Starry Night3

Disclaimer: See prologue.

A/N: I will probably add a chapter every five days, every week at the most. Oh, in case you haven't noticed, Toby gets his R's and W's mixed up (like my brother) so if you can't figure out a word, try replacing the W with and R. Warning: Major fluff alert ahead! Be armed with tissues! Happy reading!

[~~~~*~~~~]

Sarah awoke, disoriented only to hear a voice desperately call her name.

"SAWAH! Please wake up!"

As Sarah became more awake she realized she wasn't in her bedroom at home. Hospital? But how'd I get here-Jareth! Toby bellowed her name again. She winced. "Wha-? Toby?" She mumbled drowsily. "Oof!" She immediately found herself with an armful of squirming toddler.

"Mommy, Daddy! Sawah woke up!"

Her parents rushed into the room. Her father looked like he hadn't slept in weeks, and Karen appeared to be crying.

"Sweetie? How are you feeling?" Karen asked anxiously, smoothing her hair away from her face.

Sarah's voice sounded very hoarse. "Like a cement truck rolled over me. What happened?"

They exchanged glances. Robert spoke. "Two days ago you went out for a drive in a storm. You hit a fallen tree and gave yourself a severe concussion, two broken ribs, and a fractured ankle. You've been unconscious for almost forty-eight hours. Thank God for Mr. King!"

"They said if he hadn't have found you, you would have died," Karen put in.

Sarah blinked owlishly. "Mr. King?"

Karen smiled. "Oh how silly of me! You probably don't remember. His name is Jay G. King. He happened to be driving along when he saw your car. He was the one who brought you to the hospital."

"Mr. Williams? May I come in?"

Robert got up and opened the door. "Of course. You saved my daughter's life."

Sarah tried hard not to gape when he walked in. He looked like he normally did except for the fact that he was wearing jeans and a black polo shirt, and his hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

"Dad? Mom? Why don't you take Toby and get something to eat?"

Robert smiled wryly. "In other words, get lost. Okay honey. We'll be in the cafeteria if you need us." He picked up Toby and dragged his wife out the door, shutting it behind them.

When they were alone, Sarah met his gaze evenly. "You saved my life," she said softly. "Thank you. But why?"

The monarch's eyes hardened. "Was I that cruel to you?" He snapped. "Did you honestly think I would take one look at you, laugh, and say 'such a pity'?"

Sarah lowered her gaze guiltily. "I'm sorry. I thought you hated me," she said miserably.

Jareth's gaze became unreadable. "Things are not always what they seem."

There was a heavy silence.

Jareth tensed. "Someone's coming."

A nurse entered the room. She prepared a needle and inserted it in Sarah's IV. "She needs to rest now, sir. If you could come back later…?"

The Goblin King gave a terse nod. "I will see you later, Sarah. Sleep well."

As Sarah drifted off, a soothing melody sounded in her head. Mmmm...Jareth.

[~~~~*~~~~]

The next day, Sarah watched as her house came into sight. Her father maneuvered the mini-van into the driveway and parked. "We're home!" He called out cheerfully.

Sarah looked suspiciously at the other car in the drive. A silver Lexus. "Dad, whose car is that?"

Robert shifted uncomfortably. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Your mother and I are going out of town on business. Now, you know that we usually leave you alone with Toby, but in this case we can't. Actually, in this case, we shouldn't leave you at all, but with you and Toby's hospital bills, we can't afford to pass this trip up."

She narrowed her eyes. The painkillers were wearing off, leaving her very irritable. "You still didn't answer my question."

He cleared his throat. "It turns out that Mr. King is from England and needs a place to stay. He was going to stay in a hotel, but it's more convenient for all of us if he stays here." Sarah's mouth dropped open but Robert continued. "You can't possibly take care of Toby like he needs what with your ribs and ankle and all. This is for the best," he finished firmly.

"'For the best'?! You don't even know the guy! How do you know he won't murder us in our sleep?"

"Sarah, please. Your mother and I have been talking and it turns out that he is friends with the man who we're doing business with. This could be a valuable opportunity."

"I see." Inwardly, Sarah was seething. "How long will you be gone?"

"A month."

Before she could blow up at her father, a voice with an aristocratic British accent interrupted. "Sarah, lovely to see you again. Are you feeling better?"

At her father's glare she replied, "Yes, thank you."

"Good. Do you require aid to get inside?"

Just so Jareth could hear she hissed, "I require that you beat it."

He smirked and replied in the same manner. "Now Sarah, since I'm going to be here for an extended period, shouldn't we attempt to get along? Don't disappoint your father." In a louder voice he asked, "Why don't you allow me to help you up the porch stairs? They are steep, and you are not used to crutches."

Robert beamed at their appearance to get along. "That's a wonderful idea! Here, Sarah, you won't need those crutches then." He took them from her.

Sarah rolled her eyes heavenward. Great Dad. You might as well just giftwrap me for him. She gingerly took the monarch's hand and, in turn, he pulled her to his side and wrapped his arm around her waist with a smug smile.

"It appears I win this round."

"Don't flatter yourself."

As soon as she opened the front door she was nearly knocked over by Toby. She was saved by Jareth's other arm going around her. She ended up with her nose to his and their bodies plastered together. Her heart pounded as she locked eyes with him. "Are you all right?" He asked huskily. She nodded weakly.

Seeing Toby giving them a funny look, Sarah hurriedly detached herself from Jareth's grasp. "Sawah, I'm so glad you'we home! Isn't Jay nice? He said he'd play caws with me later," Toby chattered.

"Toby!" Karen yelled sounding panicked. "Be careful, darling. Why don't you go in the kitchen with Daddy, hmm? Maybe he'll get you a cookie."

Toby whooped and scampered after his father. Sarah scowled at her stepmother. "Karen, he won't break. Don't put so many restrictions on him! Let him have some fun."

Karen bit her lip. "I suppose, but-" She choked back a sob. "Excuse me Mr. King, I have to…go out." Before Sarah could say another word, the distraught woman bolted through the door and to the car.

Jareth, quiet all this time, spoke. "Why is she so concerned about Toby?"

Sarah pursed her lips. "Not that it's any of your business, but since you will be living with us for a time, I suppose you need to know." She paused. "Toby has cancer." Even after several days, the blow hadn't softened any.

"Ah. What is the cure?"

She gave him an odd look. "There is no cure. He's dying," she stated flatly.

The Goblin King appeared startled. The bored look on his face had disappeared. "Sarah, I had no idea-"

"Save it. I just want my painkillers and a nap."

The pitying look on his face vanished, to be replaced by a steely mask. "Fine. But you will talk to me sometime."

Sarah hobbled to the stairs.

"Oh, and Sarah?"

"What?"

"That was not a request."

[~~~~*~~~~]

When Sarah woke up, it was to throbbing pain on her side and ankle. The moon was peaking through her bedroom window, and she heard Toby's soft snores coming from his room.

Damn. I left the painkillers and the crutches downstairs. She gingerly raised herself from the bed and balanced precariously on one foot. A wave of dizziness overcame her and she teetered, falling over, landing with a THUMP on the floor. She winced. Real smooth Sarah. Way to go. Where are parents when you need them? Robert and Karen had left earlier in the day, leaving them alone with the Goblin King.

"Having a bit of a crisis are we?" Before she could protest, he picked her up and placed her on her bed.

So, it wasn't a nightmare. He was here. "Bugger off."

Jareth pretended mock severity. "Really Sarah, is that any way to talk to your savior?"

She snorted. "Whatever. Could you get me my painkillers?"

"Oh, you actually want my help?"

Sarah suddenly felt exhausted and the pain wasn't helping. "Look Jareth, you can mock me all you want later, but right now I just want this pain gone. And I'm not just referring to the physical," she added softly.

His mocking stare softened and he summoned a crystal out of nowhere, tossing it at her, where it dissolved into glitter sprinkling over her and she felt the pain disappear. She smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks." Then her smile turned sad and she stared toward Toby's room.

Jareth noticed her stare and shook his head. Was that…pity? From him? "I am afraid that even I cannot heal a wound such as this." He perched lightly on the edge of her bed. "It's not healthy to hide everything inside." They sat in silence for a long time.

Sarah's teeth were clenched. I will not cry. I will not cry. I will-"It's not fair!" She exploded. Then she started to cry softly. Good job Sarah! Cry in front of the almighty Goblin King! Give him another reason to mock you. She started as she felt his arms slide around her. That was all it took. Her body started to shake with great heart-wrenching sobs.

Jareth slowly began to rock from side to side, and sing a soothing song.

I'm down on my knees again tonight

I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right

See there is a boy that needs your help

I've done all that I can do myself

His mother is tired

I'm sure you can understand

Each night as he sleeps

She goes in to hold his hand

And she tries

Not to cry

As the tears

Fill her eyes

Chorus:

Can you hear me?

Am I getting through tonight?

Can you see him?

Can you make him feel all right?

If you can hear me

Let me take his place somehow

See he's not just anyone

He's my son

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep

I dream of the boy he'd like to be

I try to be strong and see him through

But God who he needs right now is you

Let him grow old

Live life without this fear

What would I be

Living without him here

He's so tired and he's scared

Let him know that You're there

Chorus...

Can you hear me?

Can you see him?

Please don't leave him

He's my..........

...........son.

-Mark Schultz, 'He's My Son'

Jareth gently put the sleeping woman back on the bed and pulled the covers over her. He remained in the room, gazing at her with what looked like a wistful smile, then left.

[~~~~*~~~~]

Dominic strode through the palace to the throne room. Fae Lords and Ladies whispered to each other from all corners of the room. In the center of the room there was a dais with two thrones. In those thrones were the King and Queen themselves. Finnevhar was tall, well over six feet, with ebony hair and ice blue eyes that seemed to gaze into your very soul. Maurelle, meanwhile, was dainty, barely five-four, with white blond hair and bewitching hazel eyes and a smile that radiated gentleness.

"Silence!" Finnevhar bellowed. "Lord Dominic, present thyself."

Dominic made a low bow in front of the thrones. "Majesties, it appears King Jareth has broken a law."

Maurelle frowned. "What law hast mine son supposedly broken?"

Still not looking up, Dominic hesitated in answering. "He has interfered with the Tenth Realm, Majesty." There are ten realms. In order they are: the Labyrinth, Shadow Forest, Black Mountain, Whisper Valley, the Rainbow Kingdom, Phantom Cavern, Windy Canyon, Crystal Lake, Harmony Sky, and Earth. The first nine realms are in the same world. Earth is the only realm with humans. Well…the only realm with humans in control. As such, it is forbidden to make contact with humans because of their possession of iron and because they have no magic.

Everyone in the room gasped. "Impossible! Mine son is aware of the law," Finnevhar snapped.

Dominic sighed. "Sire, I saw it with my own eyes."

Finnevhar talked in low undertones to his wife. After a while he straightened. "Lord Dominic, thou art closest to mine son. Bring him to us and we will consider this matter."

"Yes sire. It shall be done." With that, Dominic transformed himself into his raven form and flew out the nearest window.

[~~~~*~~~~]

Hope you enjoyed chapter two of Starry, Starry Night. Hmmm…who is Dominic really, and what is Jareth going to do about his summons? The plot thickens.