Chapter 7: Love without your heartbeat

Sarah sat down heavily on the bed. Something was bothering her and the fact she didn't know what was bothering her was bothering her (It's just one vicious cycle). Sarah tugged off the dress and put her 'travelling clothes' back on. They felt by far more comfortable. In utter confusion she collapsed across the bed. She felt something lumpy in the pocket of her trousers and pulled it out. She looked at the red bound book and slowly traced the golden lettering on the front. Opening it up to the back page she scanned the page. Something about a piece of cake, then she jumped. Staring she watched words appear on the page…

She looked at the book in the same amazement and as she looked words continued to appear on the page.

Something inside her was struggling to make itself known.

"This time the story is being written as you walk."

In a kaleidoscope of images and words everything came flooding back to her.

"NO!" She looked at the clock, still time left and she was in his castle now. Yet the relief she felt at having time left couldn't outweigh the overwhelming sense of betrayal.

Xxxxxxx

Jareth looked into the crystal intently.

"She knows," he whispered.

Xxxxxxx

Sarah got up and was preparing to leave when she spotted something in the corner. She picked up an all too familiar sword but that would mean…HE'D PUT HER IN HIS ROOM! Of all the impudence! Feeling murderous Sarah buckled Jareth's sword to her waist and raced from the room.

Xxxxxxx

Jareth leant back in his chair. Great she was going to try and kill him. Perfect. He pinched the bridge of his nose in deep thought.

Xxxxxxx

Sarah had found her way into the Escher room and was looking around for a logical way through. To her surprise there was no Jareth or Toby in sight. Warily she ran down one of the staircases,

"Everything I've done I've done for you," Sarah jumped and stared about her but there was no Jareth.

"You starve and near exhaust me…" Sarah ran up some steps, maybe he was hiding somewhere.

"Do you know how much that hurt me?" Sarah's heart leapt at the pain in the voice. He'd said that at the duel, she hadn't paid much attention to it at the time.

"Look at what I'm offering you, your dreams," Sarah saw an exact replica of Jareth in front of her, wearing the white outfit but she could see straight through him, an illusion.

Turning her jaw dropped as she saw Jareth dancing with her on the level below,

"But I'll be there for you-oo-oo," She watched them lean closer and almost kiss. Then vanish.

"The King of the Goblins had fallen in love with the girl," Sarah gasped as she heard her own voice echo around the room.

Jareth's image appeared in front of her again, "Fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave." Sarah felt her heart wrench as she saw him hold out the crystal, his eyes begging her.

Sarah fled down more stairs; she had to get out of here. There was a door in front of her.

"Live without your sunlight…" She yanked the door open, "…love without your heartbeat…"

Slamming the door shut behind her Sarah leant against it breathing hard.

Looking up she found herself in a long corridor like room. Jareth sat at the end of it on a chair, one leg thrown leisurely over the arm. Sitting happily to one side was Toby. He was rolling a crystal from hand to hand completely oblivious to everything that was happening. Before Sarah could move from the door Jareth spotted her and got up. Barring the path between her and Toby.

"Time's nearly up," he announced gesturing to a clock, "Your brother is playing with the crystal that'll send you home. However…" he paused, "The question is can you get it?"

Sarah stared at him in utter disbelief. Remembering the sword at her waist she drew it at pointed it at Jareth's throat.

He laughed mockingly, "You're going to kill me with my own sword?"

"Stand down Jareth," Sarah ordered,

"Are you ordering me?" he seemed faintly amused, "And what if I refuse?"

"I'll have to kill you," hissed Sarah,

Jareth looked at her steadily for a few moments, Sarah's resolve shook, "No you won't." Sarah was staggered at the confidence in Jareth's voice as he said it.

"I won't will I?"

"No,"

Sarah put the sword closer to Jareth's throat but he was unshaken. With sudden clarity she knew he was right. She dropped the sword. It clattered loudly on the floor. The two just stood there, staring at each other. Sarah was beginning to panic. She had to get Toby. Flicking her eyes to one side Jareth followed her gaze and she dodged around him on his other side. She thought she'd succeeded until a gloved hand grasped her wrist tightly, pulling her up short.

"Jareth let me go!" Sarah didn't care how desperate she sounded now. The clock was almost run down and she had to get Toby home.

Jareth saw her distress. She really cared what happened to her brother. Could he really keep her here against her will? The more pressing question was could he let her go…again?

Jareth snapped his fingers and Toby vanished. The crystal he'd been holding fell to the floor with a sharp 'clink' and rolled towards them. It hit Sarah's shoe and stopped. He slowly let go of her wrist.

"I've sent Toby home," Jareth breathed, "Yours is the choice. Do you stay with me or go home?"

Sarah inhaled sharply, she was surprised he'd given her a choice; she was even more surprised to find she was torn, why she hadn't a clue. She looked down at the crystal then up at Jareth. His eyes held a mixture of hope and despair. Sarah bit her lip, she had to go home to Toby, how could she leave him alone?

She dropped her eyes and Jareth knew the answer, "I must go home. Toby needs me." She saw Jareth's shoulders sag, "I'm sorry."

He closed his eyes then reopened them, "I thought as much."

"Jareth…"

The crystal floated up from the ground and Jareth closed his hand over it. He took Sarah's hand and placed it on her palm, curling her fingers around it. His eyes never left her own. Suddenly he leaned forward and brushed her lips with his own in the lightest of kisses. Jareth let go of the crystal and Sarah was hurdled back into her house.

Groaning, Jareth put his face in one hand. Again. She'd done it again. He hadn't imagined it could have hurt any worse than the first time but it did. He felt like she'd torn his heart out. There was a whine and he took his hand away from his face. Cub flapped in front of him. Absently Jareth patted Cub's head.

"She's gone Cub," Cub whimpered then let out an ear splitting howl.


Please don't eat me! Hey I said don't eat me! (Glares at Fang who is chewing her leg) It was all Pie's idea, where is he anyway? (Whining heard from under the bed) Coward! Sorry for those who read something similar in my other story, I do repeat ideas a lot. There is one more chapter left.

Moonjava: Anyway I can improve anything?

Miss Mary Lou: Maybe I'll do that another time.By the way if you're selling your brain on ebay can I have it for my collection.

Solea: Thank you, I'll try and make more stuff happen.

Angela: Sarah has made Jareth suffer a lot now.

sparkling silver angel wings: They didn't kiss, sorry and Fang bit my leg. He doesn't come into the story anymore unfortunately though he does sit behind me when I'm typing and nip me if I don't do something the way he wants it done.

theshadowcat: I hope this one was longer

Lady-Seoh-Phoenix: Hope that answered your questions.

Lady of the Labyrinth: That is really werid!

Sweetsixteen: will do

Arrna:Well I hope I haven't kept you in suspense for too long.

lyn: Thankyou for reviewing