AN: hey everyone! I didn't have time to type up all my acknowledgements from last chapter, but let me say thank you all for your continued reviews. You guys are the best! 'Til next time...AKA tomorrow!
Welcome....
Jake was not very happy about Sarah taking a vacation. He was upset enough that he had lost his new favorite secretary during the week that the company was coming, but he couldn't remain upset with her. Her brother had been in a car accident after all and he had heard from other employees that she was very close to her brother. But this new vacation...where the hell was she going that she needed two to possibly four weeks off? What did she plan on doing? Driving to the north pole??
Aryanna's school was a little more understanding but they believed that family vacations should be taken during the summer and not during school. However they had no control over the situation and promised that work would be set aside for Aryanna when she returned to school. Sarah didn't bother to mention that she might not be going back at all. It was too early to know for sure.
"Everything is all set." Sarah said turning to Jareth who had just entered the kitchen. She had just gotten off the phone with Ary's school and before that, her work.
"I hope that I have not ruined things for you here, should you both decide to return." He told her.
"I think that everything will be ok."
"Things did not sound ok when you were talking to your boss." He told her raising one brow.
"Oh....you heard that?"
"Sarah, How could I have not? I may have been in the other room, but I didn't miss the tone of your voice. You sounded upset."
She lowered her head. Jareth missed nothing. "Everything will be fine. You'll see."
"Your boss values you."
"Well he never did before!" Sarah told him throwing her hands up in exasperation. "I was a nobody at work until you came along. You made me happy again and it made me act positive at work. Only after I stuck up for myself with co workers did he give a damn about me. He didn't really notice me before, so he can live with out me for a little while. I deserve a vacation anyway. I never actually take mine every year so as far as I'm concerned the company owes me 4 weeks worth."
"And Ary's school? What did they say?"
"They were very understanding. The secretary thought that now was not a good time to take a vacation but she understood. It does happen that parents take their children out of school for a week or two for a vacation."
"And when will you tell your brother?" Jareth's voice was soft.
"This afternoon when I go to see him. I was going to tell him later in the week, but it would probably be better to tell him now. Let him digest the information for a little while." He nodded slowly. "Um...when are you returning to the Labyrinth?"
"In hurry to get rid of me?" He chided.
"Of course not. You know I wish you could stay here..." She bit her lower lip and he gently pulled her to him.
"I'll be leaving in a few hours. I said my goodbyes to Ary this morning when I brought her to the bus."
"Ah so that was why she gave you a big hug."
"yes. She's very excited about visiting the Labyrinth. I just hope that everything is up to her expectations."
"Well" she told him with a sly grin. "They were certainly up to mine when I was 15, so to an 8 year old she's going to be in heaven."
He smiled sweetly.
They spent the rest of the afternoon snuggling together on the living room couch, touching, kissing and preparing for the dreadful moment when Jareth returned without her. It was before Ary came home that Jareth suddenly rose from the couch, pulling Sarah up with him. She knew it was time.
"Let me know when you are ready to return." He told her, brushing a light kiss along her forehead.
"How?"
"Just call me. I'll hear you." He bent to kiss her softly on the lips and he stepped away, fading away before her eyes. Within a matter of seconds he was gone...just like that. But Sarah didn't cry this time. Instead she smiled, knowing that in a few short days she would see him again.
When Ary came home from school Sarah drove her to get a snack at the convenient store before they stopped at the hospital. Cheryl was there with Toby.
"Look at you." Sarah said as she stepped into his room with Aryanna behind her.
"Sarah and it's my favorite niece." Toby said with a bright smile.
"Hi Uncle Toby."
"What cha got there kiddo?"
"Mommy bought me a lollipop at Harry's." She said holding up a large Toosie Roll pop. Toby smiled.
"Gosh Tobe, it's amazing." Sarah told him as she touched his face. The bruises that only yesterday were still an ugly purple, were now nearly nonexistent.
"That's what all the doctor's keep telling me. They don't understand how it's possible for me to be healing so fast but they aren't complaining. They're even going to let me out tomorrow."
"Really?"
"Yep. They said it was pretty silly for me to stay here when I would be fine at home. I'm still going to be really sore, I can't drive for a while, not that I have anything to drive." He noted sadly. "I have to rest a while longer at home and by next week I can start going out and doing things. Cheryl's going to help me out."
Cheryl smiled sweetly. "How is the Goblin King?" Sarah noticed a little uneasiness in her tone. She still had not come to complete terms with Jareth and his situation.
Sarah smiled nervously. Toby noticed it right away. "Is he ok?" He asked concerned.
She nodded. "Yeah he's fine."
Ary sat down on the corner of Toby's bed, took a big lick of her lollipop and then said. "Mommy and I are going to the Labyrinth to stay with him."
Sarah spun at her daughter. " Ary what did I say about that?"
"I forgot...but Uncle Toby knows about Jareth already."
"You're going to the Labyrinth and you weren't going to tell me?" There was anger in Toby's voice, mised with hurt.
"Of course I was going to tell you Toby. Just not so bluntly."
"Why are you going to his Labyrinth again?" Cheryl asked. "To play with some goblins?"
"No. We're....that is to say...he...I.." She sighed deeply and reached for the remote control by Toby's bed. She turned on some cartoons on the television in the far corner of the room and Ary was immediately engrossed in them. "Toby.....he wants us to visit him.."
" Sar, it's ok if you're just going for a visit."
"But it...it might not be...just a visit."
'I don't follow ya." He told her and Cheryl leaned over the bed to hear the conversation better.
Sarah looked uneasy. "Toby...I love him...a lot."
Toby smiled. 'I know that."
"And as much as I want him to stay here and live at the house...it can't happen."
"Why not?" Cheryl asked. "He's been here the past few months."
"He's a creature of magic and he would lose his magic and he would die if he stayed here. He needs to return home and he's invited me and Ary along to see if we would consider living with him.....permanently."
Toby swallowed. "Permanently?" Sarah nodded slowly.
"Whoa..." Cheryl let out.
"Sarah do you know what you would be giving up if you decided to live with him?"
"Yeah so I wouldn't have to deal with getting up and going to work, a car that breaks down, a nosy neighbor who can't keep her big mouth shut. There won't be plumbing or cable TV...but Jareth would be there...and Ary and I love them both Toby." She sighed and shook her head, her hair cascading down her shoulders. "I haven't made any final decisions." She said softly.
'Sarah, I know you. I remember you telling me about that place when I was a kid and you would get that dreamy look in your eyes. Now you're in love with the King of the place and he loves you....you're going to live there....I know it."
Sarah looked flustered. "I won't lie to you Toby, I do want to live there. It just figures though. I finally find the man of my dreams and he lives...so far away."
"Sarah...Jareth was always the man of your dreams. You just didn't realize it. Adam...." He started cautiously. "Adam was just a stand in...he always was. And I...I just wish he didn't have to hurt you like he did for you to realize that." Toby suddenly looked very nervous. "Sarah...I knew you loved Jareth a long time ago."
Sarah looked startled. "How could have possibly known that Toby? You were a child."
"I...I wasn't a child too much different then your own daughter and I didn't know what privacy was..."
Sarah gasped and covered her mouth. "You read my diary, didn't you?" She looked absolutely horrified. "I swear that everyone has read the damned thing!"
Toby nodded shamefully. " I remember how you used to hide it all the time in your drawer when someone would come in your room and you didn't want them to see what you were writing. I wanted to know what was so important. I didn't understand everything that I was reading...but when Jareth came back into your life I knew before you did that you still loved him. I know you didn't realize it at the time, but he was the man of your dreams, the one that no one else could compare to and you had never even dated him. Sarah I'm really sorry I didn't tell you about this sooner."
Sarah sighed. "It's ok Toby. I wrote those things 18 years ago. But I think you're right."
Toby suddenly reached over to touch his sister's face. "What am I going to do without you? I won't be able to see you or Ary." He looked as if he was going to cry and Sarah felt tears begin to rise in her eyes.
"You'll see me again. Jareth said I could visit you whenever I wanted and you could visit us. But let's not talk about this ok? Ary and I are going for a visit and nothing more right now. Besides, Ary is making the decision after our stay. If she wants to stay, we stay, but if she wants to leave then we return home."
Toby smoothed away a tear that streamed down Sarah's cheek. "You'd leave him, if Ary wanted to leave?"
Sarah nodded. "I love him, Toby, but my little girl comes before me and before Jareth. If Ary is truly unhappy there, than we come home."
Toby nodded. He knew his sister loved her daughter above all else. "When do you leave?"
"Thursday."
"So I assume that Jareth went back to the Labyrinth."
"Yes. He wanted to make sure that everything was perfect for when we arrived."
"He's going to do everything in his power to convince your daughter to stay, you do realize that."
"He told me that he wouldn't."
"And you believed him?"
"Yes."
"So we can still see each other if you do stay?"
"Toby if Ary decides that she wants to stay, you can still take her every other weekend and we can still go to Eddy's for a night out every so often."
"I think I could live with that. I couldn't just drive over to see you, but we could still hang out every so often. I could definitely live with that."
"Well as I said, no decisions were made yet so nothing is final."
He smiled. "I know."
"Wow...this is all so freaky." Cheryl let out. "But..but a good freaky!" She quickly added. "Could I...visit sometime too?"
"Of course. I umm. I should get going. Need to start packing and all. Could I ask you both a really big favor?"
"Anything."
"Could you watch the house for me? Maybe get my mail and newspaper? You could stay in the house. I just went grocery shopping not too long ago, you can help yourselves to whatever you want. and-"
"We'd love to." It was Cheryl that answered and she gave Sarah a smile.
"Sure we would. I still have my key. The house actually might be a lot better then our cramped apartment for my recovery. Do you still have mom's old exercise bike in the basement?"
"Sure do."
"Cool. I could use that when my muscles aren't so sore."
"Thank you...both of you. I owe you."
"You owe us nothing. Now go on and pack. I'm sure you have a lot to do before Thursday and you don't want to keep your man waiting."
Sarah nodded and bent over to place a kiss on her brother's cheek. "I love you Toby."
He pulled her down to him and hugged her in return. "I love you too sis."
"Ary, come on sweetie. Time to go."
'"Huh?" Ary glanced up from her cartoons.
Sarah smiled. "Time to go home." She jumped up from the floor and rushed to her mother.
"Ok. Bye Uncle Toby and Cheryl." She kissed her uncle.
"Bye Ary. Be a good girl for your mom."
"I always am."
"I know you are."
"Bye Ary." Cheryl called and she watched the little girl wave before she followed her mother out the door of the room.
The next few days flew by remarkably fast. Sarah was too busy making sure that everything was taken care of at home. She and Ary packed some of their favorite clothes as well as Ary's favorite toys so that she would feel more at home.
It was finally Thursday morning. Sarah and Ary awakened early. Both very excited. Sarah was nervous as but she didn't let that on to her daughter. After a light breakfast and a quick note to Toby laid out on the counter they were ready.
"Jareth?" Sarah called. "We're ready." They waited. Ary squeezed her mother's hand in anticipation. For several moments nothing happened. "Jareth?" Sarah called again.
And then there he was. Dressed regally in black, standing tall and dominant. His blond hair drifting around him in the wind that followed him. The scent of the Labyrinth was all around him. His expression was slightly cold but it softened when his eyes focused on Sarah. His beautiful Sarah was holding her daughter's hand. They each had a suitcase by their feet, Ary's slightly smaller then her mothers. The little girl held her faded teddy bear in her other hand.
Jareth moved across the room and was by their side in a few steps. "You're both ready?"
Sarah nodded and Ary followed her lead, nodding as well. Jareth smiled and drew a crystal from thin air. He used his magic so rarely while he stayed with them in the house that to Sarah it made him seem distant and not the man she knew so well. While he had stayed with them, she sometimes forgot that he was the Goblin King. She ignored the worried feeling she got as best as she could. She would accept Jareth as he was, a Goblin King, but also a man.
A light and a warmth surrounded them and a few moments later they were standing on a hill. Glitter sparkled in the trees that sported no leaves. And spread out before them was a maze. The most incredible maze one would ever see and in the distance, a small city and a large castle on a hill.
Jareth was standing, his back to his guests as he looked at his surroundings. He finally turned and gazed at the two amazed expressions that stared back at him.
"Ladies..." He said with a formal bow. "Welcome to my Labyrinth."
Welcome....
Jake was not very happy about Sarah taking a vacation. He was upset enough that he had lost his new favorite secretary during the week that the company was coming, but he couldn't remain upset with her. Her brother had been in a car accident after all and he had heard from other employees that she was very close to her brother. But this new vacation...where the hell was she going that she needed two to possibly four weeks off? What did she plan on doing? Driving to the north pole??
Aryanna's school was a little more understanding but they believed that family vacations should be taken during the summer and not during school. However they had no control over the situation and promised that work would be set aside for Aryanna when she returned to school. Sarah didn't bother to mention that she might not be going back at all. It was too early to know for sure.
"Everything is all set." Sarah said turning to Jareth who had just entered the kitchen. She had just gotten off the phone with Ary's school and before that, her work.
"I hope that I have not ruined things for you here, should you both decide to return." He told her.
"I think that everything will be ok."
"Things did not sound ok when you were talking to your boss." He told her raising one brow.
"Oh....you heard that?"
"Sarah, How could I have not? I may have been in the other room, but I didn't miss the tone of your voice. You sounded upset."
She lowered her head. Jareth missed nothing. "Everything will be fine. You'll see."
"Your boss values you."
"Well he never did before!" Sarah told him throwing her hands up in exasperation. "I was a nobody at work until you came along. You made me happy again and it made me act positive at work. Only after I stuck up for myself with co workers did he give a damn about me. He didn't really notice me before, so he can live with out me for a little while. I deserve a vacation anyway. I never actually take mine every year so as far as I'm concerned the company owes me 4 weeks worth."
"And Ary's school? What did they say?"
"They were very understanding. The secretary thought that now was not a good time to take a vacation but she understood. It does happen that parents take their children out of school for a week or two for a vacation."
"And when will you tell your brother?" Jareth's voice was soft.
"This afternoon when I go to see him. I was going to tell him later in the week, but it would probably be better to tell him now. Let him digest the information for a little while." He nodded slowly. "Um...when are you returning to the Labyrinth?"
"In hurry to get rid of me?" He chided.
"Of course not. You know I wish you could stay here..." She bit her lower lip and he gently pulled her to him.
"I'll be leaving in a few hours. I said my goodbyes to Ary this morning when I brought her to the bus."
"Ah so that was why she gave you a big hug."
"yes. She's very excited about visiting the Labyrinth. I just hope that everything is up to her expectations."
"Well" she told him with a sly grin. "They were certainly up to mine when I was 15, so to an 8 year old she's going to be in heaven."
He smiled sweetly.
They spent the rest of the afternoon snuggling together on the living room couch, touching, kissing and preparing for the dreadful moment when Jareth returned without her. It was before Ary came home that Jareth suddenly rose from the couch, pulling Sarah up with him. She knew it was time.
"Let me know when you are ready to return." He told her, brushing a light kiss along her forehead.
"How?"
"Just call me. I'll hear you." He bent to kiss her softly on the lips and he stepped away, fading away before her eyes. Within a matter of seconds he was gone...just like that. But Sarah didn't cry this time. Instead she smiled, knowing that in a few short days she would see him again.
When Ary came home from school Sarah drove her to get a snack at the convenient store before they stopped at the hospital. Cheryl was there with Toby.
"Look at you." Sarah said as she stepped into his room with Aryanna behind her.
"Sarah and it's my favorite niece." Toby said with a bright smile.
"Hi Uncle Toby."
"What cha got there kiddo?"
"Mommy bought me a lollipop at Harry's." She said holding up a large Toosie Roll pop. Toby smiled.
"Gosh Tobe, it's amazing." Sarah told him as she touched his face. The bruises that only yesterday were still an ugly purple, were now nearly nonexistent.
"That's what all the doctor's keep telling me. They don't understand how it's possible for me to be healing so fast but they aren't complaining. They're even going to let me out tomorrow."
"Really?"
"Yep. They said it was pretty silly for me to stay here when I would be fine at home. I'm still going to be really sore, I can't drive for a while, not that I have anything to drive." He noted sadly. "I have to rest a while longer at home and by next week I can start going out and doing things. Cheryl's going to help me out."
Cheryl smiled sweetly. "How is the Goblin King?" Sarah noticed a little uneasiness in her tone. She still had not come to complete terms with Jareth and his situation.
Sarah smiled nervously. Toby noticed it right away. "Is he ok?" He asked concerned.
She nodded. "Yeah he's fine."
Ary sat down on the corner of Toby's bed, took a big lick of her lollipop and then said. "Mommy and I are going to the Labyrinth to stay with him."
Sarah spun at her daughter. " Ary what did I say about that?"
"I forgot...but Uncle Toby knows about Jareth already."
"You're going to the Labyrinth and you weren't going to tell me?" There was anger in Toby's voice, mised with hurt.
"Of course I was going to tell you Toby. Just not so bluntly."
"Why are you going to his Labyrinth again?" Cheryl asked. "To play with some goblins?"
"No. We're....that is to say...he...I.." She sighed deeply and reached for the remote control by Toby's bed. She turned on some cartoons on the television in the far corner of the room and Ary was immediately engrossed in them. "Toby.....he wants us to visit him.."
" Sar, it's ok if you're just going for a visit."
"But it...it might not be...just a visit."
'I don't follow ya." He told her and Cheryl leaned over the bed to hear the conversation better.
Sarah looked uneasy. "Toby...I love him...a lot."
Toby smiled. 'I know that."
"And as much as I want him to stay here and live at the house...it can't happen."
"Why not?" Cheryl asked. "He's been here the past few months."
"He's a creature of magic and he would lose his magic and he would die if he stayed here. He needs to return home and he's invited me and Ary along to see if we would consider living with him.....permanently."
Toby swallowed. "Permanently?" Sarah nodded slowly.
"Whoa..." Cheryl let out.
"Sarah do you know what you would be giving up if you decided to live with him?"
"Yeah so I wouldn't have to deal with getting up and going to work, a car that breaks down, a nosy neighbor who can't keep her big mouth shut. There won't be plumbing or cable TV...but Jareth would be there...and Ary and I love them both Toby." She sighed and shook her head, her hair cascading down her shoulders. "I haven't made any final decisions." She said softly.
'Sarah, I know you. I remember you telling me about that place when I was a kid and you would get that dreamy look in your eyes. Now you're in love with the King of the place and he loves you....you're going to live there....I know it."
Sarah looked flustered. "I won't lie to you Toby, I do want to live there. It just figures though. I finally find the man of my dreams and he lives...so far away."
"Sarah...Jareth was always the man of your dreams. You just didn't realize it. Adam...." He started cautiously. "Adam was just a stand in...he always was. And I...I just wish he didn't have to hurt you like he did for you to realize that." Toby suddenly looked very nervous. "Sarah...I knew you loved Jareth a long time ago."
Sarah looked startled. "How could have possibly known that Toby? You were a child."
"I...I wasn't a child too much different then your own daughter and I didn't know what privacy was..."
Sarah gasped and covered her mouth. "You read my diary, didn't you?" She looked absolutely horrified. "I swear that everyone has read the damned thing!"
Toby nodded shamefully. " I remember how you used to hide it all the time in your drawer when someone would come in your room and you didn't want them to see what you were writing. I wanted to know what was so important. I didn't understand everything that I was reading...but when Jareth came back into your life I knew before you did that you still loved him. I know you didn't realize it at the time, but he was the man of your dreams, the one that no one else could compare to and you had never even dated him. Sarah I'm really sorry I didn't tell you about this sooner."
Sarah sighed. "It's ok Toby. I wrote those things 18 years ago. But I think you're right."
Toby suddenly reached over to touch his sister's face. "What am I going to do without you? I won't be able to see you or Ary." He looked as if he was going to cry and Sarah felt tears begin to rise in her eyes.
"You'll see me again. Jareth said I could visit you whenever I wanted and you could visit us. But let's not talk about this ok? Ary and I are going for a visit and nothing more right now. Besides, Ary is making the decision after our stay. If she wants to stay, we stay, but if she wants to leave then we return home."
Toby smoothed away a tear that streamed down Sarah's cheek. "You'd leave him, if Ary wanted to leave?"
Sarah nodded. "I love him, Toby, but my little girl comes before me and before Jareth. If Ary is truly unhappy there, than we come home."
Toby nodded. He knew his sister loved her daughter above all else. "When do you leave?"
"Thursday."
"So I assume that Jareth went back to the Labyrinth."
"Yes. He wanted to make sure that everything was perfect for when we arrived."
"He's going to do everything in his power to convince your daughter to stay, you do realize that."
"He told me that he wouldn't."
"And you believed him?"
"Yes."
"So we can still see each other if you do stay?"
"Toby if Ary decides that she wants to stay, you can still take her every other weekend and we can still go to Eddy's for a night out every so often."
"I think I could live with that. I couldn't just drive over to see you, but we could still hang out every so often. I could definitely live with that."
"Well as I said, no decisions were made yet so nothing is final."
He smiled. "I know."
"Wow...this is all so freaky." Cheryl let out. "But..but a good freaky!" She quickly added. "Could I...visit sometime too?"
"Of course. I umm. I should get going. Need to start packing and all. Could I ask you both a really big favor?"
"Anything."
"Could you watch the house for me? Maybe get my mail and newspaper? You could stay in the house. I just went grocery shopping not too long ago, you can help yourselves to whatever you want. and-"
"We'd love to." It was Cheryl that answered and she gave Sarah a smile.
"Sure we would. I still have my key. The house actually might be a lot better then our cramped apartment for my recovery. Do you still have mom's old exercise bike in the basement?"
"Sure do."
"Cool. I could use that when my muscles aren't so sore."
"Thank you...both of you. I owe you."
"You owe us nothing. Now go on and pack. I'm sure you have a lot to do before Thursday and you don't want to keep your man waiting."
Sarah nodded and bent over to place a kiss on her brother's cheek. "I love you Toby."
He pulled her down to him and hugged her in return. "I love you too sis."
"Ary, come on sweetie. Time to go."
'"Huh?" Ary glanced up from her cartoons.
Sarah smiled. "Time to go home." She jumped up from the floor and rushed to her mother.
"Ok. Bye Uncle Toby and Cheryl." She kissed her uncle.
"Bye Ary. Be a good girl for your mom."
"I always am."
"I know you are."
"Bye Ary." Cheryl called and she watched the little girl wave before she followed her mother out the door of the room.
The next few days flew by remarkably fast. Sarah was too busy making sure that everything was taken care of at home. She and Ary packed some of their favorite clothes as well as Ary's favorite toys so that she would feel more at home.
It was finally Thursday morning. Sarah and Ary awakened early. Both very excited. Sarah was nervous as but she didn't let that on to her daughter. After a light breakfast and a quick note to Toby laid out on the counter they were ready.
"Jareth?" Sarah called. "We're ready." They waited. Ary squeezed her mother's hand in anticipation. For several moments nothing happened. "Jareth?" Sarah called again.
And then there he was. Dressed regally in black, standing tall and dominant. His blond hair drifting around him in the wind that followed him. The scent of the Labyrinth was all around him. His expression was slightly cold but it softened when his eyes focused on Sarah. His beautiful Sarah was holding her daughter's hand. They each had a suitcase by their feet, Ary's slightly smaller then her mothers. The little girl held her faded teddy bear in her other hand.
Jareth moved across the room and was by their side in a few steps. "You're both ready?"
Sarah nodded and Ary followed her lead, nodding as well. Jareth smiled and drew a crystal from thin air. He used his magic so rarely while he stayed with them in the house that to Sarah it made him seem distant and not the man she knew so well. While he had stayed with them, she sometimes forgot that he was the Goblin King. She ignored the worried feeling she got as best as she could. She would accept Jareth as he was, a Goblin King, but also a man.
A light and a warmth surrounded them and a few moments later they were standing on a hill. Glitter sparkled in the trees that sported no leaves. And spread out before them was a maze. The most incredible maze one would ever see and in the distance, a small city and a large castle on a hill.
Jareth was standing, his back to his guests as he looked at his surroundings. He finally turned and gazed at the two amazed expressions that stared back at him.
"Ladies..." He said with a formal bow. "Welcome to my Labyrinth."