Disclaimer: I do not own Jareth or Sarah or the Labyrinth. I do own everyone else. woot.
Summary: A collection of side stories of my original characters of the Underground because there are many, that can't fit into the ridiculously long story that is Heal Me, Hurt Me.
Warning: Each chapter will contain parts of Heal Me, Hurt Me (both parts), however, if you're up to date with HMHM then there won't be spoilers!
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- Reishka -
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She stared out the window, wondering where he was. He said they'd be a happy family. Hmph. Yeah. The minute the baby was born, he smiled at her, said good bye then turned and left her with a part time job, an apartment needing rent money and a newborn.
"Reishka! Pick up the pace! Customers are waiting!"
The dark haired woman shook herself away, patting her cheeks lightly before she hurried to the next table. "Hello sirs! Welcome to Diner 95! What can I get for you this evening?"
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Walking home, she sighed heavily. It had been nearly a year since her husband left her, deciding that a new baby wasn't worth the effort. She'd received the divorce papers a month after he disappeared and refused to sign them until he and his friends showed up. He'd finally agreed on sending her a monthly bill to cover baby expenses but still hadn't. She didn't have enough money to hire an attorney so she couldn't do a thing about it…
She entered her small apartment and smiled, the nanny seated on the couch with the baby watching TV. The woman turned and smiled. "Hi Reishka. Good day at work?"
"Very good day." Scraping her fingers across the bottom of the pocket in her apron, she pulled out the cash she'd brought home. "It's your payday!"
The woman laughed. "If you don't have enough I can wait a few more days."
"You'd better take it today because I might not have it in a few days."
"All right, all right." She took the money and shoved it into her pocket, giving the baby a hug before handing him over to his young mother. "Oh. Arianna called while you were at work. She wanted you to hang out over the weekend."
"Thanks Sonya."
"No problem. Have a good night."
"You too." As the nanny left, Reishka heaved the baby up on her hip and headed for the kitchen to make dinner.
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"Oh Nikolai! Please be quiet!" Reishka cried, bouncing the baby on her hip. He'd refused dinner, refused to go to bed, refused anything she tried to give him. Just screamed and screamed and screamed. Her neighbor had wandered over to ask what was wrong and told her to try a bath. It had helped while he was in the bath but as soon as he was out the screaming continued. Reishka was glad her neighbors had gone out to dinner for the night. At least they didn't have to listen to it.
As Nikolai grabbed a lock of hair and tugged viciously she let out a shriek of pain and his screams rose in pitch. With a cry of frustration, she hurried into his room, set him in the crib and backed away, hands over her ears.
I wish the goblins would take you away. She blinked at the odd thought but the oddness was immediately forgotten as Nikolai let out a particularly loud scream.
"I WISH THE GOBLINS WOULD TAKE YOU AWAY!" Reishka screamed, hands fisted in her hair. "JUST PLEASE! SHUT UP!" She slammed the door on the crying baby, hitting her back against it and sliding to the ground.
She rocked back and forth for a minute then realized… it was quiet. She looked up from her knees and around the hall then turned and stared at the wooden door. Slowly she got to her feet and shakily opened the door. "Nikolai?" There was no noise from the once upon a time screaming babe. "N…N-Niko?"
She slowly walked towards the crib, heart pounding heavily against her chest as though it would burst. "Niko?" As she peered over the side, she inhaled sharply. "NIKO!" she screamed finding an empty crib. "Nikolai! Nikolai where are you?"
The window behind her slammed open and she spun quickly as an owl swooped in, transforming into a wild haired man who raised an eyebrow looking her over. "Well… you look like hell."
She wiped her cheeks quickly of any stray tears. "Where's Nikolai?"
"I took him. You wished him away, remember?"
"Please give him back. I didn't mean it!" she cried.
The blond gave her a dull look then waved a hand, a crystal curling around it. "As if I haven't heard that one before," he muttered irritably then turned, moving the crystal in front her face. "You see this? This is your dreams. Everything you've ever wanted or will ever want. Would you like it?"
Her eyes followed the crystal. "Yes…"
"Then give up the babe."
"Babe?" she murmured, still in a trance. "Babe…" Her mind cleared suddenly. "NO! Give me my baby back! Now!"
He raised an eyebrow then sighed. "Fine…" He tapped his chin with his glove. "Hm. Because you didn't give him up so easily, I believe I shall give you a chance to win him back." He stepped over to the window and waved a hand.
Her eyes widened as she saw a labyrinth far beyond. "That is my labyrinth. If you really want your babe back you'll have to win."
She took a step towards it. "How?"
"Just reach the castle and take back the babe." He smirked as she swallowed.
"I…" She took a deep breath. "I'll do it." She stepped forward and gasped as the carpet disappeared, sand rustling under her feet.
"Because I'm so generous," she turned quickly and found him leaning against the dying tree. He waved a hand at her and flat shoes appeared on her feet. "I suppose I'll help a bit."
She glared at him. "I didn't ask for handicaps." His eyes narrowed slightly. "But I thank you just the same."
"Hm…" He smirked. "See ya soon." As he stepped back, disappearing he grinned. "Oh. And try not to forget," he waved to the tree and she found a clock staring at her. "You have a time limit so hurry up. Thirteen hours… think it's enough?" He'd disappeared entirely but she heard his cackling. "Tick tock, tick tock…"
Scowling at the spot he'd disappeared, she wisely kept her mouth shut. Turning, she looked over the vastness and felt herself wilt the slightest but she picked her head up and hurried forward. She found what looked like an entrance and frowned. She put her hands on her hips staring at it. How do I get in?
"You ain't gonna get in just by starin' missy!"
She jumped and turned quickly finding a short hobbit-like man standing there. "Oh… um… do you know how to get in?"
"Aye. You gotta ask the right questions!"
Her eyes narrowed and she turned to the door. "How do I enter the Labyrinth?"
The doors creaked and swung open and her eyes widened. With a small smile, she turned to the man who let out an 'ah-ha!' as he sprayed at a fairy. "Thank you sir."
He turned to look at her, then the door. "You really goin' in there?"
"Is it the quickest way to the castle?"
"Well… yeah."
"Then I suppose I have to." She sighed. "It was nice meeting you."
As soon as she left the entrance, it slammed shut behind her. With a yelp, she spun to stare at it, not watching where she was going and tripping over a vine. Scowling at the sky, she cursed darkly. She heaved a sigh and got to her feet, running down the path that seemed never ending. When her muscles began to warn her to stop running, she slowed to a walk, fingers trailing down the wall when suddenly… they weren't.
She looked to her right sharply and found… a wall?… but her fingers disagreed. Leaning she found only empty space. A few steps into the empty space and she found another path. Grinning wickedly she hurried down it. I'll show you! I'll get my baby back!
Of course her plan didn't include hitting a trap button and sliding down a path into the middle of nowhere…
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He smirked as he heard her shouts echoing down the tunnel then grinned wickedly when she spilled out into a pile at the end. She moaned and mumbled something about shooting whoever created the labyrinth. "I believe that was the Labyrinth itself my dear," she looked up sharply and he smirked, leaning back against the tree. "So it would be quite hard to shoot it."
She snarled. "What are you doing here?"
"I've come to check up on you and see if you truly want the babe back."
"Of course I want him back! He's my son!"
"No matter. How are you?"
"Doesn't matter," she mocked. "Now go away."
"I… don't think so. Got to waste your time remember."
Her eyes widened and shot to the clock on his right seeing she'd already wasted two hours. She looked around the small room. There was a hallway leading out or a short dirt wall she could climb to where she saw sunlight. The dirt wall was the best shot. She stumbled to her feet, not realizing that two hours of running did horrible things to one's body.
Feeling herself quaking, she achingly walked over to the wall and cursed herself for not going to the gym when she had the chance. She turned and glared at him. "So… what do I call you o' kidnapper of babes?"
He smirked. "That might work. So will Goblin King, your highness, my lord-"
"An actual name idiot," she grumbled, trying valiantly to climb up the dirt wall.
"… Jareth."
She glanced back at him and found he was watching her cautiously. "Hm… odd name."
"You shouldn't be talking, Reishka."
She looked at him sharply but that moment of broken concentration loosened her hands and she shrieked, sliding into a pile on the ground. Rubbing her head she scowled up at him. "How do you know my name?"
"You told me the moment you wished your child away. I know everything about you."
Reishka's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Oh? And how would you know everything about me?"
"Because you called for my help." He crouched down, sitting on his heels, and raised a hand, gloved pointer finger mere millimeters from her forehead. "Once you looked into that crystal I could read everything. The mother that died of cancer. The father that overworked himself. The husband that left." Her eyes widened, breath catching in her throat. "I debate whether or not I should even allow you to finish trying to win the babe back. At the rate you're going, however, I need not worry."
She stiffened then leapt to her feet, wobbling for a moment. Once she regained her footing she glanced at the wall she'd been trying to climb, shook her head and turned, stumbling down the path, mind set only on her son. Jareth watched after her, elbows on his knees until she turned the corner. He shook his head and stood, taking a step back and disappearing.
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That vine was taunting her… she knew it, just like everything else in this hell she'd been placed in. That wall had taunted her as she tried to climb it and crumbled beneath her fingers. That rock had taunted her and sent her flying down the hill, landing in a sprawled pile on the ground. That man continuously taunted her! She growled to herself and turned to shoot him a dirty look. "Why are you here?"
"To waste time," he replied, examining his gloved fingers. "Well your time. I've all the time in the world." She growled again and stood on tippy toes to try and reach the vine that would carry her across the bog and to the other end. "I don't believe you're quite tall enough."
"I don't believe I asked!" she snarled at him, trying to jump and reach it.
"Hn."
She sighed and rubbed her forehead. "How long have I got?"
"Less than seven hours." She fell into a pile on the ground and rubbed her abused legs. He walked over to stand beside her. "I don't believe sitting will get you there any faster."
"Again, I don't believe I asked." He snorted and crouched down, sitting on the back of his heels to look out over the bog. "Where's Nikolai?"
"At my castle."
"And he's safe?" He glanced over. "I mean the goblins wouldn't eat him… right?"
He let out a bark of laughter. "The goblins enjoy chicken more than mortal, so no. They won't. Besides, I ordered them not to harm the babe and they will do as they are told."
She picked up a handful of dirt and let it sift through her fingers. "Goblin King?"
"Jareth." She raised an eyebrow. "You asked my name earlier and I told you. Use it."
"All right, Jareth." She chewed on her bottom lip nervously. "What… what happens if I don't get there in time?"
"Your babe says here."
"I know but what happens?"
He stared at her for what seemed like a lifetime before he sighed heavily. "He will be adopted."
"Adopted?"
"By a fae family living in the Underground. Fae have a difficult time having children so there's a high demand, even for mortal children. He'll probably turn fae and live much longer than you, for quite a few centuries."
"Is it safe?"
"Entirely. Fae protect children down here very seriously. There's not nearly as much abuse as aboveground. I can tell you haven't abused him and he's far too young to want to forget so there's no chance of him becoming a goblin. He'll be adopted."
She rubbed her arms. "He'll be safe… he'll have a family that can afford to get him new things all the time, not worry about money or food… It would be the right thing to do." Jareth just watched her quietly. "But can't I be selfish? I want my baby… I have a right to be selfish sometimes, right?"
He stared at her for another minute then turned and looked straight ahead with a sigh. "You've a right to be selfish you say? Well," he held up a small clock. "Your selfishness is ticking away."
She inhaled sharply and got to her feet quickly, ignoring the spiking pain shooting through her body. She locked eyes on the vine and leapt up, fingers barely brushing it. He grabbed her arm as she came back down and she looked at him sharply. "You're far too short," he muttered irritably and held up a hand. The vine tumbled down gracefully and landed in it. "You've only got six and a half hours." He stepped back, disappearing as he did. "Tick tock, tick tock…"
She stared at where he'd been, then at the vine. Giving it a sharp tug to make sure it would work, she took a few deep breaths and swung landing safely on the other side. She glanced back at the ledge she'd been on and let out a breath of relief before hurrying out of the bog and back towards the castle.
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She hated the fact she felt so… weak. She thought she could go on pure adrenaline alone for at least seven hours but she'd only gotten about two then stumbled the rest of the way, arms and legs burning terribly, ribs feeling as though they'd been torn out. She'd stumbled too far and fallen and hadn't gotten back up, though her mind was screaming to move, that she was wasting time.
Reishka panted heavily, face in the dirt, hand in front of her. She stared at it, weakly trying to grip the dirt. "You are in quite a mess, hm?" She looked past the hand and saw leather boots crossed at the ankles. Slowly looking up, she found the Goblin King leaning against the tree. She just stared dully at him. He smirked. "You're wasting precious minutes you know?" He waved a hand. "Hm… seems like you've only got three hours left."
"…mn…u…"
He raised an eyebrow. "Pardon?"
"Damn you," she hissed, slowly getting to her feet and wobbling. "Damn you. DAMN YOU!" She pitched the handful of dirt in her hands at him, but it missed by a mile. He watched her dully. "I WANT MY BABY BACK! NOW!"
"I've told you. Get to the castle and you can have him back."
She trembled in anger then let out a scream, diving at him. His disappeared and she hit the tree, pounding her fists against it. "COME BACK HERE! YOU… YOU…" She sunk to the ground. "Nikolai!" she wailed, hands clenching at her heart. "I'm so sorry!"
Behind her Jareth frowned, looking away. She grabbed at the tree, pulling herself to her feet. "I'll get to the castle… I'll show him…" She stumbled back onto the path, crawling from tree to tree. "I'll show everyone! I won't abandon you, love. Your father may have left us-" She grunted as she tried once more to pull herself up. "-but I won't abandon you."
She only stopped when her hand landed on a leather boot. She looked up, Jareth crouching in front of her and holding out a peach. "Take it."
She scowled. "It's got a drug in it, doesn't it?"
"Yes." She blinked, mouth opening but nothing coming out at the surprising burst of honesty. "But not anything bad. Just something to… wake you up."
She raised an eyebrow then sighed heavily. "As long as it will help Nikolai." She held out a hand. He dropped the peach into it and disappeared. She leaned back against the tree and stared at the peach for a long time. She lifted it to her lips and bit into it.
Instantly her limbs felt stronger. She slowly got her feet and found she could walk. She took her time, finishing the peach and stretching by walking. Once the peach was gone she tore off towards the castle.
With forty five minutes to go, Reishka looked towards the castle then back towards the gate and found she was no closer. Her legs nearly crumpled at the thought but she quickly continued her journey towards her son.
Jareth sat on his throne, tapping his chin, her son sitting in his lap and giggling at the dancing goblins. Jareth glanced at the crystal Reishka was reflected in then back to the stone he'd been staring at, lost in thought.
Nikolai gurgled, spotting his mother. Jareth looked at him. "You recognize her little one?" The baby grinned toothlessly. "She's trying very hard to win you… but I don't think she'll make it…"
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The trip through the city had been complete hell. Goblins at every turn trying to capture her. It had taken everything she had to weave around groups of their army, dart up the bridge and stand before the castle without being captured or run through.
Reishka grinned widely, dirt smudged on her cheek, legs trembling from exhaustion. She took a step forward to step through the doors when a loud tolling echoed through the castle. Her eyes widened and she sunk to the ground. "No…"
"Time's up." She looked up and found Jareth striding towards her. "You didn't make it."
"No…no! No! No! Give him to me!"
"I will." She froze. "On one condition."
"Anything. Anything!"
"You must promise to always remember what happened here. Always."
She gave him a humorless laugh. "As if I could forget."
He shrugged. "Some people do."
"Well I don't think it's possible."
He chuckled as well then held out a hand. She stared at it then slowly lifted her hand, lying it in his. He helped her to her feet, the castle disappearing and the baby's room reappearing. She looked around quickly then raced over to the crib.
Nikolai lay in it, sleeping gently. She let out a happy sigh and turned. "Thank…" She frowned as she realized he was gone. She turned back to Nikolai and smiled, lying her head on her arm on the side of the crib and watching him sleep. "I promise Nikolai… things will get better…" She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "I promise."
DING DONG! Nearly jumping out of her skin, Reishka hurried to the door and flung it open. A young man stood there, shoulder length black hair pulled back, dark eyes flickering up from the note in his hands.
"Hn." His eyes looked her up and down. "You must be Jareth's new pity case… Are you Reishka?"
She swallowed nervously. "Yes? Who are you?"
"No one you need to know." He held out the paper in his hand. "But you may call me Toroku. On Monday you are to appear in court."
"What?" she yelped. "I can't go to court! I've no money to hire an attorney!"
He scowled. "I'll be your attorney. Free of cost. I owe Jareth a favor anyway. Show up at the courthouse with your baby on Monday. Your ex-husband will lose and he will pay all of the money he owes and then some."
She nearly fell to the ground, weariness and relief weakening her legs. "Am I still dreaming?"
He finally lost the dark look and smiled faintly. "No. You proved yourself in the Labyrinth. Now it's our turn to reward you."
"But… but I got my baby back!"
He smirked. "Don't look a gifted horse in the mouth my dear." Turning on his heel, he headed back down the hallway. "Be at the courthouse on Monday with your baby Reishka."
At three-thirty in the afternoon on Monday, Reishka stepped out of the courthouse and turned to Nikolai with a bright smile. "It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day."
Toroku rolled his eyes. "It's raining."
Reishka just smiled.
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Forty years later, Reishka wiped down a table in her thriving restaurant. She was missing her ray of sunshine since the brunette had disappeared.
"Reishka! I haven't seen you this depressed since that cat ate your goldfish!"
She spun and found said sunshine walking towards her, grinning. She found herself grinning back. "Sarah Williams!" she chirped then remembered she was angry at her for not visiting. "Where have you been? It's about time you visited me!"
The brunette rolled her eyes, a habit Reishka was all too familiar with. "Reishka, I've been busy and haven't been able to get here."
Reishka's eyes flickered behind her and her breath caught, eyes widening as she recognized him immediately. She recalled Sarah was standing there and shot the brunette a wicked grin. Sarah quickly realized that grin meant trouble and embarrassment, and pushed her towards the back room. Her daughter-in-law, Katya, recognized the few hours long chatting session and reluctantly brought cookies and tea for them.
Reishka turned to Jareth as soon as the door closed behind Katya. "So who are you?" she asked, knowing full well who he was but wondering what he'd do in front of Sarah.
His eyes flickered to Sarah as she sighed heavily, another very familiar habit. "My name is Jareth."
Oh how she was going to enjoy the answer to this one. "And what do you do for a living?"
Sarah shot her a dark look. "Reishka. You're not my mot-"
"I steal kids."
Both looked at him, Sarah glaring darkly and him grinning wickedly at her. Reishka raised an eyebrow to play the part. Sarah laughed nervously. "He means… he means he's with the child protection agency, you know, the one that goes and takes kids who can't be taken care of by their parents."
Reishka nodded slowly. Nice come back Sarah… The brunette shot the blond a dark glare once again and he shrugged innocently, sipping at his tea.
"So Reishka," Sarah began in a 'get out of this conversation tone'. "How's life been?"
Two hours later, Katya began yelling at her to get back to work. Sighing, Reishka got to her feet, moving to take the trays but Sarah grabbed then, stuck her tongue out and hurried off. Reishka shook her head, following Jareth back to the main part of the store.
She glanced at him, suddenly feeling nervous and twenty years old again. "It was nice seeing you again Jareth."
He glanced at her, then smirked, crossing his arms over his chest, eyes turning back to Sarah. "So you won't be wishing your son away again anytime soon?"
She chuckled. "I don't suppose so." She nodded towards her daughter-in-law, smiling warmly as Sarah talked with her. "He's got it good." She glanced back at the Goblin King. "I never did thank you for returning him…"
He waved a hand. "No need."
"Tell me, did Sarah…"
"Step brother."
"How long ago?"
"Ten years."
"Ah…" Reishka sent him a threatening look. "You may be immortal but I will find a way to kill you if you hurt her."
"Bah. As if you could."
Sarah waved to her daughter-in-law and headed back over, freezing as she realized both were staring at her. Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms. "What were you two talking about?"
Jareth smiled slyly and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You, of course, darling."
Reishka watched Jareth joke with Sarah and inwardly smiled. They'd heal each other. While Jareth showed no signs of needing it, he was another creature with a mask, just like the brunette who seemed broken at times.
Outwardly Reishka grinned, keeping her thoughts off her face but allowing Sarah to catch her 'matchmaking' grin. The brunette scoffed and she tossed her hands into the air, stomping out. "Later Reishka."
"Good bye Sarah!" Jareth sent her a smirk and followed after the brunette.
Reishka chuckled and turned back to the counter, mind still replaying fairy tales and labyrinths. Katya smiled at her. "Mind if I take a break? I think your lousy son wants to take me to dinner."
Reishka turned, finding her son squishing his face against the glass window and waving at her. She rolled her eyes. "Get. And tell him he's to scrub every window when he comes back."
The woman hurried out, mouth moving. The man blinked then scowled at his mother before turning, nose in the air to walk off, but he tripped over the sidewalk. His wife burst into hysterics, holding her stomach tightly. Reishka grinned and shook her head. Good luck Sarah… and thanks again Jareth.
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To all Readers and Reviewers,
Whew! First installment of the side stories! I've wanted to put in what really happens to the characters in the actual story of Heal Me, Hurt Me but unfortunately I can't really fit them in so I figured, why not make a separate thing! And here it is!
Reishka's always been a cool figure! She transformed from a Russian immigrant to a born citizen of the U.S. but still with a somewhat Russian accent because of her folks.
So the next character up should be… Anor, I think? Yeah, Anor's up next.
Thanks for reading!
Kadasa Mori
P.s. Not sure if I'm fond of the title. Any suggestions?