Disclaimer: I don't own the Labyrinth or Sarah or Jareth (sobs) but I do own my characters.

A/N: Thank you for the reviews and tips. My 2 weeks of hell are over, so hopefully I can get the next chappy up soon! Got most of it done already, just gotta fine-tune it;-)! Ok, on with the story! Oh! Here's a snack for my readers: 'Hands out frybread' Enjoy! *******

Chapter 5: First Steps and Strange Feelings

The next morning Alenda checked on Sarah. She was surprised to see her sitting on the edge of her bed. The distant look in her eyes reminded Alenda of someone still feeling lost.

"Good Morning, Lady Sarah. How are you feeling this beautiful sunny morning?" she asked, with a huge smile on her face.

Sarah looked up and smiled, liking this elven lady very much. "Please just call me Sarah," she said, stretching her arms out. "I feel much better, thank you."

"If it pleases you then yes I will drop the title, but only in private," Alenda said, winking at her.

She approached Sarah and looked her over, "Yes your doing much better. Let's finish this up and if you feel like it we can get a hot bath going for you."

Sarah laid back on the bed and nodded, thinking it would be wonderful to soak for an hour in some hot water. She closed her eyes as Alenda started, the tingling sensations of the magic penetrating her body causing goosebumps to appear.

Kara came in and waited for the healer to finish. She recalled the day when Sarah was here the last time and how the King had responded to the defeat he had received at this young lady's hands. He was so angry that no one would go near him for weeks. She smiled at how she was the only one that was brave enough to make sure the King ate and bathed. She looked back at the young woman lying in bed. Yes she would be perfect for His Majesty, she thought to herself.

Alenda finished and sat for a minute, regaining some of her strength. This was going to be the last time that she treated Sarah for the magic that was already coursing through her body will complete the rest.

"Are you ready to try and walk now? Kara and I will help you to the bath but you will need to use your own two feet to get there," she said smiling, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sarah grinned at Alenda and nodded, "yes I'm willing to give it a try." She sat on the edge of the bed and hesitated, praying that she would be able to walk. Alenda and Kara stood on either side and helped her to stand. Slowly they made their way to the bath.

Sarah sighed as she slid into the hot water. She was happy with herself for walking again. Scrubbing her skin till it was pink she started feeling much better. The bath was soothing away the aches and pains in her muscles. She soaked for a little longer then called Kara to assist her in getting out.

She dressed in a clean nightgown and robe with the help of her maid. She was already exhausted from the effort of walking back and forth the short distance to the bath and bed, but was able to eat a little bit before falling asleep.

*******

Jareth, sitting at his desk in his study, examined the papers in front of him. The stack of documents were getting thick and he had delayed going over them long enough. He tried to focus on his work but Sarah kept creeping in on his thoughts. "Maybe I should hire a clerk or someone to go through this mess," he mumbled, staring at the pile. Finally tossing the papers aside he stood and stretched, relieving his cramped muscles.

Jacen came strolling in after making his rounds, checking the security of the Labyrinth and castle. He leaned against the wall and watched Jareth.

"Well how did the inspection go?" Jareth asked as he walked over to the window and sat on the sill.

"Everything is as it should be, Your Highness. The castle and Labyrinth are well protected. It would be a fool who would try to trespass now."

"Excellent. Have you met Sarah yet?"

"No, not yet. I heard that she walked to the bathing area this morning. I'm impressed at how strong she is," Jacen replied, hiding a smile.

"Yes she is a strong one, but also strong in the head," Jareth smirked.

"Ah it reminds me of someone I know," Jacen sarcastically replied, "let me know if anything is required of me. I will be in my chambers catching up on some sleep."

Jareth arched an eyebrow as he watched Jacen make a hasty retreat then went back to gazing out the window. It was such a beautiful day and he wanted desperately to spend it with Sarah. He was still upset with her for asking him why he saved her life. She must think I hate her, he thought.

"Maybe it is time to show her otherwise," he whispered to himself, a devilish grin covering his features.

*******

He knocked quietly on the chamber doors waiting for a response. He paced back and forth for a few seconds and knocked again. When there still was no answer anxiety crept over him as he quietly opened the door. She was lying in bed sound asleep. He watched as she slept peacefully. She was an amazing woman, he thought to himself. Her dark hair was spread about her face making her features stand out more.

Sarah stirred as she felt a presence in the room. Stretching her arms out she opened her eyes to find Jareth standing in the doorway staring at her. Scowling at him she sat up and wrapped her robe tightly around her.

"What are you doing in here?" she asked, a little uncomfortable as he kept staring at her.

"Erm...I was here to ask if you would accompany me to dinner, if you're feeling better," he replied, regaining his composure, "but I didn't want to wake you."

"Oh! Well, um, your not still angry with me are you?" she asked, "I didn't mean to make you angry," she whispered as her eyes fell to the floor.

Jareth walked up to her and was a little surprised when she kept looking at the floor. "No, I am not angry with you anymore," he sighed, "I want us to start over, let us move on from the past."

She looked up at him, a little afraid of what 'starting over' could mean. Her heart fluttered in her chest as he gazed into her eyes. Her cheeks flared red at the intensity of his stare. She tore her eyes away from his, unsure of the feelings welling deep within her.

He wanted badly to lean over and kiss her full lips at that moment but he pushed the impulse away knowing it was not the time. Soon, he thought to himself.

"Will you be my guest at dinner tonight?" he asked again. "We can have it on the balcony," he waved his hand towards the doors. "It is a beautiful evening."

Sarah nodded and stood up on wobbly legs. She took a few hesitant steps and would've fallen if strong arms weren't there to catch her. Her face lighting up with an intense blush at the close contact, she let him help her to the table that appeared when he waved his hand.

They ate in silence for a while but Jareth knew that she had some questions that needed answering. He could read it in her face as she sat there with a glazed expression in her eyes.

Finally after dinner was half way through she looked up at him. "Jareth, why did you bring me here?"

He glanced at her and then looked out over the Labyrinth, his eyes getting a faraway look in them. He didn't want to discuss this subject but she needed to know.

"Toby had asked for me to take you and help you. I couldn't refuse the boy," he said as he turned his attention back to her, "and I couldn't let you die," he said as his cool mask covered his face.

Sarah let his words run around in her head for a few minutes absorbing the meaning behind them. She was still wary of him but she really wanted to trust him. A warm feeling started to seep into her as the meaning started to come clear. She pushed it aside, not wanting to deal with that just yet.

"What is going to happen to me now that I'm almost healed?" she asked, looking up at him.

"We will discuss that after you have fully recovered," he replied, smiling at her.

"Ok," she said. "Will I ever be able to see my brother again?" she asked, her eyes suddenly filling with tears.

Jareth saw the pain on her face when she asked that. It made his heart wrench at the sight of those unfallen tears glazing her eyes. "Yes we will arrange Toby to come for a visit. It would not be wise to take you aboveground because," he hesitated, "Well...Toby is the only one that knows you are still alive," he finished, watching her reaction carefully.

Sarah looked at him in open-mouthed shock. She swallowed a few times but her mouth was suddenly dry. Anger started seeping into her at the thought of him manipulating everyone's minds into believing she was dead. She suddenly felt very sick to her stomach. Pushing her food away she glared at Jareth, "Why would you do such a thing?" she asked angrily.

"Because if I didn't then your parents would have wondered where you could have gone, especially in the state that you were in," he replied cooly. "Sarah, I didn't have a choice. They had already 'pulled the plug' as Toby put it and this was the only solution I had."

"You couldn't explain to them..." she said then shook her head and sighed, "of course not." A smile spread across her face, "That would have been too much for them I guess," she said as she started to laugh.

Smiling at her he was amazed at how more beautiful she was when she laughed. "Yes it would have," he replied. "Your parents aren't the most, hm...how to put it," he paused, waving his hand, "open-minded people I've met."

Sarah laughed at his attempt to describe her parents. "Yeah they really aren't that. My step-mother and I never got along. It was a blessing when I moved out to go to New York and start my acting career," she said, a faraway look in her eyes.

"You were an excellent actress," Jareth replied.

Sarah arched an eyebrow at Jareth, "You've been spying on me haven't you?"

"I looked in on you from time to time. I saw that you had acheived your dream of becoming an actress."

Sarah's eyes narrowed at his words. She didn't like the idea of him spying on her at all. "How often were you spying on me?" she said, glaring at him.

"Not often. If I was doing it often I could have saved you from that accident," he angrily replied, scowling.

Sarah's mouth dropped open at his answer. Having someone spying on her made her angry but at the same time she wished that he was watching her at the time of the accident. It would've saved a lot of pain to her family, she thought, sadness sweeping over her.

Looking out over the Labyrinth Sarah watched the sun setting on the horizon. She sighed at the magnificence displayed before her. The bright reds and oranges reflected off the walls and buildings of the Labyrinth creating a brilliant color display. She really did miss this world but she missed her world too.

Jareth watched as the colors of the setting sun shone on her face and hair, enhancing her beauty. His arms ached to hold her again as he had when she had almost fallen. He watched as her eyes danced at the sight before her.

"If you are feeling better tomorrow maybe we can go for a little walk. There's a few places I would like to show you that you didn't get to see the last time you were here," he said, watching her face light up with interest.

"I would like that," she said, giving him a small smile. "How are my friends doing?" she asked, remembering them.

"They are doing fine. Ludo is living somewhere in the Labyrinth, Sir Didymus is back to his duties guarding his bridge," he paused, narrowing his eyes at her, "after it was repaired, and Hoggle is still tending my gardens and shrubbery. I will arrange them to visit you in a few days."

Sarah smiled her thanks and started to get up. She still felt very tired and weak but didn't resist when Jareth gently grasped her arm to assist her. He helped her to bed and tucked her in as if she were a child as she glared at him. He smirked at her and bent over, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep well, my love," he said before shutting the door.

Sarah laid there dazed. My love? What did he mean by that. And what was this warm sensation that she was suddenly feeling in the pit of her stomach? Lying there she tried to make sense of all the things that had happened in the past few days. She felt very confused and overwhelmed by the feelings that welled within her. Sleep came slowly for her this night.

*******

A/N: Thank you for reviewing and for the tips. Please review, I need some ideas and whatevers to help this story along! I've been getting stuck more and more frequently but then somehow I am able to pull something out of my tired brain. So suggestions and ideas are very very welcome!