Chapter Two. Toby's Secret Friend.

The ride home from Paul Smith's had been torture for the parents of the inconsolable little boy. In the back seat of the family car he complained all the way home. Not even the bribe of his favorite fast food meal quieted him down, Toby was not going to be placated.

Reaching home he slammed the door of the car and stormed up to his room as soon as his father unlocked the front door. He threw himself on his bed, burying his face in the nearly worn off fur of the little bear that had been his sister's most treasured possession.

Karen looked at her son, and said to Robert in a quiet voice. "I've heard of separation anxiety but this is unbelievable!"

Robert always painted things with a positive mental brush. "He'll get over it soon enough. Just let him be."

Karen looked at the heartbroken child and was not so sure. It broke her heart to hear him. She hoped Robert was right, but she had her doubts.

Toby cried himself to sleep, when he opened his eyes the room was dark, the house quiet. He sat up, wiped his eyes and got off the bed. He walked to the window, opening it to allow some fresh air in the stuffy room. He would have liked to run to Sarah's room, but without her there, it seemed pointless. It upset him that they did not think how things would effect him. Although he was only four, he had feelings.

He looked out his window, about to leave when movement in the tree caught his eye. A handsome barn owl sat on a branch almost within reach, looking intently at him. Toby opened the window wide, leaned out a bit and sniffed. "Hello, bird."

The owl looked at he boy with wise eyes.

"I'm Toby."

The owl nodded, and blinked.

"They took my sister away from me today." He complained to the silent bird. "I hate them for that."

The bird nodded again.

Toby sat down on the window seat, and began to pour his woes out to the bird that listened with rapt attention.

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Robert went to the front porch for his morning paper, and noticed the moving van pulled up in front of the old Second Empire styled house across the street. He watched the furnishing being removed from the truck for a bit, then called to his wife. "Hey Karen, the old Martin place has been bought."

Karen came to the door, wiping her hands on her apron. "Really? That place sat empty for so long. Wonder what kind of family bought the place?" She looked around her husband's shoulder. "Any sight of the owner?"

"Not yet." Robert said. "I think I'll read my paper her on the porch, could I have coffee?"

"Of course, I'll just go get a cup." She returned to the kitchen.

Robert took a seat on the porch; glad he had not put the wicker set away for winter. He scanned the paper keeping an eye on the activity across the way. He did not have long to wait. A candy apple red Porsche convertible pulled in front of the house, in a swift smooth motion that spoke of total control. The man had been listening to a tape of British pop from the late sixties. The driver stretched before he seemed to unfold himself gracefully. Robert tipped the paper down slightly to get a better, if somewhat discreet view.

He wasn't really above average height...maybe around 5'10"...but so slender, he appeared taller. Robert noticed he was stylishly dressed, right down to his racing gloves. His perfectly cut leather jacket fit like a glove, as did all the clothes on the young man. He had a shock of long blond hair pulled back in a leather thong that matched his jacket. Robert noticed how the man moved; he was confident and graceful. From this distance, it was hard to gauge the man's age.

The man shoved his dark glasses up over his hair. He leaned on his car and watched the progression of moving furniture a satisfied smile on his handsome face. He looked casually at the neighborhood and saw Robert watching. Lifting a hand, he waved to his new neighbor. When Robert acknowledged the wave the young man moved away from the car and walked across the street. As the stranger neared, Robert was struck by how commanding a presence the younger man had.

"Hello, I'm Jared Aubrey, your new neighbor." He said in a very crisp British accent.

"Robert Williams. Welcome to the colonies." He teased lightly.

"Ah, the accent. Dead give away isn't it?" The young man laughed.

Karen appeared at the door with a coffee tray at that moment. "Hello." She said as Robert opened the door and held it for her.

"Jared Aubrey, this is Karen, my wife." Robert made the introductions.

"Mr. Aubrey, would you like a cup of coffee?" Karen asked.

"I'd love one." He took a seat in the chair offered and watched as the woman poured his coffee. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Williams." He looked at the front yard and the nicely appointed porch. "You've a lovely home."

"Thank you." Karen took a great deal of pride in their home, and was especially proud of her garden. "I hope you'll enjoy the neighborhood. Is Mrs. Aubrey with you?"

"Alas no, there is no Mrs. Aubrey, not just yet…" The young man lamented. "But I am hopeful."

Karen stared at him; "You bought that huge house just for yourself?" Karen blushed when she heard herself. "I'm so sorry, it's just that it's so big for a bachelor. I would have thought it much more suited to a family man."

Jared Aubrey remained gracious. "I am sure it would, however it suits my business needs. I own Crystal Multimedia, and I hate offices. Therefore, I run the business from home. A big house is just what I need. You should see my home in the old country." He smirked at his own private joke. "It looks like a castle, only thing missing is a moat." He sipped the brew, "Very good coffee, just the way I've come to like it since I've been here in the colonies."

Robert watched the man, "Have you been stateside long?"

"No, only a short time, however most of my business is being conducted here these days. So I thought may as well make the plunge and have a home here to base myself." Jared put his cup on the table.

Robert sipped his coffee. Karen rushed back in the house when a young voice called out. Robert shook his head, "Kids." He placed the mug of coffee down on the wicker table. "I swear that boy mislays things more than any other child I've ever seen." He laughed, "And it's never his fault. The other day he said a goblin ran off with his socks."

"Did he, now? You have just the one?" The man with keen eyes watched.

"Oh no, Toby, is our youngest. I have an older daughter from my first marriage. She's away at school right now." Robert pulled his wallet out and opened it to a picture of Sarah taken that summer. "That's my daughter, Sarah."

"Sarah." The way the stranger said the name was nearly like a caress. "She's a lovely girl."

Robert looked at the picture; "She looks a lot like her mother, increasingly more these days. Sometimes…" Robert paused. "Sometimes it's hard to look at her." His confession set him off balance.

The young man nodded. "Still, she's a very lovely looking girl. I look forward to meeting her."

Toby came running out onto the porch. He stopped and looked at his father and the man talking. He walked over as if he'd know Jared all his life. "Hello."

Jared leaned down. "Hello."

Toby moved closer. "Do I know you?"

"No." Jared held out his gloved hand. "I'm moving in across the street. I'm Mr. Aubrey, and you are?"

The little boy blinked, as if he could not believe that the man did not know his name. "I'm Toby." He took the hand offered and shook it.

Robert kept a close eye on the two. "Toby aren't you suppose to be getting ready for your first day at school?" He looked at Jared and explained. "Junior Kindergarten."

Jared Aubrey nodded. "I see. School already, aren't you grown up?"

"No." Toby said. "I'm not, and I don't want to!"

Robert frowned. "Toby that is boarding on rude. Apologize, now."

The boy looked at the man. "I'm sorry."

"I know." He held out his hand. "Man to man, I don't want to grow up either."

Toby laughed. "I like you."

"I'm flattered." Aubrey stood up. "Well I'd better get over there and crack a whip or two. Things will never be put in their right places if I don't. Thanks for the coffee Mr. Williams."

"Robert." The older man corrected. "We look forward to seeing more of you."

Karen reappeared at the door. "If you're not busy, why not have dinner with us tonight? Easier than you having to cook your first night in the house."

"I'd love it, thank you." He accepted warmly. "Well, off to the salt mines." He strolled across the street, congratulating himself on having made a good impression.

"What a nice young man." Karen commented as she shooed Toby in to get ready for school.

"Yes," Robert was pulling at his chin. "I wonder who represents his interests here in the states. Remind me to ask him this evening at dinner."

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Jared entered the house and looked at the workers who were placing furniture. "Be careful with that!" he warned the goblin carrying a heavy brass urn. "It's very old."

An odd old man, with a bird on his head for a hat, came down the stairs. "Sire, do you think this a wise move?"

Mismatched eyes narrowed. "If Mohammed will not come to the mountain..."

The old man raised his hands. "Spare me!"

"Me too." The bird popped up.

"Gentlemen," The Goblin King let the glamour the outside world saw drop. He relaxed in his new surroundings. "The point is, she had even stopped having contact with the dwarf, Hogsbrain…"

"Hoggle." The old man corrected out of habit, knowing his King was not paying attention.

Jareth continued as if uninterrupted. "It's time she had a reality check." He laughed at his own joke.

The odd old man looked at him with weary eyes.

The bird shook his head, his beak closed tight.

Jareth looked with approval at the main floor of the house. "Anyone coming in will see a beautifully appointed home of a upper crust business man." He looked at the goblins. "Are the rooms upstairs ready?"

"We will be by the time your mouse is ready to run the maze into your trap, Sire." A large goblin snickered.

The odd old man sat down, took his chin into his hand, and fell asleep. The bird on his head sighed and moaned. "Oh this is stimulating."

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Jared had brought two bottles of wine. One red, the other white, both were excellent years. Karen had made a chicken dish, and Robert opened the white wine. "Tell me Jared," Robert began to pour the wine in the tall goblet on the table. "Who does your legal work here in the States?"

"We've been using a firm in New York," Jared accepted the glass of wine as it was offered to him. "I'm not terribly happy with them."

"Robert's a lawyer." Karen chimed in.

"Are you?" Jared leaned on his elbow. "Do you think you'd mind looking at some papers for me? I dread signing anything that has not been gone over with a fine tooth comb."

Robert pleased with the turn of events smiled. "I'd be happy to. Perhaps you'd like to sign on with our firm in the future."

"Oh I hate dealing with firms, I prefer dealing with individuals. If I sign with anyone, it will be you personally." Jared said firmly.

"That can be arranged." Robert agreed.

"I've a breach of contract thing I'd like your opinion on." Jared said with a smile.

Robert smiled sipping his wine. "I'd like to sink my teeth into a good breach case. I'm considered something of a shark."

"Good." Jared murmured in a purr. "I like to win."

Robert raised his glass, "To winning."

Jared did the same. "To winning."

Karen was about to say something when Toby raised his juice glass and said in a wicked voice. "To winning."

The two men looked at him and grinned. Karen kept quiet, not sure she liked the look on any of the male faces at the dinner table.

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Robert answered the telephone on Sunday afternoon, "Hello." He heard the voice and smiled. "Sarah!"

Toby ran to take the telephone, "Sarah! When you coming home?" he asked excitedly. "I want you to meet my new friend." He then chattered to her about his week at school.

Karen took the telephone, "Is there anything you need for your room? What do you mean a new roommate? Another one? Oh you poor darling! It sounds awful."

When the call ended the visitor who had been sitting there through the whole call smiled. Toby came to sit on his lap and tell him all about his beautiful big sister, who told the best bedtime stories. The visitor said he hope to hear one someday. The parents did not see his quiet wicked smile and the innocent child ignored it. The dog in the garage howled.

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Jareth paced the stair, up and down, up and down. He was beginning to get on the nerve of all the goblins in attendance.

The odd old man sighed, "Why not pop into the castle and have a run in your room of stairs? It would do you good."

"We have to move things along." Jareth said. "I'm going to have to move things faster."

"Why?" The old man asked taking his chin out of his hand. "Things are going so well here. The family is accepting you, they even ask you to watch the tyke. Why rush things?"

Jareth frowned. "Someone else is sticking their nose into our plan. Sarah has made an enemy at school. For her own safety I have to move the plan ahead…."

The bird hat chirped. "You're a fine one to be talking about her safety! What with what you're planing."

"What do you know of it?" The King grabbed the bird's beak. "It's not you she's been denying."

"mmmmarihtls." The bird muffled into his hand.

"What was that?" Jareth asked releasing the beak.

The bird spat, then looked down into the mismatched eyes. "I said, might as well be." The hat looked down at the sleeping old man. "Oh great, he's asleep when he should be lecturing you!"

The Goblin King smiled, "He's tired."

"We all are." The hat quipped.

It was true; everyone was showing signs of stress. From the old man to the goblins, everyone was tired. Jareth knew it was going to continue until he righted things. Moreover, the only way to right things was to get that dammed green eyed girl back Underground. She had touched too many lives, and too much of the Kingdom. Even the Labyrinth itself cried out to have her energy and dreams back as part of its makeup. She was going to fight it; she was going to fight him. Now that was something the Goblin King was going to enjoy. A good battle always made him feel better. Moreover, the possibilities of a battle with that girl made him feel positively feral.

"Stop fretting," Jareth told the hat. "I've a plan." He strolled away.

The bird watched him walk back to the stairs. "It didn't help you much the last time, Sire!"

"This time is different." Jareth said going up the stairs.

"Oh really? And why is that?" the bird snapped.

"Because Sarah is not a child anymore." Jareth paused on the stairs, and smiled wickedly. "This time the game is stacked in my favor."