Chapter 10

Freya watched Sarah fade away and then returned to deal with her son.

She found him still sulking on his knees, awaiting her judgment. It touched her that even as he was her most rebellious son, he was also the most respectful and obedient to her. She bent over slightly to address him.

"What did you do wrong?" She said in a disciplinary tone.

He sighed, "I cavorted with Father when I knew his poor intentions, I didn't check with you before getting caught up in his schemes. I touched a woman without her consent. I didn't intervene when he got my son, Fenrir, involved at great risk to everyone."

"And?"

"And I apologize, Mother. I will try to show more wisdom and judgement in the future."

She smiled and kissed his forehead. "I love you, my son." The chains fell away. He rose and hugged her, and for a small moment, he was a child again in her arms.

"I think she would have proven too great a challenge even for you, Loki. Her will is as strong as his, and he almost beat you half to death. Come now, let's get you cleaned up. Dine with me tonight." She began to lead them both back down the mountain when his voice chimed up from behind her.

"Mother? I couldn't help but notice, you didn't mention the fruits OTHER qualities. Won't it come as rather a shock to them both when she's with child so quickly?"

Freya looked back and mirrored him the wicked grin that he had inherited.

"Some gifts are meant to be surprises, darling."

Sarah appeared in the throne room of the Castle Beyond the Goblin City and looked around, instantly recognizing where she was. It was cleaner than it had been last time she dashed through, though. Sarah only saw a couple chickens and a minimum of spilled ale and food.

Her surprise came when she noticed Toby, seated on the Goblin King's throne. Jareth stood beside him, one foot braced on the arm of the throne as he leaned over and spoke quietly with her brother. Noticing her presence, Jareth looked up, relief on his face.

"Sarah," he breathed. The feelings that raced ahead of him as he strode across the room nearly made her knees weak. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close him, pressing his lips against hers gently at first, and then more insistently as he gave way to the feelings Sarah had felt before.

A theatrical gagging sound distracted them. "Could you two wait to do that until after I get home?"

Sarah went red and even Jareth had two spots of color on his cheeks as they turned to Toby. Jareth had to clear his throat before speaking. "Quite right, Toby. You're parents are probably still worried sick."

Sarah immediately felt remorse. "Poor Dad and Karen," She murmured. "Can't we do something about that, Jareth?"

He nodded slowly. "We can, but it will take a tremendous amount of our power to rearrange time that much."

Sarah bit her lip, thinking about Freya's gift. "Will we be... ok?"

Jareth nodded. "We will. We'll just be rather tired for a while, that's all." He smiled wistfully and Sarah knew that he would do whatever she asked him to, even if that meant that those feelings from earlier would have to wait.

She nodded decisively. "Then we should do it. No parent should have to go through that if they don't have to."

"As you wish, Precious." Jareth held out a hand to each of them before closing his eyes.

The rush of power that Jareth pulled from her was tremendous. Sarah felt a little lightheaded and gripped his hand tightly. She closed her own eyes as the throne room disappeared around them.

They appeared in Sarah and Toby's backyard. Sarah staggered just a bit at how tired she was but she smiled down at Toby's happy grin. "We're home!"

Sarah knelt to hug him. "Yes, we are."

"No," Toby said, hugging her back, "I'm home."

Sarah stilled and then hugged him tighter against her, tears welling in her eyes. She looked briefly back at Jareth and he smiled with adoration in his eyes. She pulled back, looking at Toby. Holding out her hand, she closed her eyes and conjured up the very first crystal of her own. She heard Toby gasp and when she opened her eyes, she smiled at the expressions on Toby and Jareth's faces. Looking down, she noticed her crystals were slightly different, tinted the faintest hint of lavender, like amethyst. Handing it to him and curling his fingers around it, she leaned forward.

"If you ever need me, just call me in this crystal and I'll come. Promise."

"Cross your heart and hope to die?" He whispered back, sniffling sadly like a small boy for the first time that day.

"Cross my heart and hope to die," she whispered, gripping him in another tight hug.

Toby nodded and moved to the door, looking over his shoulder. "What about mom and dad? How are you going to explain this?"

Sarah looked to Jareth and he smiled. "We will be able to join you for holidays. We will be a little less..." He looked over them both with a small chuckle,"...well, less."

Toby grinned but looked back between them. "I know mom and dad think you're away at college. So what should I tell them if they want to talk?"

"Use the crystal. I'll come around for thanksgiving and.." She trailed off, looking at Jareth with a sheepish smile. "Explain I've ran off and married someone I fell in love with. They'll get over it in time when they know I'm not completely vanishing from their lives. But let's just keep all this under the radar for now, ok?"

Toby nodded. He almost turned to run back inside then stopped and looked back over his shoulder. "Will I be able to visit?"

Sarah looked at Jareth and he smiled. "How's next weekend?"

Toby grinned and took off running inside.

Sarah chuckled and then felt the overwhelming emotions coming from Jareth now that they were alone. She turned slowly, her breath slowly deepening as they stared at one another. Suddenly, they both launched themselves at each other, kissing and holding, fingers tracing the bones in each other's face.

"I love you so much.."

"I love you, too..."

"You're so beautiful..."

"I never forgot you..."

Suddenly, they couldn't stand it anymore and vanished from sight, knowing the Labyrinth masses would be waiting for them in the Underground as they'd have felt the second Sarah ascended as the Goblin Queen.