Back again. My there seems to be a demand for good ol' Jareth to peek out again. Well, can't say anything about him. It would ruin stuff. ^^ Evil laugh Aren't I cruel? Hope this gets things going again. Oh and by request by one of you, the singer will be back. Sooner then you think. ^^ Question for the audience. I wanted to combine X-Men from the movie, the old series and new series but I see complications in doing so, as some characters are not there in the new series. So, which should I follow?

Thanks KittyAngel for being such a wonderful chat buddy and giving great ideas. Hey guys, check out her stuff too. Should be great!

To all my reviewers, thanks a bunch! Cha!

SFS

Chapter Seven

"Heh heh, this will be a short job," Logan chuckled as he surveyed the room filled with boxes and furniture, "Don't own much stuff, huh kid?"

Sarah shook her head, No; I never felt the need to collect stuff. My step mom brought mostly this. She felt it necessary.

Logan shook his head, "Can't say I'll get use to this hearing your voice and not seeing you speak."

"You get use to it," chuckled Ororo, as she walked by carrying boxes out the door of the apartment.

The sounds of huffy and haggard breath were coming from down the hall and soon came a very tired Kurt carrying one end of a bed frame with Scott on the other end, looking very relaxed and calm. As the set it down, Kurt collapsed in a heap, "What kind of inhuman punishment is this?" he choked.

Scott chuckled, "Maybe you'll think twice when choosing jobs. I told you boxes would be easier."

"Well I thought there'd be more of them and less furniture. Lighter furniture!" He lay back breathing hard at the laughter of those in the room.

Sarah smiled a little. She found this one very amusing. When he tried to be funny, he rarely succeeded. But not trying definitely gained amusement.

"Jean, you want to help with this instead?" Scott grinned as Kurt glaring eyes.

"I am not a weakling. Just a very tired a…"

"Ate too much junk food again, huh Kurt?" Logan pointed out.

Kurt looked indignant, "Well…maybe a little. But who can pass up pizza and chocolate fudge with chips on the side? Not too mention pickles." He licked his lips, rubbing his tummy.

Jean held her nose; "I'd have passed. Here Scott, this'll help." She looked at the bed end, her hand raised and it lifted up, "Want me to carry it all by my self?" She winked.

Grinning, Scott grabbed one end, "Nah, might attract attention."

Trevor soon entered the room from outside, "Well at least make it look like you're carrying it."

Jean made a face, "Everybody's a critic." She said as the two of them headed out the door. Trevor came up to Sarah, "Almost done?"

Yep, just a few more boxes, one couch and a nightstand. Logan and the guys got the rest. Sure wish I knew a way to help like Jean does. Might be useful.

Trevor winked, Why not try? No one's looking.

Sarah looked apprehensive.

"Don't worry about it. The Prof. said you'd develop something that field. Might as well see."

Nodding slowly, she turned to a small box on the floor. Pointing a hand at it she made a raising motion. Nothing.

She sighed, I don't know. Perhaps he was wrong.

Trevor put a hand on her shoulder; "It's okay. Maybe later." At this he took the box and headed out.

That evening, the apartment was empty but for a box of dishes and towels. Sarah sighed, looking around the place. It had been home for a while and yet it felt more like home then her parents' place ever had. With a sigh, she slowly walked through the quite rooms, stopping in her bedroom briefly. She chuckled at the little pile in the middle. Someone had forgotten a box it seemed. Sitting down beside it, she carefully opened it.

What she found was an utter surprise. A small red book, a music box and a round crystal ball. This wasn't her. Chuckling to herself she thought, Must be a surprise gift. Those guys are sweet.

Still they were odd gifts but nice none the less. Carefully she picked up the crystal first and looked at it. It was cool to the touch yet it felt like there was inner warmth. Very strange. She rolled it over in her hand and it seemed to suddenly fog a little, like a little cloud within. Curious she looked closer. It almost seemed like someone was dancing within. She blinked at the image was gone. Confused yet amused she set it aside. She had to know how that worked.

Next she picked up the small silver edged crystal music box. She could see the little instruments through the glass and a faint fogged over image of a rose on top. Opening it, a soft melody began. Closing her eyes she felt relaxed, at peace for the first time. It seemed to fill every inch of her. Almost like magic, she felt she was somewhere else, felt the soft touch of silk on her skin, a necklace about her neck. Words began to float to her mind.


"There's such a sad love
deep in your eyes
A kind of pale jewel
Opened and closed within your eyes
I'll place the sky
within your eyes."

She suddenly gasped, opening her eyes and closing the music box. What was it? A memory? It was so…real. Yet it frightened her somewhat, as if it hadn't been all pleasant. Yet she felt warm inside. Setting it aside gently, she reached for the last object.

As soon as her hands touched it, it felt like static electricity running through her, jolted a little. And when she looked at the title, the air within her left.

The Labyrinth

It was a red leather book, elegant with gold edgings. It seemed familiar to her. Why did it cause her such a feeling? Slowly, she opened it and skimmed a few pages till she came to some lines that seemed to pop out.

Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City…to take back the child that you have stolen.

Her mind whirled like a fog beginning to lift. Still she felt she needed to read on even as a lump rose in her throat.

For my will is as strong as your. And my kingdom is as great.

A low rumble could be heard outside. A storm must be coming. Sarah felt cold; hairs on her neck rising as the last bit came.

You… have… no…power… over…

"Sarah?"

She jumped with a start, the book falling from her grasp, sounding like a loud bang as it hit the floor. She looked up and saw Trevor looked confused, "You all right?"

She nodded, catching her breath, You just startled me.

He leaned down, picking up the book, "Hmmm, didn't know you had a diary. Heh heh, good thing Kurt didn't find it. The temptation would have been too much."

Confused she took the book from him a looked again. Instead of the gold words of before it read Sarah's Diary. She shook her head. Maybe it had been all her imagination. With the strange things that had happened, it was no surprise.

Trevor tilted his head, confused, "You sure you're all right?"

She nodded, rising quickly and glancing outside. No sign of clouds. This got more and more baffling.

"So missed a box. Funny, I don't remember it being here before."

This startled her even more. If it was not from them… But she felt she needn't worry Trevor about it.

Probably just a joke or something. Maybe an early home welcoming gift.

Trevor grinned, "Or a secret admirer. Come on, the others are ready to get some food."

Taking the box she glanced about the room once more and sighed. On to new frontiers, she thought as both her and Trevor left the apartment for the last time.

~~~

"Now for the unpacking," grinned Jean at the large room, which was to be Sarah's new home at the school. It was furnished with an adjacent large bathroom, a walk-in closet, and beautiful dark blue curtains over large bay windows. Sarah's belongings were stacked in the middle of the room in a large pile with her few furniture pieces as well.

"Well this is where I disappear." Kurt laughed and in a puff of smoke, he was gone.

"Always avoiding work," muttered Scott as Sarah grinned.

It's all right. I think I can manage. Thanks for your help.

"Oh no you don't," joked Trevor as he hooked an arm around her, leading her out of the room, "Not without food."

"And I'm starving." Logan said.

"New pizza place?" suggested Jean.

"Why not. Hey Ororo, you wanna come?" asked Scott.

"It's all right. I have some things to do. Go and enjoy yourselves."

"Kurt's gonna regret his decision this time, "laughed Trevor as did the others as the left the room, heading for the outdoors.

Once the reached the pizza parlor and ordered their pizza, the sat around chatting, well at least some of them did. Sarah just listened and Logan seemed preoccupied with nothing.

"Excuse miss." A small waitress came up to the table addressing Sarah who was surprised. She held an envelope in her hand, "I was asked to give these to you by a gentleman."

"Who is he?" asked Scott.

"He wished to remain anonymous. Sorry, that's all I know." She turned and returned to her duties as Sarah opened the envelope. Five large ticket fell from the envelope as well as I small note. As Jean picked up the tickets, Sarah read the letter.

" To the lovely lady,

Please accept these as a token of my admiration for your beauty."

Sincerely,

A Secret Admirer

"Oh my word!" breathed Jean, shakily holding the tickets, "These…these are…are…"

Scott looked surprised, "Tickets to a live concert by 'Illusion'! I can't believe it! These tickets are a hot item! How in the world…"

"Damn lucky break," joked Logan who seemed unfazed by this. Sarah just stared, her mouth open.

Jean just squealed and held the tickets like they would break if she wasn't careful, "oh Sarah, you are so lucky! And five of them! Who you gonna take?"

Trevor laughed at them through the noise, "Guys it's just a concert. What's so great about this guy?"

Scott and Jean looked at him like he was from another planet, then to each other; "Can you believe him?"

Sarah blinked suddenly and carefully took the tickets from Jeans shaking hands. I suppose I should go. I mean, someone obviously paid a lot for them.

Again Jean looked at her in disbelief, "Sarah, are you kidding? I die for these tickets. He has such an amazing voice. The songs…" she sighed dramatically.

Scott chuckled, "Yeah, he's actually real good. He has such emotion and it seems obvious that something hurt him so much as to write something so heart felt."

Sarah nodded, I know. I heard him once. It feels like the inner soul become awakened like a storm growing calm. The very fibers cool and burn all at once. And you feel like you can remember something important in your life…just before it disappears.

Jean stared in awe. "Oh Sarah, that's beautiful. Even I can't say I felt it so deeply."

Carefully, Sarah took two tickets from the set and handed them to Scott and Jean. I'm sure you want to go.

Jean just looked teary eyed as Scott broke out in a grin, "Mosh pit, here I come!"

She looked at Logan and Trevor, What about you two?

Logan shook his head, "Nah. Too many people. Makes me nervous."

Trevor looked thoughtful, "Well, to put myself through that much mushy stuff? I don't know." Seeing Scott and Jean looking starry eyed at their tickets and seeing Sarah waiting patiently as if it didn't matter the answer, he sighed. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt. As long as nothing more important comes up."

Logan grunted, "Only if you're lucky."

That leaves one more besides myself. I suppose Trish wouldn't mind seeing the concert.

Trevor laughed loudly, "Probably call you her angel for life! She's been trying to get those tickets probably more then these two." He gestured at Scott and Jean.

"So it's settled," smiled Jean, "In two weeks it'll be par-tea time!"

Unbeknownst to them, a figure watched from outside before turning to leave.

Subject found.

~~~

"Professor."

"Yes Ororo?"

"I'm detecting an abnormal reading from in the city. It seems to be coming from that new pizza parlor where the others went."

Xavier frowned, "May be their own mutant reading?"

Ororo shook her head, "This one's different. A stronger presence perhaps yet not much different. It almost appears familiar."

"We may have encountered this one before, professor." Noted Beast.

"Continue monitoring. I'll be with Cerebro." With a swish of the door, he left and rolled down the hall till her came to another door. A retinal scan was given and soon the door opened as he rolled in, closing behind, leaving him in a massive round room. He placed a helmet on his head attached with thick cords on each side. Closing his eyes, he pushed a button. The room seemed to spin and fog and soon he opened his eyes and looked about him seeing fog and shapes and then a figure running. They were cloaked and hard to see.

Xavier concentrated, trying to focus on them. They suddenly stopped as if sensing him. Turning, he caught an angry face of a woman with glasses. Then she disappeared.

Xavier was surprised and lost his concentration, losing the images as well, the room returning to his normal metallic look. Setting the helmet aside, he stroked his chin. Could it be? It seemed very unlikely. And yet…

Turning his chair, he left still pondering. It seemed things might heat up after all.

~~~

"Please, leave a contribution in the little box."