A/N: I have to apologize for the long wait on this. I've been working on Goblins's original version (finally finished, yay! Just have a few minor editing things and hopefully it'll be out soon..). I have been working on this though, I promise! :)

Chapter four's all about adjusting to a new life.

Labyrinthlover30: You really gotta quit peeking at my future chapter notes, friend! Because seriously pretty much everything you mentioned; I had already planned to address in this chapter. So yeah. Quit peeking. ;) Also I'm glad to hear that they were able to help her-and I hope she gets better! I'll keep her and her family in my prayers, and I wish them comfort and love! :)

Disclaimer: Really, I don't own it.

Blind

Chapter Four: Coping

The following months during physical therapy-and after the ophthalmologist had confirmed that she was indeed irreparably blind-were wrought with stubbed fingers and toes, and bruised elbows and shins as she relearned how to walk around her father's home. Sarah hadn't been there in so long, it was almost like she'd never set foot inside the building before in her life. She'd had to leave her old apartment and job behind her; the doctor recommended that she stay with her family at least until she could manage to live on her own.

Toby made it his mission to help his big sister in being able to maneuver and explore the house without assistance. He was very helpful in removing obstacles of small furniture and vases and the occasional Merlin, their dog, who had been beside himself with joy at Sarah's return. He and Sarah had both cried that first day; and ever since then, he was constantly on her heels. Either sensing that she needed a companion, or else needing to be near her after being apart for so long.

That next morning she was awoken by an alarmed cry from Karen. She had tripped in the hallway over Merlin, while carrying her laundry basket. She angrily reprimanded the poor dog, whom had laid down in front of Sarah's door and fallen asleep when he couldn't get in. It made Sarah so angry, that she'd jumped up from her bed, hissing in pain as she stumbled and bumped her way to her bedroom door to give Karen a piece of her mind. "Don't yell at him, Karen! He just wanted to come inside. If I had known sooner that he was out here, I'd have let him in!"

Karen felt a little guilty, but was still cross with the dog. "Merlin can't be inside all the time, Sarah. At some point you'll need to do without him." Sarah frowned. Karen was right-but that didn't give her the right to treat Merlin the way she had.

At last Karen sighed. "Well, come on then Merlin. I'll get you some breakfast." She turned to Sarah as Merlin whined and grudgingly went slowly down the stairs. If he were human-or at least could speak-he'd have been grumbling under his breath about bossy human women. Karen spoke to Sarah when she caught the younger woman trying to hide a yawn behind her hand. "It's still early, Sarah. Let's get you back to bed for now, and when you wake up I'll make you something to eat, alright?" Sarah could've argued the point-but sleep sounded too good to pass up-and she knew she was still terribly tired. "I'll bring you some pain pills to help you sleep and ease the pain once you're in bed." Karen set the basket on the ground, and helped Sarah get back into bed. After Sarah was comfortably settled back in bed, Karen hurried across the hall to put the laundry basket on the washing machine in the laundry room, before she went downstairs to grab Sarah's pills.

Later that night before Sarah got into bed she left her door open a bit, and a few minutes later Merlin came in. He climbed carefully onto her bed and settled down on his side next to her; putting himself between her and the edge of the bed. Sarah wrapped an arm around him, saying, "Thank you, Merlin-you're a good dog." Merlin tilted his head up to lick Sarah's face and whine softly, and she laughed quietly. Both slept soundly, one comforted by the other.

Karen wasn't particularly happy with Sarah keeping Merlin inside with her all of the time, and started making him stay in the yard. Sarah had protested this, but Karen was firm; complaining about the state of her living room rug. It was covered with an extra layer of Merlin's long shaggy hair, and Sarah finally admitted, "He helps me sleep, Karen! Can't he stay inside-at least for a little while?" Karen relented, mostly because Robert agreed with Sarah that the dog could stay inside. She only allowed it on the condition that Merlin be outside most of the day, up until the late afternoon, a few hours before Sarah went to sleep.

Because of the cast on her arm and the temporary black boot on her leg, dressing would have been a ridiculously difficult affair. The physical therapist at her first visit, suggested that Sarah buy some button up short-sleeved shirts and shorts or pajama bottoms; it was rather cold outside for it, but going outside right now made Sarah self conscious-particularly because their neighbors were unbelievably nosy. She'd discovered this when one of their more nosy neighbors, the Parkers, found out about Sarah and brought them a dessert after dinner.

Karen was not happy about their visit-which was more of an intrusion, really-because they were so falsely sympathetic. They were gossips. Terrible gossips. Robert kept having to change the subject, because they were determined to try and bring up some of their other neighbors dirty secrets, and to wheedle out everything they could about Sarah's former life and how she was doing now. At last they offered hopes that Sarah would get better soon, and left as nosy as they came-though perhaps a little more satisfied with what information they'd gathered. "They're such horrible people!" Karen hissed furiously as she put the tea tray they'd served with the Parker's cheap, dry upside-down cake they'd brought on the counter. Sarah couldn't help but to agree, and her stepmother continued, "I wouldn't have let them in at all, if it weren't for the fact that they'd only come up with more gossip to shove in our other neighbor's faces!"

She turned to a seated Sarah at the kitchen table, pausing in her furious assault aimed at the unoffending teacups with her yellow scrubby. "Those people could spy a dandelion in our lawn, and spin it into a whole tale of how I'm neglecting my family!" Robert came into the kitchen carrying a few extra dishes, just barely overhearing what his wife had said.

"You're doing a fine job, dear." His voice held a gentle smile in it, and he kissed his wife lovingly.

Sarah had found out that dressing herself was a challenge-mostly because she couldn't choose what she wanted to wear without Karen throwing in her two cents with each item-and Sarah'd had to be firm about what she wanted to wear. Yes, she was blind and couldn't see what she was wearing; but that didn't mean she wouldn't know what she was wearing. Sarah wanted to look her best-even when she was feeling her worst.

It helped overall when Sarah downsized in the amount of clothes she owned-and soon she was able to tell a shirt or pair of pants based on touch. Her friend who sewed as a hobby, mentioned sewing buttons to the hem of a shirt on the inside, and to put a corresponding button on a pair of jeans. That way she could tell what shirt would go with a certain pair of pants or skirt, based on the texture of the button's surface. Sarah and Karen were both thrilled by this ingenious idea; and it was immediately applied. It was much easier for the blind woman after that, and she found herself a tiny bit more confident.

Bathing, too, was difficult purely because of her cast. The boot wasn't a problem, as it could be removed and then put back on afterward. But for her cast; a garbage sack pulled up over her arm was all in the way of water repellence that it received. She felt utterly ridiculous. But aside from her cast, bathing wasn't too bad.

Toby was an absolute lifesaver when she needed something; going to great lengths to keep her comfortable and safe. Her little brother always walked patiently with her when she traversed the halls and maneuvered around furniture when she'd needed help. She'd been making a point of doing things on her own, but she still needed Toby's help now and then. He'd made it his job to help her learn where everything was in the house. Though the more this went on-the more Sarah worried about how it was affecting his social life. Sure, he had school friends he'd see during week days, but what about after school? What then?

After he'd do his homework was when Toby would help her. He'd hardly seen any of his friends since she came back into his life. "You don't need to keep doing this, Toby. What about all of your friends?" Sarah said to Toby one day, once he'd gotten out of school. Sarah was concerned that she was taking up all of his time. "It's no problem." Toby said cheerfully, and Sarah was amazed at his positive attitude. "Besides, school's almost out, so I'll have the whole summer to play with them!" Sarah smiled in relief-he was right-May was just around the corner.

She was out of the boot later that week, and her arm was put into a thin sling. "You're a remarkably fast healer, Ms. Williams! I'll wager you'll be out of that sling over the next couple of weeks!" Sarah gave a skeptical frown, but a sliver of hope shone her heart. The doctor had wagered correctly, it seemed, for not long afterward Sarah was able to move her arm freely. It was exhilarating for her to finally be free of the cast and boot, and her heart longed to be out on the streets for her morning jog once more.

Summer came, and with it her father's hesitant approval for her to try walking outside. Robert insisted, however, that she take either Toby or Karen with her to get used to being outside, before she tried going anywhere alone. Toby volunteered to go-and Merlin insisted on going-with Sarah when she mentioned how she missed jogging, and they went early every morning for about an hour. They started out walking for the first few weeks so that Sarah could memorize the dips and rises, and curbs and corners of the path they'd chosen.

They took a route that led to Sarah's old favorite park. The two would wander around it a bit, talking about anything and everything, before they'd sit on a park bench and Toby would describe the sunrise to Sarah, while Merlin sat with his head across Sarah's knees. He had gotten to be an old dog now, and running and tumbling in the grass was no longer as entertaining as it had been when he was young. Sarah would stroke the dog's head instead, while her sightless eyes gazed out before her mistily, her skin absorbing the sun's warmth as she imagined what the sky looked like. She was always grateful for Toby-especially in these moments-when he could be her eyes. Then after sitting in silence a little while, Sarah's phone alarm would beep, telling them to go home for breakfast. Once Toby had finished his chores, he'd go and play with his friends, and return with tales of his adventures.

This happy progress was spoiled, however, by an unexpected visitor one evening. The once Linda Williams-whom had given up her dull suburban life with her husband and child, to follow her dreams of stardom-was now sitting across from an uncomfortable Sarah in Karen and Robert's living room. Linda was invited reluctantly into the living room, where Sarah was already sitting, trying to learn braille with a handful of books that had been translated, from their local library.

Extra copies of one book from Karen's book club were forgotten on the coffee table, and Linda saw these. "Someone likes to read." She said, not really interested, and more condescending than anything. Sarah frowned lightly and Karen spoke up hastily, clearly annoyed by the woman's presence; but unable to eject Linda without Robert's approval. "I have a book club. We meet every Sunday-"

Linda interrupted, saying, "How nice for you." But her words were heavy laden with a politely uninterested tone, that Sarah knew would only incite her stepmother's wrath further. The blind woman didn't need to see it, to know that Karen was red-faced in fury from her seat on the couch beside Sarah. "Yes, well, you wouldn't really know, would you? You abandoned your family for money and a chance at the spotlight." The room fell into stunned, awkward silence, and Sarah could feel the anger coming off of Linda. At last the theater star cleared her throat delicately and spoke. "Would you mind leaving my daughter and I alone to talk?"

Karen made a sound of indignation, saying angrily, "Certainly not-!" But Robert gently interjected, "-Yes, of course." He said, then stood. "Toby, let's go." The boy grudgingly trudged past Linda, sending her a warning glare as he went. She was hurting his sister-and anyone hurting his sister was not welcome in his eyes!

Karen seemed to feel the same way, for Robert had to say her name a couple of times to get her just to look at him, and then to stand up. She patted Sarah's hand reassuringly before she did, then marched past her husband into the hall and through the kitchen's swinging door. Once she had, Robert spoke in a low voice with emphasis, "Sarah, If you need something removed from the room, let me know." Catching his drift, Sarah replied hurriedly, "Ok. Thanks Dad." Robert nodded, then sending one last look of warning at his ex-wife, Robert followed Karen into the kitchen.

Sarah's posture tensed a little more. Maybe she shouldn't have been so quick to allow Linda to make them leave. "So, Sarah..." Linda began slowly, and Sarah frowned internally. "Took you long enough to get here, Linda." Sarah's words hit like an anvil through, the silence was so profound. Sarah heard Linda shift in her armchair-she imagined it was in surprised discomfort; and rightly so. She should feel discomfort for abandoning her family like she had. "Sarah, I'm sorry. I would've come sooner, but I had a tour and with the constant traveling, your father's messages never reached me! You understand my predicament, don't you?" She made it sound like it was her father's fault, and Sarah bristled.

"Your predicament? Don't you have a cellphone?" The awkward feeling in the room increased, and Sarah continued in growing anger. "I'd have imagined theater stars can afford such things."

"It's not that, Sarah-!" Linda began crossly, and Sarah cut her off with cold precision. She'd had enough of Linda's excuses and attempts to place blame on others.

"Look, if you're going to keep making poor excuses, Linda, then you might as well leave. I have a new life to get used to, and if you're not going to be supportive, then you don't need to be a part of it!" Sarah snapped, and Toby's muffled voice could be heard in the kitchen whooping. "Yeah! Go Sarah!"

Apparently Karen and Robert didn't bother shushing him. Linda was quiet, then at last replied. "I see. I'm sorry, Sarah. If you ever need anything, let me know." She stood, and Robert and Karen returned to the room, Toby poking his head out from behind the swinging kitchen door to watch. Sarah answered in the same cool tone. "Right. Thanks." Linda was then quick to leave, not bothering to hug her daughter or say anything more. Sarah relaxed when she was gone, and felt suddenly exhausted. She'd burned a bridge-but it was a bridge she could do without.

Jareth looked around, disgruntled. It was not what he was used to. But then he had been living in a vast castle for all of his life. He set his jaw and glared at nothing in particular. He'd tough it out for Sarah. His eyebrows rose then at the thought of her. "Speaking of my lady fair..." Jareth made a flourishing gesture with one gloved hand and a crystal appeared there. Sitting down, he peered into the orb. He'd been keeping up with Sarah as she'd been recovering from her tragedy.

She wasn't doing well.

Physically speaking, she was doing remarkably well. But emotionally... He grimaced in frustration. He could see the difference in her emerald-green eyes. Once sparkling with life and fire and hope, that fire was now almost completely extinguished as she struggled with her new life. Her hopes-her very dreams-were crushed; shattered into a million pieces. His jaw clenched. He had promised himself that he would do what he could to help her. But now he'd have to wait for his opportunity to meet her again. He had to make plans, to offer a path before her when she was ready. He hoped very much that she would choose that path when the time came.

A/N: Sarah's slowly getting used to her new life; tensions rise between her and Karen a bit, Toby's a princely little brother, and Sarah's father's just doing what he can. Sarah's mom makes an appearance but goodness is she insensitive! Poor Jareth's going half mad in his desire to help the woman he loves. Also, I hope Sarah and her mom's conversation was realistic. I'm not sure yet if I like it. Anyway, review and tell me your thoughts! Thanks!

Disclaimer: Please insert the usual 'I own nothing' bit, here.