when he was about to hit her with his fist she managed to block his attack and struck back. Slamming her fist into his face she watched almost as if she were detached from her own body as the man flew back from her blow landing hard on the ground before them. Toby had stopped crying and watched as if stunned having witnessed Sarah's actions. The man tried to get back up but had fallen back down unconscious. Running to Toby she gathered him in her arms and hugged him to her not able to take her eyes off of the unconscious man. She had almost lost her brother, again.

Mind returning to the present she slowly walked towards her vanity and looked tiredly at her reflection in the mirror. 'I need my friends' she thought hopefully. Just as she had thought of them her image within the mirror rippled like water until her image was replaced by the three closest friends she had ever had in her whole entire life.

Hoggle, the small dwarf with his obsession with jewelry, smiled to her warmly. Sir Didamous, valiantly bowed his wolfish vissaud and Ludo just grinned his big dark brown eyes smiling warmly to her.

"Hoggle, Didamous, Ludo!"

"My lady why has thou summoned us. Are you alright?"

Sarah smiled at Sir Didamous's query, "I am now."

Sir Didamous's brows rose at Sarah's answer and was about to speak when Hoggle beat him to it, "What's happened."

Leaning back into her chair she let out a long deep sigh, "Nothing, everything…You would never guess who had the nerve to come and visit me in person today."

"Core, the nerve of that…"

"Hoggle, don't. Knowing him he's probably watching us as we speak and I don't think you want HIM hearing what you really think of him. Now do you?"

Hoggle's face contorted worriedly and knew that she was right. "EHH, you're right."

Ludo looked from Hoggle to Sarah, "Ludo scared."

"Oh, Ludo it's ok. I think I can handle him. So far he hasn't really done anything but make me worry about what he's up to. Can you guys do me a favor?"

"You know that we would." Hoggle said without hesitation.

"It would be an honor, my lady. Ask and it shall be done," Sir Didamous bowed valiantly.

She knew that she could count on them, "Could you keep an eye out on things especially, you know who, but be discrete. Don't let him know what you're doing. I hope he's not eavesdropping into our conversation though, it could be dangerous. Maybe you shouldn't."

"Ma lady Sarah danger or no we shall fail thee not."

As that was said her friends faded from her vanity and her own reflection returned. Turning away from her vanity Sarah lazily swept her eyes over her dorm room thankful that she was able to get a room to herself. The roommate that she was supposed to have never turned up and with all the other students already assigned to a room they let her keep the room to herself but only until next semester.

As her eyes fixed on her book bag she cursed to herself, "Damn him, I'm late for my next class." Sarah jumped out from her chair grabbing her book bag in hand and exited her door at full speed.

Buffy and Willow walked side by side on the campus grounds not really in any hurry to return to their dorm room. The day had gone by with nothing in particularly special happening, which was a good thing for a change. So far there had been no apocalypses or threatening demons out to burden the small town of Sunnydale, nothing other than the usual vampires at night when she would make her nightly patrols.

"What's up," Willow asked looking at her unusually quiet friend.

"Oh nothing. Just sponging up the quiet."

"Yeah, it's been nice for a change. It's given me plenty of time to study up on my witchcraft. Definitely liking the quiet."

Chapter 3:

Deep below the city within the dark and dank tunnels they gathered. Amassing before a large opening in the floor before them. Vampires edged themselves closer surrounding the opening in wait. The ground beneath them trembled slightly as the opening started to pulse with light from some unseen force. The light revealing an image of a strange unusual place. A giant maze spread out covering a great amount of ground surrounding a large stone castle in its center. The land revealed to them was starting to become darker as night was starting to fall upon the Labyrinth. One by one they stepped into the portal before them appearing on the other side outside within the land of the Underground.

Sitting on her bed amongst a pile of homework Sarah pushed aside the large book of literature. Finally she had finished her homework assignment, she just hoped that she did it right. Finding it a bit stuffy being cramped up in her dorm room she decided that she would take a walk, hoping that the refreshing night air would revive her. Dressed in a stylish yet comfortable yellow shirt and black sports pants she slid on her tennis shoes and black jacket just before exiting the door.

The dorm halls were filled with students wandering the halls to make their way to wherever they were going. Sarah paid them no mind as she exited the building and headed out. She was starting to miss home and the park she would so frequently visit. Pushing the homesickness to the side she let her mind work towards figuring what Jareth was up to. Looking back on his earlier visit she knew that the same rules were definitely not going to apply.

She kept walking making it deeper and deeper into the campus park grounds. When she kept thinking about what he might be up to her mind was having a hard time focussing. She kept seeing him so close to her, those wonderfully enchanting eyes staring within her own. His lips when they lightly brushed with hers. Sarah stopped shocked that her mind was going to that scene, "He was just trying to confuse me or something." 'Everything he said to me when I was in his Labyrinth was a lie, an attempt to distract me long enough so he wouldn't lose,' she berated herself. "Like he could care or love anyone other than himself."

As she passed by one of the large oak trees she had totally missed the figure standing there. He watched her with steady eyes listening to her as she silently spoke to herself. Stepping out from the shadow of the tree his features were revealed by the light from the park lights that were scattered about the grounds. Blond hair cascaded around his face and slightly past his shoulders. Bringing up his hand open-palmed a crystal formed, the light reflecting off the round object. Jareth tossed the crystal above him and as it burst with glitter his body transformed from the handsome man into a white barn owl and flew after the young Sarah.

He soared just above her not too far from behind watching and listening as she continued to speak to her self. If he could have he would have been grinning. No matter how hard she was trying to fight against it, she was in love with him and he knew it. It was just having to prove that he returned the feelings she had towards him and proving to her that they were meant for one another that was proving most difficult. He had his faults he knew but he was not about to change who he was, not even for her. If she truly returned his feelings then she would have to love all of him.

Glancing ahead of himself towards the direction Sarah was heading to he saw what seemed to be a girl fighting off a group of creatures that he could not identify. Suddenly he was all to aware that Sarah was going to get herself hurt if she kept walking in the direction that she was headed.

Stopping for a moment Sarah could have sworn that she heard something but after a moments pause continued with her walk. While she was approaching some bushes she heard it again but this time could make out what it was. Curiosity taking over she crept towards the sounds.

The four vampire's were grouping up on Buffy as she fought them off. Ducking swiftly from one of the vampire's blows she planted her stake piercing its heart. It disappeared from existence. Just as the vampire had expired another one had kicked her squarely in the back sending her tumbling forward slightly. Not wanting to give her time to recuperate he grabbed her by the back of the jacket but she quickly lunged out of his grasp bringing her arm around hitting him across his brow. The vampire stumbled back and just as Buffy was coming in for the final blow another vampire kicked at her legs sending her legs out from under her. She rolled out from under the vampire's glare just before its knee made it to impacting against her chest.

Sarah watched from the bushes hardly believing her eyes. 'So the dream wasn't just a dream. I need to help her she's outnumbered and it's not looking too good for her.' Just as she was about to go help Buffy she was stopped when someone's hand grabbed her arm. Looking back she was surprised to see Jareth standing there.

"And just what do you think you're doing?"

Jerking her arm free she glared at him, "What's it to you?" with that said she ran towards the slayer before he had time to do anything.

Conjuring one of his crystals he was about to use it when he stopped suddenly shocked about what he saw taking place.

Sarah reached Buffy in no time grabbing the vampire by the collar to throw him off of her. He growled hurling himself towards her when she blocked his attack and delivered a sidekick to his midsection making him bellow over. Sarah then continued with a backhand bringing the vampire flying into the air at a considerable distance away from her.

Buffy recovered quickly taking advantage of the other vampire's distraction plunging her wooden stake within his heart. The other vampires that were still standing knew that if they didn't get away now that they would not survive.

Sarah watched with wonder at her own actions and turned to see Buffy staring at her with a smile. Just as she was about to say something the vampire that she had fought earlier made towards her once again as her back was turned.

Buffy knew that she wouldn't be able to get to Sarah in time and threw her stake towards the bewildered Sarah, "Here!" she shouted.

Sarah caught it reflexively and turned plunging the wooden stake within the vampire's chest at his heart. She could feel the wooden weapon piercing the creatures flesh and couldn't help but to feel disgusted at the action. The vampire looked down at its chest with disbelief just before disintegrating into dust the stake falling with a silent thud as it dropped to the grass covered ground.

Sarah jumped almost out of her skin when she felt Buffy's hand land on her shoulder, "Nice, but next time you might want to use a stake of your own."

Jareth disappeared just as he saw that the creatures had fled. He had just witnessed something that took him completely by surprise. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. Sarah, his Sarah had just fought off a supernatural creature of some kind and literally destroyed it.

Appearing in his throne room he paced in front of his throne as his mind tried to process what had just happened. Thankfully the goblins were in the goblin city and not within the castle for he did not feel like dealing with their crudeness and noisy antics. Falling gracefully into his throne he threw his leg up over the side of it leaning his head against his fist as his elbow rested on the arm of the throne. He was not pleased with this development at all. The only mysteries he liked were the ones in which he was responsible. How could he have missed this? He noted to himself that he would have to be more careful about how he approached Sarah.

He laughed to himself about that little reflection, "She still is no match for me. This will just make things a bit more… interesting."

Chapter 4:

Sarah walked silently beside Buffy not sure how to go about the current situation. Did she know? After she had helped Buffy out in the park she had insisted that she go with her to a friends house. She said that when they got there it would be safe to talk about what had just transpired. Maybe not in those words exactly but that was the basic understanding on her part.

Buffy watched Sarah at the corner of her eye thinking, 'So this is the new Slayer. I knew that there was something different about her. I don't think she knows what she is though. She looked so shocked, it was probably her first slay. Hmm, I don't even remember my first, there's been so many. Maybe I should say something.' Looking thoughtfully towards Sarah she said aloud, "So, your first time huh."

Sarah's thoughts were cut short when she heard Buffy, "Yeah…and I have no idea how I did it."

"I know, some things just come naturally, though you do need a bit of training."

As they reached the house Sarah silently wondered if Jareth saw what happened. 'What am I thinking? You know that he saw me.' She then laughed inwardly as she imagined the shocked expression that must have covered his face but her joy moment froze as she thought more into it. 'Maybe he already knew… but then why try to stop me?' Sarah silently berated herself, 'And why do I care. He's…he's...'

Her thoughts were pulled to a grinding halt as they reached the door to the house, the sound of Buffy knocking on the door. As the door opened Sarah saw a man with short dirty blond hair wearing glasses open the door.

"Buffy, I thought that you would be out…" he then looked questionably towards the young girl beside her, "Oh, who's your friend?"

"Giles this is Sarah. Sarah this is Giles. Now can we come in?"

A bit stunned by her bringing a stranger over he obediently opened the door letting the two in. Letting them enter he slowly closed the door perplexed at why Buffy was bringing a stranger over to his house. Following them into the living room he was about to ask Buffy if he could have a word for a moment when Buffy beat him to it.

"Giles, I think that I've found our new Slayer."

Looking to the young woman who was now gawking at her new surroundings and then back to Buffy he whispered so Sarah wouldn't hear, "Are you sure?"

Buffy glared at Giles as if to say, 'Like I wouldn't know a Slayer if I met one' look.

Giles held up his hands as if to try and defend himself from Buffy's intense glare, "Alright, I know dumb question." Following Buffy back towards where Sarah was he smiled warmly towards Sarah, "So, Sarah, how long have you been here in Sunnydale?"

Silence petruded the room as Sarah took a few moments before registering his question and sat down on the couch, "Only a week and a half…So…um…" Sarah trailed off not knowing how to ask the mounting questions that leapt up within her mind.

Buffy went to sit beside Sarah noting her embarrassed silence and her uneasiness about the situation as a whole. "Do you have any idea what's going on? Have you been approached by anyone?"

Sarah looked to Buffy and then to Giles not sure whether or not to share her experiences of two weeks ago when she had that strange dream. Her intuition telling her that she could trust them but not knowing that someone not within the room was watching and listening. "I'm not sure, it's…well a little strange. Everything started after that odd dream two weeks ago. I noticed that something about myself was changing but I tried to put it off as nothing but tonight when I saw you," she looked towards Buffy, "fighting those vampires…I didn't really think about what I was doing, I just reacted."

Giles sat in the chair in front of them, "Tell us about your dream."

Sarah shifted a bit uncomfortably her eyes drifting off as her memories played out that dream that foretold the change in her life. "I was in the park that I like to go to a lot but it was night. It was so real and vivid." Sarah involuntarily shuddered at the memory, "Some man appeared to me and I had a real bad feeling about him, especially when his face suddenly changed. Then I knew it was a dream, a nightmare. When I tried to get away from him I fell back. Just as he was starting to reach me I heard a woman yell out. She fought him and killed him then started to talk to me. She welcomed me to the club of being a…What did she call it? A… Slayer, yes that's it."

Buffy felt a slight chill at the mention of the woman and the dream had taken place right after Faith had supposedly been killed. "Did she happen to tell you who she was?" Buffy half didn't want to know and half needed to know.

Leaning back into the couch Sarah sighed, "I think she said her name was Faith." Buffy and Giles looked to one another in silence. "Who's B by the way?"

Buffy looked quickly back to Sarah, "What did you say?"

Sarah's mind clicked as her mind figured out her own question, as Sarah slowly relayed the message that was meant for her, "She told me to tell B that she was sorry about everything that she did." Looking closely at Buffy, "You're who she was referring to aren't you?"

Giles promptly started in knowing that this was a subject best not to delve into at the moment. "Yes, did she happen to tell you what a Slayer is."

Looking away from Buffy and to Giles, Sarah wrinkled her brow in concentration, "I think she said something about when a Slayer dies another is born to take her place and something else but I can't really remember."

As they talked on Giles went about explaining how, once a generation a slayer is born to defend from vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness. That when a slayer dies another is born.

Sarah sat expressionless soaking in the information. She remembered it was what Faith had told her and now having actual real people in real life telling her this…it was something a little overwhelming. She thought to herself as Giles went on, 'Ok, this is really happening and to top it off Jareth is up to something and I can't tell them. My problem, I have to deal with it and I'm not bringing anybody else into this. Wait! If a slayer is born once a generation then how come there is two of us.' That last thought made her ask it aloud, "Wait! If a slayer is born once a generation then how come…" she looked at Buffy questionably.

Buffy shrugged slightly at her question, "Well, I did drown once and that's when Faith came into the picture."

"Oh," was all Sarah could manage to say.

Sitting at the edge of his window Jareth, the Goblin King, watched and listened soaking in the new information being revealed to him. 'So Sarah was now a Slayer. I need to look into what ever that is more deeply.' His eyebrow's rose as he heard Sarah relate what had happened the day after her strange dream. When Toby was grabbed by a stranger and how she had dealt with the situation, "Now, how did I miss that little occurrence?" he mused quietly to himself.

Throwing the crystal up into the air it dangled there for a moment before fading from existence. Looking over his labyrinth the Goblin King was deep in thought as his mind started its scheming.

Within the Labyrinth strange rumors were being spread about the strange disappearance of some of the inhabitants as well as the unexplained deaths. Death was not something that happened too frequently within the underground but now it seemed a rather usual occurrence.

Hoggle attended to his usual task keeping an ear open for anything that could help his friend Sarah. She was counting on him and the others to help her find out what Jareth was up to and he did not want to disappoint her. Hearing something that didn't set well with him he quickly hid within the shrubbery next to him. A few minutes of silence was dispelled as an unusual being that Hoggle had never before seen appeared around the corner.

Hoggle stopped himself from bolting right then and there as he saw the creature sniffing the air. If he let his cowardice take over he knew that he would be finished. Whatever that creature was he did not like the sight of it in the least and was getting a very uneasy feeling from it.

The vampire sniffed the air having picked up the faint scent of life somewhere near. He smiled to himself as he heard someone coming near. He liked this new world he and the others had found themselves in. Without a Slayer to stop them the inhabitants of this new world were easy pickings, though they steered clear of the beings that they could sense immense power from.

His hunger gnawed at him and he smiled devilishly as he saw a young woman rounding the corner. She was not very tall her bright red hair pulled back into a ponytail revealing her elfin ears and her long exposed neck. His mouth literally watered as he imagined his teeth-sinking deep within her soft pale skin.

The elfin girl looked to the man filling uneasy about how his face was hidden by the lack of light. The full crystal moon and stars above being the only source of light she knew that she could not trust solely on her eyes. Her instincts screaming to her to turn and flee but she refused to let her fear control her. Standing her ground she called out to the man before her, "Who goes there?" she said with a little more confidence than she felt.

The vampire inched closer his face now smoothed as he hid his true identity stepping a bit more into the light of the overhanging stars. Bowing like the gentleman that he was not he smiled warmly to the elfin creature before him, "My apologies if I frightened you, malady, I am Jonathan Novay."

The elf smiled relieved that he was not the monster that her instincts were screaming to her that he was, "I'm Navea Dalula".

Hoggle watched from his hiding place frozen in place by his own fear. Only moments ago this creature that called himself Jonathan did not look at all like the nice man that he now appeared to be. Gulping silently he wanted to warn the elf but Hoggle found that his limbs would not work.

The girl licked her lips out of nervousness as the man came nearer. She noted that he was rather handsome and hoped that he was not taken.

Now only inches from her he leaned closely taking in the sweet living scent that coursed through her veins. He smiled sweetly down to her taking his time before he would strike. He liked to play with his food a little before consuming. It made life a bit more interesting. "A young lady such as yourself should not be traveling alone at night. You never know what kind of things you may encounter."

Navea smiled up at him filling her self blush slightly at his closeness, "I guess that you would just have to escort me then," she said reveling in the desire for his company that started to tingle through her.

He lowered his head his lips meeting with hers in a hot, searing kiss. He could hear the pounding of her heart as her emotions were becoming excited and heightened by his action.

Navea started to fill a little frightened as his hands started to maneuver over her skin pressing the fabric of her dress off slightly from her shoulders. Pushing him away her breath came out in shorts gasp as she tried to regain her senses.

Jonathan tilted his head slightly as if in innocence, "Navea, what's wrong? I thought you were enjoying my affections."

Navea felt herself starting to become uneasy. The stranger was attractive, yes, but there was something not right about him, something that screamed darkness, danger. She backed up as he started towards her once more. A quick gasp of air was inhaled as she was about to scream at his sudden change in appearance and his quickened approach to grab her. Before her scream could escape her lips she felt her life being pulled away from her.

Jonathan sunk his fangs deep within her throat enjoying the sweet sensation of the flow of blood he drained from her. Her arms flared about her as he fed from her draining her until her arms became limp and she had no more strength to fight. Just before all of her life was about to leave her body he stopped letting her drop to her knees at his feet.

Jonathan smiled having an idea to make her his, "Now, I can finish you…or…"he bent down to her his eyes holding hers, "you can be like me. Free, free to do what you please and take immense pleasure in the taking of it."

She felt so week, so tired. She did not want to die. There was so much in her life that she had yet to do, to see. With the little strength she had left she nodded in acceptance of his offer.

Hoggle watched in complete horror as the creature slight his wrist with his own extended nail and proceeded to feed her the blood that flowed from his self inflicted wound. After the ritual was done Navia's body went limp as she fell into his arms. Hoggle noted the stillness of her body, she was not breathing and he knew that he had just witnessed her murder. He watched helplessly as Jonathan scooped up the lifeless body of Navea and carried her away. Hoggle stayed in that spot for the rest of the night fearful to leave his hiding place, fearful of what he had witnessed. The feelings of fear had made him motionless his eyebrows that were once brown had suddenly turned white to match the rest of his hair.

Sarah tossed and turned in her bead her dreams filled with horrifying images of vampires and blood. The labyrinth, no longer the wondrous fairytale land that she remembered traveling through when she was sixteen on a quest to rescue her brother. The world that she had remembered had become darker giving her the feeling of foreboding.

She stood within the hedge maze watching in complete horror and detachment as the vampire carried the lifeless body of his victim, a young elfin woman, off further into the darkness of the night. Slowly she found the ability to walk forward making her way towards the place where the event had taken place. Looking around for something she wasn't sure of, she saw Hoggle hidden within the shrubbery. She gasped holding her hand to her mouth shocked at the fearful expression she could see written on Hoggle's face. She tried to make her way towards him but the image before her changed.

No longer within the hedge maze she now stood within a large stone room. Looking around to take in her new surroundings she recognized it as the Goblin King's throne room. Her eyes scanned over the window that overlooked the labyrinth, towards the throne where Jareth lay sprawled across his throne. Screaming she shot up from her bed her heart pounding within her ears. Rolling out from her bed she sat at its edge and looked to the vanity mirror before her seeing her disheveled reflection. Taking a deep breath Sarah whispered to her self, "It was only a dream. That's all a nightmare," she said as if trying to convince herself that her words were true.

Not wanting to go back to sleep Sarah got out of her bed and gathered her things so that she could take a shower and get ready for the day before her. It was Saturday and with her newfound identity she had some training to do. Buffy was going to meet her at her dorm room in a few hours and she needed to wake up and get herself ready.

Chapter 5:

Giles and Buffy had been very supportive with Sarah's training as the day progressed. She was able to catch on to the fighting techniques that they taught her very easily. Sarah was quite impressed with her newfound abilities, though she still felt wary about the whole idea of having to fight and kill demons, vampires and the forces of evil. Yes, she had figured out the Labyrinth, defeated the Goblin King and rescued her baby brother when she was only sixteen but this new adventure that was starting within her life was something totally different.

Plopping herself down onto the couch Sarah lay back into the couch enjoying the break that her and Buffy were finally given. Buffy sat down beside her smiling to Sarah's show of exhaustion. Sarah looked to Buffy, "I won't be able to walk tomorrow after this."

"Nah, you'll feel fine in a few hours. It's one of the perks of being a Slayer. We heal a lot faster."

Whipping her head with the towel that Buffy had thrown to her Sarah looked around Giles living room looking for where he had gone. "Where did Giles go by the way."

Buffy smiled, "Oh, he probably went to recuperate."

"But we did all the work. He just…OH! I hope I wasn't too hard on him with those punches."

Buffy looked over towards Sarah, "He can handle it. By the way I've been meaning to ask you about something." Sarah's brow rose at this. "The first day we met you were drawing a picture of some guy. What was with the reaction?"

Sarah got up from the couch not really wanting to explain her actions of that day but not wanting to lie about it. "Shouldn't we get back. I would like to take a shower before you introduce me to your friends."

Buffy looked to the smiling Sarah in thought, 'Ok, so she doesn't want to talk about it. I wonder why? Oh well, we've only known each other for a couple of days can't expect her to tell me everything.' "If you want. Go ahead and we can meet back here later tonight."

She was grateful that Buffy wasn't trying to pry any further into it and was in a hurry to leave. Best get going before she changed her mind and ask again. "Ok, till tonight then."

Buffy watched as Sarah left then shrugged it off as nothing. Giles came down the stairs from his bedroom fully changed and showered from the activities of the day. When he saw Buffy and no Sarah he seemed a little disappointed, "Oh, did she leave?"

As she walked towards the college Sarah looked up at the clear blue sky inhaling deeply. So far there had been nothing strange or unexplainable happen and thankfully no sign of Jareth. She thought that maybe when he saw what she was capable of he probably thought it best not to trifle with her. She laughed at herself for that idea, "Yeah right!" If there was one thing she was sure of was that Jareth was not one to walk away from a challenge. 'I wonder what he wants. I can't get that man out of my mind. God, he's even causing me problems when he's not inflicting them. Maybe…maybe he's not the villain that I keep making him out to be. What am I thinking? He's the Goblin King. He steals unwanted children and turns them into stupid horrid goblins.'

Before she knew it she was at her dorm room and she rushed into it to gather her things for a nice long shower. Taking her shower she returned to her dorm room, wearing her white bathrobe that came down just past her knees. Sarah had never before been so relieved to see her bed as she laid back into its comforting embrace. Closing her eyes she let herself enjoy her moment of silence when she felt something soft and gently caress against her cheek. Her eyes shot open at that moment as she quickly sat up from her bed.

Jareth sat at the edge of her bed holding a peach colored rose in his black gloved hands with a devilish smug about his features. She wanted to hit him right then and there but held restraint against that little impulse. She might be the Slayer but he was Fae, a very powerful Fae and she wasn't sure how he would react to her doing that little action she was urging at the moment. Instead she settled for words, "What do you think you're doing? Get out!"

He did not move from his sitting position and looked to her as he tilted his head to the side, "Now Sarah, why the hostilities."

She was speechless at this point she was boiling over with anger. 'The absurdity of this…this…' Sarah bolted out of the bed glaring down at Jareth not sure what she was going to do.

Jareth's grin deepened when she did not answer him. With her newfound strength she could have easily pushed him off the bed and tried to fight him out of the room. He knew that she was unconsciously holding back, which pleased him. Though he was curious to see just how strong she was and dared to rise to the occasion of baiting her.

Sarah almost sighed with relief when Jareth vanished from the bed but her relief was very short lived when he appeared just behind her. She froze. His warm breath drifted over her neck as he traced the delicate peach rose across her cheek. Her heart raced at his actions and part of her wanted to swoon under his attentions but she refused the sudden emotions, turning to face him.

Turning to face him her eyes met with his, trapped within their depths once again. When would she learn not to do that? The words that she had planned to speak had fled from her mind as he started to close the small distance between them. Sarah backed up, not aware that she was backing up towards the bed. She felt flushed unsure of her self as he refused to stop coming closer. As the back of her legs met the bed she lost her balance falling back onto the bed.

Jareth continued his approach crouching over her lying form. Sarah's eyes went wide when he continued onward. With her arms she pushed herself back away from under him until her back hit the headboard of her bed and still he continued. The look in his eyes made her heart flutter even more, if that were possible. His sensually accented voice broke the overwhelming silence within the room. At this point Sarah would rather he had not spoken for the sound of his voice alone was enough to drive any woman mad with desire.

"Sarah, why do you fight against your feelings? I have so much that I could give you, show you. My offer still stands."

Sarah couldn't believe her own ears, was he proposing that she go back with him to the Labyrinth, to be with him. She looked to herself unsure of the feelings that he was bringing forth. Her thinking stopped when she felt his lips against hers. At first it was as gentle as the rose he had traced along her cheek. She surprised herself as she returned his kiss. The intensity of his kiss deepened once she returned his kiss. After what seemed like a long moment Sarah found herself reluctantly pushing him away. He stopped and looked at her with such pleading she almost pulled him back but restrained herself and pushed him off of her completely. Climbing over her bed she came to her feet on the opposite end.

"No, your…This isn't right. I can't…I…" She was at a total loss now. Her emotions felt confusing and her mind was screaming at her for pushing him away but how could she. She was the Slayer now, she had responsibilities. How could she leave her world behind when the world she lived in needed her so?

Jareth was slightly disappointed but he was not about to give up. She loved him and he knew it. It would only be a matter of time before she realizes it and lets her world go to join him in his. "Very well," he sighed then vanished from her room returning to the Underground.

Sarah's legs gave out from under her as she started to break down into tears. Why now and why her? There was just too much going on at the same time it was so overwhelming. Glancing over to her alarm clock she saw that it was almost six and quickly brushed the tears aside to get ready for the meeting over at Giles's place. She just hoped that they would accept her as well as Buffy and Giles.

Jareth reluctantly returned to his throne room and was immediately greeted by a group of very unhappy elves. He was in no mood to deal with any of his subjects let alone the elves. They lived almost right beside his kingdom and often traveled across his. He glared down at them, not happy that they would have the nerve to come to his castle uninvited.

"And just what do you think you are doing?"

One of the elves stepped forward from his group to address the king, "Your Majesty forgive our rudeness for coming unannounced but we have good reason."

Jareth's brow rose at this, "Continue."

"There have been a great number of our people killed or missing and we have found nothing to who it is who is responsible. We implore you to please look into this matter."

Had he been so preoccupied with Sarah that he had missed this bit of information? There wasn't much of anything that went on in or around his kingdom that he did not know about. 'Did he say killed,' "How many?"

Another elf stepped from behind the first, "Ten to our knowledge."

"Ten, and how many of those have you found dead?"

"Seven."

Jareth sat down in his throne deep in thought. For the first time in his long-lived life he was actually shocked, 'Seven dead and three missing. This is impossible, the inhabitants of the underground have very long life spans.' Jareth nodded dismissing the small group. They left with no other words spoken sure that if anyone could figure out what was going on and stop it, it would be the Goblin King.

Looking around his throne room he noticed something rather peculiar, "And where are those pesky Goblins of mine. Flem!" he yelled out for the leader of his goblin guard.

A tall goblin ran into the room his armor trying to fall off of him as he entered. Bowing to his king his head shot back up with wide eyes listening for his command.

Jareth looked to Flim with distaste, "Pick out the most capable of your guards and gather what information that you can about anything out of the ordinary." Just as Flim was about to make an about face and exit the room to do his kings bidding he was stopped by Jareth's voice, "Oh and Flim, if you fail me this service I will send you head first into the Bog of Eternal Stench."

Flim's eyes went even wider just before he ran out of the throne room to perform his duties for his king.

Jareth sighed heavily to himself as a crystal appeared within his hand. He knew that he would get little help from his goblins. The only things that they were capable of was gathering gossip and causing immense chaos.

Sarah stood nervously at the door not sure of if they would accept her into their little group. With a deep breath she rapped on the door and waited for the dreaded answering of the door. As the door to Giles house opened Buffy smiled warmly and took Sarah by the hand, "Come on, I want you to meet the gang."

Sarah walked in not sure what to expect but was surprised by the warm welcome that she did receive. The red head that she remembered from her first day smiled and waved.

Buffy introduced her first, "You remember Willow."

Willow smiled excited to receive the newest member of their group, "Hay, so you're the new slayer huh."

Sarah just smiled as Buffy moved around the room and introduced her to one guy with dark short hair, she noticed that he was kind of cute, "This is Xander." Sarah noticed a girl standing by Xander stiffen just before she moved closer to Xander and sat on his lap wrapping her arm around him. She didn't look like she liked Sarah very much from the way she was glaring, "Oh, that's Anya," Sarah noticed the slight distaste in Buffy's voice when she introduced Anya.

Giles interrupted the introductions trying to get down to business, "Well, now that you've met everyone shall we get to the business at hand."

Buffy and Sarah sat down on the part of the couch that was not occupied and waited for Giles to start to fill them in on what ever he had planned for this meeting. Sarah's mind really wasn't on the meeting within the room as she barely even heard Giles go on about strange disturbances that had been reported. He had mentioned something about her and Buffy looking into it but nothing more. She absentmindedly touched her lips remember the lingering kiss from just a few hours ago. The way his voice sounded when he proposed his offer to her and how much she wanted to say yes. Sarah's daydream was broken as she noticed the silence within the room and as she looked around and saw all eyes on her.

Sarah's face flushed, "Ah, sorry!" She felt literally awful, if there was anytime for daydreaming about a specific Goblin King now was not the time.

Buffy touched Sarah's arm, "What's up?"

"Why do you ask?" she tried to sound innocent not wanting to explain but knowing that she would probably have to and that she needed to make up something fast.

"Well, I don't know, you seem to be somewhere else. You, Ok."

"Yeah, I was just thinking of someone. Sorry." With that said she made sure that her mind stayed focussed on the meeting from then on. "So, what was that about strange disturbances?"

Willow decided that she wanted to fill her in, "Something's been breaking into peoples houses and reeking havoc. Giles, that just sounds like a normal, well maybe not normal, I mean non-demony kind of thing."

Taking his glasses off for a moment he answered, "At first I thought it just a normal breaking and entering until I heard about a strange sighting at one of those break ins. They described it as being, let me see," at this point he replaced his glasses and held the article of the newspaper up to read, "some disfigured looking child."

Sarah sat up at the description her back stiffening as she had the uncanny feeling that she knew exactly what that creature might be. Buffy noticed Sarah's reaction to the description.

"What, just a small disfigured thingy. Yeah, that's a lot to go on. So, was this all Giles or are you that desperate for something to happen."

Sharply looking at Buffy for a moment, annoyed at her insinuation, "Buffy if you would let me finish…They said that this disfigured looking child had disfigured wings and flew away before they could get a picture of it."

"Sounds a bit freaky. So, Giles have you found anything in those little books of yours on what it is?" Xander finally said something but only succeeded in receiving a glare from Giles.

Buffy stood pacing back and forth behind the couch, "So, I guess all we can do is keep an eye out for this thing while on patrol. Unless you know what it is?" she asked Giles.

Giles tossed the newspaper down, "Not with the description in the newspaper. I need a bit more to go on than a short disfigured creature with wings."

Sarah was silent not able to shake the feeling that the very creature that was described was a goblin. The image of the goblin falling out of the large machine that guarded the Goblin City gates when Hoggle had thrown him out, kept leaping into mind. Wanting to get out and find out if she was right or not Sarah stood from the couch and addressed the group, "So, I guess me and Buffy should get going."

Giles looked up to her and then answered, "Yes, while you two are out patrolling Willow and Xander can help me see if we can find anything more on this creature."

Chapter 6:

Quietly making their way through the Sunnydale cemetery Sarah and Buffy walked silently side by side. Sarah shivered with the new experience of having to walk threw a cemetery. With wooden stake in hand she watched cautiously, wary that at any moment a vampire or demon could jump out and attack.

Looking over at Sarah, Buffy noticed her unease and thought that she would try to get her mind off of the cemetery, "So, how do you like Sunnydale? That is other than the hell mouth and all."

Sarah looked over at Buffy not really sure how to answer her question. Lately she had been so wrapped up in finding out that she was a Slayer and with Jareth's visitations. Not to mention the fact that she was starting to realize her feelings for the arrogant Goblin King. "I really haven't had the chance to see much. I've been swamped with school work and this I really haven't had the time to enjoy my surroundings."

"I can relate. You would think that with college it would be a bit easier than high school."

Sarah laughed at that, "It's been a while since high school for me."

Buffy was glad that they could start talking about something other than Slayer business, "So, you didn't come to college right out of high school."

Sarah shrugged, "Well, I wanted to get away from my stepmother so I thought that if I got a job I could go and live on my own."

"So, your parents are divorced too."

Sarah looked around them as they walked, "Yeah, my mom and dad got divorced when I was fourteen and then he remarried. My real mom's a stage actress, I guess that's why I use to want to be an actress. Karen, my stepmother, is always on my case about something or another. No matter how much I've tried to get along with her she's still hasn't changed how she treats me."

Buffy frowned, "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. So, why didn't you move in with your mom?"

Sarah mentally flinched at the memory that question brought up, "I tried but…she said she was too busy and moved around too much to have a stable environment for me to live in."

Now she felt completely awful, Buffy wanted to take back the question but it was too late, "Oh, I'm so sorry. Please wait while I place my foot firmly in my mouth."

Sarah smiled, "That's Ok, I dealt with that a long time ago. Though it still hurts that my real mother didn't really take the time out of her life to be with me."

"So, if not acting?" wanting to get away from the current subject.

"I found out that I'm pretty good at writing stories so I thought that I would go with being an English major. I sent out an essay to a bunch of colleges hoping for a college grant or scholarship and here I am."

"I'm taking it that they liked your essay."

"They didn't just like it they loved it. I got more scholarships than I knew what to do with."

Buffy stopped as she thought she heard something. Sarah looked around trying to see why she had stopped. Shrugging as if it was nothing Buffy continued with the chat, "Why Sunnydale then? I mean it's a good school and all but lets just say that there's not actually a lot going for this place."

Before Sarah could answer they both stopped in mid stride as they both heard a loud crash coming from somewhere off in the distance. Their eyes fell on one of the above ground tombs. Objects were being discarded from the tomb's door. Buffy motioned for Sarah to approach from the right while she approached from the left.

Sarah's heart began to race as she slowly made her way towards the tomb. With every crash that the thrown objects made she had to make herself bravely move forward. Glancing back and forth between Buffy and the tomb Sarah had to keep reminding herself that she was the Slayer now and that she could handle things like this. She just wished that her heart would listen to her head as it kept sinking deeper and deeper within her stomach. If it were maybe daytime and not the middle of the night she might not be as nervous as she was now. 'Ok, breath. It's not like I haven't dealt with stuff like this before. Besides Buffy's here, its not like I'm alone,' she thought to herself as she and Buffy closed in on the doorway.

They both peeked around the corner. Buffy carefully looked over the small creatures that were gathered around within the tomb. They varied in size, though none higher than her waist and were the ugliest things that she had ever seen. Their skin was gray and their features were horrid. One of them had large oversized eyes with a large snout for a nose with a very bad case of drool. Another was the size of a cat and looked like a ball of fur with a tail and beady eyes. She watched as the one with the snout and drool problem smacked one of the creatures that looked like something between a very ugly kid and a pigmy.

Sarah's jaw almost dropped to the ground, 'How did they get here? Why would Jareth send his goblins here? We can't kill them. Oh, god what do I do?' before Sarah could think any more on the matter she acted. Clearing her throat she let herself be known and stepped inside, "And what do you think you're doing?" she asked in her most intimidating tone.

The goblins stopped their heads jerking up to the sound of Sarah's voice. Some snickered and started towards her while others stood with their mouths dropped open knowing that they've been caught.

Buffy started to say something when the small goblin that looked like a fur ball jumped on top of her head and started to pull at her hair. Buffy batted the small creature from her head and started towards it ready to kill the annoying thing.

Sarah stopped her before she could reach him, "No, don't kill them. Their only goblins, there not dangerous, just annoying." Just as she said this she had to duck as a chunk of brick was thrown towards them, "Hey!"

The goblins snickered as they scurried away. Grabbing one of the goblins by its collar Sarah glared angrily at the struggling goblin, "How did you get here?"

Buffy watched not sure what was going on but having the filling that Sarah knew more than she was admitting. The goblin shrugged as if to say 'like I know' and grinned snickering and drooling as he stared up at her.

Buffy approached Sarah taking a closer look at their captive, "So you know what this is."

Sarah had almost forgotten about Buffy and wished that she were alone right now. She knew now that she would have to tell them everything and there was no dodging the issue either. "Yeah, unfortunately I do. I'll explain at Giles place. Do you know if he has any cages handy?"

"Knowing Giles, he probably has one somewhere."

Giles leaned back in his chair looking away from the large volume of demons and sorcery he was scanning through. He had searched more books than he cared to count and was getting rather irritated by the lack of progress. Willow sat at the table typing away at her small laptop trying to find what she could from the Internet while Xander sat hunched over a book looking at pictures. Thankfully Anya had tired with the research and decided to go home.

When the door opened everyone's attention came to the door where Buffy came in followed by Sarah holding a small creature that seemed to be rather unhappy about being carried by its shirt collar.

"Ugly little critter," Xander boasted as he sat up from his reading.

The small gray goblin just grinned not realizing that he had been insulted. Giles stood from his chair, "What the bloody hell? Buffy, why did you bring that 'thing' here?"

Buffy dropped on the couch, "Ask her, she insisted not to slay it. Personally, I think that would be doing it a favor."

Willow's mouth dropped open, "Buffy!" Buffy shrugged as if to say, 'what', "He's kind of funny looking."

Sarah getting irritated with the small struggling goblin stopped the chit chat, "Giles, do you have a cage or something we can keep this from running off?"

Giles quickly got up and headed towards the kitchen. After a few minutes of hearing him clang and clatter in the kitchen he returned with a small metal cage. Throwing the goblin in Sarah bolted the cage and looked over at everyone in the room.

Buffy eyed the cage and then looked to Sarah, "So how do you know what this thing is anyway?"

Giles then cut in, "You know what this is?" he asked.

"It's a goblin," Sarah stated mater of factly.

Giles immediately went for the books dragging out one very old and dusty volume and flipped threw the pages. Stopping at a page he started to read, "Very unintelligent creatures who main abilities include causing immense trouble where ever they go. They're harmless if alone but are a complete menace when grouped together. The books very vague about what they are and where they come from."

Buffy cut in, "Let's get back to my first question. How do you know what this is?"

Sarah thought if she was to explain she had to start at the beginning, "I was fourteen when my mother gave me a small red book of a play called Labyrinth. I was obsessed with the story. When I was sixteen my stepmother kept making me stay home with my baby brother to watch while her and my dad would go out. One night I had an argument about having to stay home and watch Toby, that's my half brother, all the time. When they left I was still angry and I started to react the play. I said the part where she wishes for her brother to be taken by the goblins but nothing happened. I didn't think that anything would really. Then when I exited the room I said the right words, not really knowing that they were the right words. I didn't think anything of it and started to leave when Toby just stopped crying."

Willow leaned in the edge of her chair soaking in the story. "I went back and tried to turn on the light but it wouldn't work. When I approached his crib it looked empty. I got to his crib and pulled back his blanket and he was gone. Then I heard cabinet's open and close, scratches at the window where a large white barn owl was trying to get in. I've never been so terrified as I was that moment. When the French window to the bedroom flew open I threw up my arms to protect myself from the owls claws but I felt no ripping or tearing like expected and when I looked up the owl was gone but a man stood there instead. It was the Goblin King. To make the story short, I had thirteen hours to traverse his immense labyrinth to get to its center to the Castle. I barely made it and I defeated him. It's been four years since that day."

"So lets get this straight. You wish your brother away and this Goblin King takes him away. Does it work on anyone?"

Willow punched Xander on the shoulder, "Xander!"

"Hey, it might come in handy." Xander defended himself.

Buffy ignored the two, "Giles, has there been any reports of missing kids?"

"No, just the break ins and disturbances." Giles leaned forward in his chair trying to think of what was going on but coming up with blanks, "I guess I can look for some reference on this Goblin King but I don't remember ever running across such a being."

"I don't think that he has anything to do with this. I mean…" Sarah quickly put in, "It doesn't seem like his style. What would he have to gain by this?"

Giles then asked, "Can you tell us anything about this Goblin King?"
Sarah sighed, 'if they only knew', "He's Fae, and very powerful." 'Not to mention gorgeous, seductive,' she thought to herself.

Chapter 7:

Sarah wanted to fall into her bed and never wake up. She was so tired but she felt better. It was a relief to finally be able to tell someone other than herself about what happened to her when she was only sixteen. She felt as if a giant weight had been lifted from her shoulders. No one in the group judged her for what happened and they were very supportive. For the past three hours she had racked her brain as to how and why the goblins were in Sunnydale. If it was just one she would of thought it a fluke, that maybe Jareth had left one behind but there were obviously more than one and Jareth was not the type to leave lose ends. Was he? She really didn't know the Goblin King that well. All she had to rely on was her encounters with him when she was in his labyrinth.

She decided against the thought of Jareth being careless. He was maybe arrogant, cruel, mysterious, charming, seductive, very handsome, but careless. No. Knowing that she wouldn't be getting any answers on her own she glanced towards her vanity and as if a light had come on within her mind she got an idea.

Getting off of her bed she sat in front of her vanity and took a deep breath, "Hoggle, Didamous, I need you." Nothing happened all that greeted her was her own reflection. This was not good.

Getting up from the chair she started pacing not knowing what she should do. She thought that she could call on someone else but was not sure if she should. Maybe this was his plan all along. To make it so she would feel the need to call on the Goblin King for help, therefor making her vulnerable to his advances. No, she was not the same defenseless teenager she was four years ago. She was twenty years old and a Slayer she had to believe in herself now more than ever. All of her regrets, unsureness had to be placed aside. Something was going on and she had a very bad feeling that things were only going to get worse.

Facing the mirror once again she opened her mouth and let her words spring forth, "Jareth, I need to speak with you. JARETH!" If he didn't hear her she didn't know what she was going to do next. She waited a few more minutes before she tried again, "Jareth, I know you can hear me. Please, I…I need you."

Sarah felt the air around her tingle with unseen magic as the room started to blur and shift before her eyes. Feeling slightly dizzy she closed her eyes and waited for the tingling to stop before opening them again. She almost fell over as the scene before her was no longer her dorm room but a bedroom, Jareth's more likely. Candles were light all around the room giving it a romantic glow. Sarah was not expecting this and she was beginning to fill extremely uncomfortable and was starting to wish that she hadn't called him. When her eyes met the large four poster bed to her side she swallowed.

'This is not good' Sarah mentally told herself, "Jareth" his name came out as a whisper and she mentally cursed herself for letting him get to her like this.

She looked around for him but saw no one. Before she could look behind her she felt his strong arms circle her waist and his warm breath tickle pleasingly against her ear, "You called," he purred.

Her body betrayed her as she felt herself lean into him and close her eyes. She was so tired from the day's events that she was shocked to find that she had not the strength to fight his hold on her nor really wanting too. What spell had he cast on her this time? Was it a spell? No, she couldn't blame him for how she was reacting to his touch, his closeness. 'Now, what did I call on him for?' she thought distantly to herself, her mind not wanting to concentrate on business at the moment.

Jareth grinned against her soft fragrant brown hair knowing what effect he was having on her and pleased that she wasn't fighting him. He was very pleased when he heard her call for him, how he needed a distraction. Such innocence, she was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. She was lovely when sixteen but now she was even more so. In his opinion nothing could compare with her beauty. But it was more than just physical attraction he felt towards her. She had traversed his labyrinth, had confront him and defeated him. She had a strength within that he admired and now that she was more mature and could understand his love for her. He would not stop until she recognized his love and excepted him and his world.

"Sarah, have you considered my offer?"

Well, that brought her back from her cloud quickly. She had to stop letting him effect her so. Her friends were depending on her and something more important than herself and her feelings for Jareth needed to be taken care of. It took more strength than she knew that she had to pull away from him but she had to.

Turning to face him she could not meet his eyes, "Jareth, this is not why I called you."

Jareth's face quickly changed from a seductive grin to his usual mask, "Oh, so why have you called for me?"

"Are you aware that some of your Goblins are terrorizing Sunnydale or had you something to do with it?" she said with a bit more accusation than she had intended.

With a wave of his hand they had disappeared from his bedchambers reappearing in the royal throne room. Placing his gloved hands behind his back he intensely looked to Sarah as if contemplating something, "No to both questions. Are you sure that they are goblins and not some other creature?"

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest defiantly, "I think I know a goblin when I see one. They've been breaking into peoples homes and other public property leaving everyplace they go trashed."

"Why call me? Why not your so called friends Higgle and that annoying fox like creature?" his voice was filled with hurt and it made Sarah mentally cringe.

"They didn't answer my call." She unintentionally snapped. Both stood silent for the moment and Sarah's temper was starting to rise. "You are so…God, I don't know what I was thinking when I called you," she said the last sentence more for herself than for Jareth.

"Well, if that's the way you fill about it." With a wave of his gloved hand Sarah found herself back in her dorm room.

Sarah yelled out, "OO, the nerve of that…that. Why do you have to be so angering?" Flopping down on her bed she began to calm down and sighed, "And why did I have to fall for you?" she whispered to herself before she crawled under her blanket and closed her eyes. She was so tired that she didn't care that she was sleeping in her clothes.

Jareth carelessly flung himself into his throne as he tried to think about what had gone wrong. One minute their having a very intimate, romantic moment then the next they end up fighting with each other. 'Why does she have to defy me so?' he thought to himself as he conjured one of his crystals in hand. Within it's smooth surface the image of Sarah came to view. He watched as she yelled out in anger at him sending her back without anything more said. He grinned, he liked the fire that she held within herself, he couldn't help but be amused. His grin grew as he heard her last words before slipping off into sleep. So, she finally admitted to herself that she was in love with him. Maybe there was some hope left for them after all.

Deep within the underground the tunnels held a damp coldness that kept out any inhabitants from rooting within them. Cobwebs hung sickly along the walls and corners. A sparkling dark substance covered the ground as they winded underneath the labyrinth. It in itself its own labyrinth. The tunnels stretched and turned spilling out into large rooms and back to other long and narrow hallways.

Within a large opening that one of the tunnels opened up into vampires gathered. A man dressed in black sat proudly over all as he watched them at their rest as it was now day within the new world that they had discovered. His dark brown hair slicked back out of his eyes as he now looked down at his new creation. The elfin woman sat at his feet her head laying against his knee. Gently stroking a piece of her bright red hair he caused her to look up at him with her dark green eyes. His chocolate brown eyes seeking out her forest green ones.

She smiled up at him in admiration, he had given her a gift, a new life that she never thought nor imagined possible. "Jonathan, why are you not at rest, my love?"

Jonathan cupped her chin in his hands lowering himself to kiss her sweet cold lips, "My lovely Navea, I have much planing for this world and no need of rest."

Navea smiled sweetly excepting her master's words. She would follow him no matter where he would lead her and question not his intentions. Looking away from him she lay her head back down on his lap while he caressed her long red tresses.

He watched her intently as she fell back to sleep and wondered, for the millionth time, what it was about this one that he had sired that made him want to do everything within his power to please? She was very different from any that he had sired. She had awakened more quickly than any human had ever had. He thought it because she was another creature completely different from the humans that they feast upon. She also exhibited special abilities that made her all the more intoxicating to posses. He was right to have taken her when he did. This new world was free for the taking and she would be a great help to his purpose. The other vampires that surrounded him had nothing to compare with the one that lied at his feet.

Jonathan grinned inwardly as his thoughts went back to the plan he was conjuring within his mind. With no Slayer to stop him and his minions, there would be no stopping him from taking over this powerful world. The possibilities of what evils and damage that he could provoke to this new world was endless and with Navea by his side it would become reality very soon. He let himself laugh at his revelations, a cold dark laugh that would make ones hairs stand on end.

Sarah stood within the hedge maze once again but it was barely recognizable this time. Instead of lush green shrubbery, lay nothing but dark almost black dead branches and growth forming the maze. The air around her felt cold and uncomfortable as she hugged herself moving forward threw the maze. Hearing a growl she was pushed back landing hard on the ground a few feet behind where she had been just moments ago. Moaning slightly to the sharp pain that shot up through her back she looked up to see a man dressed in black standing over her. To his side stood a woman, an elfin woman with dark red hair that flew about her lovely face with the cold wind that surrounded them.

Quickly getting to her feet Sarah stared down at the two in defiance. The woman regarded her fearlessly letting Sarah know that she was not afraid of her. Before Sarah could blink the woman was on her pulling back her long dark brown hair and glaring her hateful dark green eyes into her startled blue ones. The woman's face changed and revealed her true self. She was a vampire but none like she had ever faced. This woman held a power and made Sarah unable to move out of her harsh grasp. Sarah gasped as she felt the ripping of her own flesh and her blood leaving her. Sitting straight up from the bed Sarah had awakened ungracefully falling out of bed hitting the floor with a thud.

"Owe, damn that's the second nightmare in a row." She scolded not at all pleased that her mind was forcing her to have these disturbing nightmares. Sarah started as she heard a loud pounding on her dorm door. Getting to her feet she grabbed for her bathrobe and made it to the door just as she had put it on.

The door pounded again, "Just a minute, I'm coming." Pulling open the door she saw Buffy smiling up at her.

Buffy didn't wait for an invitation as she entered Sarah's room, "Hey, don't bother to be going to any of your classes today. Giles thinks that we need to meet at his house to discuss our new little pet."

Sarah shut the door looking at Buffy feeling the events of the past few days starting to pile up on her. "OK, give me a few minutes to get ready."

"You ok, you don't look to spiffy?"

Bringing her hands to her face Sarah tried to rub the exhaustion out from her eyes, "Give me about five minutes and I should be ok. My sleep of late has not been very comforting."

Buffy sat at the edge of Sarah's unmade bed, "Bad dreams. You know that being the Slayer now your dreams could also mean something. Care to share."

After relaying her dreams to Buffy of the past couple of nights Buffy sat in silence mulling over the information. Sarah sat beside Buffy waiting for her reactions, "So, any thoughts as to if this is one of those dreams you were speaking of."

"I don't know but it looks like. I was just thinking if these goblins are here in Sunnydale…I've noticed that there haven't been as many vampire sightings these past few nights on patrol, I wonder. Sarah you said that you can communicate with some of your friends from the labyrinth?"

Sarah shook her head, "Yeah but I tried last night and was unable to. You don't think that somehow vampires are in the labyrinth?" Sarah shivered at the idea but it would explain the dreams. A few more minutes of silence and Sarah rushed out of the room to get ready to leave with Buffy to Giles.

The small goblin sat within its cage not at all happy about being locked up. It's small beady eyes fixed on the man that sat at the table not too far from him. Though the goblin was not the brightest in the world its small mind was working on a way of escape and revenge. There was one thing that goblins hated more than anything and that was being locked up in small spaces. Letting his eyes fall from the man at the table his stubby fat fingers picked silently at the corner of the cage prying at a piece of metal that held the cage together.

Placing his spectacles down on the table Giles messaged the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes. His eyes were starting to burn with exhaustion as he had spent most of the night and all of the morning going over the large text before him. The book before him lay open, its pages worn and fragile from its age. He had read all that he could find about fairy tales and the Fae. Some of what he had found was mind boggling but fascinating. Opening his eyes once more he closed the large volume before him and sipped at his coffee in thought. Hearing a small rattling noise he looked away from his mug and towards the small cage that held the goblin.

Giles quickly grabbed his glasses placing them back on and looked in slight horror as his heart fell into his stomach, "OH, bloody hell!"

Standing from his table he approached the empty cage and then looked slowly around. A crash made him turn towards his now toppled over table. Making his way towards the fallen table he heard the irritating sound of muffled snickering and tried to turn toward the sound only catching a glimpse of a shadow headed towards the kitchen. Before he could run after the small minus the doorbell distracted his pursuit as he made a side step towards the door cursing under his breath. Opening up the door he was relieved to see Buffy and Sarah standing there.

Buffy smiled at Giles, "So find anything new about our little visitors?" she quipped.

Just as Giles was about to say something he heard an unnerving crash from inside and rushed to investigate fearing the worst. Sarah and Buffy entered to see what was going on and to Sarah's horror she saw the empty cage. "Damn."

Buffy was going to start to ask what Sarah was talking about when her eyes fell upon the empty cage as well. 'Uh oh' came to mind very quickly especially when she scanned the room before her. It was a mess with table toppled over on its side and papers scattered all over the floor. Running into the kitchen where Giles had headed she looked to see Giles on the floor struggling with something.

Sarah immediately came to Giles side to help. The small goblin had a large frying pan in hand and was attempting to use it as a hammer against the pipes beneath the sink. Sarah pushed Giles back as she grabbed the annoying creature by the scuff of its neck, "That's it! Jareth, I know you can hear me."

Buffy's back stiffened as she felt a strange tingling in the air and looked to see a strange man standing within Giles living room. She just stared at the man not sure if she was dreaming or not, that is, until she heard him speak.

"Having some problems, Sarah." His cultured voice brought both Giles and Sarah out from the kitchen.

Giles looked at the stranger in his living room with almost total disbelief written on his face while Sarah just looked miffed. Goblin in hand she tossed the annoying creature at Jareth's feet. The goblin looked up to his king and knew instantly that he was in trouble.

Forming crystal in hand Jareth tossed it towards the goblin and continued towards Sarah and the others. The goblin flinched as the crystal popped over him and sent him back to his king's castle. Jareth looked over the young woman that stood gapping at him with mild interest and then towards the man with equally less interest until finally focussing on his love, "Miss me."

Sarah practically rolled her eyes at him trying to ignore the way she loved the sound of his voice, "Would you please stop that!"

Jareth looked at her in innocence, "Stop what?"

"Baiting me!" she was really starting to tire at the way he would try to get her riled up.

Jareth just grinned his most sinister grin and continued to come closer but before he could someone dared to stand in his way. Looking down he saw the young woman that had been gapping at him earlier trying to stand him down with her glare.

Buffy did not like the idea of this person going near Sarah. If her assumptions were right he was a dangerous man and Sarah was acting way to careless around him, "Far enough Goblin King."

Jareth glared down at the young woman before him enraged by the lack of respect this mere mortal was displaying towards him. Meaning to push the obstacle out of his way he was surprised when he felt his body being flung back against the far wall. Lying on the floor he had found himself on he quickly got to his feet, now more enraged than anything. Forming crystal in hand he looked at the defiant young woman that dare lay a hand on him ready to strike back.

Sarah watched with a slight gleeful satisfaction as she watched the all-powerful Goblin King being tossed to the other side of the room. When she saw him hit the wall though, her glee turned quickly to a worried grimace. When she saw him conjuring a crystal her heart dropped into her stomach and she ran to Buffy's aid, "Jareth, don't. Please, now is not the time for this."

Jareth agreed but flung the crystal towards them anyway and watched as it grew and engulfed the two slayers and disappeared. Giles gapped at the sight his mouth uttering unrecognizable sounds as he tried to say something to reason with the man before him but failing miserably. Then the Goblin King disappeared as if he never was leaving Giles standing alone, "Oh dear," finally escaping his mouth.

Chapter 8:

Sarah and Buffy both stood gaping at their new surroundings in wonder and disbelief. There before them goblins of all shapes and sizes clattered around them. Sarah recognized the throne room immediately and wondered just what the Goblin King was planning to do with them. She especially feared what he would do to Buffy for her actions earlier.

Buffy could not believe her eyes. One minute she was standing in Giles living room and the next she's standing in a room full of nasty little creatures, what she assumes goblins, all around her. As one started to edge his small body towards her she glared its way, "Don't even think about it."

The goblin smiled dumbly up towards her not at all afraid and continued his approach. His mouth drooled at the shiny object on her finger and wanted it.

As the dumb creature lunged towards her, he found himself instantly propelled away as her booted foot made contact with its small body. As he hit the wall the others within the room laughed at the other goblins misfortune then continued on with what ever they were doing before. Buffy looked towards Sarah who just shrugged at her puzzled look.

"Do you have any idea where we are?" Buffy asked, not sure she wanted to know.

Before Sarah could answer her question, Jareth's accented voice answered her question for her, "This, is my castle and you are in my throne room."

At the sound of their King's voice all goblins stopped with their menial play and stared hopeful for a good show. Jareth ignored his subjects as he approached the two Slayers with hands held firmly behind his back. Looking at Sarah he held her with his eyes for a moment before focussing on the other woman before him. "It would be wise that you not act as you did earlier."

Buffy smirked at him not at all afraid of the man before her. She had gone against worse than him and his powers did not intimidate her the slightest. Jareth did not allow her mannerism to anger him as he continued past the Slayer and sat comfortably within his throne.

Sarah, not being one for patience, was the first to speak, "Jareth, why have you brought us here?"

Jareth tried to hide the smile that wanted to escape his mask of indifference he usually wore by wanting to, as she put it, bait her a bit more, "Because I can."

The other goblins snickered knowing all too well that their King was toying with the two women. Jareth glared down at them causing them all to go silent. Sarah started towards Jareth but was stopped by Buffy as she put her hand to her shoulder.

Jareth smiled inwardly seeing this. Buffy showed that she did not fear him but proved that she was in no way a fool. Sarah was no fool, to say the least, but was a bit less cautious towards the Goblin King. "Beware, just because you are the Slayer does not mean that you are in any way a match for me."

Sarah visibly paled, she had no idea that he had known and the tone in his voice towards them was not at all comforting. Buffy was a bit surprised herself, but did not let Jareth see it. She was sure that if she let him see her in anyway surprised or intimidated by him that he would most probably enjoy it.

"How did you…" her question was cut off by Jareth's voice.

"Know," he finished her question for her. Rising from his throne he approached her until he was only mere inches from her, "Why Sarah, there isn't much that I don't know when it concerns to you."

Sarah wasn't sure whether or not to be flattered or insulted as he reached up and gently caressed the side of her face. His mere touch made her tremble and she found that her eyes had locked with his.

Buffy watched in fascination at how the two looked at each other. There was something there she had not seen before now, love. She had observed the Goblin King closely since first seeing him and though he showed cruelty towards them she couldn't deny the fact that his actions thus far were not evil…mocking, cruel, flirtatious. But evil…no.

In moments she felt that strange tingling sensation once again and the surrounding change within moments. The throne room was replaced by Giles living room and three shocked friends staring back at her in disbelief. Willow, Xander, and Giles blinked from the sight of Sarah and Buffy just appearing out of no where.

Willow smiled overjoyed to see that her friends were alright, "Buffy, Sarah. I wasn't sure if I was ever going to see you two again."

Buffy smiled at her best friend, "Well were back and might I say there's no place like home."

"I take it, it wasn't a pleasant visit." Xander added.

Sarah still stood there not saying a word. She wasn't sure what had just happened, first she wanted to hit the Goblin King into next week and then she wanted to fling herself in his arms and kiss him. Something happened between them the last couple of days and she wasn't sure what to make of any of it.

Buffy looked back at Sarah and placed her hand on her shoulder, "You ok?"

Sarah blinked herself out of her shocked gaze and started towards the door, "I'll be fine. I just need some time alone." Sarah left before any could try to ask her any questions about their departure.

Buffy watched the door close and then went in to join her friends, "She'll be ok but I don't think that it's the Goblin King that we need to worry about."

Giles was shocked by this coming from the Slayer, "He kidnaps the both of you and you say that he's not to worry about!"

Buffy shrugged, "I know it's hard to swallow but I don't think that he would do anything to hurt Sarah or her friends." Buffy continued to tell them what had occurred and what she saw between the Goblin King and Sarah. "I think Sarah's been keeping out some things about what happened between her and him."

Willow's gaze was far and distant as she imagined the wonder it would be to visit a world full of magic, "Just like a fairy tale, a King in love with a Lady. So, what's this guy like and all?"

Xander looked over at his friend, "Willow, this guy stills babies and turns them into goblins and you want to know what he's like."

Willows fantasy was shattered at that little reminder Xander supplied her with. Giles cleared his throat, "Is that all that happened? You were gone for hours."

"Hours," Buffy questioned as she looked towards the clock that hung on the far wall. To her disbelief it was already almost dark, had they spent the whole day there. "That's weird we were only there a few minutes."

The answer as to why it seemed so long to them and so short to Buffy suddenly came to mind, "Time must work differently there," Giles answered.

Buffy cut in, "Yeah, but didn't Sarah say that she had been in the labyrinth for ten hours but had only been gone from her home in five."

"She did say that he had reordered time," Giles added.

Buffy sighed at the strangeness of the situation, "It's bad enough to have to figure out prophecies, demons, and the occasional apocalypse, but now fairy tales."

Later that night after wanting to take a break from the usual nightly patrols at the cemetery Sarah and Buffy entered the local hang out of the Bronze. Sarah's ears were assaulted by loud music as they entered the door and headed towards a table with Willow, Xander and Anya. Sitting at the small table Sarah watched as the band played some rather enjoyable yet loud music. Buffy had returned with two cokes in hand as she seated herself beside Sarah.

Sarah was glad to see Buffy return with the drinks feeling very thirsty. Clubs were not exactly Sarah's cup of tea but the place was starting to grow on her. They were surrounded by high school and college students laughing and dancing making Sarah long for a little normalcy within her life.

A screech of the speakers and the screams of the patrons cut their moment for relaxation short. Looking to find the source of the disturbance Sarah saw the source of the commotion. At the corner of the stage a small goblin was pulling at the power cords of the instruments and another goblin was pouncing on one of the musicians. Both Buffy and Sarah headed straight for the stage through the retreating crowd that were quickly making their exits from the club.

Sarah lunged for the goblin that was pulling on the musicians pant leg but missed as the goblin saw her coming for him. The gray goblin made for an exit trailing behind the other goblin that had just escaped Buffy's attack. Buffy and Sarah followed both determined to find out where they were going and how they had gotten in.

Buffy watched as they disappeared threw a small hole in the floor of the club. Coming to the small opening Buffy saw that it was too small for the two of them to fit through, so she did the obvious. Punching through the wooden floor boards Buffy yanked at it pulling lose the floorboards making the opening large enough to climb through. Sarah watched with wonder at how strong she was then remembered that that was part of the package of being the Slayer and followed after.

After seeing Buffy disappear through the whole Sarah stepped to the opening and without hesitation followed suit. Landing on her feet she noted the damp and unpleasant air around her with distaste. "Where are we?" she breathed trying not to smell the disturbing odder, mind you that she had smelled worse being the Bog of Eternal Stench.

Buffy pulled out one of her wooden stakes, "It's the sewers. Be careful vampires love it down here."

Sarah, taking note of her warning, took out her own wooden stake not really enjoying the fact that they were about to go exploring within a sewer. "Great, did I tell you how much I love Sunnydale?"

Buffy smiled noting the heavy sarcasm in Sarah's voice. "They went this way come on," she whispered over her shoulder.

Without further question Sarah followed Buffy deeper within the sewers hoping that she knew her way around. Sarah was starting to fill very uneasy the further they went, something was bothering her but she couldn't put a finger on it. Sarah almost ran over Buffy when she had stopped just in front of her, back stiffening.

The inhuman growl followed by someone knocking her into the wall beside her told her that vampires were here. Hitting off the vampire with a jab of her elbow Sarah delivered a turn kick as she turned to face her attacker. Glancing towards Buffy Sarah noted Buffy fighting off a couple of others. The vampire charged her bringing her back to the vampire at hand. As he reached for her she blocked his advancement with her left hand bringing her right fist in contact with his disfigured face. The vampire faltered back as the force of the impact took him by surprise. With the vampires arm still within hand Sarah flipped the creature on its back and continued with plunging the wooden stake into its heart. The vampire was dust in seconds allowing Sarah to go to Buffy's aid but seeing that she didn't need to.

Buffy stood waiting for Sarah to join her, "Nice, now that we're warmed up lets see what we can find."

Continuing onward Sarah and Buffy were greeted by a faint glow from up ahead. Looking to each other they ran cautiously towards the light. As they entered the small room Sarah and Buffy scanned the area for more vampires and the source of the light they had seen.

Sarah was now in front of Buffy but came to a complete stop when she saw the source of the light. Before her in the ground of the damp cold room lay a crack with the image of something eerily familiar. She barely could believe her eyes but it would explain the goblins in Sunnydale. "So, that's how they've been getting here."

Buffy saw what Sarah was looking at, "What the?" coming closer to the image before her she lightly kicked a small pebble with the toe of her foot towards the image and watched as the pebble went through and landed on the ground within the image. Looking back at Sarah she had guessed as to what it was before them, "I think this might be some kind of gateway between our world and this one."

"It's the Underground," Sarah stated mater of factly, "Come on lets go."

Buffy grabbed Sarah's arm before she could continue, "Wait, we don't know if this gateway or whatever this is closes once we're on the other side. We can't just go charging."

Sarah knew that Buffy was right but she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to go through that portal. Without further warning Sarah jumped into the large gap within the ground and fell. In seconds she landed on the other side but lost her balance and rolled down the short hill. Buffy followed not too long after but not losing her balance like Sarah had.

Buffy stood at the top of the hill looking at the sight before her in bewilderment. A large maze stretched out as far as the eye could see in every direction, the large castle standing proudly at the maze center. Drawing her eyes away from the sight before her Buffy came to Sarah's side, "We aren't where I think we are, are we?"

Sarah dusted off her blue jeans and shirt and looked out at the all too familiar scene of the labyrinth, "It's the Labyrinth."

Buffy gapped slightly up at Sarah in disbelief, "You made it through that place in less than ten hours!"

Sarah smiled at Buffy in her reaction to her accomplishment, "Yep," she answered as she looked back to where they had entered the portal. To her horror the portal started to close, "Oh crap!" Sarah started towards the portal with Buffy not too far behind her but just as they reached it the opening closed completely.

Buffy's eyes stared at the place where only moments ago laid the doorway back to her world and then she slowly turned her eyes towards Sarah. Sarah looked back to Buffy and noted the not too pleased expression on her face. "I told you not to go in, but NO what do you go and do?"

Sarah grimaced at the glare she was receiving from Buffy, "It's not as bad as it looks."

"OH, really! Do pray tell."

Sarah just rolled her eyes and made her way towards the labyrinth gate. Passing the all too familiar fountain where she had first met Hoggle Sarah was disappointed when she didn't see him there. As she wondered where he could be Buffy trailed just behind her.

Buffy's anger subsided as she caught up with her new friend Sarah, noting to herself that when she first started out as the Slayer she had made many mistakes in the beginning. "Sorry, about being all snappy back there."

Sarah looked back to Buffy relieved that she wasn't still angry with her, "You had every right to be upset with me. I just had to go through," Sarah looked down to herself in thought, "I can't explain it but…I had a feeling and just acted on it." She looked at Buffy hoping that she would understand, though she didn't understand it herself.

Buffy understood all to well what Sarah meant, "Believe me I understand you perfectly. You know its kind of nice to have another Slayer around again to talk to. Don't get me wrong Willow and the others are great and everything but they just could never really know what it's like to be the Slayer."

Glad that Buffy understood, Sarah looked worriedly to the labyrinth gates ahead of them. Something was wrong, she couldn't put a finger on it but something felt really wrong. As they reached the gates they opened on their own accord, allowing entrance into its maze. Without giving it much thought Sarah continued on entering the gates with a bewildered Buffy trailing behind. When the doors shut with a loud boom both Buffy and Sarah jumped from the sudden loud noise.

Buffy looked one way and then the other seeing a long dank corridor that seemed to stretch for eternity. "Oh, I'm just getting the warm and fuzzy's about this place," Buffy stated sarcastically.

Sarah smiled remembering how she felt when she had first entered the labyrinth four years ago, "Things aren't always what they seem in this place. Come on."

Following Sarah's lead Buffy followed not at all crazy about being in a giant maze. Noticing that it was starting to get dark Buffy took out her wooden stake and watched Sarah doing the same. "I hope you remember your way around this place," Buffy asked as the walkway around them was starting to get darker from the approaching night.

Sarah let her fingers glide across the wall's surface being careful not to touch the strange creatures that grew within the walls. Buffy watched Sarah and did the same but came to a screeching halt when her hand brushed up against the strange eyes that stared out at her, "Ewe, that's disgusting!"

Sarah turned to see what Buffy was complaining about and saw the beady eyes swirling about and hissing from Buffy's brief contact with them. "I know, try to ignore them, they're harmless."

Whipping her hands on her black pants Buffy mumbled something and continued after Sarah. She was starting to hate the place more and more as time went by. "Not to be rude but where are all the turns. I thought that this was supposed to be a maze or something."

Sarah smiled as she remembered the small blue worm that had pointed her in the right direction, or did he. She always wondered about that worm. Feeling an opening Sarah passed through the opening in the wall beside her and disappeared from Buffy's sight.

Buffy's eyes widened when she saw Sarah disappear, "Sarah! Oh, just great."

Just as she had said this Sarah reached out for Buffy pulling her in with her. Buffy yelped then took a double take when she saw that they were in another passage way but instead of a never ending hallway she saw walkways and openings. Sarah laughed as she pulled Buffy along, she had forgotten how much she loved this place, "Remember, don't take anything for granted."

"What are you a giant fortune cookie all the sudden?"

"No, its just what I remember I learned about this place when I was last here. I just hope we're wrong about the vampires being here and all."

Buffy caught up with Sarah and walked by her side, "I hate to bust your bubble but with the reception we received before coming here, I think it's a definite yes on the question of vampires."

Turning another corner Sarah and Buffy were met with a dead end. Starting to make their way back they were hit with yet another dead end. Buffy looked over to Sarah who had turned around and watched as Sarah's face turned almost dark. Turning to see what was up Buffy saw two doors and in front of those doors sat two shields toppled carelessly against the doors.

Looking from the scene before them and to Sarah, Buffy was starting to get worried by the change of dark anger to that of pain, "What…what's wrong?"

Sarah felt sick to her stomach as she ignored Buffy's query and edged herself towards the two shields where she knew Alph and Ralph should be. The gnawing feeling that they had been a victim of the labyrinths new inhabitants made her heart ache. She fought against the tears that threatened to escape as she noticed a dark red stain underneath the shields. She felt her stomach ache and twist at the realization that they were most probably dead. "Alph and Ralph. Oh Buffy they didn't deserve this!"

Buffy saw the dark red stain edged into the cement below the shields and knew that it had to be blood, "I'm sorry Sarah," was all that she could manage to say. She knew that no words could help the pain that she knew Sarah must have been feeling.

Sarah's grief was turned quickly to anger as she straightened, "They'll pay for this. I promise, they'll pay for this."

Lightly placing her hand on Sarah's shoulder Buffy tried her best to council her friend, "Sarah, I need you to concentrate on the problem at hand. Don't let your anger cloud your judgement."

Sarah looked to Buffy knowing that she was right and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand, "OK, if I remember correctly they said the doors were the only way out of this part of the labyrinth."

Buffy looked over the door in front of them, "So which one did you choose?"

Sarah remembered choosing the door on the right and falling into an oubliette and there was no Hoggle around to help her out of one either, so she chose the door on the left. Buffy followed closely behind not wanting to chance them getting separated. As they opened the door and walked through they were greeted by a large forest.

Remembering the strange orange creatures called the fieries she wasn't sure that being in this place was such a good idea, "If you start hearing music and singing run for it."

"Why?" Buffy asked.

"Trust me, unless you want to see some creatures try to take off your body parts you don't want to run into these guys." Sarah quickened her pace as they headed deeper into the thick forest of the fieries. For some reason there was something darker about the forest, cold and unnerving.

Buffy's eyes scanned the forest around them as she kept up her pace with Sarah. She was definitely sharing Sarah's erg to get out of the forest as quickly as possible. Something about the place made her extremely uncomfortable. The surroundings looked almost just like any other forest she had ever seen besides the strange dark shimmering substance that tainted the trees and earth around them. Buffy's heart involuntarily sank as she heard the faint boom of a drum.

Sarah's quick strides turned into a heavy run as she heard the faint boom of a drum and the hum of music. To her ears it did not sound like the carefree tune she remembered but darker. As a blur of orange streaked in front of her run she came to a grinding halt.

Sarah had stopped so suddenly that Buffy almost practically ran over her. Stopping herself from colliding into Sarah she looked around them trying to catch her breath, "What is it?" she whispered to her friend.

Before Sarah could inform Buffy half a dozen fieries sprang from the surrounding brush their eyes a fierce red with teeth bared. Sarah and Buffy now stood back to back as they were surrounded by the vampire fieries.

They danced about them barely restraining their drool as they circled their intended meal. "Hey, looky yummy's."

"Umm hum, you take the arms I'll take the legs."

Sarah tightened her grip on her stake making herself ready for the fight that was coming. There were almost half a dozen of the vampire like creatures making her wonder if the two of them would be able to handle so many. Before she could think more on the matter two of the creatures lunged forwards. With a straight kick she managed to kick one of them away as the other scratched her arm making her hiss in pain as she drove the stake into the creature's heart, well she had hoped that it was where his heart was. The fierie screamed before disintegrating into dust. The one that she had kicked away was running around trying to gather up his body parts that separated as it fell to the ground.

Buffy dodged one as it leapt towards her head and knocked it to the side as she kicked off the other that was trying to grab hold of her leg. As a sidekick literally knocked its head off she plunged the wooden stake into its heart and drew her attention back towards the others that were attacking the two of them.

Sarah held her scratched arm as it stung, the blood that the feirie had drawn was making her the sole attention of the other fieries as they caught the scent of her blood. Ducking she barely was able to dodge one as it leapt towards her wound. Luckily Buffy was right about the quick healing as the wound on Sarah's arms had already closed. Releasing her arm she dodged another attack bringing her stake into another of the fieries heart.

The fieries mad attack was starting to desipate as their numbers were starting to dwindle. Realizing that they were out matched they started to scatter as they tried to flee the impending doom of being the next slain. Buffy and Sarah had lost count at how many that they had dusted by the time that the attack was over. The adrenaline caused by the fight made Sarah shake as the full impact of what had just happened sunk in.

Buffy had fought quit a few demons in her time but the ones that they had just faced were in her list of the weirdest. She had seen humans as vampires but this was a different breed of vampire. Not only were they extremely blood thirsty but the way that their body parts would fly off and then reattach made them all the more hard to slay. Looking to Sarah she noted her trembling, "You alright."

Sarah looked to Buffy sadness deep within her eyes, "We have to stop this. They're destroying the pure magic within this place… Buffy, I think I know why I've been having these dreams."

Buffy arched her brow, she thought that they had already came to a decision with that one, "Yeah, I know. I mean it's quit obvious. The vampires from our world crossed over to this one and are infecting this place."

Sarah shook her head as she continued forward, "Yes, but I think that there is more. I mean, from what Sir Didimous and Hoggle told me a while back, I'm the only person to ever defeat the Labyrinth. Maybe I'm connected to this place some how. Maybe that door that we came through was opened for me, that's why it's now closed."

"Ok, I'll go along with this. If you're the reason why the doorway to this world was opened, why now and not four years ago after you won?"

Sarah thought hard about that one, "I don't know. It's just that…Buffy have you ever felt as if you belonged, that this is where you're supposed to be?"

Buffy thought about that knowing that being a slayer made it hard to fit in, but with her friends and boyfriend things did fill right. Like she was where she was supposed to be, "Well, yeah. I think that I do."

Sarah continued, "Well, four years ago when I went through this labyrinth, when I think about it, that's how I felt about this place. When I had confronted Jareth at the end a part of me wanted to stay and regretted having to say the words but I had too, for Toby's sake" there was a pause, "Buffy can I tell you something?"

Buffy smiled reassuringly towards Sarah, "Okay, I'm all ears."

"I don't want to go back. I fill like this is where I'm supposed to be, this is where I want to stay." As she confided this to Buffy, she was in actuality realizing it at the same time. It wasn't just her attraction to the Goblin King but it was this place, this world. Full of magic and dreams she wanted to stay, to protect it from the evils that were threatening this place. It felt like more of a home here than any other place she had ever been.

Buffy understood what she was saying and was slightly pained at the thought of being the only slayer in Sunnydale. She was just starting to get use to the idea of having another Slayer around.

As they continued their way onward they never noticed the figure hidden deep within the shadows watching them. Eyes flashed with anger as the being quickly retreated to his master.

Chapter 9:

Jonathan growled as one of the vampires told him of what had transpired within the fiery forest. Not only was Buffy, the Slayer here in their new home but there was another Slayer in the mix. He mused that Faith must have been killed for there to be another Slayer. Looking to Navea he noticed the fearful expression on her face. Approaching her he cupped her chin in his hands forcing her to look within his eyes, "What is it you fear, my dear?"

Navea could not break her gaze from her Sires eye as she felt completely compelled to tell him all that she knew, not that she would resist him. "The girl he described I think I know who she is. She is a threat to us, more so than Buffy."

Tightening his grip, "Oh, please enlighten me as to why?"

Navea jerked her head away from his grasp angered by his use of force upon her will. Her eyes shimmered darkening the green of her eyes as her powers rose up from within, "Never touch me that way again!" she fumed.

The other vampires within the underground cavern backed away fearful of the power that emanated form the newly formed vampire. Jonathan stood his ground not at all afraid of her show of power, she was his childe and bound by a bond to never use her power against him. Quickly he was upon her crushing his body against hers as he intensely glared into her glowing eyes, "Would you really use your power against me, a power that you would not have if I had not made you," it was a statement more than that of a question.

Navea smiled up to her Sire, her desire for him pushing away the anger, "Maybe," she purred as she lightly brushed her lips against his biting his lower lip lightly. His strength excited her as he pulled her lips back to his in a searing kiss. Navea smiled as he pulled away and glared at the gaping vampires. They quickly looked away knowing their masters anger.

"Navea, my pet, don't toy with me. The Slayer's are no trifling matter. Now, tell me what you know of this other Slayer."

Navea's eyes were back to normal as she regarded her Sire and sauntered up to his side, "Her name is Sarah Williams. She solved and defeated the labyrinth four years ago. No one has ever done that in the history of the underground and no one knows for sure what effect that it would have on the winner." She paused a moment looking away from Jonathan as she contemplated the knowledge that had flooded her mind only moments ago, "She is connected to this world and holds unrecognized power. Her being the Slayer was meant to be. The Labyrinth brought her here. The portal in which you and the others entered were meant for her and closed when she passed through." Navea smiled at the sudden new knowledge that entered her mind, "Oh that would be grand."

Jonathan noted her change in demeanor, "Have your powers revealed something to you?"

"Yes, there is a way we can turn the circumstances to our favor," she was almost glowing from within with the news she was holding.

"Go on," he was not a patient vampire.

Tossing her red curls over her shoulder she looked back towards him, "Has a slayer ever been turned?"

Jonathan smiled at the idea, a slayer turned into a vampire would be something worth seeing. The possibilities were endless, "No…do you suggest that we do just that?"

Navea leaned her chin upon his shoulder, "No, I suggest that I turn her."

Jonathan grabbed her by the wrist pulling her to face him, "You're not ready to Sire, my pet. Why you and not me?"

Navea grinned, "Because I'm different than the others and my power would be doubled. Think of the possibilities. With Sarah as mine, she would be under my power to control and you would rule this world."

Pulling her closer to him to catch her eyes in his, "And what stops you from pushing me out of the way to have everything to yourself?"

Navea smiled wickedly as she bent her head to nuzzle at his throat just before whispering in his ear, "Because I need you, I want you."

The way she spoke to him made his flesh tingle with anticipation. Lifting her into his arms he carried her now giggling form towards the bed into a joining chamber of the tunnel. The other vampires had already left the safety of their new home to go hunt for their next victim.

Sarah sagged against the wall as she was starting to get tired. It didn't take long for Buffy to follow suit. They had left the fiery woods a long time ago and were now in a part of the labyrinth that half resembled the hedge maze and half resembled a garden. For the life of her, Sarah did not recognize this part of the labyrinth. Closing her eyes she let the small breeze caress her long dark brown hair away from her face. The smell of flowers and magic laying heavily in the air.

Buffy sat beside Sarah looking around at their new surroundings. If she didn't know that there was danger she might have been enjoying the scenery. The fact was that she was wishing that they were back in Sunnydale and not stuck in this crazy monster infested maze. She wasn't too comfortable about having to fight an enemy on unknown ground. Sarah might be feeling at home in this world but Buffy was not. So far they have been attacked by crazy orange creatures that had been turned to vampires and could disassemble their own body parts, lost in a giant maze, her feet hurt, and to top it all off her stomach was starting to growl. Taking a deep breath she looked over to Sarah to see that she looked contempt and at ease unlike her annoyed self.

"Okay, where are your friends you said you had in this place?"

Sarah opened her eyes to look at her friend, the Slayer, "What…oh, I don't know. I was hoping that we would have run into one of them by now. I hope they're alright."

Buffy frowned, she had been so annoyed with their current predicament that she didn't consider how worried Sarah might be about her friends, "Sorry, cant you just call him?"

She knew that Buffy was referring to Jareth. Quickly looking away she was afraid to admit that she had wanted to, that saying that she needed his help was a way of surrendering to him. His offer still fresh in her mind, she knew that if he offered it to her one more time that there would be no way that she could refuse him or his advances. She knew that she was just being stubborn but a part of her was afraid of letting him in, of letting anyone in. Ever since her real mother rejected her request to live with her and how her father rarely acknowledged her existence she was afraid to let anyone else in. She didn't know if she could ever really fully trust, or open her heart to anyone. Not after the years of emotional rejection she had gone through.

Buffy noted Sarah's silence on the matter, "Look, I've seen the way that you two look at each other."

Sarah got up from where they were resting, looking around them as to think about where they were to go next. She was avoiding the issue trying to distract Buffy from the topic but Buffy didn't go for it.

"Look…"

Sarah cut her off, "No, don't. What is between him and me is between him and me. I know that you're only trying to help but when it comes to you know who, just don't." Sarah paused she was tired mentally and physically, "We need to keep going. I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this place."

'Oh, there's an understatement!' Buffy thought to herself, 'If she wont call him in the next fifteen minutes, I sure as hell will.'

As they reached the end of one of the corridors they entered into a large opening. No maze, no hedges, just open field of grass and dark sparkly gravel. Sarah raised and dropped her hands to her side in aggravation, "Shit, now I'm completely lost!" she was aggravated more than anything and her lack of sleep was not helping the issue.

Buffy calmly looked about their surrounding getting one of her bad feelings about their surroundings. Quickly she drew out Mr. Pointy as her eyes carefully scanned the darkness around them. The stars and moon in the sky lending just enough light to let them see their surroundings.

Sarah didn't notice Buffy stiffen and continued berating herself for ever going through that portal. All she wanted now was a bed and a bath, to close her eyes and drift off into peaceful sleep. The echo of laughter caused her to pause in mid mussing. It wasn't the teasing laughter of the Goblin King but a sinister deadly laugh that sent ripples of chills down her spine. Before she had time to reach for her stake she felt her body slammed into by an unseen force throwing her back, she hit the ground hard knocking the breath out of her.

Buffy stood ready for the oncoming attack as she saw dozens of vampires emerging from everywhere around them. They were greatly outnumbered, looking back she noticed that the entrance that had led them to this place was gone. They were trapped and the only way they were going to get away was forwards which was blocked by the large group of vampires. Looking to her side, Sarah was still sprawled on her backside looking up into the night sky. Slowly she backed away from the impending attackers making her way to Sarah's side, "Sarah, now is not the time for a nap."

Sarah struggled with the invisible force that held her to the ground but was only able to look helplessly to Buffy, "I…cant…move…"

Buffy looked back to the group of very hungry vampires and stood ready to do some damage. Within seconds they attacked all at once. The first couple were thrown off easily enough but as one would get dusted another would take its place. She was getting no where fast and she wasn't able to stay with Sarah, she could only wish that she would be alright as she tried to stay alive.

Sarah closed her eyes as she tried to break the invisible ties that had wrapped themselves around her. When she opened her eyes her heart immediately sank into her stomach. The woman that she had seen in her previous nightmare was now standing over her with a wicked smile that made her heart freeze.

The pale skin and dark red hair fell about Navea's face as she bent over the helpless Slayer, "Sarah Williams, I have a gift for you."

Her voice was laced with sweetness but Sarah knew better, this vampire was powerful and she could feel the evil radiating off of her smiling form. Sarah's eyes shifted to the other vampire that stood beside Navea and couldn't help but to shiver. She was helpless and they were looking at her like she was prime rib. As Navea crouched closer Sarah eyes watered with impending fear letting a single tear escape her eye and run down the side of her face.

Navea gently swept away the tear with the back of her cold hand, "Now, now, Navea's going to take all of your fears away."

Sarah closed her eyes as she whispered Jareth's name with a whimper.

Chapter 10:

Jareth sat straight up within his thrown as he heard Sarah's voice softly call for him. He could feel the fear and anguish within her voice as he summoned up a crystal and willed himself to her side. The magic he willed came easily and surrounded his being as he appeared beside Sarah. His powers released out towards the evil creature that was at Sarah's throat.

Navea cried out as her feeding was interrupted and her body thrown back with Jonathan. The magic burned her flesh as she tried to regain control of her body and pull herself back to her feet.

Picking up Sarah's unconscious form he looked over to see that the Slayer was trying to fight off a gang of vampires. Freeing one hand from holding Sarah he quickly willed his powers to form another crystal which he immediately threw towards the deadly creatures.

Buffy was momentarily shocked as some kind of white ball of light threw the vampires back. Looking back she felt her heart wrench as she saw Sarah's body held in Jareth's arms. Immediately she was at her side, and as soon as she had reached them they had disappeared and were standing in a bedroom.

Ignoring Buffy, Jareth immediately placed Sarah's unconscious form on the bed. Reaching for cloth within the basin of water just beside the bed he gently cleaned the wound on Sarah's neck.

Sarah stirred under his ministrations but did not awaken. Buffy slowly approached the bed, her heart wrenching at the thought that Jareth had come to late, that she would loose another friend. That it was her fault that she should have stayed by her side no mater what.

Jareth noticed the wound on Sarah's neck starting to close and heal and he knew that she would be all right. Looking hatefully up to the Slayer standing beside the bed, his voice was deadly, "What were you doing in my Kingdom and how did you get here?"

Buffy flinched from the deadly tone of his voice but stood her ground, "We found a portal in our world that led to this one. I told Sarah not to go in but she insisted and then it closed behind us."

Jareth soaked in her words looking away from Buffy and down to the woman that he loved. Leaning down over Sarah's sleeping form he lightly kissed her forehead with eyes closed. He lingered there for a long moment and then rose to address Buffy, "Come, we'll continue this conversation somewhere else. I don't want to awaken her."

Buffy did not argue and followed the Goblin King out the bedroom door. They were silent as they walked through the dimly light hallways of the castle until they finally reached the throne room. Jareth crossed the floor and stood in front of his throne. Buffy stood and watched as he began to pace back and forth with hands held behind his back. She could feel the anger and power radiating from him and was wise enough to let him have the first word.

He stopped himself as he knew that he was pacing and sat in his throne looking to the Slayer before him, "Where exactly was this portal that you spoke of earlier?"

"I'm not sure. When we entered on the other side we were on a hill overlooking that maze thingy."

"It's called the labyrinth and is a large part of my kingdom," Jareth corrected her.

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Whatever, look we think that this portal and Sarah's defeat of this place are connected. She thinks that the portal was opened for her. Something about feeling some kind of connection to this place." Looking around her she couldn't for the life of her figure why.

Jareth's brow rose at this and looked to himself in thought, "That…is possible. No one but her has ever successfully traversed the labyrinth…" he trailed off not wanting to outwardly admit that he was defeated. "Who was that one that had attacked Sarah? She looked elfin but the power that radiated from her…" he trailed off as his mind tried to put together the mystery of that creature that had almost killed his love. When he had come to Sarah's side he immediately could sense the dark power almost taste it. The elves were peaceful and this creature was something far too evil.

After finding what information that he could about the role and power of the Slayer he had read a lot about vampires and the demons that haunted her world. In the Underground there were similar creatures but none had been seen in over a millennia. Standing from his throne he vanished from the room leaving a bewildered Buffy alone.

Buffy frowned, "Okay, I'll just stay here then."

Something about everything that had been going on recently reminded him of something he had run across in his youth. Standing in the large library he looked up at the books trying to remember the title of that certain book he had read. Closing his eyes he summoned his power to find the book and bring it to him. Feeling the heavy object suddenly in his hands he looked down at the dusty volume and headed to the adjoining room where he could look through the old pages.

His eyes fixed on the old legend that he had not thought about in over a millennia. Softly he read out the words, translating it from the dead language of his ancestors, "And the mortal shall defeat the great labyrinth to leave and return a time later. Forever linked to the place, her powers shall become great. For great evils shall awaken in this land of magic and of dreams. Her destiny shall unfold the defender of the right she will be."

He stared at the words before him reading them silently to himself three times before knowing that his translation was not mistaken. Sitting back in the chair he was shocked at the revelation. Not only was his Sarah the Slayer and was destined to return to the labyrinth. A great threat to his world was soon to follow, "Oh, hell!" he silently moaned. The vampires entering his world, was somehow the key to awakening the long dead evils of the Underground. He shuddered at the memories of those days, and Sarah once thought him cruel.

Chapter 11:

She felt herself falling but could only see the blackness around her as she descended. Sarah wasn't aware of how long exactly that she was falling but it felt like forever. As she finally stopped her descent the sudden light that illuminated her and her surroundings blinded her eyes. Blinking back against the sudden change in scenery her eyes started to adjust to her new surroundings.

It was strange yet familiar as she sat amongst a field of greens, oranges, and reds. The grass and wild flowers moved gracefully as the calming and soothing breeze caressed against them. Turning her face towards the breeze, Sarah closed her eyes as her hair was swept back away from her face. The warmth of the sun and the soft scent of spring that rode with the gentle and soothing breeze made her smile. For the first time in her life she actually felt safe and free, as if she were truly home.

Opening her eyes she watched as a butterfly fluttered amongst the grass and flowers, its wings shimmered with blue, yellow, and dark green. It was then that she felt a presence. Her back stiffened and she stood from her sitting position amongst the soft grass. Her heart started to race the warmth and soothing of her surroundings loosing its luster.

"Who's there?" she whispered.

A soft laughter echoed around her, not mocking nor threatening, but amused. "Now that is a loaded question," a strong voice replied from what seemed everywhere.

She turned in her spot looking desperately for the source of that voice, a voice that sounded familiar but that she knew that she had never heard before. "What do you want?" At her question she felt a soft caress against her cheek. Turning towards the touch she saw nothing but open fields.

"Do not be afraid child I have no intention of harming you. So you want to know who I am, do you." Sarah spun around eyeing her surroundings but still not seeing to whom she was speaking to. The voice seemed to come from everywhere as it continued to speak to her, "To put it in a way that you can comprehend, I am the labyrinth."

"The labyrinth," she murmured to her self, "How can you be the labyrinth? It's a place not a living being."

"Oh, but that is where you are wrong. I am the wild magic that makes up my being. I surround you and guide or mislead you. I can see into your hearts and souls."

Sarah felt confused, if this really was the labyrinth that she was speaking too. Why now and most importantly why her? "Why are you telling me this?"

"You Sarah are destined for a great many things. I need you, the beings that dwell within me need you as well as the whole world in which I exist."

Sarah swallowed hard at this, "Why me?"

"And the mortal shall defeat the great labyrinth to leave and return a time later. Forever linked to the place, her powers shall become great. For great evils shall awaken in this land of magic and of dreams. Her destiny shall unfold the defender of the right she will be."

After those words were spoken the world around her started to shift and fade until darkness surrounded her once again. She stood there blinking at the sudden change around her. The darkness was like a thick blanket that wrapped soothingly around her. Just ahead of her a small light appeared and started to grow and grow coming closer with each growth. Feeling her body falling once again she jerked, eyes blinking as the world around her shifted once again. Above her was white sheer fabric laced over a long silver shaft that made up what seemed to be a canopy of a bed. The dark sheets felt luxurious against her skin as she shifted within their cool embrace.

Like cold water being suddenly dropped on her the memories of just before she had lost consciousness hit her full force. Sitting up from the bed she quickly lied back down as a wave of vertigo overcame her. Her eyes fluttered shut as she waited for the room to stop spinning. Sarah ran the strange dream over within her mind trying to make sense of it all. 'Was that real? Was I really talking with the labyrinth? Did the labyrinth say something about powers? Maybe it was referring to me being the Slayer. Yeah, that has to be it. God, what happened? One moment I'm trapped on the ground with this elfin vampire at my throat trying to kill me, I black out, have a very strange dream that probably wasn't just a dream, and now I'm lying in a strange bed and have no idea how I got here. Buffy, she must have gotten to me somehow.'

Sarah let out a long sigh after she ran through her stream of thoughts about what had happened. She started to long for a time before all of this had happened, before she had discovered being the Slayer and before she had found that she was falling in love with the Goblin King. 'Is it love? Maybe it's just my long time infatuation with the idea of being in love. Maybe it's not love at all but lust. I've never been with anyone…Why am I thinking of him? He drugged me for God's sake and tried to seduce me just to knock me off track of saving my brother in time!' her last thoughts were interrupted when she felt the tingle of magic and then a presence.

Jareth stood before the bed that he had placed Sarah upon, she looked as if she was deep in thought and he watched her silently. He knew that she knew that he was there. For the past week he had noticed that they had somehow become connected in a way. He could sense when she was within a room and he knew that it was working the same way with her. There was also the fact that he could sense power from her, not that of the Slayer but something more, something that remained buried within her. Edging closer to the bed he lightly sat at the beds edge waiting for her to open her eyes and look to him.

Sarah could fill the side of the bed sink in as a wait was placed on it She could only assume that it was him. A part of her was afraid, afraid to face him, to acknowledge that she felt something towards him. An attraction that she was sure he felt towards her but what would he do with her once he had gotten what he wanted. Would she be thrown aside like a sack of potatoes or would he stay by her side? Did she want this? Was she ready for this?

Opening her eyes once again she forced down her fears and faced the handsome Goblin King that sat before her. The look on his face looked to be that of concern, 'Did he rescue me then?' she thought to herself.

They were both silent, looking at each other not uttering a word. His hand went out towards her face as he softly moved a strand of her hair away from her eyes. Her skin tingled and her heart thundered under his touch, this both excited and scared her.

Sarah sat up quickly looking away as she leaned against the headboard and pillows of the bed. Clearing her throat she looked back to him making sure that she did not make eye contact, "What happened?" she cursed herself for her voice came out weak and not steady and strong like she wanted.

Jareth frowned seeing that she was trying to push him away, that she would not met with his eyes. "I heard you call for me and when I found you…" his heart wrenched as the image invaded his mind. Sarah's limp body in the arms of that creature as it was slowly draining her very life away. If he had not come when he did…he did not want to finish that thought. "I helped you and your friend escape and brought you back to my castle."

She looked to herself deep in thought, 'Had I called for him? I don't remember.' Letting her eyes drift from the King, Sarah slowly took in her surroundings. She was sitting on a large four poster bed with velvet satin sheets and silver thin material that laced over the canopy of the bed. The room was fairly large with cold gray concrete floors. Within the room was a large fireplace that held a raging fire warming the room with its blaze. Before the fireplace sat a large couch of silver with velvet designs spread throughout.

Jareth silently watched her as her soft blue eyes lazily swept through his room. He silently wondered what exactly she was thinking before he finally broke the silence, "Do you like what you see?"

Ignoring his question she edged herself to the edge of the bed on the opposite side of him, "Where's Buffy?" her mind then went back to what had happened between them the last time and she panicked. "You didn't do anything to her, did you?"

Jareth smiled to him self amused by her inquiry, "Now Sarah, I rescue you and your friend from being killed and this is how you repay me. By accusing me," his voice was of mock hurt.

Sarah stood as she fumed at the man before her but wavered as she felt suddenly dizzy from the sudden change in altitude. He was there in an instant catching her before she could fall. She tried not to look at those eyes of his but his sudden closeness had caught her off guard.

She did not struggle against him as he eased her back onto the bed, "Don't try to get up just yet. You lost allot of blood." He touch the spot where she had been bitten and noted that it was completely gone leaving no trace of the attack.

She instantly looked away afraid of the feelings that he brought forth within herself. "I'll be fine," she said as she pushed his hand away from her.

Jareth crouched before her with hands now propped over his knees, "Buffy is in no danger. She's safely within the castle just as you are."

Sarah felt relieved at knowing that Buffy was all right. The image of the two shields of Alph and Ralph leapt to mind making her eyes start to water with bordered tears. He saw the pain within her eyes and the held back tears. Quickly he was beside her holding her to him as he tried to sooth the pain that lied within.

She felt herself against his strong chest and could hold in the tears no longer as she let them fall. Her body shook now as she openly wept within his arms, no longer caring that she probably seemed weak by the act.

He rocked her within his arms gently rubbing her back to comfort her. He wanted to rip the heart out of who ever it was that had caused her such pain. He knew that it wasn't just the events of the past few weeks but of so much more. She would never know but he had always watched her. Had seen how her so-called family had treated her. How her own mother even turned her away for her own pathetic career as an actress, breaking Sarah's heart. Sarah was the most beautiful person he had ever known and not just on outward appearance but within as well. She was capable of cruelty and yet never revealed it.

Sarah could barely believe that she was crying in the arms of the Goblin King. That Jareth was trying to comfort her that he actually cared. She held on to him as if he was her only hope for salvation as she finally let the pint up feelings that had built up over the years out. After a moment longer she forced the tears to stop as she knew that now was not the time for this. That there was an evil within the Labyrinth that was a threat to everything within the Underground.

Jareth lovingly looked down to her as she stopped crying and pushed herself away from his chest. Their eye's met and his heart sank within his chest at the sight of her reddened eyes. Gently and slowly he whipped away the tears that stained her cheeks with his thumbs as his hands held her face towards his. She just sat there silently watching him as he whipped away her tears, not sure what to do next.

Before he could stop himself he was drawing nearer as she did the same. Slowly he tasted her lips until he felt her return his kiss. When she did he pulled her closer as the kiss deepened, his desire for her growing like an uncontrollable flame.

She closed her eyes not believing that this was happening. This kiss was different from any that they had shared it seemed more passionate, right. Her head was spinning from the kiss mindlessly wrapping her arms about his neck bringing him closer the world around them disappearing, no thoughts of the danger that was threatening the labyrinth, no thoughts of the past nor of her friends, but of this moment this time. She barely even noticed when he lowered her down onto the bed continuing their passionate embrace. She softly moaned as she felt his warm hands moving over her skin.

Chapter 12:

After being cooped up within the throne room for God only knows how long, Buffy walked the halls of the castle in search for something to do. Holding her hands behind her back she examined her surroundings as she looked for something to occupy her time. Especially since no one bothered to tell her where any one went too and just left her alone. It was bad enough that she had to deal with vampires, demons, and apocalypses in her world she was now going to have to probably fight them in this world as well.

Thankfully she had not run into any goblins or anything else in her unusual surroundings. Fairy tales and fantasies was not really her thing and this world was filled with such. Not long ago she had tried to open a certain door and then it spoke to her. She thought that she had really lost it when she tried to turn the knob and the door spoke saying, "Do you mind this is not your room?"

Buffy blanched at the door eyeing her surroundings and then back to the door to try once again. Touching the doorknob she was granted with the pleasure of being burned as the doorknob turned red. She had let go as soon as it burnt her fingers, "Ouch!"

"Well, serves you right! Going about and snooping around where your not wanted," the door spoke again.

Buffy shook her head still holding her slightly burnt hand, "Did you just speak?"

"Huh, shows what you know! Of coarse I spoke and this room is off limits. Only the King is allowed and you are not him."

"Oh, really," Buffy retorted as she got a mischievous glint in her eyes. The door returned to silence not bothering to answer her reply. Not liking the fact that a door was trying to tell her where she could or could not go she readied herself as she brought her foot up and…Boom! As her foot made contact with the door a flash of light sent her flying back landing against the wall behind her.

The door laughed, "What, you think that you can use brute force against a magically sealed door? Mortals!" he snipped just before going quiet once more.

She had left the door rubbing her backside not caring for another flight across the room. Her mind came back to the present as she stood in front of a large door that was cracked opened. Cautiously she placed her hand against the door, not wanting a repeat of what happened the last time she tried to touch the door, she waited a moment before pushing open the large oak door.

Looking up and about she looked at the mounds of books that were stacked high on tall bookshelves aligning the walls and filing the room. "Oh, Giles would definitely have a field day in here." Buffy silently mumbled to herself. Approaching one of the bookshelves she eyed them trying to read the titles but not able to read the strange characters on the binding of the books.

"Great, I find something to maybe occupy my time and it's in another language!" Buffy was not a happy camper not that she was the type who liked books much. She had enough of that while she was in school.

A faint light at the corner of her eye caught her attention making her turn towards the source. There was yet another door that opened up to what looked like a small study. Making her way towards the door she entered eyeing the large desk at the far wall of the room. On that desk sat a large dusty book and she approached it curious.

As she reached the large book, to her disappointment, she saw that it was in another language and could not make out what the characters meant. Not knowing why she ran her hand across the page that the book was opened to and to her amazement the characters shifted. Peering closer to the book the words were now readable but only at a certain paragraph.

And the mortal shall defeat the great labyrinth to leave and return a time later. Forever linked to the place, her powers shall become great. For great evils shall awaken in this land of magic and of dreams. Her destiny shall unfold the defender of the right she will be.

Just as she finished reading the small paragraph the words shimmered once again and were now back to the same unreadable characters as before. "Well, I guess that was about Sarah." Looking about herself she was really missing home and her boyfriend, Riley, not to mention the gang and the normalcy, or the closest too, of her life.

The lights in the bedroom dimmed as their passions deepened. Jareth had been waiting for so long for her to finally acknowledge her feelings towards him to finally recognize their unspoken love. He wanted desperately to be closer to her to rip away the barrier of clothes that stood between them finishing what they had started.

Sarah's already pounding heart fluttered as she felt his hands starting to unfasten her blouse. She suddenly felt panicked her hands reaching for his to stop things before it went too far.

Feeling her hands hold his he reluctantly broke away from the passionate kiss looking puzzled at the sudden change in her mood. They looked at each other for a long moment both breathing heavily from long kept up emotions and desires for one another. Breaking the silence his voice came out as a soft deep whisper, "What is it?"

She looked away, "I'm sorry, I can't. It's not you…I".

Jareth understood her all to well, apart of him just wanted to kiss her senseless until she relented but he knew that that would not be right. He had waited this long a little while longer would not be too hard, he hoped. Delicately placing his hand under her chin he turned her face towards his, "You have nothing to be sorry for. I will not force you to do anything that you do not wish to do."

Sarah could see the sincerity within his eyes and his voice making her relax a little. She smiled reaching up a hand to feel the warm soft white skin of his face. He closed his eyes reaching up to grasp her hand as it lightly touched his face. Brining her hand to his lips he kissed the back of her hand not wanting to let go.

Her heart fluttered at his action, "Thank you."

Reluctantly he pulled away forcing himself to stand from the bed that they were currently seated upon. He had to tell her what he had found out about her destiny. It worried him to think that she would have to face the currently sleeping evils of his world. The book had said something about those evils awakening but he had yet to neither see nor sense any of those evils. His labyrinth was always changing, never really the same day in and day out but there was an unbalance. It was obvious that it was the presence of the vampires in his kingdom. It was maybe that unbalance that would awaken the sleeping evils.

Sarah watched as it looked as if Jareth were in deep thought but his mask of indifference resurfaced and the thoughtful look gone. Before she could inquire as to what Jareth was thinking the door to the room was opened.

Buffy slowly opened the door to the room where she knew that Sarah was in. As she entered she was greeted with the sight of the Goblin King standing over a disheveled Sarah. She had a rather good idea of what had just happened between the two.

Jareth turned as he sensed whom the intruder was, "I see that you finally stopped snooping around my castle and decided to grace us with your presence."

Stepping further into the room she wondered how he knew that she had been snooping around. She had the sinking suspicion that he had something to do with the talking door that assaulted her not too long ago. Deciding to ignore his comment she focused her attentions to her friend as she neared the bed, "Hey, how are you feeling?"

Sarah sat at the edge of the bed looking a little sheepish as she suspected that Buffy could tell that they had been…busy. "Better, I guess. I'm sorry that I dragged you into this mess."

"What are friends for? Besides I dill with this sort of thing on a regular basis. Granted that it's usually in the same world as I'm from."

Absentmindedly rubbing the back of her neck she frowned as the memory of her dream resurfaced, "I had another dream."

Jareth's brows rose at this, "Another dream?"

Buffy sat beside Sarah on the bed and regarded the Goblin King, "Being the slayer and all we sometimes have dreams that warn us of things to come."

Sarah interrupted her friend, "Well, I don't think it was one of those. I'm not even sure if it was a dream."

Buffy looked puzzled, "How so?"

Sarah's brows scrunched in concentration, "There was this presence and then it spoke to me. Claimed to be the labyrinth."

Jareth was at her side in seconds, surprising both Buffy and Sarah, "The labyrinth spoke to you?"

She looked to Jareth nodding, "Yes, it said something about needing me to protect the Underground. That it was my destiny. There was something else that it told me, something about my defeat of the labyrinth and my return and something about an evil awakening."

Buffy recognized her words as something similar to what she had read in the library, "I've seen that in a book in the library."

Jareth sharply looked to the young blond, "How, that book was in a long dead language that only a few like myself know?"

"Well, it sort of changed into English and then back to what ever language it was written in."

Jareth stood from them as his mind raced with unspoken questions. The labyrinth was in a way a type of living being made up of wild magic. It had never spoken to him in his long rain as its King and he had never heard of it ever speaking to anyone. Somehow it was reaching out to them but he could not comprehend why it would not try to communicate with him. In a way it was a slight bruise to his ego.

Noticing that the Goblin King was lost in his own thoughts Buffy nudged her friend beside her and whispered into her ear, "So, you two finally hook up or what?"

Sarah's cheeks flushed at her friend's comment and she couldn't hold back the sheepish smile that spread over her red lips. Buffy smiled in return, she knew that she was right about those two.

Jareth on the other hand had overheard Buffy looking not at all happy about her imposing into something that was none of her business. When he saw Sarah's reaction to her inquiry his slight anger had fled him completely. What was it about her smile that could wash away any negative mood within him self and replace it with total warmth? Her very presence could lighten up the darkest of places.

Sarah looked away from Buffy back to Jareth and her heart leapt within her breast as she saw the intense way in which he was looking at her. The look that sent waves of excitement and nervousness into her every being and a hunger for something she had yet to experience. All too aware of her overwhelming emotions that enveloped her when ever their eyes would met she had to look away.

Buffy noticed Sarah's sudden change in composure and looked to Jareth understanding why. The way he was looking at her would make any woman swoon from the emotions that one could see within his gaze. When Sarah looked away Buffy noticed the sudden change of expression, an expression that was totally unreadable. His mask was back in place and there standing before them was the all-powerful Goblin King.

Clearing her throat she was able to get the attention of both Sarah and the Goblin King, "I hate to break up our little silence session but don't we have some vampires to get rid of."

Sarah stood from the bed feeling completely recovered from her attack from the mysterious elfin vampire. "Um, right! The only question is how? That elfin vampire, the one that tried to kill me, how can I fight against someone with that much power?"

Buffy shrugged, "Well, if tights boy here can get us back home maybe Giles can find something."

Jareth glared angrily towards Buffy, not at all pleased by the way she had just addressed him, "I don't think that that would be a good idea." Buffy was about to make a smart retort but was silenced as he went on, "I doubt that your world would have anything remotely helpful to finding out how to defeat her, but…". Skillfully conjuring one of his crystals he peered within, "I think that he might find something useful within my library."

Before Buffy could protest the crystal hovered from his hand landing on the floor a few feet from them and as it grew and burst with glitter and light a stunned and very confused Rupert Giles stood gaping.

Giles was about to go out to help look for the two missing Slayers when he felt the oddest sensation envelope him. The vision of his front door was gone and replaced by a large bedroom chamber. Taking his eyeglasses off to clean them and make sure that he wasn't seeing things he replaced them seeing three familiar forms before him. One of those forms made his heart sink in slight fear as he recognized the tall blond as the infamous Goblin King, "Oh dear".