Disclaimer: I do not own Jareth, the Labyrinth, or any of its inhabitants. I do own anything/ anyone/ anyplace that I created in this fanfic… which I also own… P nah!
Summary: It's been eight years since Sarah's trip to the Underworld to save her baby brother from an accidental wish. She thinks she's finally rid of the Goblin King when he suddenly shows up, revealing that she's been wished away. But something's different about her and he intends to figure out what it is. Can he help heal her past or will they continue to hurt each other?
Warning: Jareth is totally out of character. So is Sarah.
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Last Time:
"How can I know when you're serious or not when you're always sarcastic?" he asked, smirking as her eyes flared.
"Well maybe you should start trying!" she snapped, flinging open the library doors and stalking across the room.
He blinked in surprise then frowned slightly. "Maybe I do try."
"Then try harder!"
He scowled now, eyes darkening, disappearing and reappearing in front of her. "Even if I try my hardest Sarah, nothing will ever please you will it? I try to help and all you do is yell at me to stop."
She flinched, knowing he was talking about her nightmare. "Maybe I don't want to tell you."
He scoffed. "It was probably about some boy dumping you wasn't it? Couldn't stand your temper."
Her eyes widened then narrowed dangerously. "Why you…" She didn't know she was swinging, didn't know she swung until his hand shot up and grabbed her wrist tightly, palm half an inch from her face. She blinked back her surprise then lost all anger at the dark look he was giving her.
He shoved her back. "Leave. Get out of my sight."
She looked scared for a moment then snarled back, "gladly." She growled and was about to stomp up to her room when a muffled shout reached her ears and she blinked before peering around the door.
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Heal Me, Hurt Me
By: Kadasa Mori
Chapter 11 (July 1st)
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Sarah peered around the door to find Jareth standing in the middle of the room, body tensing, fisted hands shaking. She almost felt bad for yelling at him. Almost. She smirked. Maybe I should run away… go back aboveground. That'll show him. Grinning, she turned once more to leave when another shout, this one not from Jareth came.
"UNCLE JARE!" Jareth stiffened. They both, one in the open, one hiding, turned as the library room doors flew open. He took a step forward.
"Uncle!"
"Uncle!"
Three kids rushed into the room. A smile spread widely across his face and he headed towards them then got onto one knee as they collided with him. A startled expression was all she saw before he fell backwards, landing on his back as the girls laughed.
"Em! Bella! Kat!" a laughing woman's voice called. "Do not harm your uncle! I will be blamed!"
"That's for sure!" a man's voice laughed then grunted. "Don't elbow me!"
"I'll elbow you if I want to elbow you!" They entered the throne room and Sarah was surprised to see the girl didn't look much older than herself. The man also looked about the same age.
The man had short dark hair that glinted royal blue in the sun. His eyes were amber gold and currently narrowed at the woman at his side. He wore a billowing black shirt with a tan vest over it and a pair of black slacks. Around his hips was a loose tan belt, a sheathed sword hanging from it.
The woman wore a cream colored shirt that buttoned up the front and at the cuffs so the arms were billowy. She wore denim capris, which threw Sarah off but not for long because her eyes were drawn to the gurgling baby on her right hip. Both the woman and the baby had fair blond hair, the woman bright blue eyes, the baby's eyes silver gray.
The baby wore a one piece suit with feet attached, kicking happily now, the outfit a light blue color. He was tugging on the woman's hip elbow length hair and gurgling.
The pair walked into the throne room and to Jareth by the time they'd finished bickering playfully. The woman turned to Jareth who was currently sitting crossed legged, two girls sitting in his lap, arms around him and the last hugging his neck from behind him giggling.
The woman laughed. "Emily. Katrina. Bellezza. Leave your uncle alone. At least let him get up to give me a hug!" They all giggled but climbed off. Jareth stood and brushed himself off.
"I'm not happy with you," he growled dangerously and shot the male a look. "Either of you."
The male held his hands up in surrender. "Believe me man, I wanted out of that castle faster than you could say High King but that's not gonna happen unless someone," he turned to glared at the woman, "decides she'll get her aaaa…" he trailed off noticing three pairs of eyes watching him and cleared his throat. "Unless someone decides to get her butt up off the couch and go visit."
Jareth suddenly grinned and pulled the woman into a hug. "I've missed you Kira."
She smiled and hugged him back. "I've missed you too Jareth."
Jareth turned to the man, an arm still around the Kira's waist, the baby dropping Kira's hair and turning for Jareth's. "Alan." He shook the man's hand with a warm smile.
Alan grinned. "Jareth. It's been awhile."
Sarah decided it was a good time to enter the library, took a step back then knocked on the door.
"Come in," Jareth called, less colder than usual, but a lot less happier than he just was. She pushed the door open and peeked inside. Jareth had his stoic mask on, watching her with mismatched eyes.
Five other pairs of eyes glanced up at her, the last pair laughing and tugging on its holder's hair, causing Jareth to wince slightly and tilt his head slightly towards the baby. The girls got to their feet, one holding her arms up to Alan so he'd hold her, another clinging to Kira's legs, the last hiding behind her legs.
Kira grinned widely. "So Jareth… who's this?" she asked slyly.
Sarah huffed and crossed her arms, catching the intention Kira had made. "No one of great importance. I'm leaving soon." She turned to Jareth. "I figured I'd give you the heads up."
"You can not leave," he scowled.
She shrugged. "I'll figure out a way. Just a warning." She turned back to Kira who'd started giggling.
"I like this girl. What's your name?"
Sarah glanced at Jareth who was now trying to tug his hair from the baby's fingers. "My name's Sarah." She bowed her head shortly. "Sarah Williams."
Kira's eyes widened and grinning she turned to Jareth. "The Sarah?" He sent a scowl at Kira then returned to the task on hand. Kira grinned wider. "You're known all the way to the sea!" She tossed the arm not holding the baby into the air. Sarah felt a grin forming. "You defeated Jareth, the Goblin King! The undefeatable Goblin King! And he was defeated by a mortal no less." At Sarah's frown, she quickly added, "no offense. I've been around him," she nodded to Jareth who was now fully scowling at her, eyes narrowing and glaring, "way too long."
Alan patted her on the head. "And the fact that you're just dense." She scowled at the man.
"Are you from Aboveground?" Sarah blurted out.
Kira blinked in confusion then shook her head. "No. Why?"
"You're… attire…"
Kira glanced down at her jean capris then a wicked grin spread across her features. "No. I like dressing unlike the other women living down here whenever I visit my dear brother. Embarrasses him to no end, especially if someone important was here."
Sarah frowned in confusion then her jaw dropped but before she could speak Jareth glared at Kira. "And what if some of the council were here? Or father? What would you do then?"
She grinned brilliantly. "Claim that living with wild animals, quote unquote Alan and my children, has changed the fact that skirts and dresses are not suitable to my lifestyle. Besides, they're quite comfortable."
He gave her a dull look but when one of the kids tugged on a strand of hair he turned back to her.
"You're his sister?" Sarah asked pointing from Kira to Jareth, the latter scowling at her.
"And what do you mean of tha-" he started angrily but Kira interrupted.
"Yes. Pity isn't it?" She sighed. "Just think, having to live with this arrogant oaf for hundreds of years."
He sighed irritably. "I give up. It's not fair two against one."
"The great Goblin King giving up?" Kira and Alan echoed.
Sarah frowned. "How old are you? You don't look any older than me and I'm only 25."
Kira let out a bark of laughter. "I'm almost 900 years old!" She motioned to Jareth with her head. "Unlike this Grandpa. He's almost 1000."
Alan snorted and Sarah's eyes widened greatly as she looked at Jareth who was still trying to remove his hair from the baby's grasp without harming the baby. "Kira!" he suddenly snapped. "Would you please let me have my hair back?"
She blinked at him then looked at the baby and grinned. She pulled her hair back over her shoulder. "Look Ed. Look what Mommy's got."
He turned his gaze back to his mother and gurgling latching onto her hair and sticking it into his mouth. She made a face.
"Edmund! Mommy doesn't want her hair slobbered on!" The baby just gurgled as she sighed. She looked at Sarah and shrugged. "Kids."
"Which you didn't introduce sweetheart," Alan suddenly spoke up.
Kira blinked then gasped. "No I didn't!" She bowed to Sarah, still holding the baby who just let out a louder bubble of happiness. "I'm sorry. My name, Miss Sarah, is Kira. I'm Jareth's younger sister."
She motioned to Alan. "This is Alan, King of the lands of Crystal Lake and my husband." She put a hand on the little girl that had clung to her legs.
"This is my oldest, Bellezza, Bella for short." Bellezza had golden brown hair and golden eyes like her father. She wore a red short sleeved shirt and black shorts. She looked about 6.
Kira reached around and patted the girl behind her on the head. "This is Katrina, or Kat." The girl had shoulder length pin straight black hair like her father but emerald eyes. She wore a cream colored pair of shorts and a white tee shirt. She looked about 5.
Alan bounced the girl he held. "This is Emily, Em." The girl giggled shyly realizing Sarah had noticed her and put her face in her father's chest peeking out and giggling more. Her blond hair was pulled into two pigtails on either side of her head and her eyes were bright blue. She wore a pair of denim overalls and a light blue tee shirt underneath. She looked about 4 years old.
Kira bounced the baby on her hip. "And this is our youngest, Edmund." The baby gurgled, fair blond hair like his mother's and silvery gray eyes. He had to be at least a year but less than 2. He released his mother's hair to make a grab for the necklace Jareth always wore. Jareth was forced to catch him as Kira handed him over and sighed holding the baby in front of him as it played with the necklace.
Sarah frowned. "I feel like I didn't introduce myself enough now."
Kira giggled. "That's what happens when you have only yourself faced before a big family. It used to be Jareth and me against Alan's 40 person family."
Alan scowled. "Twelve is a big difference than 40."
"Yeah well it felt like 40. Deal with it."
"You two sure bicker a lot," Sarah muttered.
Kira laughed. "Yes we do and proud of it. Now, shall we enjoy some dinner in the gardens or did you two already eat?"
Sarah bit her lip. "Well… actually…"
"The gardens sound good Kira," Jareth butted in. "Shall I go ask the cook to bring it out for us?"
Kira nodded. "Take Sarah and the girls with you. Alan I will go find the blanket." Jareth nodded and handed Edmund back, the baby reluctantly releasing the shining necklace but perking up at the sound of food.
Katrina and Bellezza immediately grabbed one of Jareth's hands tugging him towards the doors. Sarah was about to follow when a hand pulled on the edge of her shirt. She looked down at Emily who smiled shyly.
She didn't miss everyone's stunned looks but didn't comment on it, instead sitting down on the backs of her heels to look Emily in the eye.
"Hi," she smiled. "Your name's Emily right?" Emily smiled even more shyer and nodded. "Do you know what my name is?" Emily smile fell a little. "It's all right. I don't think you would've been able to remember. Not a lot of people can. It's Sarah." When she didn't reply Sarah smiled softly. "Can you say Sarah, Emily?"
"Um… Sarah," Kira started. "About Em-"
Emily's smile fell and she looked away. Sarah smiled and touched her chin. "Hey. It's all right. I'll talk for both of us all right?" Emily brightened and nodded. Again Sarah didn't miss the stunned looks of her parents and Jareth. Sarah stood. "Why don't you show me the way to the kitchens? I'm new here so I don't know." Emily nodded and grabbed her hand again tugging her towards the door. "So Emily, what's your favorite food?" Sarah's voice drifted down the hallway before they couldn't hear her and Jareth turned stunned to Kira and Alan who were staring after their daughter.
"Did she just…" Jareth started.
"Uh huh," Alan nodded.
"And she just…"
"Uh huh," Kira agreed.
Jareth smiled brightly. "Maybe that means she'll get better."
Kira's stunned face fell into a slight frown. "The healer said… she never would but…" She turned frantic eyes up to him. "Jareth. I know how much you don't like that girl but please, please don't make her leave! If she got Em to look at her, even grab her hand within 10 minutes of meeting her, think of what she could do in two days! Please Jareth!"
He glanced at her. "I'll try not to argue."
Kira sighed gratefully. "Thank y-"
"But not just for you and Alan, Kira. For Emily too. She's my niece and I'll take care of her."
Kira smiled then ruffled his hair. "Go catch up to your girlfriend lover boy."
Jareth replaced his caring face with a scowling mask and headed for the doorway.
"Wait Uncle!" Bellezza cried happily.
"Yeah! Wait Uncle!" Kat chirped, hurrying after her sister. They caught up to Sarah and Emily quickly, Sarah barely sparing him a glance as she smiled at the girls.
"So what shall we have for lunch?" she asked as they entered the kitchen.
"Sandwiches!" Kat cried.
"Sandwiches!" Bella agreed. Emily tugged on her sister's sleeve. "Em-Em wants sandwiches too!"
"All right! Sandwiches is it! How about macaroni salad too? And ice cream!"
"Yay!"
"Come and help me pick it out!" They all crowded around her as she opened the cupboard. Jareth had used his magic to make the food stay cold so the ice cream wouldn't melt and the food wouldn't spoil. Kira and Alan followed them in, bickering once more. The food was packed, drinks gathered and they made their way outside.
"Where too?" Sarah asked. Bella and Kat took off across the lawn. Emily not wanting to be left behind raced after them.
A howl suddenly let loose and they all turned as a yellow blur bounded upon the three girls. Emily let loose a squeal as it collided with her. Kira, Alan, and Jareth were halfway across the lawn before Sarah gasped.
"Riley!" Sarah shouted. The big golden retriever stood over the stunned Emily wagging ferociously and looked up at Sarah. "Bad dog!"
Emily suddenly squealed again and wrapped her arms around the dog. Riley barked and licked her cheek.
Sarah smiled and sat down next to Emily. "Want him to lie down so you can scratch his belly?"
Emily nodded and Sarah made a motion. Riley lay down and she made another motion and he rolled over. Emily scratched his belly, smiling.
"I told you we needed to get her a dog," Alan hissed to Kira.
"Well she was afraid of all the ones we were gonna get her."
Jareth rolled his eyes at them and looked to Emily. "Emily. Would you invite Riley to eat lunch with us?"
Emily's eyes widened and she nodded turning to Sarah who smiled. "Riley. Emily wants to know if you want to eat lunch with us." Riley barked and licked Emily's cheek. Emily squealed and leapt to her feet, racing towards a cherry tree, overlooking the pond. Riley barked and raced after her. Sarah laughed and followed after them. "Riley! Don't trip Emily!"
Kira and Alan looked at Jareth. "What do you think Sarah would do if we asked her if we could keep Riley?"
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Jareth glanced at Sarah as he lay underneath one of the cherry trees on his property near the big pond. He'd been watching her since lunch started, worried something was going to happen. He knew she wouldn't hurt anyone but was waiting for her to bite his head off since he'd practically done the same only a little while ago. She hadn't. She's been polite and humorous to Kira and Alan (which Jareth hated since Kira loved her more and more and he knew she'd be trying to set them up together) and she acted like a big sister to the three kids.
Now she was sitting still as a statue, eyes focused on something in the mud, Emily sitting on the bank behind her watching quietly, Riley at her side as she pet him. Sarah carefully inched forward, slower and slower before her hand darted forward. She did this several times, once almost falling in. This happened to be the last time because the reaction was different.
"I caught it!" she screeched triumphantly and Emily let out a cry of happiness. "Girls!" she cried. Katrina and Bellezza looked over from their sandwiches. "Come here! Look!" They jumped to their feet and ran over as she put something into a big bucket she'd asked Jareth for earlier.
They peered into it then squealed jumping back. "They jumped!" Katrina laughed.
"Can I touch them?" Bellezza asked.
"No!" Katrina cried. "They give warts!" Emily looked up quickly, having already touched whatever it was.
"They… they will!" Bellezza squeaked.
"Don't be silly Kat," Sarah smiled, ruffling Emily's hair, the girl giving her a smile. "Frogs don't give you warts." They all breathed a sigh of relief. "Toads do." They all looked back up at her as she held her hand out.
"Toad."
They all squealed jumping away and Sarah broke into giggles. The girls realizing she'd been kidding leapt on her, all of them laughing as Sarah jumped up. They turned and raced after her, Riley on Emily's heels.
Halfway to the trees she stopped dead and all three girls behind her ran into her legs. "We forgot to put the froggies back in the water. Who wants to help?" They all raised their hands and she giggled. "It's a good thing I caught a few. Come on." They all trotted after her as she slid down to the edge of the water.
"Who's first?" Bellezza bounced forward. Sarah helped her down next to her and held the bucket out. Squealing several times, Bellezza pulled a frog out.
"Now what Sarah?"
"Now bend down and carefully put the froggie back in the water."
Bellezza did so and the frog swam off. "Bye froggie!" she called after it. Sarah giggled and helped her back up the hill, helping Katrina down. The girl repeated the process, waving to hers then scrambled up the hill. Emily was more cautious, looking worried.
"What's the matter Emily?" Sarah asked. Emily frowned at the pond. "Emily?"
"Sarah!" Kira called nervously. "Watch Emily by the water okay!"
Sarah waved at the blond showing she'd heard her. Emily held out her hand. Sarah took it then held out the bucket. "Do you want to put the last froggie back?" Emily nodded, determined. Riley barked behind her as she carefully took the frog out. Her hand squeezed Sarah's tighter as she bent down, putting the frog back into the water before she stood and darted back up the hill, sitting next to Riley.
Sarah dumped the water out of the bucket then turned walking back up the hill. She ruffled Emily's hair. "Come on Emily! Time for ice cream." Emily smiled and grabbed Riley's collar hurrying after the dog. Making sure all three girls had a bowl of ice cream and sat a far enough distance away, Sarah turned to Kira. "What's with Emily and water?"
Kira frowned. "She… almost drowned a year or so ago."
Sarah winced lightly. "Oh."
Alan smiled at her. "But the fact you got her so close to the pond shows improvement. Emily's sort of a… a recluse so to say. She doesn't like meeting new people or things happening and changing her life so quickly. You're the first person that Emily has met that within five minutes of learning your name, has actually stepped away from us. Forget taking your hand, laughing with you or anything. She doesn't like new people. The fact she's voluntarily taken your hand and spent time near you… and she only met you an hour ago… Sarah. That's amazing."
Sarah blushed furiously. "Oh… thanks… She's just so cute."
Kira and Alan laughed. "That's what Jareth said the first time he saw her."
Jareth scowled at her. "What?"
"Oh. The Goblin King thought something was cute?"
Jareth scowled then smirked. "I'm looking at it."
Sarah blinked then flushed. "Jerk!" She threw a sandwich at him, which he just disappeared and reappeared. Kira and Alan were laughing at her, Jareth smirking. Sarah's hand inched towards another piece of food.
"Sarah!" Bella cried as the three leapt at the girl, startling her. "Play with us!"
She laughed. "Play what?"
"Hide and go seek!" Kat giggled, turning and running off.
"Okay! Go hide! One… two… three…"
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"Good night Bella, Kat, Emily," Sarah called as she walked to her room. Bella and Kat mumbled tiredly, stumbling after their parents. Emily waved, hand fisted in Kira's pants as they walked in the other direction.
"Night Sarah," Kira smiled. "Thanks for letting them wear you out inside of us."
Sarah laughed and waved it off. "It was fun. See you in the morning."
"See ya."
She entered her room, Riley following after her. She shut the door and turned only to stifle a squeak though she still jumped. Grabbing her shirt where her heart would be she glared darkly at Jareth who smirked, sitting on her bed. "Yes?"
He chuckled. "Just wanted to thank you."
She blinked. "For what?"
"For being good to the girls even though we weren't on good terms."
She blinked once more before rolling her eyes and going to her dresser to find pajamas. "First of all Goblin King, I would never take my anger out on someone who wasn't involved just because they were related to, least of all children. Secondly, I'm still angry at you."
She didn't see his slight wince but turned as he reappeared next to her. "How could I ever make it up to you my dear Sarah?" he asked, bowing deeply.
She raised an eyebrow. "Who said you could make it up?"
He didn't answer her then stood straight. "Good night Sarah." He turned to leave.
"Jareth." He paused and looked back. "You can make it up by not asking anymore."
He frowned then nodded. "I won't ask."
She smiled. "Thank you."
"Good night Sarah."
"Night." He disappeared and she hugged her clothes, grinning happily then shook her head. "Riley. I'm going nuts." He merely woofed and went back to sleep.
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To all Heal Me, Hurt Me Readers and Reviewers,
Yay! New chappie! Finally. Writer's block is all I claim.
Aw. I don't think anyone guessed who Sirhan Sirhan was. Sirhan Sirhan murdered… one of the Kennedy's… Great. I forgot… It wasn't the president. It was the one who'd just won California then was shot. Whatever.
On another note, thanks to TKMoiMoi Carmen is actually 17-17.1 hands instead of the 20 hands that I put down. I'm sad to admit but I've only ridden horses like three times in my life and all three were one of those walking trail rides. Thanks again for the help TKMoiMoi!
So, our new characters:
We've got Alan and Kira of Crystal Lake. Kira's Jareth's younger sister, Alan his brother-in-law.
His three nieces, their daughters:
Bellezza (which means beauty in Italian) who goes by "Bella", who's six years old.
Katrina, who goes by "Kat", who's five years old.
Emily, who goes by "Em" who's four years old and traumatized by her almost drowning last year and who will play a HUGE part in Sarah's healing as well as Sarah healing her.
And Jareth's only nephew, Edmund, who goes by "Ed" and who's about 18 months old. His favorite hobby is staring at shiny things or chewing on people's hair.
Till next time,
Kadasa Mori
