I do not own The Labyrinth or it's characters. The purpose of this story is for enjoyment and no profit is being made.
Now that is out of the way, quick thanks to any new readers, and a HUGE thanks to anyone who is still with me from the get go.
So in the last chapter we find Karen still up to her Kareness deeds, but will her plans give fruit? We must remember that she knows how headstrong her step-daughter can be, but alas we shall see. As far as Sarah's training is concerned, no, she will not turn into this vessel of all power over-night, so clear that from your minds. Sarah's true power is her strong will and determination, plus her creativity. She will always be a force to be reckoned with, and she has a big heart so don't mess with those she counts as hers.
Please read and review.
Sarah found herself leaving work on Friday, and drove straight to the Royal Palace Hotel. She couldn't help but feel excited, and really didn't know why. Maybe because she knew she was doing something mischievous, that Karen's day was close. She also felt free from all the training, remembering how Jareth reacted when she told him she needed a break.
It was that next morning, same as any other day. Sarah woke up and went to work. She avoided calls from Karen, and came home to rest before her 'tutor' arrived. She never knew who would show, if it were Jareth or his mother, but today she was rather nervous.
She felt the familiar change in the air, and dread in the pit of her stomach. As she sat sprawled on her leather recliner, she sighed without looking up. "Is this anyway to greet me, precious?"
Sarah did not move, she just formed a crystal in her hand. It was almost like his, but not exactly as it only lasted a moment before it popped. "Damn. I almost had it that time." She said to no one. "You are getting better. A little more focus, and a little more practice…" Sarah sat up and stared at him. "I need a break. This is too much." She said, He walked towards her, conjured up a chair, and sat in front of her.
"There isn't time. You have yet created one solid functioning crystal, combat skills are lacking, your etiquette is passing, and yet you waste your energy trying to live the life of a mortal. Instead of working all day, you could be using that time to hone in on your skills to be ready in time."
Sarah began to feel herself on the verge of exploding. How dare he?! "How dare you?! You had all this time to help me, and yet you chose to ignore what was happening! I have a life here! My job, my career choices are none of your concern as long as they are beneficial to you! You never complained before! I am exhausted living up to your expectations!" Both of them were on their feet by the end of her speech.
Jareth stood wide eyed at her, with what she could only guess, surprise and shock. Sarah covered her mouth quickly, surprised by what had come out of her mouth. Neither knew exactly what to say. She had crossed the unspoken agreement of not mentioning his grand speech.
"I….I…" Jareth waved his hand at her, then ran his gloved hand through his hair. "No. Don't. Let it go." She quickly nodded. "Yes. Um." She walked towards the kitchen, while he followed her quietly. "Would you like a bite? I have left-over shepherd's pie your mother gave me." He stared at her, noticing her tired eyes, he nodded.
Sarah stood by her small kitchen table, she took a deep breath, then held her hand out, concentrating. Jareth watched her with great curiosity, as he saw her form a crystal in her hand. With her other hand she tossed it up in the air as it burst lightly in the air. Sarah and Jareth looked down at the table, and she smiled as the table was now set before them.
"Very well done." Jareth said. "I can do small things like this." Sarah said, serving the plates. "I am able to poof short distances several times or one great distance once. It just depends on how pissed I am." He laughed remembering their previous encounters training.
They ate in silence, neither mentioning what was said earlier. He poofed a book on magic for her, and began the night's lesson. Sarah had been doing fairly well, and hoped it would be enough. It felt odd to have him so close, but only because it didn't. As she worked on a few spells, being corrected by Jareth, she couldn't help wondering how all this would end. As for now she had bigger fish to fry.
"Jareth," Sarah began when they finished for the night. " do not come over this weekend, and send word with your mother as well. We will resume training on Monday. I will request two days from work, but I do need to rest. Understand this." He shook his head. "Fine. Keep in mind, I will not go easy on you." He didn't even stand up, he just disappeared.
Sarah had been afraid he would argue with her more, but was glad he did not. Now, here she stood, in the hotel lobby waiting for Stephen. She heard the lobby elevator ding, as he walked out towards her. They gave each other a light peck on the cheek, which made her blush.
"Stephen, how was your flight?" She asked. He smiled at her. "Long, tiring." She took his hand, and began rubbing his hand with her thumb. "Have you thought about what I asked when we spoke on the phone?" Stephen held his breath, staring at their hands. He looked up at her in awe, catching his breath, he smiled. "Sarah, Karen needs to pay, but don't think my motives are all about her. I would like to get to know you, and see where this goes. All I ask, if you are not willing to give me a fair shot, be honest now. I would rather know up front."
Sarah kept her hand in his, wanting more than anything to forget, to pretend she had no other obligations, and for once just take a real chance. She wanted to trust him, and hopefully he could trust her too. "You could always back out." She said, He tightened his grip, "Not on your life."
They left the hotel, going to a quiet Italian restaurant Sarah was familiar with. She had gone to school with the owner's daughter, and was always seated quickly. To her surprise, Carmen greeted them as soon as they walked in. "Sarah!" The woman said, hugging her right away. "Carmen! When did you start working here?"
Carmen smiled, grabbing a few menus. "Thanks to you, I have been here for a few weeks. The pay isn't too ideal, but the tips have been pretty good." After being seated, and a few moments of catching up, Carmen went back to her post. "You sure are popular." Stephen said. "What do you suggest we order?"
The night went by quickly, they mostly talked of themselves and their careers. Neither really wanted the night to end. When the check came, Sarah insisted on paying. "Hey! I am no bum. When I take a woman out on a date, she doesn't pay!" Stephen insisted. "Look, call me a modern kind of gal, but I am no damsel in distress. If you are serious about us, then get used to someone, me, paying for a meal every now and then."
Stephen didn't feel comfortable, but let it slide, for now. "Don't be upset." She added. "Think of this as a test. I could not be in a relationship with someone who has to be in charge all of the time. And I need to see if you can handle that."
On the drive back to the hotel, Stephen began laughing quietly to himself. Sarah's eyebrow went up, staring at him with concern. "Are you ok?" She finally asked, pulling into the hotel parking. "Well, now that I know how the other side of the date feels, do I offer you to come up and have a nightcap?" They both began to laugh, tears coming from their eyes.
After a few moments, they finally pulled themselves together. "You know, we never did discuss taking Karen down. Why not just tell her we are already dating?" He said. "What? And let her know all her hard work paid off? Never! We should just say we eloped in Vegas. I would love to see her face knowing that she didn't get a chance to plan my wedding or give that speech she has already written down."
Stephen turned towards her, shocked. "She already has a speech written? Boy this is serious. But what if they ask for proof? No, I would hate for your father to kill me for not being allowed to walk his only daughter down the aisle."
Sarah sat thinking. "Well, that won't work." Both went over a few more ideas, talking over the pros and cons. "How about we tell them that we have been keeping in touch, and that we have decided to move in together." Sarah nodded in agreement. "But if she asks about marriage we tell her that is not the plan, as we both have decided to be in an open relationship. Sorry, Stephen, but daddy must pay a little seeing that he was in on it."
Stephen nervously adjusted his tie, but didn't disagree. "The problem will be Toby, but I'll take care of him. Besides, if all fails, he owes me." Sarah said with a gleam in her eye. "Is it weird that I am slightly turned on by the fact that you have a rather vindictive side? Remind me never to get on your bad side."
They sat staring at each other for a moment, Sarah taking in his features. He looked as if he was trying to read her, when she felt his hand caressing her face. Slowly they leaned towards each other, mouths slightly parted open, closing in for a kiss. It started off slowly, a few light pecks on the lips. Sarah put her hand on his, deepening the kiss. "Damn." He said between kisses. He reached for his and her seat belt buckle, and pulled her closer to him.
"Stephen," she said, kissing him with more passion than he had ever felt. Both of his hands were cupping her face, while her hands began exploring his torso. "Sarah, maybe we should stop." He said. His hands began to slide down her sides, kissing her cheek, slowly making his way down to her neck and collar bone.
"I am almost certain we should." She replied, as her breath hitched, enjoying his lips on her. He made his way back to her plump lips, giving them a few quick pecks. Both of them sighed, looking down at their hands now intertwined in each other. Their foreheads lightly touching, he brought her hands up and gave them a quick peck.
They sat quietly, not knowing what to say, but not really needing to. "I should go." He finally said. "Can I see you tomorrow?" He asked. "I know you and daddy will be busy tomorrow, but I would like that very much."
After a few more tender kisses, Stephen said good night, and stepped out of the vehicle. Sarah's inner hormones were hating her very much for not being the type of girl who slept with a man on first dates. She drove home thinking about the date. She began wondering if he was thinking about her, and wondering if he was already taking a cold shower. There had to be a decent excuse for her to go back and offer to conserve water by joining him. Wasn't there?
Monday finally arrived, much to Sarah's dismay. She spent a very lovely weekend with Stephen. They went out Saturday as well, he had called her as he was leaving her father's. She felt like a teenager again, hiding a boyfriend from her parents, and was surprised that Stephen felt the same way.
Sarah went downstairs, with a smile on her face and mind thousands of miles away, she failed to notice a certain fae pacing her living room floor. She walked straight into the kitchen to prepare her morning coffee, humming a tune she heard the night before.
Sarah poured herself a cup, adding the right amount of sugar and cream when out of nowhere she heard a voice calling her name. "Sarah, but aren't we in a good mood." Without even thinking, she threw her stirring spoon in the direction of the voice with a little magic push behind. "You get an A for effort, but had I been someone with nefarious purposes you would not be standing." Sarah hmmmfed and took a sip of her coffee.
"Jury is still out on that one. Besides, even you will not dampen my mood." She walked towards him, and drank her coffee. "Well." She said, "Laugh." He couldn't believe hearing his words thrown back at him. He was sorely running out of patience. "Let me get changed, then we will go."
He began pacing, again. "How about this time, you glamour yourself something, and you transport us back?" Sarah sighed, but nodded. "Precious, not aboveground clothing." Sarah glamoured herself into something more fitting of a person of her station underground. She was matching Jareth's colors, just a lighter blue and less frill. "You know, all this glitter has to cause lung damage."
Jareth ignored her comment. "Now, take us back to my chambers. You have wasted enough time." She quickly eyed her coffee, but decided she would rather drink it than waste it on him. In one gulp she finished her drink, and set the cup down.
Jareth offered her his hand, which she did not accept right away, and began concentrating on his castle. More specifically she concentrated on his chambers where they had spent all their time training.
When she opened her eyes, she felt herself sway, but did not faint. She took a few breaths, looking up to see Jareth staring at her. She thought she saw worry written on his face, but only for a moment. "Now, how was that?" Jareth said nothing, but handed her a cup of wine. She took it and drank it slowly. "Now we begin."
—-
Sarah is a busy bee! As for her paying for the meal, well our Sarah is a take charge girl, but that doesn't mean she doesn't like to be swooned off of her feet either. Her training has been taking a toll on her, and even she realises her limitations. Jareth will have to just deal. The question is, will she be ready in time?
