The drive to Edward's house was companionable. They made some small talk about school and their classmates, and Sarah could tell he was going out of his way to avoid any subject that might make her uncomfortable. It wouldn't last, but for the moment she appreciated it. When they pulled up to the house, Sarah noted with relief that only Carlisle and Alice had come out to greet them. The rest, she was sure, were keeping their distance to avoid overwhelming her. Alice grabbed her hand immediately, pulling her into the living room where she heard Esme calling a greeting from the kitchen. As before, whenever she touched any of the Cullens, Sarah felt that peculiar spark of magic, but now that she knew what it was, it bothered her less. At least she didn't instinctively flinch away as she had done so many other times. She had grown used to the Cullens, it seemed.

If she was being honest, Sarah had to admit that she was surprised at how casual the conversation was between them. Alice was, as always, overwhelmingly friendly and upbeat while Carlisle remained polite and approachable as ever. Between the two of them, there was little awkwardness to worry about. Edward himself seemed to flit in and out of the room, making Sarah wonder what ever happened to the idea of them talking, but with Alice's bright chatter, Sarah found herself pleasantly distracted regardless.

Esme entered before long bearing a plate of fruit. She greeted Sarah warmly. Sarah responded in kind, reaching to take a piece of the offered fruit. Her hand froze, hovering over slices of peaches. Swallowing, she quickly grabbed an apple slice instead. The peaches looked delicious, but with Jareth back she wasn't about to take any chances.

"Actually," Alice eventually said after some time, "I wanted to ask you about something." And, there it was. While she had been trying to focus on enjoying the safe, idle conversation for what it was, Sarah knew it was building to something. When Alice pulled out a copy of the script to set down on the coffee table, Sarah felt her heart leap into her throat.

"What is it?" Not able to keep eye contact with either Alice or Carlisle, Sarah cast her glance around the room, trying to seem as casual as she possibly could. That was how she caught her reflection in a mirror. Everything about her posture was rigid and tensed as though braced for some kind of impact. Did she always look like this when Jareth was brought up? That would explain why they were trying so hard to ease into the subject. Alice paused, Sarah guessing she'd noticed the body language as well. What was going to come next seemed obvious to Sarah.

"The Labyrinth… what was it like?"

Except that the question Alice actually asked was nothing like what Sarah feared. Edward had been very focused on Jareth and Jareth only, and she had assumed all the Cullens would be the same. After all, Jareth's sudden appearance made it hard to spare a thought for much else, didn't it? Sarah had never expected to be asked a question like this. She couldn't see the way her expression lit up. If she had, it would have frightened her.

"It was… it was like nothing you could ever imagine," she finally said, voice dreamy and a smile rising to her face as she remembered. "It really seemed like it went on forever; like you could spend your whole life lost in it and never find your way out." Jareth was… complicated. Jareth would always be complicated; however, to Sarah, the Labyrinth as a whole wasn't. Even if she didn't always want to admit it, Sarah couldn't hide the fact that she loved the Labyrinth. As horrible as parts of her adventure had been, they'd always been memorable: something unique instead of the normal world that had always seemed bland.

"It's that big?" Alice prompted, though Sarah had almost forgotten she was there. All of her hesitation to talk about her situation had fallen away immediately in favor of her burning desire to finally tell the story of her adventure to someone that might actually believe her.

"Yeah… but it's not just that. It's so alive." Words felt insufficient to describe the Labyrinth, but she had no other option but to try. Even as she spoke, she knew that she could never properly make Alice or Carlisle or even Edward understand either the Labyrinth or her love for it. "It doesn't look that way at first, but if you're really looking for it, every turn has something amazing."

And so, it continued. Sarah eagerly spoke about every detail she could come up with surrounding her trip to the Labyrinth and even when she considered slowing or stopping, she was met with a politely prompting question from Carlisle or Alice which set her off even more enthusiastically. The only breaks came when Esme repeatedly brought in snacks for Sarah to politely nibble on, though Sarah couldn't bring herself to stop her stories for very long. Occasionally Esme or Edward would stop to listen to what she was saying for a little while before wandering back out, but the audience didn't matter to Sarah. She wasn't saying any of it for the Cullens' benefit. It had all been bottled up inside of her for so long that it felt like a weight being lifted off of her soul.

Ironically, the fact that Sarah was only speaking for her own satisfaction helped the Cullens more than it helped her. Though most of her tales were harmless—meeting Ludo, the Bog of Eternal Stench, the fireys—it couldn't be helped that Jareth came up from time to time. He was a key figure in the Labyrinth after all, so Sarah couldn't have avoided mentioning him even if she tried. She didn't. As it was, Sarah found herself so caught up in the telling that she let information about him slip out much more easily than she ever had before. It was a while before she'd reached the end—with only some minor creative editing—but by then she had no hesitation in talking about the Goblin King himself.

"And then he was standing in front of me with one of those crystals, still trying to tempt me with one of his deals," she explained, going on to describe the magical location itself, but Alice keyed onto a particular word.

"Deals?" Sarah nodded.

"He's a sore loser, claiming that he was being generous." The words came with a roll of her eyes and a chuckle. "He thought that he could reel me in with an underhanded trick right at the end, saying something about offering me my dreams. 'Fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave'," Sarah quoted with a scoff. "Like he thought I'd stick around and hand him the win after everything I went through." Sarah found herself brushing all of Jareth's words off as amusing attempts at trickery and nothing more. Maybe that's what she needed them to be. If the offer had been real or if she hadn't needed to turn him down like that in order to win, would she still feel the same pride in herself? Yes, she'd won, but it was the ending that held all the dramatic punch she'd so desperately craved from such an adventure.

"He asked you to stay?" Alice sounded surprised, but no more so than Sarah who looked up and blinked at the girl. Having it broken down so simply both made no sense and too much sense all at once. Sarah hadn't ever thought about her encounter with Jareth like that. Quickly Sarah shook her head.

"No, no," she refuted quickly—perhaps a little too quickly—though she was certain Alice just hadn't understood. "He was trying to trick me. He wanted me to give in so I'd waste my time and he'd be able to keep my brother. A few more strikes of the clock and everything would have been over. He never says what he means, everything is always a trick."

"But… hadn't you already won?" Now it was Carlisle's turn to surprise Sarah and she turned to him, not sure how even he had been confused by the situation.

"What?"

"You said he gave you eleven hours to solve the Labyrinth… aren't mazes solved as soon as you reach the center?" A deep crease found its way to Sarah's brow as her brain tried to process what he'd said, though instinctively she was searching for a flaw in his logic. All the while she'd been running through the castle to catch up to Toby, she'd never considered the exact stipulations for winning. Was reaching the castle really all she had to do? The thought must have been evident on her face, but in the end Sarah had to shake her head.

"You weren't there," she said. "I know he was just trying to trick me." She refused to consider what Carlisle had said any more. At least for now, but there was no saying the thought wouldn't worm its way back into her mind and cast doubt. "You can't take things for granted in the Labyrinth. It's… hard to explain to anyone who hasn't been there."

"In that case, I really do wish I could have…." That was as far as Carlisle got before Sarah was desperately cutting him off with a string of loud but unintelligible vowel sounds. Though she wasn't anywhere near actual words, her meaning was clear enough; enough that Carlisle and Alice both looked at her in confusion. Even Edward reentered the room again, making Sarah more certain he was always listening. "Bella?" Carlisle asked, a note of measured concern coloring his voice.

"That's…. It's just that I think it would be for the best if we all try to avoid that word," Sarah finally said, trying to choose her words carefully, but knowing she'd been far too desperate to make him stop.

"What word?" Alice asked. Sarah thought it was obvious which word she meant, what other word could be so dangerous? She gestured vaguely to Carlisle.

"Wish," Sarah said. "Right now wishing for things probably isn't the best idea, even if you don't really mean it. Especially if you don't mean it." It occurred to her then that even if she'd mentioned her adventure had started with an ill-conceived wish, she'd never clarified that all wishes were dangerous. "That's what he does. He answers wishes."

"Who does?" Alice's question was almost laughable. When it came to a magical wish-granting him, who else could there be?

"Him. Jareth." Even so, Sarah did clarify, shrugging her shoulders. "That's how he found me again. Edward wished to see a goblin and…." That was as far as Sarah got before she was cut off.

"What?" The voice came from behind her and Sarah wasn't too surprised to hear Edward there again. No matter how often he was in and out of the room, of course he was listening. It was the first time he'd contributed, so Sarah hadn't paid him much attention until then. Though she opened her mouth to say something, eventually all Sarah could do was shrug. It was Edward's words that had brought all of this upon them. Not that she thought Jareth wouldn't have found her anyway, but there was no denying that it was—at least in part—Edward's fault.

With the frustration crossing Edward's face again, Sarah feared that the positive atmosphere they'd built could be at risk. She glanced around, looking for a way to distract him. "Didn't you promise me a tour?"

Edward obliged her readily. As massive as the house looked from the outside, it appeared even more so inside. The diverse hobbies of all the Cullens became clear as Edward showed her everything from a large and fully stocked garage, a game room with every console she'd ever heard of and a massive private library that put even her old local library to shame. They avoided the kitchen, Sarah noted, but she had no desire to relive any of the memories of the other night anyway. Upstairs he showed her a couple of rooms before pausing outside one door. He glanced at Sarah carefully.

"What's in there?" she asked.

"My room," Edward said. Sarah found herself filled with her usual brand of curiosity as she looked at the door. Even before learning what Edward was, she'd always wanted to know more about him. She couldn't shake her anticipation for something exciting.

"Can I see?" she asked. Edward hesitated, but opened the door for her. Sarah took that as invitation. She stepped into the room, glancing around curiously. There was no bed, she noted. No coffin either. That was just a little disappointing. After looking back at him to make sure it was okay, Sarah began to peruse the shelves. Edward was a lot more musical than she would have given him credit for. He sat on the couch as he watched her look around. It was a strange feeling.

"Edward," Sarah said suddenly, still flipping through the CDs on the shelf, "why do you trust me so much?" Maybe she was overly paranoid, but as she poked around through Edward's room, it was really hitting her just how far he was letting her into his life. She'd met his family, toured his house, pried into his secrets… and he wasn't even trying to stop her. She wasn't used to someone so willingly giving her power over him.

"Is there a reason I shouldn't?" asked Edward and Sarah could almost hear the raised eyebrow in the teasing lilt of his tone.

"No," Sarah said quickly. "But… you know nothing about me. Doesn't that bother you?"

"Yes," Edward said simply. Sarah, who had been expecting something a little more forgiving, was taken aback. She looked over at him, but his expression was still playful. "If I asked, would you tell me?"

"… yes." This time she was aware of how tense her shoulders became and the way her palms began to sweat. Now that Jareth and the Labyrinth were both out in the open, what was there to be so frightened of? Sarah didn't know, but the idea of talking about the two years she'd spent alone and hated by everyone around her was just as hard as talking about Jareth. No, it was harder. At least Jareth came with some good memories. Maybe he wasn't the only thing she'd been running from.

"What's your favorite color?" Sarah blinked. Then she laughed.

"That's what you want to know?" Edward shrugged.

"You said I know nothing about you. I better start at the beginning."

Edward continued that way for a while, questioning her over all the most basic information. She knew it was because he was going out of his way to avoid any topic that would make her uncomfortable. She was being handled very carefully. He kept at his questions for so long that when there was finally a lull, Sarah looked over at him confused.

"When we were running lines yesterday, what did you think of it?" he asked. Sarah tried her best to remember. So much had happened in such a short span of time that she could barely remember any of it with much detail.

"Huh? Think of what?" Sarah asked, though her brow furrowed as she was filled with an inexplicable sense of having forgotten something important. While they'd talked a lot about the Labyrinth, she hadn't been thinking about the actual production. Something about the play nagged at her mind, though Sarah struggled to remember what. She glared at the CDs as she tried to think. What was it?

"Oh!" Sarah suddenly said, turning back to Edward and cutting off whatever he might have said next. "The costume designs." She looked down at her hands as though she expected them to suddenly appear there.

"What about them?"

"I dropped them."

"Where?"

"Port Angeles." The sudden understanding that crossed his face made her sure she didn't need to explain any more than that, and she wasn't about to try. Many things had happened this weekend, but her near brush with death might have been an even touchier subject with Edward than Jareth. Edward frowned.

"I'll have Rosalie…." But Sarah was already shaking her head.

"It's alright. I appreciate that she went to the trouble to begin with. Besides, we hardly have the budget to custom make costumes. I'll talk to Mr. Varner tomorrow." Edward nodded and closed the distance between them, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. He was a lot closer than she was used to. Sarah was about to say something when the door burst open suddenly.

"Did someone say costumes?" asked an exuberant Alice, skipping into the room. It was then that Sarah remembered that everyone in this house was always listening all the time. She didn't think they could help it. She blushed. Alice bounced up and latched onto Sarah's arm.

"I'm kidnapping her," called Alice cheerfully, dragging Sarah out of Edward's room. Edward trailed behind, frowning but not intervening. "It's been so long since I had the chance to have a real girls' day! I never get to dress anyone. Rosalie isn't interested or she returns the clothes covered in grease. You like trying on clothes, right?" The last part finally came with enough of a pause for Sarah to speak, though she didn't know just how much of a choice she had in the matter.

"Well, ah, that's not really something I…." That's as far as Sarah got before Alice pulled open the door to a room full of costumes. Rows of puffy, princess dresses, sparkling tiaras and other fantasy garments lined the walls with a changing booth in the middle. Sarah's eyes widened and her breath caught in wonder. Whatever reluctance left in her melted in an instant.

"Do you like it?" asked Alice. Sarah was silent, but her expression said more than enough.

It was late by the time Sarah finally noticed how much time had passed. Alice, she could tell, would have been willing to keep going all night, but Sarah felt a comfortable exhaustion beginning to settle over her as well as a need for food. One look at a clock told her it was well past time to go home. She said as much to Edward who led her downstairs. Before they could make it to the door, however, Esme appeared.

"As long as you're here, why don't you stay for dinner?" Esme's invitation was warm and, in any other circumstances, Sarah wouldn't have had much to hesitate about. Regardless of whether they were safe or not, Sarah really had no fear around the Cullens. If anything, they attracted her more because they weren't human. However—eyeing the mostly uneaten snacks—she smiled and shook her head.

"I don't want to be any trouble," Sarah said, keeping her tone friendly, though that wasn't hard to do around the Cullens. At least around the ones there. Jasper and Rosalie were still something of a mystery. Edward too was, occasionally, a special case, but at that moment she didn't see a need to be guarded or annoyed with him. The whole day had been better than she'd ever anticipated.

"It's really no trouble." Even with those words—and seeing the look of disappointment crossing Esme's face—Sarah was shaking her head again, though trying her best to be as polite as possible.

"I should get home anyway, before Ch—dad worries." Sarah felt herself tripping over her own tongue, but she didn't know how to talk about Charlie. They already knew her secret, didn't they? Even if they hadn't talked about it since, in Port Angeles Edward had clearly known she wasn't who she said she was. He knew she wasn't Bella Swan, but he hadn't asked about it. She had no idea if she was still supposed to pretend. She hadn't even thought to try yesterday after everything that had happened, but she didn't know where that left her today.

"Are you sure you…?" Edward trailed off in the middle of his question causing Sarah to glance over at him. He was shooting an intense look at Alice, one mirrored back to him by her. For a long moment, Sarah looked between them before she nodded.

"I promised I'd make him dinner." Esme was clearly disappointed, but her expression brightened considerably as Sarah walked over and—though with some small hesitation—gave the woman a friendly hug. She gave Alice the same and traded a handshake with Charlisle before leaving with Edward. It was hard not to notice his glances as they pulled away.

"What?" she asked him, raising an eyebrow.

"Did you really promise to make dinner?" The way he said the question clearly implied that he didn't believe it. Sarah leaned her head back into the seat and sighed.

"Was I that obvious?" Denying things like this to Edward seemed silly, especially when he sounded as confident as he did. It didn't matter if he believed her or not, she knew he'd take her home if she asked.

"I don't think anyone else noticed," Edward said, though quickly pausing as a frown crossed over his face. "Maybe Alice." Sarah wasn't sure why Edward would frown as he mentioned Alice's name, but she figured it had something to do with their intense expressions from earlier. Part of her really wanted to ask.

"You didn't want to stay that badly?" Edward beat her to the punch and Sarah chuckled quietly.

"Esme… hasn't cooked for a human before, right?" she surmised. It didn't seem like the Cullens usually got so close to humans. She was only an exception because her connection with the Labyrinth made her stand out to them in the way that it made them stand out to her. Magic was a powerful thing after all.

"Not since she was turned," Edward confirmed her assumption, though he didn't seem to catch on right away. Perhaps it had been so long since he'd eaten food, he stopped thinking about the taste.

"I had a feeling. From the snacks." Edward understood then and a look of surprise crossed his face before he began to laugh. "I didn't want to be rude, but all of you would have been watching me while I ate and I wasn't sure I could control my expressions." Sarah didn't know what to make of how hard Edward was laughing. Nothing about it was particularly funny to her, but there had to be something else in his head. She'd only noticed that they'd reached Charlie's house as Edward turned fully to face her.

"You really are like no one else," he said as his laughter died down. The words themselves were softly spoken, but the true affection in his eyes and the way he was looking at her in that moment left Sarah feeling her cheeks heat up. She'd spent so much time with people looking at her with disdain or disinterest, that she didn't know how to respond to his expression. Friendship she'd experienced, but anything more was a mystery. But, as Edward leaned in, Sarah knew what he was going to do—even if the pounding of her heart made it hard for her to think what it meant.

"Bella…." She could feel the light breath of the whisper against her face and she watched as his eyes began to close, but the word itself felt like it was echoing in her mind. By now she was used to people calling her by her alias, but after Jareth had reminded her of her real name, Sarah felt shocked by Edward's use of the alias. Had he still never asked her for her real name? In that moment everything just felt… wrong.

Sarah's hand rose quickly, the fingers gently but firmly pressing over his mouth. She knew that he'd be shocked by her action and maybe even hurt, but she didn't know what else to do in that moment. "Sorry," she mumbled, and she meant it. Despite the way her eyes shifted away from him and the flush of her cheeks, she really did mean her apology. It wasn't that she didn't like him—she did—but…. Sarah didn't have a compelling reason for why, just knowing this wasn't the right time.

"Don't apologize," came the response, Edward gently brushing some hair behind her ear but taking the rejection without complaint. Slowly Sarah smiled at him. Edward was a good person, Sarah had known that for a long time. Sure, he could be obnoxious and pig-headed about things, but he wasn't cruel.

"I do like you," Sarah told him, the words more comfortable to say than Sarah would have expected. "But…."

"You need time?" The words were understanding and Sarah found herself nodding at him. Time… that felt like the thing Sarah treasured most these days. Everything always came back to time.

"What are you thinking?" Sarah glanced back at Edward's words before laughing to herself.

"That you should be thankful you can't read my thoughts. I wouldn't wish my headaches on anyone," she joked lightly before—with some hesitation—reaching over to grab his hand and give it a light squeeze. It was no more than a moment before she dropped it gently and reached for the car door.

"Good night Edward."