Chapter Two

An Arrogant Savior

"LET GO ANTHONY!" she shrieked but he wouldn't listen. Sarah had been hoping that Karen would hear her, but she didn't hear footsteps coming up the stairs. DON'T TOUCH HER she heard loudly and wished that she could grab her head because of how loud the voice in her mind was. She felt wings brush past her and saw as two very sharp talons grabbed at Anthony's hair. Sarah was sure Jareth could have done worse, but she had a feeling he didn't want to scar the boy, only get him away.

"AH!" Anthony quickly let go and backed against the door "LET GO! LET GO! LET GO!" Jareth dropped the boy's hair and fluttered about three feet from where he stood. Anthony moved towards the owl, looking as if he was about to kick him and Sarah grabbed the nearest object (which happened to be her lamp) and chucked it at him, hitting him in the face. He managed to grab his nose as blood started to spill from it and just looked at Sarah. "All this for a kiss?"

"All this because you can't understand a simply word," she snapped "here's two I'm sure you'll understand, GET OUT." Anthony grabbed his nose and made his way down the stairs. Sarah sat on her bed and coughed a few times, trying to keep herself breathing.

Good shot, she heard Jareth think and he looked at him.

"Why can I hear you?" she asked and he managed to flutter up onto the bed.

Not a clue, he thought but it means some of my magick has come back. Of course, not enough for me to change back into my normal self, nor enough to get me back to the Underground. Sarah coughed again. Are you going to be alright?

"I think so," she breathed "what about you?" He shrugged. "You helped me…"

So? He shrugged again. You helped me, its only fair. She gave him a dry look and he smirked. Yes, I'm aware that life isn't fair, Sarah but-

"No," she laughed "I was just thinking… it was a good shot, wasn't it?" He made that purring sound again and she laid back and looked at the ceiling. "Thank you." She felt increasingly tired and he moved closer and looked at her. "What?"

Sarah, if you don't break this spell I'll be stuck this way forever. Sarah began to feel a wave of despair come over her and she wondered if it was coming from Jareth. And no one else is going to help me… no one else can hear me. Sarah would you please, help me?

"You said please," she mused.

Moment of weakness, he muttered just realize that when I get back to myself, I'm going to be me again. No sweet little innocent owl.

"I figured," she breathed and looked at him. He looked annoyed with himself, the big ruler having to plea with a mere mortal for help. How degrading for him. She paused, feeling as if she should humor him. Perhaps make the transition a little easier? Why should she? He never did anything for her. He never helped her any. But the thought came across her that, he'd just saved her from Anthony, who could have very well raped her right there. And the Labyrinth… he really WAS just doing his job. He was just doing what she asked him to do… and she hadn't even gotten hurt. Which was strange considering everything she went though, falling into the oubliette, the goblin war, the giant monster, the fireies… not even a scratch.

Sarah? he moved closer to her and she propped herself up on one arm.

"I'll help you," she said quietly. He seemed shocked and she smirked at him. "What?"

Just like that? No catch? No, say please Jareth and maybe I'll THINK about helping you? His eyes were wide and she laughed.

"Not unless you want there to be a catch," she smirked and he went quiet. She yawned and her eyes watered a little and he still seemed lost in thought. "Why are you an owl?"

Funny thing, he mused its your fault.

"What?" she asked.

I don't hold it against you, he explained I understand you thinking of me badly but… you see, when you solved the labyrinth. When you beat me… you gained power over me. She grew quiet. And thinking of me badly… well, it did something to my powers.

"Figures," she murmured and he heaved another sigh. "How am I supposed to break this spell?"

I don't know, he admitted that's the problem. But it looks like we're on the right track. She nodded but didn't say anything. So I was flying, looking for your house and… I hit… something.

"And fell into my yard," she yawned "and screeched like a dying cat!" He made that purring sound again, which she figured was his laugh.

I wasn't aware of whose yard I was in, he admitted and when you tried to get me from under the bushes, the LAST thing I wanted was for you to try and help me.

"Why?" she frowned.

I am the Goblin King, he sounded strict and noble I don't NEED help. I do things myself.

"Everybody needs help sometime," she muttered and then made a face "I sound like one of Toby's TV shows." He purred again. "This is bound to be an interesting summer."

I needed a vacation anyways, he said, trying to make himself feel better.

"Oh yeah," Sarah rolled her eyes "its just one big vacation here. Toby screaming, Karen leaving him with me all day. Now I gotta baby-sit you."

Would you rather me leave? His voice was harsh almost and he strummed his talons against the comforter.

"I already said I'd help you," she promised "what's said is said after all." She clamped her mouth shut and looked at him, for an owl, he held very interesting expressions. He was smirking at her, which was almost horrific looking, an owl smirking, but she didn't give it a second thought.

Indeed, he said and Sarah was beginning to see him go back to his arrogant kingly self. But she supposed he'd feel better if he was hidden behind a mask of indifference. That maybe he'd be more comfortable being smooth, even though he was trapped in the body of an owl. Sarah? She opened an eye and looked at him. Perhaps you should watch your thoughts as well. She opened her other eye as well. I can hear you. She nodded. And Sarah? She looked at him again. I'm not THAT arrogant.

"I never said that," she smirked. The owl curled up on the bed and yawned, completely ignoring her last statement. Sarah yawned too and he smiled (which was equally as creepy as him smirking at her). They both fell asleep.

Author's Note: Hey guys. For those of you that are waiting for a chapter for something else today, I'm sorry but your not gonna get it. Conner and I WAS going to write it, but my mother and I got into this thing about me failing math. She flipped out, very badly and now I have a hole in my closet door AND I'm super grounded (which means they took everything out of my room). So please be patient with my other stories, it may take a while to update. (I only had this chapter because I wrote it BEFORE she grounded me). So I was seriously upset (I still am) but this is why I'm glad I have a muse. :Hugs Conner: he's always there for me. Speaking of, I got a few new muses on my info page. And if you want to adopt one, PLEASE email me. Its too hard keeping up with emails AND reviews… I can't tell who's who. Its IdonyEllen and yahoo ok? Or IM me. HomeSickness907

Thank you!