Disclaimer: The Labyrinth and all related material do not belong to me. They belong to Jim Henson and George Lucas. I wish I owned Jareth.
A Personal Distraction
Kate wrung out her clothes and hair the best she could and shucked off her boots. The heavy, wet hiking boots were useless at the moment. They were so heavy that it took more effort to lift off the ground than she wanted to expend.
So they were getting left behind.
With a sigh, she yanked off her socks as well.
Mmm… sand under her bare feet felt wonderful.
She shook everything out again and began running down the shore, following the river upstream.
She spread her arms out, soaking in the sun as she ran. Alone, she felt so alive, so free.
She stumbled and pulled her arms in again.
There wasn't really time to be silly about this. This wasn't dashing through the rain in jeans and shirt when it was pouring. Or standing in an empty park while lightening flashed in the sky. Or dancing to the music in her kitchen.
She slowed to a stop. Maybe…
"Going somewhere?"
A hand wrapped around her wrist. Jareth turned her around and pulled her close.
"Jareth, please, not now."
He smirked. "Oh yes, now. How's this, if you lose, Charlie and Conner go free and you stay here?"
"As what? Your servant?"
"You're pretty enough. One of the Fae will want you. Humans procreate so much faster than we do." He stroked her cheek.
"No!" She pushed away from him, feet sinking into the sand.
"Such a fighter." He put his face in front of hers, nose to nose. "That will be beaten out of you."
"NO!"
She struck him and jumped away. "No! I won't let you. And you won't take away my son either!"
Jareth wiped his mouth, watching her. Kate was shaking; He couldn't tell if it was the need to flee or the need to fight. Terror or bravado.
There wasn't a great deal of difference.
He chuckled. "That's why you won't leave." He leaned against a tree. "You won't even leave him here because of this… irrational fear."
"What fear?"
"Ahh, if you don't admit it, it isn't there…" He approached her, circling. "You are terrified that if you leave Charlie, he will come after you and Conner. You are afraid that he will take away the boy."
He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek, hating the way she flinched. "You are also afraid that he will beat your spirit out of you, not with his fists, but with the constant arguing."
She shook her head. "No. I can leave. I just can't live without his paycheck."
Jareth shook his head. "No, darling…"
"He won't lay a hand on me, ever. He swore never to harm me or Conner, because I told him I would leave his ass the first time he did and I would go to the authorities. I won't put up with that."
He leaned in closer, brushing his lips over her forehead. She trembled. "You don't get along. You let him chip away at your confidence and self-esteem with his comments. He is sucking away your dreams…"
"What if he comes after me? What if they declare me an unfit mother and put Conner with Charlie? What if I could never see Conner again?" Tears dripped down her face.
Jareth wrapped his arms around her. "That is what terrifies you to the core."
She buried her face in the King's cape, crying her eyes out.
Jareth grinned. It wasn't anything else, but her fear practically immobilized her.
She raised her head and looked up at him. Behind him she could see the setting sun. Her eyes widened.
"How much time?"
"Four hours."
"You bastard."
He smirked and stepped back, arms wide.
The sand fell under her feet. Kate glanced down and back up. She glared as the sand fell away faster and faster.
"Good-bye, my dear."
She crossed her arms and glared at the sand swept her away.
With a laugh, Jareth transformed and flew back to the castle.
