Disclaimer: Do I look rich? I don't own the Labyrinth or anything to do with it.

Now, for those of you fab enough to review:

jazzy021: Woohoo, you go uni girl. CongratsFor your going to uni present I present you with this Jareth clone. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it but I don't think Cassandra and Steve would get together just because she's so prejudiced against mortals.

EleanoraRose: Why thank you.

Moonjava: I'm very glad you do.

angelwingz202: Thank you very much.

janine: Hehe, I'm glad you like it. Fantabulous is also one of my favourite words to along with Vocabulation! Which was invented on a hyper train ride into town. It's what you say on those days when you can't speak properly and all your words come out a jumble. And the Phantom rawks.

Reverie919: Glad you enjoyed. I would have let Sarah burn her but that would have caused some major problems. And Cyros. Cyros, Cyros, Cyros. Sigh. What can you say?

Avalon-blackandgreen: Yeah, this fic can get a bit confusing in places even for me. If you ever need any explanations just ask and I'll e-mail a more detailed one. I don't plan ahead much, but I do have a chart to keep track of people. And as for the writing and reviewing thing; it's a deal.

theshadowcat: Yes this is rated R for many things including language and sexual content. I'm sorry if that was unclear. I hope you're enjoying the story anyway.

VividWhiteLove: That's what I aim for. Fuzzy and Warm.

Anyana: Yeah, and that's where he should stay, huh? Glad you like it.

lyn: Will do.

Felt-Tip-Pen101: I will check out your stories. It's the least I can do for such a nice reviewer.

Ok, sorry about the late update guys, but I have exams for two weeks and a show to rehearse for and it's all Ahhhh so there might be some larger delays for awhile. Here's the next chapter:

December 20th

Jareth awoke to the feeling of a warm body pressed up against him. It was a feeling he had not experienced in quite a while and he was quite delighted to realise just whose form was pressed up against him. Sarah was already awake and was staring at a painting over the large stone fireplace across from the bed. He could see the deep thought and confusion on her face.

"Did I let you into my bed last night or is this all just a strange yet highly enjoyable dream?"

She turned and gave him a small smile. "Sorry." She said quietly. He drew her close and she laid her head on his chest.

"What's wrong?"

She sighed deeply. "I was talking to Etáin last night. She gave me the full deal on what my powers meant."

Jareth looked down at her. "Yes. None of us had foreseen this."

She nodded. "I know. It's just with the immortality and the court and the enemies and the people possibly trying to kill me…I guess I'm just overwhelmed…and let's not forget scared out of my wits."

Jareth tightened his arms around her. "Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you."

"Promise?"

"Promise. What time is it?"

"Seven."

"Seven? I'm going back to sleep."

"Yeah, more sleep sounds good."

When Sarah awoke again it was eleven. Jareth was missing from the bed but there was a hastily scrawled note informing her to have breakfast in the kitchen where they would sort everything out. It seemed that Cyros had gone on an early morning binge and Jareth's assistance was needed. Sarah left Jareth's room and returned to her room, showering and changing into a loose long black cotton skirt and a black cashmere wrap sweater. When she left her room she found herself on the east wing corridor near the back kitchen stairs which she headed for when a voice stopped her.

"Sarah?" She turned to see Steve hurrying toward her. "Sarah. We need to talk."

Sarah shook her head. "No, Steve. We have nothing left to talk about. Look, I am truly sorry to have put you through this, especially here, but I can't help what I feel."

Steve moved forward so that she was backed up into a corner. "And how do you feel Sarah?" he asked angrily. "We love each other."

She shook her head again, sadly. "No Steve. Maybe you love me, but I do not love you. I'm sorry but I can't change that."

Steve leaned into her. "I can change it if you'll let me."

He pressed his lips against hers roughly. She struggled against him and pushed him off her. "God Steve, what the hell do you think you are doing? No means no."

Sarah struggled to keep the power she felt welling within her subdued as she pushed past Steve. "You don't know how to make me love you. Even if you did I wouldn't."

He turned quickly and grabbed her shoulder. "Why? Are you in love with some one else? Are you?" Sarah raised her chin once again fighting back the urge to burst into flame. "You know what Steve? I think I might just be. I'm not sure yet, but it's closer to love than anything I've ever felt for you. Now leave me alone."

She wrenched herself free from his grasp and marched down the stairs to the kitchen.

When she opened the door Jareth, Etáin, Nadír, Cian, Fiona, Andre and Cyros were sitting around the large kitchen table. The all looked up as Sarah slammed closed the large wooden door and stormed to the table. She took a seat next to Jareth and picked up a newspaper but put it down as the edges began to smoulder and curl up. Nadír raised an eyebrow and Jareth gave her a questioning look. Etáin passed her a cup of coffee.

"Sarah, Hunny, what's wrong?" She asked gently to the fuming woman.

Sarah opened her mouth to explain but then shook her head. "…You know what? It's not even worth mentioning. There are more important things to deal with. How are you?" Sarah looked over to Cyros who shook his head.

"I feel like I got dragged trough a field of rocks by my feet."

What happened? Why are you so upset? I can feel it.

Sarah heard Jareth's stern voice in her head. His tone called for no negotiation but she didn't want to tell him with everyone around. I'll tell you later, I promise.

Sarah… His said, warning her.

Please Jareth. I will tell you, I promise. Just not here, ok?

She looked at him and he gave the tiniest of nods but he did not look happy. It looked like old stern Jareth was back with a vengeance.

Nadír stood at the head of the table and looked over the people gathered. "Well," He started. "This is certainly most unlike any of the other reunions we have hosted. First of all, we will all do our best to see the Ionnina returns so that she and Cyros can talk. If anyone sees her, ask her to come back. Everyone knows the story, feel free to explain it to her every chance you get. We all know how stubborn she can be."

There were a few small laughs around the table and even Cyros smiled a little at the reference to his wife.

"Now, the other matter. One that has never really come up before."

He looked at Sarah who looked at the table top with great interest. She felt a little comforted when she felt Jareth's gloved hand squeeze her leg slightly under the table.

Nadír nodded to her. "First of all Sarah, we would all like to assure you, that none of this is your fault. You had absolutely no control over the events of late where your powers are concerned."

Sarah looked up and smiled at the occupants of the table gratefully. "But, even though we had no control, we do now. Sarah beginning today you will take lessons from each of us on how to control you powers and you temper. You will learn the full extent of your powers so that you don't end up burning anything down by accident."

Sarah nodded. "Thank you. That would be useful."

"You're going to start with Jareth today. Also, you are not to go beyond the gardens alone. We will not have you disappear under our noses when it can be easily avoided."

Etáin poked Sarah in the side. "That means no going off in a strop when you get angry."

Sarah was distinctly unhappy about this but she wasn't going to complain. These people had done too much for her.

"In fact, try to be with someone most of the time. The last thing is I want everyone to keep an eye on Cassandra and Sogoro. They are the most likely to take action against Sarah. Sogoro will probably only go through the courts but I'm worried about Cassandra calling in a few of her friends. I know it's horrible, but try to spend as much time as possible with them, or at least in the same room. Don't give them a chance to call anybody."

The group then began to leave, each attending to what ever they had to do. Sarah looked at Jareth. "So, training huh?"

He nodded. "In the library." He said shortly and got up.

She frowned and followed.

Jareth shut the door to the library and turned to Sarah. "Well?"

"Well what?"

He walked up to her and suddenly she was acutely aware of how tall he was and how menacing he could be. She felt as if she was fifteen again, facing the Goblin King, the villain who stole her brother not Jareth, the man who's bed she just spent the night in. It was a sharp reminder of how changeable his moods were.

"Well, why did you nearly reduced the Irish Times to a pile of ash when you came in. Why won't you tell me?"

Sarah shook her head and took a step back. "I just didn't want to tell you there. It was just Steve."

Jareth glowered. "What about him?"

"He just cornered me in the corridor by the back stairs. Some thing about us loving each other. He kissed me; I had to fight him off. It was stupid and I…where are you going?"

Jareth was stalking towards the door. "I'm going to hang him over the Bog by his balls."

She jumped and moved in front of him. She placed her hands on his chest. "This is why I didn't tell you down in the kitchen. Now, you will not do anything to Steve, you will help me control my powers so that the next time he tries anything like that I'll burn him to a crisp on purpose and not just by accident. Ok?"

He nodded but she could tell he was still angry. "Jareth listen, Steve will eventually stop, and besides after he goes home we won't be anywhere near each other so it won't matter. No point in doing anything." He sighed and took her hands in his. "Since when did you become the rational mind and I the impulsive one?"

She laughed. "I always had a rational mind. I just didn't use it. As for you becoming impulsive, perhaps you've just regressed."

"Ha, you should be a comedian."

"I'm not going to give up my day job."

"Good choice. Anyway, on to this training."

"Yeah, what are we going to do?"

"We are going to work on your teleportation. It helps with focus and control."

"…Cool."

Cassandra opened the door to the library loudly and glared at the woman sitting behind one of the desks with a large book open in front of her, her eyes closed. "You…"

Sarah cracked an eye and moaned, shifting slightly in the large chair. "….Cassandra. What do you want?"

Cassandra frowned as Sarah closed her eyes again. "I was looking for Jareth. Where is he?"

"I…ahh…I really don't know." Sarah leaned forward and placed her face in her hands. "I have a headache. Could you please leave."

Cassandra scowled as she heard the muffled words but turned to the door. It was obvious Sarah was not in a talkative mood. Sarah moaned again and glanced up to see Steve coming towards them and throwing a look back at a retreating Cassandra.

He looked at Sarah who sat back again. "Sarah, I…"

She held up her hand. "Stop. I'm not in the mood. I have a headache. Leave me alone."

Steve looked forlorn but he also turned and began to leave. "Close the door behind you."

He did as she asked.

Jareth appeared from under the desk with a devilish grin on his face. "A headache my dear? How original."

Sarah buried a hand in his blond hair. "Gods Jareth. Don't stop now."

He grinned again. "As you command my lady."

His head disappeared underneath Sarah's long skirt and she cried out in pleasure.

Sarah appeared in a swirl of bright flame and shrieked. She began to fall but opened her eyes when she felt Jareth's strong arms catch her.

"I nearly made it that time."

Jareth set her on her feet and looked at her incredulously. "You were five meters from the catwalk." "Ahh, but I was on the same level as the cat walk. I have my vertical sorted."

"Now you just need to work on basic direction."

She whacked his arm. "Hey be nice. You've been doing this for centuries, I've been doing it about five hours."

"Minus the time we spent…"

She cut him off and blushed. "Ahem…yes, well, minus that."

He grinned at her embarrassment but said nothing. Sarah flopped down onto a couch. "Do you think there's any point in going to Yukio's lesson to day? After my little display yesterday, I doubt Sogoro will be keen on my teaching his daughter."

Jareth shrugged as he studied the book shelves. "You might as well try."

"I suppose."

Jareth turned at her dejected tone. "What?"

She sighed. "I can't help feeling as if I've fucked up somehow. I've efficiently managed to make everything more difficult for everyone."

Jareth shook his head as he turned back to the shelf. "You can be quite stupid sometimes Sarah. Trust me, if people didn't want you to be here or were angry at you, you'd know it."

Sarah scowled at his back and stood up. "Charming, you are."

"I know."

"I'm going to the music room to see if the lesson's still on. I'll see you around." Sarah left shutting the door loudly behind her.

Tact was never Jareth's middle name but that didn't mean she was going to put up with him like that all the time.

Sarah opened the door of the music room to be confronted with a rather angry looking Sogoro and Yukio. Yukio was gesturing violently at her father behind his back as Sogoro sent a disapproving look to Sarah.

"Ahh, Miss Williams. I would like to inform you that you are no longer allowed to teach my daughter. I will not have your unstable personality influence her."

Sarah sighed and nodded not really feeling like a fight. "I thought you might."

"I would also like to inform you that as soon as possible, myself and my wife shall be putting forward a motion to the court to have you stripped of any power that you have had the fortune to inherit."

Sarah frowned. "May I ask what you grounds for this motion are?"

Sogoro looked taken aback slightly at her calm demeanour. "Well, we believe that you are unstable of mind and unable to control the powers endowed to you."

Sarah pulled herself up to her full height which, though not much, gave her an air of power that very few people could muster.

It seemed spending time with Jareth had added side effects. "To be quite honest Lord Sogoro," She spoke his name with distain. "you do not know me and therefore cannot be fit to judge my state of mind. Also, you have no idea how long I have had these powers because I assure you,"

A flame erupted quite violently in the fireplace beside the trio and Sogoro jumped. The fire quieted down to a friendly glow as Sarah moved closer to the man in front of her.

"I am very much in control of my powers. Now I would rather not have any conflict with you, but if you take me to that court I will win and I am sure you don't want to suffer that humiliation."

Sarah took a step back and surveyed Sogoro with a cold eye. "I hope I have made my position crystal clear to you my lord?"

Sogoro nodded. "Indeed you have but believe me when I tell you this is not the end."

With that the tall man grabbed his daughter and left the room in a flourish. Sarah sighed and glanced at the fireplace as she willed the flame she had conjured to flicker out of existence.

She needed a walk.

Sarah wandered aimlessly through the gardens of the castle. She was glad she managed to get away before anyone had realised the lesson was off. She appreciated that they were all trying to protect her, she really did, but she was a big girl now and she need time to herself outside of her room. One thing Sarah could never tolerate was being cooped up, whether it was for her own good or not. Sarah was acutely aware that there was probably an argument to end all arguments waiting for her back at the castle, but somehow the calm she felt being outside by herself was worth it. Sarah paused by a tall brick wall. She heard an annoyingly familiar voice coming from beyond.

"I don't care, do what ever you need to do. You know I have enough to pay you."

Another voice came in. It was a deep female voice which chilled Sarah. There was a cruel, cold edge to the voice that Sarah had never heard.

"I'm sorry princess, but I cannot force someone to fall in love with you. A push is one thing but feelings must exist first. The only spell simply helps that person realise those feelings. And besides, even I would not dare take on him. He would have no qualms killing me on the spot."

Sarah heard Cassandra huff and stomp her foot.

"Fine, what if you remove his currant distraction? Would that let out his true feelings for me?"

The voice laughed and Sarah shivered. "Do you really think that he loves you?"

Cassandra sounded insulted. "Of course he does, that little bitch is just a distraction for him. He's simply using her."

"Then why not wait?"

"Because, if I don't secure him by the third month of the next year my mother will marry me to someone else. I will not have anyone else. Besides, killing her will be beneficial to you too."

"Really? Do tell."

"She is the one who has been sapping your magik. Stealing your fire."

The other woman sucked in a breath. "Her. She must die. I will claim her stake for my own. Her bond with the flame is more than I have ever heard of."

Cassandra yawned. "So you'll kill her?"

"With pleasure."

"Good, you better go now."

Sarah felt the fire magik swell behind the wall and then dissipate. She ducked behind another wall as Cassandra walked by, a pleased smile on her face. Sarah fumed. There was no doubt they had been talking about her.

I'll wipe that stupid smile off your face, you bitch. Plot to kill me will you?

Sarah walked to the back gardens where the conversation had taken place. She could still feel the lingering aura of the flames where the woman had disappeared. She could only assume that this woman was Fuamnach, the person Etáin had told her about.

Sarah sat on a stone bench.

It looked like the rabbit hole just took another twist.

An hour later Sarah was jolted from her thoughts by a voice calling her name. Sarah got of the stone bench and looked over the small stone wall. Nadír was walking through one of the smaller flower gardens scanning the area for his quarry.

Suddenly he let out a yell and Sarah heard a sharp slap. "Fucking fairies!!"

Sarah laughed lightly. "I'm over here Nadír."

He frowned and headed over to her. "What did I tell you about going off on your own?"

Sarah sighed. "I know. Are people very angry?"

Nadír looked disapprovingly at her. "Well, their not dancing."

Sarah eyed him. "Oh gods. Jareth is going to kill me isn't he?"

"He's not the only one."
"Don't I know it."

Nadír raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sarah sat back on the bench and motioned him to sit. "Can I show you my memories or something like it?"

Nadír nodded slowly. "If you bring them to the forefront I can just read your mind."

"You do realise how creepy that sounds?"

"I got over it about a thousand years ago."

She nodded. "Right, well have a look at this."

Sarah could feel Nadír enter her mind. It wasn't a particularly pleasant experience but she knew Nadír would go no further that he was allowed.

He pulled back with a dark look on his face. "Do you realise how serious this is?"

Sarah sighed. "I realise this will be my last solo excursion for a while."

Nadír stood up quickly. "You've got that right. Do you have any idea who that was?"

"I think it was Fuamnach."

Nadír nodded angrily. "We have to tell everyone to be on the look out. We have to…"

Sarah jumped up suddenly. "No!"

Nadír frowned at her. "What do you mean 'no'?"

"You can't tell Jareth. At least not everything."

"Why not? Out of everyone, I would have thought he should definitely know."

"Yes you would think that but think about it. Jareth will fly off the handle. He'll probably go off and try to take Fuamnach on by himself and he'll also probably swoop me off to some obscure Underground holiday spot and leave me there until everything has been sorted."

"Did you ever think that that might be best?"

Sarah glared at him. "No. Jareth has a volatile temper as it is. At least leave it a day or two."

Nadír nodded. "I see your point there. He will be very angry at you after he finds out."

Sarah shrugged. "Hey, if it keeps him safe I think I'll risk it. I don't want him done for murder by the court. Oh and by the way Sogoro told me he was taking me there for being…how did he put it? Oh yeah, unbalanced of mind."

Nadír laughed. "He was accusing you of that? He's a well known eccentric."

Sarah smiled. "Let's head back before they send out a search party, its already dark."

Sarah winced as Jareth brought his hands down on the table top, hard. "What the hell were you thinking? You know what's happening. You've been threatened by two powerful Fae in the last week and you still insist on waltzing around as if there's absolutely nothing wrong."

Sarah ran her hands trough her hair. "We've been trough this. I said I'm sorry, I just needed to organise my thoughts. The others have forgiven me, why can't you just get over it?"

"Why can't I…" Jareth shook his head in disbelief.

Sarah could see the cold set to his face but she kept reminding herself this was because he cared. Right? "Sarah, you ran off without telling anyone. What if…"

Sarah stood up and walked over to him. "What if what Jareth? I would hardly call going for a walk in the gardens 'running off'. Now please tell me what the hell is eating at you so we can move on!"

Jareth looked at her harshly. "What if someone had come for you? What if someone who wanted the power you possess had come and killed you for it?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Ok, I get it. I was stupid but…"

"Yes you were stupid. You could have been killed."

Her eyes closed as his shout echoed around the empty kitchen. It was late and the others had long since left the arguing couple. Sarah turned towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

She paused. "Jareth, this has been one of the most stressful days I have ever had the displeasure to experience and that includes my delightful romp through your Labyrinth which is saying a lot, don't you think? And I…I just….I cant deal with all the shouting and the fighting right now." She closed her eyes again, wiping away a stray tear.

"You're staying here."

"Did you just not hear me, or are you reverting to your old asshole self, because I'm not appreciating it right now."

Jareth gave her a dangerous look. "Don't defy me Sarah."

She shook her head. "I can't take this." And she was gone.

Jareth ran a hand over his face. He never had been the best with words when it came to Sarah. It had been a long day!

Sarah wiped more tears from her face. They were tears of stress more than anything but Jareth's little return to form had not helped. She ran up to reception to see Seán at the desk. She gave the quiet man a small smile.

"Hey, do you have a phone I could use? My room is sans electricity."

He smiled back at her. "Sure, here you go." He handed her a cordless and she sat on a small sofa off the main lobby.

"….Hey kiddo. How are you?….Really, that's brill. And dad? Yeah, well my trips been….Hello….Oh, hi Karen. How are you? Can I talk to Toby some more….. Oh, he does. But….ok. Em, is Dad there?…. What do you mean he doesn't want to speak to me?….But I…. No. We broke up. Listen I really want to talk to Toby for just a sec. It won't take long, I promise….. Please Kare…"

Sarah looked sadly at the handset as the disconnected tone rang out. It seemed very loud to her. Almost shattering.

She didn't really see her family much anymore. Karen had made sure of that. When Sarah had returned from the Labyrinth, she had thought that maybe Karen wasn't as bad as she had thought. Simply the evil step mother invented by a spoiled and spurned young girl, but it turned out that Karen continued to be vile to her. Sarah didn't try prevent the tears from falling this time. She felt as if she was at the end of her tether and she knew there was more to come. The court, Cassandra, Steve, not to mention telling Jareth what she had heard in the garden. She was not looking forward to that conversation. Sarah placed the phone back at reception before she made her way up the huge staircase.

She paused on the corridor when she realised she was heading back to her old room. Steve's room. She shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself.

She moved to the door for the back stairs, praying that it would open up to her mysterious room. She sighed when the door opened to reveal nothing but a dark staircase. It was times like this when she wished she didn't have a magik room. She turned and walked down the corridor, not quite sure where she was going to go. She heard the door open behind her. It could only be one person and she quickened her steps. She heard him coming up behind her, or could feel him rather, and moved faster as she realise she was still crying.

"Sarah."

She stopped when he called her. His voice was so sad that she felt she had to, she didn't turn to face him though. He gently turned her round and his heart nearly shattered when he saw her face. He pulled her into a tight embrace and the flood gates opened. A torrent of emotion was let out against his shoulder. Her tears soaked through his shirt as he held her close, one hand resting on the small of her back while the other stroked her hair.

He kissed the top of her head. "Shh, I'm sorry."

She shook her head slightly, though her face was still buried in his shoulder. "It's not just you. Though if you ever say shit like that to me again I'm gonna kill you."

He smiled as he heard her muffled words.

"It's just everything, and then you, and then I tried to call my family…" She looked up at him and sniffed. "I can't even talk to Toby anymore. Karen snatched the phone away from him when I called, she says my Dad doesn't want to talk to me. He probably doesn't want to for all the effort he puts into contacting me. After every thing I can't even see my baby brother because of that cow!"

More tears of rage slipped down her cheeks and she buried her face back in Jareth's shoulder. He kissed her hair again.

"It isn't fair."

He could hear her small laugh just barely.

Suddenly she pulled away and ran her hand through her hair. She looked up at him with fear in her eyes. "Sarah?" He asked cautiously.

She took a deep breath. "Ok, I'm going to tell you something that I said I wouldn't but I want to avoid future arguments. But first you have to promise not to get really angry and storm off to do something stupid. Do you promise me?"

He nodded.

"Ok, and you better keep that. Here." She held out her hand and he removed one of his gloves and took it. Her memories of the conversation she had overheard in the garden and the one with Nadír all flashed through his mind, but clearer still were Sarah's own feelings. The reason why she had thought it best not to tell him. He let go of her hand and closed his eyes, sighing. He was angry, Sarah could tell, but not at her.

He looked at her through his lowered eyelashes. "When I get my hands on that bitch…"

Sarah jumped forward. "You promised."

He sighed again. "I did. And I will keep my word."

He pulled her to him again. "I have to admit, if you had told me a few hours ago, you would be currently residing in one of the more comfortable oubliettes for the duration of this affair."

She glanced up at his shadowed face. "And now?"

"You are among some of the few people I trust completely. We are probably better off here."

She grabbed his hand and headed towards his room. "Come on. I'm wreaked. It's been a really long day." He nodded in agreement and followed her down the corridor.

End Chap.

Ahh, the confusion escalates, hmmm? You people better review, any question don't hesitate.

Slán.