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Chapter 7: Forget

"No," Lauren breathed, "NO!"

Jareth looked at her, compassion in his eyes.

"Lauren…"

"No! I'm going to get you back Jareth."

"Lauren…"

"Be quiet and lean on me." Sighing he obeyed.

Lauren helped Jareth back to her house.

"Let go now," he whispered.

"Why?" Lauren was puzzled.

"Your friends are there right? I want to keep up appearances."

Lauren knew it was no use to argue and opened the door.

Her length of absence had worried her friends. Mel pounced on her when she walked through the door.

"Lauren we…" she broke off when Jareth walked in. Mimi squealed and hid behind Nick who readied his fists.

Jareth grimaced at them, "I'd love to let you take your revenge on me but…" he swayed and gripped the doorpost.

"Damn you and your appearance Jareth! Come here." Lauren growled worriedly and helped him to the sofa. The three friends stood gob smacked.

"OK, get me a pressure pad or a bandage or something Mel, hurry!"

Only then did Mel see the blood soaked jacket and race off.

"It's not going to do any good," muttered Jareth, laying his head back and closing his eyes in pain.

Lauren re-bandaged the wound but the blood soaked through it in seconds. She bit her lip in worry.

Jareth couldn't bear to see the hopelessness and pain in his love's eyes. He made a decision.

"Lauren," Jareth looked her in the eyes, and breathing heavily he produced a peach out of thin air, then collapsed back exhausted, his magik now completely gone. "Eat that. Everyone must take a bite. It'll make you forget."

"Forget? Forget what?"

"Me, everything that happened."

"But I don't want to…" Lauren started but Jareth cut her off.

"Lauren I'm dying and you can't save me," his face was paler than usual, "I don't want you to hurt. You have to eat and forget."

"NO!"

"Lauren listen to me…"

"No, you listen Jareth. I won't forget you. Never. I can't…I won't! I love you!" Tears streamed down her cheeks. Reaching for him she kissed him deeply, a kiss full of despair…and love.

Jareth felt her lips meet his and sank into the kiss. He knew this was going to hurt her later but he couldn't let her go. She loved him. She truly loved him. For the first time in his life Jareth felt truly complete, truly happy. His one regret in dying is that he was leaving Lauren behind.

Lauren broke the kiss and looked at Jareth lovingly. He met her eyes with his and she saw no fear.

"Lauren you have made me happier than I've ever been but you must eat the peach."

"Jareth…"

"If you eat the peach I can die content. I can't die knowing you'd be suffering."

"Then don't die."

Jareth gave a chuckle that ended in a groan of pain. "Lauren please," his voice was barely audible. His eyes pleaded with her. Taking the peach each of her friends took a bite.

"Now you Lauren."

Lauren blinked and the tears overflowed, rolling down her face. "For you Jareth," she sobbed and took a bite. The juice flowed down her throat and she swallowed, almost choking on tears.

"Good," Jareth smiled weakly. " 'Nothing dies as long as it's not forgotten'" (That's from 'The Forbidden game')

"But I will forget."

"No. I'll be there in your dreams Lauren. Always. We'll meet the moment your eyes close."

Lauren bent over and kissed him again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he held her back. She wept into his shoulder.

"Come stop your crying, it'll be alright." He sang softly to her, "Just take my hand; hold it tight," Lauren recognised Phil Collins, "I will protect you from all around you. I will be here don't you cry. For one so small you seem so strong. My arms will hold you keep you safe and warm. This bond between us can't be broken. I will be here, don't you cry."

Lauren felt his grasp weaken.

"Always, I'll be with you. I'll be there for you always, always and always. Just look over your shoulder. I'll be there always."

Jareth's eyes closed and he lay completely still.

"Jareth," she moaned and sank to the carpet at his feet. Her mind was already blanking out. She thought she saw glitter floating away.

THE END (I mean that)