The Way Forward Is Sometimes The Way Back:

Sequel to Labyrinth

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, shape, or form own Labyrinth, its characters, its scenes, or quotes. They all belong to the geniuses Jim Henson, George Lucas, David Bowie, Brian Froud, Dennis Lee, Terry Jones, & Trevor Jones. I only own this fanfic storyline and the characters I made up (if I make up any).

Note: Just a reminder, Sarah and Jareth are going to have flashbacks to Labyrinth throughout this fanfic, so their flashbacks, which will be a flashback of images, sounds, or both, with be written in Bold and Italics like this…

Chapter Three: You Sure Got His Attention!

Sarah opened her eyes and found that she was comfortably lying on a queen sized canopy bed in a rather opulent and extravagant suite. Matching cherrywood furniture was scattered about the room. Sarah looked down at herself as she saw she was in a rather elaborate and elegant nightdress. Sarah wondered how she was changed into it if she had fallen asleep, as it was apparent she did. She put her confusion to the back of her mind as she got out from under the lush, silk sheets and covers and began to explore her bedchamber.

As Sarah moved around the room, questions buzzed wildly through her mind. How long have I been out of it? And where's Jareth? Did he put me in here? Sarah suddenly became self-conscious as she thought; Did he change me into these clothes? Sarah could feel herself reddening at the thought of the powerful, contemptuous Goblin King changing her. No matter what lengths he went to bring me here or give me all of this, he is definitely going to here it from me if he did change me…

Sarah moved past all the furniture, running her fingertips along the smooth, gorgeous wood. She made her way to a corner of the room and paused at a door. She slowly opened the door, not sure of what would be behind the door, and not trusting the Labyrinth (because of course, things aren't always what they seem in that place).

She was astonished to find a walk-in closet. She walked in, and mysteriously a light illuminated the closet. Sarah was speechless as she ran her fingers down rows and rows of gorgeous, exquisite gowns and apparel that seemed to go on forever. She looked around and found every kind of shoe imaginable: boots, slippers, all different colors, styles and textures.

Feeling like she might lose her head, Sarah quickly left what she had decided was the closet of her dreams. She continued her pilgrimage and found herself in a lavish bathroom. With a bathtub that could easily fit 5 people and a long, broad marble countertop with a lengthy mirror, Sarah soon began to feel overwhelmed. She made her way out of the bathroom and sat back down on her bed.

This can't be real… I'm dreaming… Sarah decided. I'm going to wake up any moment to Karen screaming at me to get my stuff and leave…

There suddenly was a knock on the door of the bedchamber, and Sarah hurried to the door and answered it. She was greeted by the familiar smug smile and tousle of long, blonde hair that she had seen the previous night.

"Are you finding everything to your liking?" Jareth said, with a rather satisfied tone.

Sarah realized how bare she was before the arrogant man that infuriated her, and she quickly crossed her arms across her chest. "Yes I am…" she shot back, realizing how rude it sounded then added quietly, "…thank you."

Jareth straightened his loose, poet-like white shirt under a black vest, sniffed adjusted his black gloves and shifted his feet, clad in knee-high, black boots that were worn over tight, gray pants. Then, as if Sarah had invited him inside, he brushed past her and made his way into her suite. "I hoped as much, I was being more than generous as I got the arrangements together for you…"

Sarah rolled her eyes, realizing she was still talking to the same proud, overbearing Goblin King that didn't change a bit. "Yes, I am extremely fortunate to be in the presence of such a philanthropic monarch…" She sharply replied, as she closed the door behind him.

Jareth turned and looked at Sarah as if he was scolding a young child. "Now, Sarah, we're not being impolite are we? I believe an apology and thanks are in order…" Jareth condescendingly clasped his hands behind his back as he waited for Sarah to respond.

Sarah, already sick of Jareth's snobbish behavior, turned to him and cynically said, "I'm so sorry for being so rude to point out my displeasure in your snobbish manners and thank you so much for bringing me from a hell with my stepmother and brother to this hell of being tormented and harassed by you…" She finished by batting her eyelashes at Jareth and smiling sardonically.

Jareth stood there, stunned at Sarah's cheeky and impertinent reply, then shot back. "So this is the thanks I get? Once again, I am generous, and do I receive even the slightest acknowledgment? Of course not…" he approached Sarah forcefully and said tenaciously, "…just as long as Sarah gets what she wants and is under the impression that she is right, all is well…" He looked ruefully at Sarah, searching her eyes, then said truthfully, "Still the same, childish Sarah…" He moved past her towards the door.

Sarah, turned and without thinking, spat, "You mean the same, childish Sarah you made yourself vulnerable for? The same, childish Sarah you ridiculously fell in love with?"

Jareth stopped at the door, half way through it, and his shoulders flinched at Sarah's abusive and humiliating words. Seeing the effect they had on Jareth, Sarah wished she could she could take them back.

Jareth stood there, unsure of what to do. He felt like turning around and striking Sarah, shouting at Sarah, and embarrassing Sarah. But a pain deep in his chest kept him from turning around and doing any combination of the three. All Jareth could do was stand there, one hand on the doorframe and the other clutching the pain in his chest.

Sarah felt the guilt rushing over her and she slowly approached Jareth, her hand outstretched to touch is shoulder. As if sensing her hand nearing, Jareth quietly said, "You should get dressed and go to see your friends, Hoggle, Ludo and Didymus… I'm sure they'll be pleased to see you…" He took his hand from the doorframe and walked away.

Sarah stood for a moment in her doorway, then slowly closed the door, pressed her back to it and slowly slid down into a sitting position. Why did I say that… Why did I have to be so childish? He's right… I'm the same, childish Sarah I was long ago… Why did I have to hurt him…

Sarah stayed there for a while, trying to think of a way to apologize to Jareth. She hated him thinking she was the same girl she was before. She didn't want to be the spoiled, selfish girl that she had been to him before.

But why did Sarah feel the urgent need to ask Jareth's forgiveness?

After all, didn't she hate him?