"What You Wish For" by Kitty Rasputin
Chapter 12- Something You Can Do
Disclaimer-I own nothing, apparently not even a say in my college schedule.
"I seem to recall a promise that you'd leave my life alone," Eliza spat at the fae. "What are you doing in my house?"
"I'm here to help you get custody of your nephew," Tanith replied calmly, choosing to ignore the woman's outburst. She slid a pocket mirror across the table where it instantly started showing Jareth and Sarah making out on the lawn. Toby was clearly visible in the background where he watched the pair with some amusement.
"How much is this favor going to cost me?" Eliza was rightfully cautious of accepting any favors from the fae woman. The last time she'd done so she had nearly been turned into a tree. "I can only assume this information will come at an extraordinary price."
"You are wrong. I give this information freely. I have my own reasons for wanting to get the boy away from his wretched sister. That little brat has stolen something that should have rightfully been mine!"
Eliza looked into the mirror once again. "Is this man a fae too? How did Sarah get involved with a fae?"
Tanith glared at the woman for asking such an obvious question. "She wished her brother away to the goblins and now the Goblin King thinks he's in love with her."
Eliza instantly understood what it was that Sarah could have stolen from this woman. "Tanith, I believe we can find a way to help each other. You just let me know how I can help you get back at Sarah."
Tanith smiled. "Actually, there is something you can do."
They skirted the issues until dinner was over and Toby was in bed. Jareth wanted to wait until she brought up the subject and Sarah wasn't sure she wanted to ask about it. Finally, though, the small talk became more than she could take. She just had to know. "Will Toby have to live in the Underground?"
Jareth was startled by this sudden question, although he shouldn't have been. Toby had asked nearly the same thing. "Yes, eventually he will have to. It's the only way he can learn."
She contemplated this for a moment. "At least he'll already know somebody when he gets there. I can be grateful for that much. Just do me a favor and keep an eye on him."
He took a few steps toward her. "Are you just giving up on him? That doesn't sound like the Sarah I know and love."
"I'm not giving up on him! How could I possibly do that to Toby when he needs me the most? I'm just trying to face facts. I won't be in the Underground to help him if he needs it."
"Why not?" The simple question threw Sarah off-balance so much that she was speechless for a moment. She had never even considered the thought when she had gone for her run. She'd just assumed that she wouldn't be allowed back.
She turned around to fully face him. "Well, for one thing, Caravel told me about the law which is supposed to stop humans and faes from interacting. Plus, I didn't think I'd be welcome back in the Underground."
He cupped her face in his hands. "Sarah, I don't give a damn what the council says. Toby is still a child and not even they have the right to separate the two of you. Besides, do you honestly think that I would let him wander around the labyrinth without you there to guide him? You of all people know just how dangerous it is."
She silently noted how he'd completely ignored her other comment. "Well, I don't want him to fall into an oubliette. How long does he have before he needs to leave?"
"It's hard to tell. It could only be a few months before he really starts to change. The very longest he can remain here is a year. By then, the other fae will know about his status. It's surprising that it took so long for me to figure it out."
"Jareth, the custody battle may not even be over by then. Besides, what happens if Eliza ends up with custody of him? I won't be able to help him at all if that happens." Her world was turning upside-down so fast that she couldn't tell if she was falling or standing still. What she really wanted was for her life to go back to normal. The problem was that it hadn't been normal since she'd been fourteen years old. "The only thing I know for certain is that Toby is going to need all the help he can get either way."
There was a steely reserve in her voice, something that had never been there before. Jareth watched her with concern. This was not the same innocent girl that had run his labyrinth. The last seven years had shown her the ways of the world. All the harshness and injustice weighted her down like a stone around her neck. Sarah had grown up overnight and Jareth knew he was the one responsible for it.
There was a way he could change it all, but he had avoided even thinking about it until now. "Sarah." The complete seriousness of his tone caught her immediate attention. "I've reordered time for you before. I can do it again. If I could take back the last seven years and make it so that we had never met, would you want me to? Is that something you'd wish for?"
Sarah stared at him for a long moment, searching his face for the reasoning behind the question. "No," she finally answered. "I would not wish for that in return for anything in the world."
It was the most surprising thing she could have said to him. "You could have a completely different life if you wanted to. Your parents might still be alive. Toby wouldn't be a fae. You could even be married by now if that's what you wanted." His concern for her was blatantly obvious.
"Jareth, even if I went back to change everything, It doesn't mean I'll be any more happy than I already am. Besides, from what I can tell, Toby likes being a fae. I haven't seen him this enthused about something in years."
She kept going before he could interrupt her. "I really am happy, Jareth. I may not be the same starry-eyed naïve little girl that I was when I first met you, but I am happy with my life now. I've just grown up."
He could tell that she meant it. There was something wrong with the statement, though. "You didn't seem too happy with it a few weeks ago when I first saw you again. In fact, I was almost positive that you were going to try to end your life." The thought still terrified him.
Sarah could not even bring herself to deny it. He was closer to the truth than she wanted. She had changed drastically since they because, once again, life had forced her to play a part that she was not ready for. "I've already told you that Toby saved me from that." She had to admit it now, if only to verbally acknowledge what this fae had done for her. "Besides, having you here to help me something I could not have even dreamed of asking for. Just having your friendship means more than I can say."
Jareth was touched by her sincerity. She had gone through so much, but still made an effort to appreciate those around her. That alone made him hopeful that she still had some of the old Sarah left in her. "You have earned both my help and my friendship, Sarah. I will be there for you as long as you need me. If there's anything I can do for you, just say the word."
She smiled. "Actually, there is something you can do."
Author's Notes-Well, two chapters posted in two weeks. I hope you guys feel special. (A jump drive is a wonderful thing.) First off, a note to my reviewers.
Kat, PinkTink89, and Kute Anime Kitty- Glad you like this story. I hope you continue to read it.
Nemo-I'm sorry you feel so strongly about the social worker that it makes you sick, but I'm not sorry that you are pregnant. It's a wonderful thing. Embrace it. My sister actually just found out that she is pregnant and I am thrilled about it. (Not just the fact that she'll actually get some weight on her scrawny self, either.) I hope you feel better soon.
Tian Sirki-That was the longest review I have ever received, not to mention the most flattering. I am so pleased that you enjoyed my story enough to print it out to read. I will accept the kudos for the kissing scene because it felt like the right time to put it in the story. However, I truly do not believe I deserve the rest of the praise you have bestowed on me.
Well, what did you think? For some reason, Jareth and Sarah are making me think of Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth from "Pride and Prejudice." They certainly seem to have the same kind of hot and cold relationship. Can anybody else see that or is it just me? Did anybody notice Jareth's slip of the tongue? (Don't they call that a Freudian slip?) What kind of favor do you think Tanith will ask for? What will Sarah ask for? I will only update again after at least ten reviews. I know at least that many people are reading this story. (Okay, I hope that many are reading this.)
