Disclaimer: I own nothing from Labyrinth

Chapter 34: The Morning After

Sarah woke early the next morning; Jareth was still awake and was still holding her. As she looked at him, Sarah felt tears begin to form in her eyes.

"Oh god, Jareth I'm so sorry about last night. I-I didn't mean it. I'm sorry, I love you." Her attempted apology was cut short as Jareth pressed a finger to her lips.

"It's alright Sarah, I understand. Also, the reason you couldn't find anything…sharp…was because I charmed the bathroom so you wouldn't."

"Oh, um alright."

"Now Sarah," he wrapped his arms around her once more before continuing. "Why didn't you just talk to me love? You know I'm here for you, and you know I love you. So why?"

"Old habits die hard I suppose."

"Sarah?"

She sighed and then leaned into his comforting embrace. "I guess it's just that, I got so used to not being able to talk to anyone that it seems wrong to me. I've been doing this for so long now, and when the pain gets too much I just need a way to release it. Can you understand that?" She looked at him pleadingly, hoping he could understand.

"I suppose I do. But I'm not going to allow you to do that to yourself. Sarah, I want you to talk to me. I know that it will probably be difficult for you, and me, but I need you to do this. Please?"

She thought about it for a moment before answering. "I guess so. I know you're not going to want to listen to what I say, but I'll do it if you really want."

"I do Sarah," he held her tighter and then turned her head to place a gentle kiss on her forehead and another on her lips.

xxx

Sarah ate breakfast with Jareth and then made her way to Toby's room. She had to talk to him, he'd been too quiet lately and seemed as if he was becoming withdrawn and now Sarah was silently reprimanding herself for not noticing sooner. She opened the door quietly and peered into the room. She smiled slightly when she saw he was awake and just finishing off his won breakfast.

She walked into the room, knocking lightly on the door as she did so to gain her brothers attention.

"Hey there Toby, how are you going?" She made her way to the small table he was eating at and sat down across form him.

"Oh, hi Sarah. I'm alright. What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see you, that alright by you?"

He smiled at her and nodded her head. "Yeah, are you going to stay here with me?"

"If that's what you want Toby. I wanted to talk to you anyway."

He gave her an inquisitive look before speaking. "Ok Sarah, what about?"

She stood and began to pace the room. "Look Toby, I know this has been rough on you. I understand how much you miss being with your parents, I really do. I miss seeing dad all the time too."

"Sarah?"

"I've seen you Toby. Lately you always seem to look so unhappy. I know I don't spend as much time with you anymore, and I'm sorry for that. We've been here a while now and I suppose I stopped thinking about how you felt as much. It's just that, well, it's been tough for me too Toby. But you were wished away by your mother and you can't see your dad anymore because he doesn't know you exist. I should have been around for you more, paid more attention. But I didn't and I'm sorry."

She sat down on Toby's bed and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to prevent the tears she knew would fall.

Toby slipped off his chair and padded over to his sister. Then he climbed up onto her lap and looked at her until she opened her eyes. When she was looking at him he smiled.

"Sarah, I do miss them, but at least I have you and Jareth."

She smiled and let her tears fall as she hugged him close to her.

"You know I'm always here for you Toby, and I'll always love you."

"I know. I love you too sis."

They sat there for a long time, Toby wrapped in Sarah's arms with his head against her shoulder. Finally though they broke apart.

"Hey squirt, do you want to get changed and then come with me to find Jareth."

"Yeah ok."

xxx

Jareth let the crystal vanish from his hand. He was glad they had spoken. He too had noticed how quiet Toby had been as of late and was worried about him. Hopefully now things would return to a state of normality, or as normal as things got here anyway.

He left his study and made his way to Toby's room.

xxx

"So, what do you want to do today? Besides finding Jareth?"

Sarah and Toby were walking along a corridor, on their way to find Jareth.

"I don't know. Can we go to the library?"

"Good idea. I'll find some books to read to you if you'd like."

"Yes please Sarah. You haven't read to me in ages."

Sarah took her brother's hand as they walked and looked at him sadly. "I know Toby and I'm sorry."

"That's ok Sarah. You're going to do it now, so I don't mind."

Sarah nodded absently as she thought to herself. that's the good thing about four year olds, they get over things and bounce back good as new before you know it.

They had been wandering the halls for a while when Sarah spotted Jareth walking towards them. He approached them smiling.

"Hello you two," he smiled and kissed Sarah on the cheek before kneeling down to Toby's level. "Now where are you off to?"

"We're going to the library and Sarah's going to get some books and read to me."

"Is that so?" Jareth looked up at Sarah as he asked this, one eyebrow arched questioningly.

"Yes, I thought Toby should get out of his room, and he wanted to visit your library."

"Well then, would you mind if I joined you Toby?" he asked, looking at Toby once again."

"Nope. You can come Jareth."

"Then let's go."

xxx

The rest of the morning passed quickly as Sarah and Jareth took turns reading to Toby. Sarah also collected a pile of books to take to Toby's room to read to him later.

Eventually though it was time for lunch and the three of them departed from the library and made their way down the dining room where they usually ate. Once lunch was over with Jareth had to take his leave and go do actual work, while Sarah and Toby went and visited Hoggle.

The siblings arrived at Hoggle's soon enough, Sarah now knew a much faster route to her friend's house rather than having to traverse the Labyrinth to get there, and Sarah knocked on his door. She wasn't sure he would even be home, but was relieved to hear the customary mutterings and footsteps after a moment's wait. When Hoggle opened the door Sarah beamed at him.

"Hello there Hoggle. Are you busy?"

"Sarah, what are you doin' here?"

"We just decided to drop by and pay you a visit. Are you going to invite us in?"

"Oh yes, of course. Come in, both of you."

They three of them spent the rest of the afternoon chatting amiably about everything and nothing. Eventually though they had to leave. They parted with kind words and embraces and then Sarah and her brother made their way back to the castle, Jareth and dinner.

AN: This didn't turn out quite how I wanted it, but I hope it wasn't too bad. As always, thank you to my readers and reviewers. I decided to write some more after getting your reviews because, like I've said, a lot of my time is taken by studying...evil thing lol.

Also WickedGame, I wanted to thank you for your contribution.I know where you were coming from although it is not the only reasoning behind cutting. So I hope you got my PM about it.

Please leave me a pressie and I'll updateas soon as I can.