Who's Saving Who?
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the computer I typed this on.
The next day Sarah and Jareth appeared outside the courthouse in New York. The building was made of pure white stone and ridiculously tall. The pair appeared commonplace, blending beautifully with the crowd. Sarah convinced a hesitant Jareth to wear a blue suit and to cut his hair short. She knew he could just grow it back using his magic.
Sarah was dressed in a black business jacket and a mid-calf length skirt. The only jewelry she wore was a string of pearls around her neck and a watch with a black band around her left wrist. Carrying her briefcase, in one hand, the other arm was looped through Jareth's, as she didn't want to lose him amidst all the people there.
Together they ascended the steps leading to the building's door. Once inside the courthouse, they stopped and asked a security guard at a desk watching a rerun of Seinfeld where the nearest elevator was. He pointed a finger down a corridor, and the two stepped into a sleek gray elevator. Never being in an elevator before, Jareth felt a little apprehensive. He didn't like the way it made his stomach feel.
Sensing his nervousness, Sarah patted his shoulder, "It's OK," she reassured him, "it will only take a couple of seconds." The elevator stopped on the 5th floor and the doors flew open in front of them. "See there's nothing to be afraid of," Sarah explained, stepping out of the elevator and into the adjoining hallway.
Straightening his tie, Jareth joined Sarah in the hallway, and they continued to the lobby of that floor. Entering the lobby, Sarah spotted Mr. Leach, and she pulled Jareth, whose back was to Leach, in front of her so he couldn't start something before the trial.
"Listen to me," Sarah instructed, looking Jareth in the eye. "Whatever you do, let me do the talking in there, all right? You don't understand earth's laws, I mean it took me practically my whole life to understand them completely and I've lived here during that time." Jareth nodded his head absently and looked around. He was too busy studying all the mortals around him. He'd never seen so many in one place before.
The red wooden doors to their courtroom opened, and an officer of the court stepped out and announced, "Case number 7718." Nodding Sarah said, "That's us," and led Jareth through the door, hurrying before Leach could see her. He must've spotted her amidst the throng though, as he followed closely behind her. "Too bad you don't have a case," he mocked.
Feeling his blood boil, Jareth tried hard to remain calm. This pathetic excuse for a mortal had threatened the only woman he had ever cared about, not to mention his subjects and the world he lived in. Before he knew what he was doing, Jareth turned swiftly and grabbed Leach by the throat.
Sarah knew Jareth wasn't following her anymore, and she turned to tell him to catch up. Surprise registered on her face as she saw Jareth firmly gripping Mr. Leach's neck in his hand. Hurrying toward him, she dropped her briefcase and grabbed Jareth's arm. "Don't do this," she pleaded desperately. People were running away in fear from the gruesome display, and a policeman inside the courtroom must've heard the commotion. The officer stepped towards Jareth, drawing his gun.
"Put the man down," he ordered evenly, aiming the gun at Jareth's heart. Smiling wickedly, Jareth only squeezed harder. "Never," he whispered, enjoying the erratic pulse beneath his hand being distinguished.
The officer, feeling obligated to help Mr. Leach, pulled back on the trigger, the hammer pulling back slowly. Sarah watched horrified as the scene unfolded. As the officer was getting ready to shoot, Sarah knew she couldn't let Jareth get shot. Cursing she jumped in front of him, but the officer had already pulled the trigger, and a loud bang resounded through the acoustically sound building.
A warm sticky wetness flowed just below her ribs, and she looked down to see a gaping hole. Grabbing the wound she staggered and then fell to the ground as unconsciousness claimed her.
By now, frightened hordes of people had already started to exit the building. Security agents scrambled around trying in vain to keep people calm. Throwing a passed out Mr. Leach across the room where his body connected with the wall with a sickening thud. A deep sense of regret overwhelmed Jareth as he kneeled down to a pale and barely breathing Sarah.
The security guard across from him that had shot her didn't even looked fazed. This time his anger wasn't to be restrained, and he lashed out with a brilliant ball of light that blinded the onlookers. It hit the man square in the chest, where he imploded and disappeared. Growling deep in his throat, Jareth picked up Sarah's limp form, and stood.
Gathering his strength he was barely able to transport them back to the underground before his grief overcame him. Without knowing it he had lain Sarah down on his bed instead of her own. It hadn't really mattered. With a quaking hand he felt the side of her neck for a pulse.
He was relieved to feel a slight thudding beneath his fingertips. Her pulse was weak, but he was grateful for finding one. Cursing he realized he wouldn't be able to heal her, so searched his mind frantically for the name of a physician. Then it came to him, the dwarf Abernathy had been dealing with medicine ever since he was a boy. He would assuredly know what to do.
Changing into his normal apparel so the old doctor would recognize him, Jareth transported Dr. Abernathy without hesitation to his castle. Slightly appalled, it took Abernathy a moment to get his bearings. He was a short, stout old man with half moon spectacles and a long white beard. Resembling a demented Santa Clause, Abernathy looked around and saw Sarah lying on the bed.
Even though the dark suit she was wearing blended with the bloodstain forming on it, Abernathy sensed that that was his patient. Abernathy strung the stethoscope around his neck and pressed the cold metal piece to Sarah's chest. "What happened to the poor girl?" Abernathy asked in a nasal voice. Gulping back the lump in his throat, Jareth croaked, "She was shot. Can you heal her?" Abernathy nodded his head firmly. "It's possible, but it's going to take a while for her to heal."
Straight away Dr. Abernathy got to work. First he removed the bullet from the wound on Sarah's chest. Next, he mixed a solution of water and herbs and made a thick paste, which he spread over Sarah's wound. This stopped the bleeding. Then he wrapped a sterile white cloth around it and tied it in place. "There," he said after he had finished. "That should do it. Make sure she stays in bed for a couple weeks."
Waving his hand, Dr. Abernathy disappeared to where he had come from due to Jareth's wanting to be alone. Walking slowly to his bed, he slumped down to his knees beside Sarah. Lovingly he stroked her hair which spread out around her head on the pillow.
He wished desperately that he had never pressed her into helping him as he as he had. Guilt overwhelmed him, and he grudgingly let the salty tears he felt prickling the backs of his eyes slide down his angular cheeks.
This chapter was a little sad I admit, but I'm so not telling you what's going to happen next. I hope that wasn't boring. I'm trying to throw in as many plot twists as I can. Please review! It helps me get motivated.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the computer I typed this on.
The next day Sarah and Jareth appeared outside the courthouse in New York. The building was made of pure white stone and ridiculously tall. The pair appeared commonplace, blending beautifully with the crowd. Sarah convinced a hesitant Jareth to wear a blue suit and to cut his hair short. She knew he could just grow it back using his magic.
Sarah was dressed in a black business jacket and a mid-calf length skirt. The only jewelry she wore was a string of pearls around her neck and a watch with a black band around her left wrist. Carrying her briefcase, in one hand, the other arm was looped through Jareth's, as she didn't want to lose him amidst all the people there.
Together they ascended the steps leading to the building's door. Once inside the courthouse, they stopped and asked a security guard at a desk watching a rerun of Seinfeld where the nearest elevator was. He pointed a finger down a corridor, and the two stepped into a sleek gray elevator. Never being in an elevator before, Jareth felt a little apprehensive. He didn't like the way it made his stomach feel.
Sensing his nervousness, Sarah patted his shoulder, "It's OK," she reassured him, "it will only take a couple of seconds." The elevator stopped on the 5th floor and the doors flew open in front of them. "See there's nothing to be afraid of," Sarah explained, stepping out of the elevator and into the adjoining hallway.
Straightening his tie, Jareth joined Sarah in the hallway, and they continued to the lobby of that floor. Entering the lobby, Sarah spotted Mr. Leach, and she pulled Jareth, whose back was to Leach, in front of her so he couldn't start something before the trial.
"Listen to me," Sarah instructed, looking Jareth in the eye. "Whatever you do, let me do the talking in there, all right? You don't understand earth's laws, I mean it took me practically my whole life to understand them completely and I've lived here during that time." Jareth nodded his head absently and looked around. He was too busy studying all the mortals around him. He'd never seen so many in one place before.
The red wooden doors to their courtroom opened, and an officer of the court stepped out and announced, "Case number 7718." Nodding Sarah said, "That's us," and led Jareth through the door, hurrying before Leach could see her. He must've spotted her amidst the throng though, as he followed closely behind her. "Too bad you don't have a case," he mocked.
Feeling his blood boil, Jareth tried hard to remain calm. This pathetic excuse for a mortal had threatened the only woman he had ever cared about, not to mention his subjects and the world he lived in. Before he knew what he was doing, Jareth turned swiftly and grabbed Leach by the throat.
Sarah knew Jareth wasn't following her anymore, and she turned to tell him to catch up. Surprise registered on her face as she saw Jareth firmly gripping Mr. Leach's neck in his hand. Hurrying toward him, she dropped her briefcase and grabbed Jareth's arm. "Don't do this," she pleaded desperately. People were running away in fear from the gruesome display, and a policeman inside the courtroom must've heard the commotion. The officer stepped towards Jareth, drawing his gun.
"Put the man down," he ordered evenly, aiming the gun at Jareth's heart. Smiling wickedly, Jareth only squeezed harder. "Never," he whispered, enjoying the erratic pulse beneath his hand being distinguished.
The officer, feeling obligated to help Mr. Leach, pulled back on the trigger, the hammer pulling back slowly. Sarah watched horrified as the scene unfolded. As the officer was getting ready to shoot, Sarah knew she couldn't let Jareth get shot. Cursing she jumped in front of him, but the officer had already pulled the trigger, and a loud bang resounded through the acoustically sound building.
A warm sticky wetness flowed just below her ribs, and she looked down to see a gaping hole. Grabbing the wound she staggered and then fell to the ground as unconsciousness claimed her.
By now, frightened hordes of people had already started to exit the building. Security agents scrambled around trying in vain to keep people calm. Throwing a passed out Mr. Leach across the room where his body connected with the wall with a sickening thud. A deep sense of regret overwhelmed Jareth as he kneeled down to a pale and barely breathing Sarah.
The security guard across from him that had shot her didn't even looked fazed. This time his anger wasn't to be restrained, and he lashed out with a brilliant ball of light that blinded the onlookers. It hit the man square in the chest, where he imploded and disappeared. Growling deep in his throat, Jareth picked up Sarah's limp form, and stood.
Gathering his strength he was barely able to transport them back to the underground before his grief overcame him. Without knowing it he had lain Sarah down on his bed instead of her own. It hadn't really mattered. With a quaking hand he felt the side of her neck for a pulse.
He was relieved to feel a slight thudding beneath his fingertips. Her pulse was weak, but he was grateful for finding one. Cursing he realized he wouldn't be able to heal her, so searched his mind frantically for the name of a physician. Then it came to him, the dwarf Abernathy had been dealing with medicine ever since he was a boy. He would assuredly know what to do.
Changing into his normal apparel so the old doctor would recognize him, Jareth transported Dr. Abernathy without hesitation to his castle. Slightly appalled, it took Abernathy a moment to get his bearings. He was a short, stout old man with half moon spectacles and a long white beard. Resembling a demented Santa Clause, Abernathy looked around and saw Sarah lying on the bed.
Even though the dark suit she was wearing blended with the bloodstain forming on it, Abernathy sensed that that was his patient. Abernathy strung the stethoscope around his neck and pressed the cold metal piece to Sarah's chest. "What happened to the poor girl?" Abernathy asked in a nasal voice. Gulping back the lump in his throat, Jareth croaked, "She was shot. Can you heal her?" Abernathy nodded his head firmly. "It's possible, but it's going to take a while for her to heal."
Straight away Dr. Abernathy got to work. First he removed the bullet from the wound on Sarah's chest. Next, he mixed a solution of water and herbs and made a thick paste, which he spread over Sarah's wound. This stopped the bleeding. Then he wrapped a sterile white cloth around it and tied it in place. "There," he said after he had finished. "That should do it. Make sure she stays in bed for a couple weeks."
Waving his hand, Dr. Abernathy disappeared to where he had come from due to Jareth's wanting to be alone. Walking slowly to his bed, he slumped down to his knees beside Sarah. Lovingly he stroked her hair which spread out around her head on the pillow.
He wished desperately that he had never pressed her into helping him as he as he had. Guilt overwhelmed him, and he grudgingly let the salty tears he felt prickling the backs of his eyes slide down his angular cheeks.
This chapter was a little sad I admit, but I'm so not telling you what's going to happen next. I hope that wasn't boring. I'm trying to throw in as many plot twists as I can. Please review! It helps me get motivated.