A/N: I should be working on my Doctor Who fic, but I just watched Labyrinth for the first time about two days ago. I absolutely loved it and woah I have the biggest crush on David Bowie. His voice is the most gorgeous thing in the world.

I know this idea is far from original, but I love OC stories to death and just couldn't find one that I really loved. So here is my own sad attempt. Enjoy! (And sorry about the lack of length.)

I shifted nervously from foot to foot, my dress swishing around my knees. My heart was pounding in my chest and I suddenly felt faint. The pair performing ahead of me finished their song and the crowd clapped and cheered enthusiastically.

"Oh God," I breathed. "I can't do this. I-I can't do this."

The curtain closed and the boy and girl on stage rushed off. The girl standing next to me with the headphones smiled at me and nodded reassuringly. She gave me a thumbs up and handed me my microphone. The announcers called my name and the crowd cheered. I felt my breath catch in my throat when the curtains opened.

Then the music started and when I heard the first few notes of the song, I felt my nerves fade away to a low buzz in my chest. Casually, as if I were the most confident girl on the planet, I stepped onto the stage with my chest and head held high. Blood was pumping so quickly and heavily through my veins that I felt almost lightheaded. But as the intro to the song played, I relaxed a little and stopped in the middle of the stage. The spotlight flashed on and caught me in its gaze, the music slowed, and I started the song.

"This is the end. Hold your breath and count to ten." My voice shook and I could feel my hands shaking. But I knew the song like the back of my hand, each swell, each word, and it was mine in that moment. "Feel the earth move and then… hear my heart burst again."

The rest of the song lasted for a bittersweet eternity. As I hit the first true high note, my heart nearly stopped and my eyes slid closed and I felt warmth spread through my body. The natural swell of the music made me feel like I was flying. Goosebumps spread across my arms, up to my shoulders and neck to my cheeks.

I opened my eyes when the instrumental music shone through and felt my throat constrict. My grand finale was coming fast. Just a few more lyrics and then I could soar higher than I'd ever been. My entrance came up and I closed my eyes again, letting the music take over me once more.

"We will stand tall at sky fall. Let the sky fall…" I was terrified. I could hit the note, but could I hold for as long as I needed to? "We will stand tall." I took the biggest breath I could manage to take and jumped headfirst. "At sky fall…" I made it and my eyes fluttered open. I smiled. Then I let out the fading syllable that dimmed with the music and the spotlight died.

The music had barely ended when the crowd erupted into applause so outrageous and overwhelming that I nearly cried. I smiled with all my heart when I saw my friends and family in the audience. Their applause made me feel like I was falling and fainting, and dying and gasping for air all at once. I felt powerful. I felt relieved. I felt loved and adored and it was the most empowering experience of my entire life.


The performance had been stressful and wonderful and had made me feel more confident in myself than I ever had before. My mother, despite being sick, had stayed for the entire show. She gave me a bouquet of roses in congratulations afterwards and then left to go home early. I stayed behind to accept thanks and congratulations and hugs from every person in the audience who had enjoyed my song.

Later that evening, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling with a smile on my face. My roommate was out with her boyfriend, which meant I had the room to myself. So I unplugged my headphones and blasted my music from my laptop and sang to my heart's content.

Then, when my throat was tired and my eyes were dangerously close to falling shut for the rest of the night, I put my music away and dressed for bed. I was about to crawl into bed when there was a tap at my window. Confused and slightly panicky about creepy strangers, I peeked through the blinds above my bed. At first I saw nothing, but then I saw the flutter of feathers and large brown eyes and I relaxed.

I pulled on the string that lifted the blinds up and smiled through the glass at the handsome barn owl who had landed on the tree branch outside the window. Moving slowly so I wouldn't startle the creature, I pushed the window up and open and cooed to the owl through the mesh screen.

"Hey there," I whispered sweetly.

It hooted and tilted its head to the side. Then it inched down the branch, his claws wrapped firmly around the wood and digging into the bark for stability. I started in surprise when the owl pressed its beak against the mesh and bumped my hand through the screen.

"Well, aren't you a clever little boy?" I paused. "Or are you a girl?"

The owl hooted again and I laughed.

"Well I don't know where you come from, Mister Owl, but I have to go to bed now." I pushed the window shut and waved goodbye to the bird with a smile. "Bye bye. little guy."


The owl waited patiently outside the young woman's window, watching her even after she fell asleep. Then he ruffled his feathers and took off into the night sky, the moonlight shining in his eyes. Her song was stuck in an eternal loop in his head and he promised to return to hear her voice again. Jareth was never one to break a promise.