Part 9

The following morning:

Sarah woke and the first thing she noticed was the angle of the sunlight pouring through the window was different than usual. She raised herself up on her elbows and looked around in confusion at the room she was in…it was not hers. She sat up slowly while raising a hand to her aching head as she gathered the covers to her chest while her gaze took in the room. The bed took up much of the space; an old fashioned canopy draped in silver silk that screamed romance and fairy tales. The mattress was much softer than the one she had in her usual room with pillows as big as her body. The sheets she had pulled around her were satin and she rubbed the material against her face with a sigh at its decadent feel before swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. She winced at the feel of the cool stones against her feet as she walked across the room to the door closest to her…she opened it to find herself looking into Jareth's sitting room, the one in which he'd kissed her. She slammed the door quickly, pressing her back against it and staring at the bed with horror. She'd spent the night in his bed…a shudder wracked her body as she pictured how she'd arrived there…he must have carried her in. Her face flushed as she imagined being tucked in by the Goblin King…

There were two more doors and she chose the one on the opposite wall from the one she'd just tried and was relieved to find it opened into the corridor. She glanced down at herself and gave a frustrated sigh as she realized her nightgown was not enough to conceal her for the trip to her room. She'd been so distraught last night she had rushed from her room uncaring, but in the bright light of day her need for a robe was all too clear. She turned back to the bed and tugged free a sheet to wrap around herself before stepping out into the hallway. She prayed she would meet nobody (mainly Jareth) on her trip to her own room. She thought that prayer was answered until two steps away from her door she heard his voice in conversation with another. Her hand closed around the knob and began to turn it as he appeared from around the corner.

Jareth saw her and immediately forgot the goblin at his side as he stepped toward her. His mouth twitched when he heard her mutter 'damn' when the door to her room finally opened. She tried to hurry inside but her foot caught in the hem of the makeshift robe she wore, causing her to lose her balance and fall forward. He leapt forward, catching her by the sheet and halting her fall but not before her forward momentum pulled them both into her room. Sarah cursed to herself as she pushed her sleep tousled hair back from her face in a vain attempt to improve her appearance, then straightened her shoulders and turned to face him. Jareth realized he still held a handful of sheet and he smiled slightly as he rubbed the silk between his fingers. Sarah tried to tug the end from his hand but it entangled in his fingers and she only succeeded in pulling him toward her. She turned a charming shade of pink when Jareth raised an eyebrow while holding up the hand that held the sheet between them.

"I borrowed your sheet." Sarah muttered, unable to look him in the eye. She settled for his shoulder instead.

"It suits you." Jareth replied in a voice laced with amusement.

He opened his hand and let the sheet fall, it draped back across Sarah's shoulder as if it were meant to be there. Unable to help himself he reached up and brushed his gloved fingers against her cheek. The contact was so fleeting Sarah would have thought she had imagined it if it weren't for the jolt she'd felt at the brief touch.

"I need to get dressed." Sarah told him as she took a careful step back. The spark she'd felt at his touch had not faded and she felt the need to put distance between them.

"Yes, and I have things to see to." Jareth added as he took his own step back. He had also felt a spark that he was taking a huge step back from. He paused just before he reached the door. "Are you…?"

"I'm fine." Sarah said softly, finally raising her gaze to meet his.

Her smile sent an arrow through his heart. He stepped through the door and was beginning to close it behind him when she took a step forward. He halted when he heard speak.

"Jareth." Sarah said, using his name instead of his title. "Thank you."

Before he could respond she was closing the door. She leaned against it as she released the breath she had been holding. Jareth leaned against the door as well, raising his hand to lay it flat against the wood surface.

"You're welcome."

Evening:

Sarah tucked the CD player into a corner of the garden where she'd managed to rig a little shelf that would protect it from the weather. She'd been pleased to note that not only had the radio appeared but also the batteries needed to run it, and the CDs to play upon it. She sat on the bench and closed her eyes as the sounds of her favorite classical music filled the air. It seemed as if it had been forever since she had heard music. She leaned back against the wall as it filled her ears, finally relaxing after the long day. She hadn't seen Jareth since he'd left her room that morning and she couldn't help but feel disappointed by that. She'd become accustomed to being alone but something in his behavior had seemed to thaw after last night, and she found herself wanting to see more.

When Jareth stepped though the doorway the first thing he heard was the music. The first thing he saw was the way the moonlight bathed the balcony with a warm glow. He'd often heard moonlight described as cold, but he'd always seen it as something warm and alive. Especially when its light bathed Sarah's face, making her look even lovelier than he'd ever imagined. He could only stare at her as she hummed softly to the music. She was so relaxed he did not think she would notice if he quietly stepped back…

"Don't go." Sarah said softly, her eyes opening as he turned towards the door. She'd heard him the moment he came into the balcony.

"I didn't mean to disturb you." Jareth replied.

"You weren't." Sarah told him with a smile. "I was just relaxing. It's been a tiring day."

"I can imagine." He said with a chuckle he could not hold back. "Goblin birthday parties are a day-long event."

"Especially when there are 3 of them." She said with an answering smile. "You've been checking up on me?"

Jareth cursed himself for his foolish slip of the tongue.

"I'd be checking up on me too." Sarah assured him when he did not reply. She'd never imagined he could be at a loss for words. "Don't worry Jareth. I'm not angry."

"You aren't." He said, his gaze intent upon her face. Her guard was down; something he'd never thought he would see when she was in his presence. He walked forward almost hesitantly; he did not wish to spoil the unexpected camaraderie that was developing between them. "Why not?"

Sarah took her time answering, because she could not think of a good way to word what she wanted to say.

"I've been in a place I never expected to be the last month." She told him. "Everyone here thinks I'm your Queen. I've had to think about much more than myself these past weeks. I've had to think about the welfare of the goblins. I realize that is what you are doing as well, watching what I do with them."

Jareth sat on the bench beside her while she spoke.

"I'd be keeping an eye on me too, if I were in your place." Sarah finished, scooting to the side to give him more space.

"Not one month ago you considered it spying." Jareth teased, surprising himself as well as Sarah with his light tone.

"A month ago you WERE spying on me." She told him primly as she arranged her skirts about her knees.

"True." Jareth admitted softly. He did not know why, but he felt the need to confess all to her at this moment. Perhaps it was the result of a long day…perhaps it was the light of the moon that was making this moment feel special. Whatever the reason he chose not to fight it for the moment.

"So you admit it." Sarah said with amused surprise. "I was expecting a protest."

"I don't feel much like protesting at the moment, thank you." Jareth said sternly as he leaned back against the wall. "Except for your stone bench here. How do you enjoy sitting on stone?"

"It didn't seem appropriate to ask for a sofa." Sarah replied, accepting the change of subject gracefully. She did not feel like arguing either.

"You can ask for whatever you'd like." He said with a sigh as his eyes closed. It had been a long day.

"Really?"

"Really." Jareth confirmed.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" She asked, trying her best to sound casual. She did not wish for an argument but she wouldn't mind knowing some things. Jareth's eyes flew open and she smirked at the barely concealed alarm in them. He had not expected her to ask for answers.

"I did not feel you wanted my company." Jareth responded, sitting up and straightening his back as he formulated his reply.

"Liar." Sarah said with a frown. "If you had cared whether I wanted your company or not you wouldn't have come back into my life. You've been avoiding me for another reason."

"You accuse me of lying?" Jareth asked, his voice taking on a dangerous edge that Sarah was quite familiar with. "What I said is truth. It may not be the full truth, but it is truth nonetheless."

Sarah's heart flew to her throat where it pounded furiously as he pinned her with his cold gaze. She swallowed nervously as her hand came up to toy with the necklace she wore while her brain scrambled to come up with something to say.

"I'm sorry." She finally said, her voice a quiet murmur. "I shouldn't have said that. I wasn't thinking."

Jareth's gaze narrowed in on her face as she spoke. He could see her apology was sincere, but he did not relax as he had been before. Her words still had the power to hurt him and he would not allow himself to forget that, much as he hated to admit it.

"You've always thought the worst of me." Jareth spoke, unable to hide the bitterness in his voice even though his expression remained neutral. "You never looked beyond your expectations. You still see only what you expect to see."

"I've never had reason to expect anything more than what you chose to show me." Sarah defended herself. "You confirmed every pre-conceived notion I had of this place. You gave me exactly what I imagined, then turned your anger upon me when I rejected the image you offered. What did you expect from me? I was only fifteen years old."

"You're right." Jareth agreed as he rose to his full height. "I asked too much from you, a mortal child. Forgive me if I had expectations of my own."

He strode to the door, turning back and pinning her with his brilliant gaze.

"Good night." He said finally.

Sarah didn't realize she had been holding her breath until he was gone. She let it out with a whoosh, laying her hand over her heart as she relaxed against the wall. His impact was amazing still, perhaps even more potent now that she was an adult and could appreciate the simmering anger behind his eyes. As a child it had frightened her into belligerence…as an adult it made her curious. She rose slowly, shutting of the music almost absently before walking inside.

She slept deeply that night, and for the first time since her return she dreamed….

…She was in the oubliette. It was dark, and she could hear no sound as she huddled on the floor in the darkness. She looked up to see dim light filtering through the hole she'd dropped through, could still hear the chatter of the helping hands that had saved her from hitting the floor harder than she had.

She had met Hoggle here, and had taken the first step toward accepting help. Up until this point she had been confident she could defeat the Labyrinth on her own, and had been almost cocky in her confidence. She'd accepted Hoggle's help, placing her trust in someone other than herself for the first time since her mother had left. It had been a wary trust, one almost broken by the words he said to Jareth, that he'd been leading her back to the beginning. But it had developed into a friendship that in the end she had relied upon, and he had come through just when she had thought all hope of reaching Toby was lost.

Why was she dreaming of this place? She sat Indian-style on the cold stone floor. She knew instinctively that Hoggle would not be stepping out of the darkness to help her this time. Her mind was trying to tell her that something about this moment in her past was important, though she did not know why.

"You know why."

Sarah stiffened with shock as Jareth's voice slid over her like silk, causing a shiver to run up her back as she tried vainly to see him through the dark.

"This is where you started to regret wishing Toby away." He continued. "At the beginning you were too excited by the possibility of an adventure to really consider what you'd done. Here, in the few moments you thought you were alone, you began to question your motives, and regret the actions that had brought you here."

"Are you here, or am I dreaming?" Sarah asked with confusion as she wrapped her arms around her knees.

The only answer she received was silence. She pondered the words spoken as she realized he…or his voice…had spoken the truth. This was the start of her regret in wishing Toby away. She had heard him crying, and had rushed her choice of doors. Sitting in the dark when she'd thought she was alone had made her think, and regret…

"I was a child." She told herself quietly. "Children do stupid things. Not every child wishes the goblins would take their brother, but they do stupid things. I made a mistake."

"Was it really?" Jareth's voice asked, startling her. "Was it a mistake to come here?"

"I don't know!" Sarah said with frustration. "I don't know what to think anymore!"

She flung out a hand and hit the wall, startling herself awake as she knocked over the things that were on her bedside table. She curled into a ball beneath the covers as Jareth's words rang in her head.

She had a lot to think about.

Part 10

Two days later:

Sarah raised a hand, prepared to knock on the door before her. Her fingers formed a loose fist and began to descend towards the hard surface only to pause just shy of its mark. Instead of knocking she opened her hand and laid it flat against the door as the fingers of her free had wrapped around the knob. It turned under her grasp silently as the hand braced against the door gently pushed, opening into Jareth's private rooms…revealing the study where he had kissed. Her. She saw him immediately but she did not speak, taking advantage of the moment to observe him unawares. He was dressed with his usual dramatic flair but the collar of his shirt was loosened and the jacket he had worn was flung carelessly across the back of the chair he sat upon. His chin was cupped in his hand as he scanned a document, his expression one of concentration as he read the words. Despite the seriousness of his expression she could tell that he was relaxed, perhaps because he thought he was alone and had let down his guard. The mask of cold disdain was not present and Sarah was startled to realize that Jareth had been right, she had only seen what she had chosen to see, that there was more behind the mask of what he has shown her.

She stepped forward, her steps silent as she moved further into the room. Even though her steps were quiet Jareth knew the moment she began to walk towards him…he could feel her presence as she approached. He set the document he'd been scanning down before turning in his chair to face her, his expression carefully blank as he met her gaze. Sarah froze as their gazes clashed, her heart beating wildly under the assault of his stare as her hands twisted nervously together before her. She found herself wishing she was back in the corridor outside his door with her had poised to knock…it would have been easier to turn and run back the other way, now that she was here it was too late.

"Did you need something?" Jareth asked coolly when she only continued to stand there looking helpless…beautiful, but helpless. This was the first time she had come to his quarters since her arrival and he knew she must have a good reason for it…she had done her best to avoid him since their confrontation in her balcony garden.

"Yes, I…" Sarah began only to pause when he continued to stare at her. Embarrassed color began to creep up her throat as she took a breath. "I wanted to say I'm sorry."

There was no change to his expression; the only movement he made was to fold his arms across his chest as he kept staring at her. Sarah cursed inwardly…he wasn't going to make this easy on her was he?

"Last time we met we quarreled. It was my fault. I acted like a child, and you had every right to treat me as one. It won't happen again."

She turned to go; relieved to have finally said everything she had come here to say. She hadn't even taken a step forward when Jareth spoke in a voice laced with amusement.

"I find that hard to believe." He said, enjoying the surprised anger in her eyes as she whirled to face him. "That it won't happen again, I mean. I think we are destined to be at odds with one another."

Sarah released the breath she'd been holding. It seemed as if he was going to accept her apology. The tension she had been carrying began to ease slightly as a small smile began to form on her lips.

"I should not have reacted to your question the way I did." Jareth continued in all seriousness as he took a step closer to her. "I did say you could ask anything."

"Yes, you did." Sarah agreed. "And I took advantage of your generosity."

"So you finally admit I am generous?"

Sarah blinked in surprise as she realized that she had, and that he was teasing her about it. She grinned up at him as she stepped forward, slipping her arm through his companionably as she tugged him toward the door.

"Why don't we discuss it while I show you the gardens behind the palace?" She said, laughing when he came to an abrupt halt.

"I've seen those gardens." Jareth told her. "They're not spectacular, trust me."
"You haven't seen them since I've gotten my hands on them." Sarah replied as they exited the room. "I think you'll be surprised."

Days pass……

Sarah sat in her room with the crystal Kyra had given her held loosely in her hand as she debated the wisdom of looking into it. She had not been prepared last time and had reacted harshly. She did not think she would react so horribly this time. Especially when she had been having the time of her life these past days. She stared off into space as she remembered dragging Jareth into the gardens, and the look on his face when he saw the splendor that finally flourished there. She'd taken him over every step she had taken to bring it back to life, and had found that he could actually be pleasant company when he wasn't hiding behind his mask of cool indifference.

They'd dined together for the first time that evening. Much to her surprise she had found herself hanging on his every word. She told herself later that it was because she had been so long without real conversation, but her heart knew it was because she had been snared by his charm. While neither one had completely relaxed their guard it was the first time she had felt comfortable in his presence, and the first time he had not put on an act in hers.

Now she sat alone, and she was afraid to look into the crystal. She knew it would not harm her, not physically at least. She wanted to see Toby, to reassure herself that he was all right. She raised it to eye level, but suddenly gave a frustrated sigh and lowered it; unable to face whatever it might show her. She stood and shrugged into a robe, pushing her feet into slippers as she belted the garment about her waist. She picked up the globe and exited her room, closing the door behind her quietly before making her way through the halls. She followed the winding corridors until she was once again outside Jareth's door. This time there was no hesitation when she raised her hand to knock, and she wrapped her arms about herself as she waited for a reply.

The door opened and Jareth stood in the opening, surprise and then concern crossing his face when he saw Sarah standing in the corridor. He could see she was pale, and that her face was drawn with worry as she raised her gaze to his. He could see a plea for help in her eyes and he reached out a hand, his heart beginning to stutter when she placed her hand into his without question. He drew her into the room, closing the door with his free hand before turning to slide that same arm about her shoulder. She leaned into the offered comfort, her head finding a resting place in the curve of his shoulder as if it were made for her. Jareth closed his eyes as he rested his chin atop her head, wondering what had upset her so that she was seeking him out for comfort.

"What happened?" Jareth asked softly. He almost didn't care what had brought her to him. Having her in his arms was more than he had ever hoped for; he almost didn't care what had driven her there…almost. The past few days had shown him more than the girl that had rejected him 10 years before; he was beginning to see the woman she had become. His sister had been right, Sarah had become a mature caring woman, one that did not deserve the scorn he had been heaping upon her.

"I want to see Toby." Sarah said miserably, bringing the hand that held the crystal up between them. "But I'm afraid to look."

Jareth freed his hand from hers and wrapped it around the hand that held the crystal, his fingers warm as they slid over hers. Sarah gasped as the crystal glowed brightly beneath their fingers, shining as brightly as a light bulb as Jareth turned their hands so that they could see unrestricted into it. The light changed from bright white to soft blue as a scene began to play out before them.

"We'll look together then." Jareth told her, tightening his arm about her shoulders as their heads bent over the globe.

Toby sat upon the bed that used to be Sarah's, his toys spread about him in disarray as he concentrated fiercely upon a book that he held in his lap. Closer inspection revealed that he was looking at a photograph album, one that Sarah recognized as being hers…it held all the memories of her life, and the ones that she held most dear. She puzzled over the fact that Toby possessed it, as the last time she had looked there had been no record of her existence, she wasn't even a memory that they held. Her arm slid around Jareth's waist of its own accord as she watched Toby pull a photo free of its plastic covering, holding it aloft so he could see it better in the light.

It was a photo of Sarah, taken at her graduation from university. She wore the traditional black robes, and was surrounded by family on one side, and friends on the other. She held Toby in one arm and her diploma in the other, held aloft in triumph as she grinned at the camera. Toby sighed and slid it back into its holder before closing the book and laying it across his lap, propping his elbows upon it as he rested his chin in his hands.

"I told you not to wish it away, Sarah." He said with a shake of his head.

Sarah's eyes widened with amazement as the scene faded

"He remembers me." She said with awe, her gaze still fixed on the now blank crystal. "I don't understand."

"You and Toby share a bond that magic cannot break." Jareth told her, closing her hand around the crystal and pulling his away. "Your things are gone…but he has kept your memory. You mean that much to him."

"I never realized." Sarah whispered. "I never knew I meant that much to anybody."

"You mean that much to me." Jareth said unthinkingly as he brought up his free hand to brush her wildly flowing hair back from her face.

He cursed himself the moment her gaze flew up to meet his, and he wished he could take back the words as she continued to stare at him mutely. He was beginning to think he had driven her away completely when she pulled her arm from about his waist…only to bring up her hand to lay against his cheek, her eyes bright as she raised herself up on her toes to press a kiss against his cheek.

"I'm glad." Sarah said against his skin before taking a step back, hugging the crystal to her as she turned to the door. Jareth could only stare after her as she opened the door, looking back at him over her shoulder as she paused. "Thank you for looking with me, Jareth."

The door closed behind her softly but Jareth did not move but to bring his hand up to his face, his fingers brushing over the spot she had kissed in wonder as he pondered what had just happened. She had not rejected his declaration of devotion, had even seemed to welcome it. Something had changed, and he could not believe his good fortune.

He slept well that night…

…Sarah did not.

She dreamed of the Bog. She dreamed that she was dangling from the branch above its surface, her feet mere inches from the water. She was wearing the ball gown, and one of the slippers she wore fell from her foot and into the murky water with a plop as she struggled to maintain her hold on the branch. Ludo was not here to call the rocks, and she knew she would not be able to hold on for much longer.

"Jareth?" She called, hoping his voice would answer as it had in the oubliette. "I know I regretted being here at this point. I know I wanted to give up, and hated myself for it. I wanted to take the easy way out. If it hadn't been for Ludo I might have."

The branch she was holding cracked, and she plummeted down. As the murky water closed over her head she opened her eyes…only to find herself in the ballroom. She looked down at herself, relieved to find she was not covered in the slimy ooze that made up the bog. She was also wearing the clothes she had worn when she had first entered the Labyrinth. She looked up and saw Jareth but he did not seem to notice her, he had eyes for another…she turned and saw herself, dressed in her ball gown and looking like a thoroughly confused girl. She watched as he took her other self into his arms, sweeping her into the dance she remembered so well as his voice filled her heart with his song. From where she stood she saw something she hadn't seen 10 years before, something that made her eyes widen in shock today.

"He loves me." Sarah said quietly.

"Yes, he does." Kyra agreed, her voice soft in Sarah's ear as she stepped up beside her. "He always has."

"He turned the world upside down for me."

"Indeed he did. He could have made you lose. Instead…"

"He let me win."

"And he lost power as a result." Kyra informed her. "He'd be very angry if he knew I told you. Letting you win cost him."

"I never knew!"

"He wouldn't have admitted to such weakness." Kyra said. "Even if you were his weakness. My brother has always had more than his fair share of pride."

"So have I." Sarah admitted. "I've spent the past 10 years viewing myself as the heroine of the piece, and cast Jareth as a handy villain. I've been too blind to realize that I was as much to blame as he for my suffering…I've been selfish."

"And there is the root of your problem." Kyra said sternly. "That is one regret you have had to resolve. You're halfway home, Sarah."

"But…"

Sarah woke with a start, sitting bolt upright in the early morning light as she clutched the blankets to her chest.

"…I don't want to go home."