Hey guys! I hope ya like it. Juliablu84

Chapter 2- Questions

When Toby stepped into his sister's house, he was not greeted with welcome. Instead,an image flashed through his head, just briefly: his mind was a television, and the channels were flipping, but then- bam- it stopped on red and white stripes… and the feeling of being lifted. He dismissed the thought and stared around, his eyes innocently wide, two blue marbles of love.

The flat was strangely empty. "Sarah?" His voice was hollow.

What was going on? She was supposed to be home. Something told him to come over to her tiny apartment. He and his mother Karen (Sarah's stepmother) were staying in town for the weekend visiting her. Earlier that evening, Sarah had asked them to leave. The melancholy in her eyes as she spoke the request frightened Toby. Their hotel was only a few blocks away, so Toby told Karen he was going for a walk as an excuse to check on her. He was already out the door before Karen could express her concern about the dreadful rainfall. And now he was here, driven by a ghost of a thought: Hurry, Toby, hurry! She's leaving!

Though only ten, Toby had the insight of someone well beyond his years. Without further hesitation, he ran tantivy past the den and to her room.

BAM! He jerked open the door. Her large window was wide open; purple drapes fluttered like two dancers at a masquerade. Why that mental image seemed so normal to him he could not guess. He stood on the windowsill, body drenched with the rain. The full moon evoked a powerful image as well…

The image of a crystal.

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Jareth marveled at the goddess lying in front of him. He didn't touch her, but looked at her through the eyes of a man who has never known love. He trembled with excitement: to think, they could rule together in happiness for an eternity!

Goblins crept forward, examining the fair maiden. "Get back," Jareth said. His harsh words could not disrupt the hope in their eyes. A few of them tried to touch her hair and her flowing white dress (which she now magically adorned thanks to the Goblin King). "No!" he said in a hushed whisper. They did not disobey their King. "I must be with her… alone."

When crowd dispersed, Jareth let out a small sigh. Finally. How this very room had tormented him days before, but now--!

Should he…? He leaned forward, his leather-gloved hand prepared to caress her face. One little stroke and her eyes fluttered open. He jumped back a little, surprised. "Sorry," he breathed. Then he smiled broadly. "Welcome."

Oh God, that sounded so stupid.

Sarah didn't seem to mind. She blinked up at him, and then scanned the large stone chamber. Her eyes did not criticize or glow with joy, they merely accepted, and he was fine with that.

He sat down on the bed next to her. "How are you feeling?"

She looked down, and then met his eyes. Oh, her deep, brown eyes, staring at him sweetly! He could hardly believe it. "I'm fine. Better, now that I'm away from that rain and darkness."

Sarah sat up and grew interested in something across the room. Jareth saw she was walking towards a mask placed on the mantle. He strolled up slowly behind her. "I wore that… to the ball," he said in her ear.

She turned, slightly startled. "I remember." He was smiling, and she took comfort in it. She placed her hand in his. "I wish… I remembered the steps... from that night."

Jareth placed his hand on her back, tentatively, and soon she was following his lead. He was spinning her in a circle.

Suddenly, she stopped, and just hugged him. His embrace was so enticing- it sent a pleasant tingling up her arms. "Jareth, you saved me."

He brought his face down into her hair and inhaled. "Sarah. I feel like I can finally love you."

Sarah intertwined her hand in his. Then, slowly, she pulled the glove off. He instantly understood. He took his bare hand, and touched her cheek. She smiled. "I want to feel your real hands," she said.

"Yes."

Her eyes flickered to the door. "Jareth," she said. "This is kind of sudden for me. Can I… go out and get a breath of fresh air? I need some time to think."

Thought disappointed, Jareth knew how exhausted and confused she was inside. Who wouldn't need time to think after such a shock? Sarah was back in the Labyrinth after ten years of blocking it out of her memory!

"Certainly. In fact, now's a good time for you to enjoy some renovations I've made. Allow me..."

Sarah had blinked, and suddenly, she was seated by a glistening pond and surrounded by exotic trees, all swaying in the breeze. She was in a perfectly magical garden. She looked up- Jareth was peering down at her from a tower window.

"Just say the word when you're ready to come back up," he spoke to her mind.

She understood and then dangled her feet in the water. The moonlight played across her skin, making her glow. She was relaxed. "I can't believe this," she said to herself. Inside, she was questioning her love for Jareth. "How do I know what to believe? I've had such a bad history with men. No… just relax, Sarah." She sighed and admired the beauty of the trees, unaware that someone was spying on her… and it wasn't Jareth.

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Toby's eyes were glazed. Were his eyes playing tricks on him? The pitiful block of apartment buildings was transformed into a fantastic landscape. It looked like a snaking wall was guarding a city. Why did this seem so familiar to him?

The rain was evaporating around him. Suddenly, a glass crystal dropped into his hand. He stared at it. FLASH! He recalled a man with blonde hair and two distinctly different eyes making such a crystal out of thin air. "I shall teach you how to make these, to control your surroundings, my little Jareth."

JARETH! That name was like a blow to Toby's head. "Yes. Jareth. I remember him making them… and showing me so I would learn and follow in his footsteps. But… is this just a dream of mine?"

Toby did not understand the power he held in his hand. He also couldn't explain why, at that moment, he felt like going forward into this strange new place.

"Well, come on feet."

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Though Jareth's heart was light, a long-harbored fear crept into his mind. He looked out into the night for the millionth time with a frown on his face.

"She denied you once, Jareth. What if she denies you again?" a voice asked him.

"I love her. I'll protect her. That's what I did then. She knows that. I would not allow her to be hurt."

"But what of the child you stole?"

"Oh, we've been through this before. I only did what was asked of me."

"Your heart was and is cruel."

Jareth stopped on that hurtful remark. "I needed an heir. And… where it not for her journey through the Labyrinth… I…" He stared out of the window, his gaze transfixed. "I would have never known love."

"A part of you must change, Jareth, for Sarah to truly accept you. You must show mercy to the neighboring kingdoms. Change your plans of conquest. Otherwise you are still cruel."

"You don't understand. She… she has softened my heart. I… love her so much." Jareth placed a hand over his eyes as hot tears splashed down his face. "Please Sarah… stay with me… I love you so much. If… if… I lose you… I couldn't live." He wiped the tears away and looked at the moon. Sighing, he turned to his bed, his black robe billowing behind him.

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Sarah peered down into the water, examining her reflection… and her heart's intentions. "Who knows?" she asked herself. "Perhaps everything will turn out all—" She couldn't finish. The words had stuck in her throat at the appearance of a dark, brooding figure next to her reflection.