Chapter 12

Back in Sarah's room, Scott was waiting for them. 'Thank God you're all right!' He hugged Ariadne as soon as she sat up, making her jump. Arthur and Eames wake. Arthur rubbed his head and was surprised to find a blood-soaked bandage around it. He had some on his arm and chest too. He took one off. Underneath was a neat bullet hole in his shirt, but there was no wound.

'Yeah, I bandaged you guys up. You were going to bleed out. So I put those on. Uh, why were you bleeding?'

'Krueger shot us. But once he was out of the dream, they were just dream wounds.'

'Still hurt like a bastard, though,' muttered Eames.

Ariadne intervened. 'Will you guys stop griping and give Sarah some space?' Sarah was lying back on her bed, her wide-open eyes the only hint that she was not still sleeping. They all trooped downstairs. Sarah caught the tail end of their conversation.

'I must say, I was impressed by the way you handled him.' Arthur to Ariadne.

'Thank you.'

'You were... more professional than I thought you would be. Would you consider staying on the team? Sort of part time?'

'Of course.' Sarah could hear the smile in Ariadne's voice.

Bringing her attention back into the room, Sarah saw that Jareth was sitting on her desk. He had wanted to tell her something, but she didn't know if she still wanted to hear it.

'Jareth-' she began, just as he said 'Sarah-' They both stopped, embarrassed. It was a pity, thought Sarah, she was almost getting used to Jareth as a good guy.

'Maybe-' her voice caught. 'Maybe it would be better if you just left.' She couldn't meet his eyes.

'Sarah, I will go. I will leave you in peace. But first, I have to say something. I...' He sighed. 'I'm sorry, Sarah.'

She sat up, startled. It was the last thing she had expected. She began to say something, but he cut her off with a wry smile. 'I don't apologise often, Sarah, at least let me finish.' She nodded. 'I apologise for declaring war on you and your friends. I apologise for drugging you with the peach.' It was as though once he had started he couldn't stop. 'I apologise for the bog, for the fireys, the cleaners. I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I was reacting without thinking. But-' Sarah frowned. A conditional apology would be just like him. 'I would be lying if I said that I was sorry for taking your brother.' Now he couldn't meet her eyes. 'If I had never done it, I would never have met you. And, whatever else I may have said, may have done, I loved you. I still love you. That's why I came to you. To apologise.'

Sarah was speechless. She stood up and went to him.

'Thank you. For saving my life.' She looked up at him, and hugged him tightly. He held her close, wanting this moment to go on forever, knowing it couldn't.

Hesitantly, Jareth stepped away. 'I have to go. I have to thank Dream, I have to get back.'

Running a hand through her hair, Sarah decided. 'If you ever want to... come back and see me, you're welcome any time. If you want,' she finished, sounding a little less sure than she had hoped. He smiled at her. I'm glad you accepted my apology. I will see you soon. Until then, farewell. And good night.' His shining, smiling mismatched eyes were the last thing to fade.

Sarah fell asleep, knowing that this time, she was protected.