As Sarah made her way to her room, she passed her father coming out of the nursery. "Tired?" He inquired as he closed the door behind him. She nodded, causing him to raise his eyebrows in confusion. "Liz hasn't been rude again, has she?" Sarah could tell he was concerned but didn't want to worry him. "No more than usual. And I truly am exhausted." Her father frowned slightly. What aren't you telling me?"

"Elizabeth is just hard to get along with sometimes. She is so..." her voice trailed off as she searched for the right words. "She's not mom." Sarah finally concluded. Her father looked at her sadly. "I know, sweetie." He murmured, tears in his eyes. "No one could ever be like her."
"I know, dad." she murmured as she cleared her throat and pushed aside all her emotions.

Her father leaned down to look her in the eye. "She isn't your mother." He affirmed. "But there is a part of me that loves her, even with all her faults. And she is Michael's mother." She could see the pain in his face, so she forced a smile. He was quick to return it and then pulled her in for a hug. Kissing her gently on the forehead, he squeezed her tightly before letting her go.

"Get some good rest and I'll see you in the morning." He whispered before heading downstairs. Sarah continued to her room, seeking solace with her dog. Samson greeted her with a wag of his tail when she entered the room. Kissing him on the head, she changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed. Samson snuggled up beside her and she wrapped her arms around his warm body. Before long she was fast asleep.

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Jareth stood silently before the dreadful woman, simple frozen in place while all the while she complained about her stepdaughter's shortcomings. It was a miracle that he could be civil to this hag though he was seething with rage inside.

Didn't she see how easily the girl gave in to her wishes? How she was willing to slave away taking care of this woman's bratty offspring? And still she stood here abusing her in front of someone she barely knew! Jareth swallowed slowly, careful to not let his mask slip away, not even for a moment.

Luckily for him, the girl's father came before he lost control and banished the woman back to his Labyrinth. Turning his probing eyes upon the father, he could easily read how embarrassed the man was. Taking his wife's arm, he stopped her with a single look, though she was most unhappy with his interruption.

"You said that you were lost, Mr. Jones. Is there someway we can get you back on the right track?" The man was tired and in the best way possible, letting him know that it was time for him to leave. Jareth's smile widened as he glanced at the woman. "Actually, you have been more helpful than you know. The house I just purchased is down the street, so it is just a short walk from here."

As he was saying this, he caught sight of the woman's eyes widening in surprise. "The mansion down the street?" She blurted out as soon as he finished. "That's your house?" Jareth nodded, disgusted at her lack of manners but keeping his smile in place. The man seemed impressed by the information, but kept quiet. Instead, he reached out a hand. "I've just realized that we haven't been properly introduced. I'm William and this is my wife, Liz."

Politely shaking the man's hand, he introduced himself. "I'm..." he paused, unsure of what to call himself. Then a idea hit him and he ran with it. "Jared." He continued quickly. "Well, Jared, it's been a pleasure. I must apologize for seeming rude, but, uh, it really is late." The man truly seemed apologetic, quite unlike his wife who looked as if she could go on talking for hours. "No problem, I really should be getting home myself. Haven't really had a chance to look the place over properly." He gave them what he hoped was a reassuring grin, finding it hard to keep up the facade any longer.

He was shown to the door and pointed in the right direction. "Perhaps I will call on you in a few days." He said as he departed. "Oh, yes!" Exclaimed the woman."I'd very much like that." Turning his back to them, he set off down the walkway. This is going to be alot harder than I had imagined.