A/N: I was going to give up on this but then I got reviewed! (Thank you Zabella and Laci!) So now I shall continue.
Disclaimer: I own nothing from the original Labyrinth. How pathetically depressing. I don't suppose those of you who do own it would be willing to sell it to me? I have 39 cents. Please?
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Revenge is Sweet. Isn't It?
Sarah could feel the bed underneath her. I've been dreaming, she thought firmly. When I open my eyes I'll be in my room. She opened her eyes and sat up; fighting off the wave of dizziness that threatened to put her back out.
She was in a small chamber that she could only guess was in Jareth's castle. She glanced around. The chamber did not look as though it had been designed for comfort. The bed covers were made of simple linen and the bed itself was lumpy and uncomfortable. The only pieces of furniture were a wardrobe holding heaven knew what, a full-length mirror against the wall and a simple wooden chair that sat on its own in a corner.
Sarah ran her fingers through her hair. What did Jareth want with her? She didn't know and she wasn't sure she wanted to know. Did he want revenge? If so, why had he waited for three years?
Sarah stood up and walked over to the door. Just as she had expected it was locked. Moments after she tried it though it opened. Four goblins were standing guard outside it. It appeared as though they'd been waiting for her to wake up.
"His Majesty said you're to come with us," the goblin said, apparently proud of himself for remembering this.
"And what if I don't want to?" Sarah asked, wondering what instructions the goblins had been given in case she refused.
"Then you don't get no dinner," another goblin answered. The four of them nodded solemnly.
Sarah sighed. As much as didn't trust Jareth she was sure that if she didn't eat she'd regret it. Jareth, she thought bitterly, would make sure of that.
"All right," she said. The goblins surrounded her and led her off down the corridor.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica glanced up as the clock rang. She was shocked by how late it was; had she really been practicing that long? She'd learned how to stop broadcasting. It was hard and Jessica knew she needed more work on it. But she couldn't keep practicing now; if she didn't hurry there wouldn't be any food left. She strode briskly out of the library.
In the hallway she stopped a goblin for a moment to ask if Jareth was back. The goblin said he was and Jessica hurried off, eager to tell him about her newly discovered powers.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sarah carefully memorized the way; if she managed to escape she would have to know her way around. Before too long they came to a dining hall. Jareth was waiting at the head of the table, his mocking smirk firmly in place. The goblins escorted her to her seat, just to left of Jareth. She sat down and Jareth waved the goblins away.
"How nice of you to join me for dinner, Sarah," Jareth said. Why was he acting like she had a choice when it was clear to both of them that she didn't?
"What do you want from me Jareth?" Sarah asked. He shook his head.
"That is not the sort of thing we discuss during dinner, Sarah." He was still wearing that smirk. She hated that smirk!
"Hey, Jareth," came a female voice from the hallway. "I found out that–" She stepped into the doorway and stopped dead, giving Sarah a chance to study her. The girl looked about fifteen, the age Sarah had been when she'd first met Jareth. She was about 5'3" and had light brown hair that fell just past her shoulders. She was dressed in a pair of cutoffs and a soft green t-shirt. Her brown eyes met Sarah's in surprise.
"Oh," she said apparently at a loss. Then she walked over to the seat just across from Sarah's. "Jareth, if you'd told me we were going to have company…"
Company? Sarah thought with a snort. She was a prisoner and she qualified as company?
"It's all right, Jessica," Jareth said, his smirk becoming a bit less pronounced as Jessica sat down. "This is Sarah."
Sarah watched as Jessica looked at her sharply. There was something in Jessica's eyes, could it be jealousy? But what reason did she have to be jealous?
"Nice to finally meet you, Sarah," Jessica said with sincerity. "Why are you visiting?"
Visiting? thought Sarah with incredulity. Didn't she know? Sarah opened her mouth to answer but Jareth beat her to it.
"It's her birthday," Jareth answered. His mocking eyes met Sarah's furious ones, daring her to contradict him.
"Oh," Jessica said. "Well, uh, Happy Birthday." She seemed hesitant and glanced at Jareth whose eyes were still mocking. Surprise and confusion seemed to rise in her face for a moment as she looked away. Then she jerked and looked back at Jareth again. After a moment she frowned. Jareth's eyes glittered dangerously and Jessica looked down at her plate for a minute. When she looked back up there was shame in her eyes.
What is the world is going on here? Sarah thought.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Jessica looked at Jareth. He was staring at Sarah, his eyes mocking. Something was odd here. Jareth had never acted like this before, at least, not that she had ever seen.
Jessica, Jareth said mentally, I need you to read her mind.
What? Jessica asked. Why?
Just trust me, Jessica, Jareth answered.
Trust him. She trusted him didn't she? After all he had saved her life. But a person's thoughts were private!
But–
Do it, Jessica. Jareth's glittered dangerously.
Afraid of the temper tantrum that might follow if she didn't, Jessica looked down at her plate as she reached into Sarah's mind.
Hate. As far as she could see there was only hate and anger. It was like stepping into a hurricane. Jessica pulled out. She didn't know why Sarah hated him so much but she didn't care to try and find out. She hadn't even seen anything relevant and she felt bad about it.
She looked back to Jareth, knowing that Sarah was watching her. She hates you. It's like the hate is a barrier around her thoughts. I can't get through it.
Fine then, Jareth answered. He did not sound happy about it.
Jessica met Sarah's eyes, knowing that her shame was showing through them. She was broadcasting again but she couldn't stop.
I'm sorry, she whispered mentally. Sarah's eyes widened but aside from that there was no reaction.
Jessica looked down at her food for a few minutes. Then she stood.
"I'm tired," she said quickly before Jareth could ask her any questions. "I'll see you both tomorrow I guess."
She walked out through the kitchen, grabbing some fruit and a small jug of water on her way. She walked to the library and grabbed the book she'd been reading earlier before heading back to her room.
Back in her room Jessica could do no more than nibble on the fruit. After trying to read for a few minutes she closed the book. She couldn't read. She felt so guilty. She felt filthy. Jessica threw the book across the room in frustration. She glared at it as it landed unscathed. Damn him for making her do that!
She got up and picked the book up. She dropped it onto the table and some papers flew off because of the breeze it created. Growling she picked up the papers and slammed them down on top of the book. She went over to her bed and lied down, trying to convince herself that she'd feel better once she'd slept.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sarah watched Jessica leave; noticing that Jareth was doing the same. What was it about that girl? She seemed completely unaware of Jareth's true nature. But how could she be so ignorant about him if she was living in the castle?
And had she really spoken or had Sarah just imagined it? I'm sorry. If she had, why was she sorry? Had Jessica done something that she thought was harmful to her? If so, what?
It was silent from then out. Sarah discovered that as much as she didn't trust Jareth she was hungry. Both she and Jareth (who seemed to be ignoring her) ate until they were full. When they were done Jareth looked at Sarah almost as if studying her.
"What do you want from me?" Sarah asked.
He shook his head. "I will discuss that with you tomorrow." He stood and walked out of the room gesturing to guards as he did so. The four of them surrounded Sarah again to lead her back to her room.
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A/N: Well? Is it getting better? Please review!
