Disclaimer:I don't own anything from Labyrinth and the lyrics used belong to Within Temptation and are from the song Pale.

Chapter 9

Sarah was pacing her room. So now she knew that Jareth really cared for her, did she want to leave, or stay? He said he wanted her friendship, but in time, could their feelings grow?

"Why am I even thinking like this?" she muttered to herself as she paused in her pacing. She turned and sat down on the bed. "So do I stay, or do I go?"

xxx

Jareth too was pacing. He had crossed his study innumerable times now and still didn't know what to do.

"Do I ask her to stay? Will she want to? Should I ask or wait and see if she does?" he finally stopped and collapsed in the nearest chair. "I'll leave it up to her. I'll make it clear I want her here, but I won't force anything on her. Yes, that's what I'll do."

xxx

Sarah had made her decision. She was going back; she couldn't just disappear and never see her family again, even if she never saw much of them anyway. She had decided that she would go and see her father and Toby and depending on their reaction to her she would either stay or…well she wasn't sure what her other option was yet.

She breathed in deeply, as if to prepare herself and called Jareth.

A moment after her call the fae appeared before her.

"You called Sarah?" he asked smiling a little

"Yes I did," she said nodding her head. "Jareth, I…I need to go back."

Jareth's features hardened and his voice lost all of the warmth it had displayed only moments ago. The only thought running through his head at that time was that she didn't want him.

"I see. Well in that case I bid you goodbye Sarah, we will not be meeting again."

Before she even had a chance to explain herself she was standing in the middle of her small apartment. She stood there in shock for some time before collapsing on her old couch. "Oh god what have I done," she whispered to herself, letting tears escape her eyes as she pictured the coldness in Jareth's features just before he had sent her back here.

Jareth stood in the room that had belonged to Sarah, she had been there such a brief time but all he saw when he looked around were traces of her presence there. He closed his eyes and muttered, "I love you Sarah." Then he vanished from the room.

xxx

Since her return a week ago Sarah had been going through the motions of life, she couldn't enjoy this life when she knew there was so much more. She still hadn't been to see her father. She knew that she wouldn't be going home to the open arms of a loving father and couldn't handle his rejection at this point in time. Life had lost the little enjoyment it had once held. This was the first time in her life she could truly not remember the joy she had once had for this world.

The world seems not the same
Though I know nothing has changed
It's all my state of mind

Sarah knew she had to escape from this rut she had fallen into, but couldn't see way to do it. She was slowly sinking into a deep depression and it would take more than Sarah alone to bring her out of it.

Have to try
To break free
From the thoughts in my mind

Finally she decided she would go and visit her father and Toby. She knew she was going over the edge and that if she didn't see them now she may never see them again.

Use the time that I have
I can say goodbye
Have to make it right

Her brief visit went worse than she had anticipated. Karen had answered the door and immediately stared picking out every little detail of Sarah that was not perfect, which was everything to Karen. Sarah got through though and came out feeling worse than ever. At least she had seen them again. She had told them she would be going away for a while. They never even bothered asking where she was going. That was all the proof she needed that they didn't give a damn about her.

xxx

She was standing on the roof of her apartment block; she was six stories off the ground and looking down contemplating who would miss her if she were to fall. Her father didn't care and Karen would probably throw a party. She didn't know what Toby would do but she doubted he would mourn her loss for long. Her Labyrinthine friends would probably never know she had died… and Jareth, well Jareth had made it clear he didn't care about her either. There was no one that would miss her.

This night is too long
Have no strength to go on

Sarah took a step forward and let the wind wash over her as she stood there on the buildings edge. It would be so easy. No one would care; she would be forgotten soon enough.

No more pain I'm falling away

Just as she was about to step over the edge another image of Jareth appeared in her mind. She pictured Jareth smiling at her, talking to her…saving her.

Through the mist see the face
Of an angel, calls my name

Sarah stepped backwards and fell onto her knees, letting the pain of the hard concrete against her bare knees jolt her back to reality. She loved him. She was in love with the Goblin King.

I remember you're the reason I have to stay

She let the tears fall down her face and then cried out a single word "Jareth."

A minute passed, and then another and he still hadn't appeared.

"No, not you too, please Jareth I need you."

She sobbed into her hands and was thinking about throwing herself off the roof anyway; after all he wasn't coming for her, she had nothing left to live for.

She began to stand slowly but then felt strong arms wrap around her body. She opened her eyes, blinking away the tears and even when the shape of Jareth appeared clearly before she didn't trust that it was really him.

"Jareth?" she asked weakly, praying it was him.

"It's me love," he said gently, pulling her to his chest.

AN: Well that's about it for the story, epilogue will be posted soon. Hope it wasn't too bad. Thanks to those of you who have reviewed and sorry it took me so long, would have been long if the song hadn't started me thinking. So thanks for reading and reviews are always welcome.