Disclaimer: I own nothing of Labyrinth or its characters. I make no profit from it. Isn't that a crying shame?
A/N: Lovely, lovely reviews everyone, thank you! I'm so glad that you're all liking my story. I have seriously become a review junkie. Every time I get a notification, I practically do cartwheels. Love you all! Muah! One bit of a warning: I rated this fic M because I don't know the exact direction it will go. So far it's been pretty PG. The M rating may come into play later with some possible language, possible violence and/or some steamy Sarah/Jareth scenes. I will always warn you ahead if something may happen in a chapter to earn that rating. I'm pretty sure we're safe with this one. Maybe some language. Maybe a kiss ;)
"I have so many problems with everything that just happened." Kevin said, edging away from Sarah. "Belvedere Castle?" He questioned. "If this isn't where you wanted to end up, believe me, I'm not trying to wrap my head around that right now, where should we be? Anywhere less public than this would be a good start."
Sarah noticed the way Kevin was backing up. The poor guy probably thought she was crazy. Hell, she thought she could be crazy at this point. How did I end up being able to conjure crystals? Am I channeling Jareth? Do I want to be? Does he want me to be? Sarah shook her head at the thoughts racing through her mind. She needed to get a lay of the land and get everyone out of site. An orange sign on the stairs leading up to the castle caught her attention.
Until further notice, Belvedere Castle will be closed to the public for renovations and repairs.
Do Not Enter
Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted
500.00 Fine
City of New York Municipal Works.
"Well, we're in luck." Sarah said. "It seems the castle is closed to the public for the time being."
"It also says no trespassing." Kevin said, eyeing the sign. "How do we know there aren't workers in there? How do we know they don't have a security guard keeping an eye on the place?"
"Well, it's 4:30 on a Friday afternoon. These are city workers; they would be very likely to knock off at 3:30 on the dot. As far as a security guard, I would imagine if there was one, our presence would have been noticed by now." Sarah responded, starting up the stairs.
"It's a lovely castle, Miss." Siobhan said, following behind Sarah.
"Bit small." Liam remarked. Moving to join his sister.
"It will be lovely, I'm sure." Fiona said, smiling.
Conall just sighed and followed his family and Sarah. Stopping, he turned to look at Kevin expectantly.
His look clearly said that the next move was up to him. Sarah stopped, noticing that Kevin wasn't following them up the stairs.
"It's your call Kev." She said gently. "You don't have to continue with us. All I ask is that you don't go running to the police telling them where we are. There really is something fishy going on. I need time to figure out my next move and to get them somewhere safe." She said, gesturing to the children. Looking at Liam and Siobhan, Sarah was startled to notice that they no longer looked like young children. More like pre-teens at this point. They were still filthy, all of them were, but Liam and Siobhan were growing older before her eyes and Fiona and Conall seemed to be aging just as quickly.
Kevin sighed and started up the steps behind the bedraggled group. "In for a penny, in for a dollar, I guess," he said. "Besides, I have questions that I'm sure will only be answered if I stick around." Shrugging lightly, he followed everyone up the stairs.
Entering the great room through the giant arched doors Sarah said, "I don't know what repairs are being made but this will suit our purposes for now." Eyeing the huge stone fireplace, Sarah decided that a fire there would draw unwanted attention. The early summer nights weren't too cold, maybe they wouldn't even be here long enough for it to make a difference.
"We have some issues to deal with right away." She said to the group. "We'll need food, water and some kind of shelter beyond this. We can't stay here very long. Workmen will be coming at some point."
"Well," Kevin started hesitantly, "you had just sent me to the bodega, so I have everything I bought in my briefcase. If we ration it correctly, we could make it last for a day easy."
Sarah offered him a bright smile. "That's great Kevin! Did you get ahold of Barry?" She asked.
"Yeah, he didn't seem surprised when I told him you thought something was off. He said he'd never heard of this Detective Cooper until a couple of days ago. Apparently the man has made a name for himself in a relatively short amount of time. Ill-tempered and violent was Barry's take on it."
"Conall, Fiona," Sarah said, "I have some questions that I think you may be able to answer"
Sarah took off her blazer and laid it on a stone bench, she turned at Fiona's startled gasp. Kevin gave a low whistle and said, "that's some serious ink on your arm, Sarah. I didn't know you were in to that sort of thing."
Sarah looked puzzled as she followed Kevin's gaze to her arm, her eyes widened in shock and horror as she saw the gold cuff tattooed there. Turning her head quickly, she saw the matching cuff on her other arm. Narrowing her eyes, she examined the marks more closely. I've seen this before, she thought, where? Where? Then it dawned on her just where she had seen that design before. On each bicep, circling her entire arm was tattooed in gold an exact replica of the amulet that Jareth wore.
"I will kill him." She muttered. Looking at Kevin, cheeks flushed with emotion, eyes wide and angry, she asked, "do you have a mirror?"
"A mirror." He replied, "why would I have a mirror?"
"Sarah," Fiona said gently. "I know what you mean to do. Do you think that wise? Or safe? You are angry right now, child" Fiona held up her hand as Sarah started to speak, "rightly so, I have no doubt."
"HE had no right to mark me." Sarah said hotly.
Conall sighed and shook his head. Liam and Siobhan looked on Sarah with a new awe and respect. The only one confused, was Kevin.
"You don't need a mirror, lass." Conall said quietly.
"Conall." Fiona warned, "we must not take the chance. What if they are tracing magic?
"If they are, we are already in danger here." Was his reply. "Let the lass try to get some of the answers she seeks. There are many things she needs to know for the challenge she has taken on. It is not for US to give her some of those. Only HE can do that."
Kevin stood looking at all of them like they were stark raving mad. "Sarah?" He questioned weakly.
"Kevin," she started, "I'm going to have to ask you to trust me. Trust me and don't ask too many questions. I'll tell you what I can, when I can. Maybe I can get you out of this. I'll try my best, just…just be a friend right now and accept that I know what I'm doing." I hope I know what I'm doing. She thought to herself.
"Conall, what do you mean, I don't need a mirror?"
"Well, you have a giant reflective surface in the lake." He said. "It never had to be a mirror. Anything reflective would have worked for an enchantment like that. I would bet with your new found powers," with that he gave a smirk that would have done Jareth proud, "you would not need the enchantment. Go to the lake, call him, see what happens."
Sarah nodded and turned to leave, stopping, she looked back at the group gathered there. Hoping she had the strength and courage to deserve the hope and trust she saw in their eyes.
"I won't be long." She said as she turned again and left them there.
Walking back down the long staircase, she tried to decide what the best way to get to the lake would be. The rocky outcroppings and steep hills made the path treacherous.
"Come on, feet." She whispered to herself.
Climbing over a low wall, she eased herself on to the rocky slope, stopping short before the steepest drop, she removed the low heels she wore. What I wouldn't give for some jeans and sneakers. She thought. A slight shimmer at her legs drew her attention. She gasped softly when she realized that her knee length skirt and stockings had changed to a pair of well-worn jeans and sneakers. Frowning slightly, she realized the clothes were hers.
"Huh." She said out loud. "Wish I had thought about that a while ago."
Continuing on, not even noticing when her silk blouse turned into her favorite Yankees t-shirt, she slid the last few feet to the water's edge. Stopping just short of landing in the lake.
Taking a deep breath she said firmly, "Jareth, I need you."
Nothing happened right away, just when she thought it had been a waste of time, the surface of the water started to ripple. Not sure whether it was the wind or her words that had caused it, she said more firmly, "Jareth, I need you, now!" She added for good measure.
The surface of the lake started to ripple more strongly, a soft glow beginning at the waters edge.
"Sarah!" Hoggles face appeared before her.
Sarah sighed in frustration. Looking at her friend sharply, she tried to control her anger but her voice was a little sharp when she spoke to him. "Hoggle, I'm getting a little tired of asking for one person and getting another. Where is he?" Hoggle winced at the bite in her tone and she felt a pang of guilt for taking her frustration with Jareth out on him.
"Well, you see, his Majesty is busy at the moment." Hoggle began. "But he wanted me ta let ya know that yer doin' a fine job." He finished nervously.
"Did he?" Sarah asked, sarcasm dripping like diamonds from her lips. "And just what is it that is keeping his royal, glittery ass busy at this very moment?"
"Sarah," Hoggle began warningly.
"Don't "Sarah" me, Hoggle!" She shouted. Her temper had flared and there was no banking it now. What was it about that man that brought out her worst? She thought. "I need to speak to him, you know it, HE, knows it. Is he so ashamed of what he did that he can't face me? Don't you think I deserve to have some answers? I never got answers before, I will damn sure get them out of him now!"
Sarah was seething. How dare he? How could he have marked her like this?
Is it really the mark that bothers you so, Champion? Sarah heard a voice whisper. Search your heart. What are you really angry about? The voice continued.
I'm so confused. I dream of him all the time. I can't get him out of my mind. She responded silently. Why can't I get him out of my mind? Part of me thinks that I need him there. That he is the force that keeps me going. How can that be? He's evil. Isn't he?
Ah, now there is the crux of it. Is he evil? What has he done that is evil? Stolen children? Did he really steal them? Turn them into goblins, did he? Did you ever ask what he did with the wished away? Or did you just look at him with your cruel eyes and judge him?
Unbidden, a phrase came to Sarah. Your eyes can be so cruel, just as I can be so cruel.
What can I do? He won't talk to me. All I get are riddles and flippant sarcasm.
Have you ever tried, Champion?
Why do you call me that? Who are you?
I am that which has always been. I am the keeper of the lost and the lonely.
"Sarah!" Jareth's voice broke through, causing Sarah to jump and lose connection to the voice whispering in her head.
Looking at him, really looking at him, for maybe the first time, Sarah took a deep breath and decided it was time to change tactics with The Goblin King.
"Jareth," she whispered, "I'm frightened, I need you to help me." She pleaded. "Please."
"Help is always given to the Champion, when asked for, precious." He responded.
Sarah sagged to the rocky ground in relief. She didn't know what she thought would happen, certainly not his easy acceptance.
"What do you need from me, my dear?" He asked gently.
"Answers." She replied. "I need answers. Straight ones Jareth."
"Ah, my precious girl. The sound of my name on your lips is the sweetest nectar." He said, leering at her.
"Really? I ask for help, admit that I'm frightened and I get this. Has all that glitter gone to your brain? Are your breeches so tight that they're cutting off your circulation? I don't know why I ever thought I could trust a damn thing that you say. The Labyrinth is crazy if it thinks we'll ever be anything more than adversaries." She railed at him. The color coming back to her face. Green eyes snapping flames.
"Ah, there she is." Jareth murmured. Pride flashing briefly in his eyes. Nothing could keep his Sarah down for long. "I had wondered where my fiery Champion had gone." He flashed her an amused smirk and looked her up and down. "Sarah, my dear, what are you wearing?
" What? I-I can- you did not just ask me that!" She spluttered. "I'm playing hide and seek with a mind controlling psychopath and you want to discuss my wardrobe?"
"One must always try to look ones best." He replied with barely concealed humor.
"Jareth," she sighed. "Are you going to help or not?"
Suddenly, the lake glimmered brightly and high waves appeared on its surface. Sarah started to back away so she wouldn't get soaked and backed into something hard and warm. Turning around she gasped, there behind her, in all of his glory, stood The Goblin King.
"How did you…I thought you couldn't….What?" She gaped at him. Taking an unconscious step forward she put her hand on his chest and sighed. "You're really here." She whispered.
"Yes, Sarah mine. I can't let you have all the fun, now can I?" He responded, his head tipped at an arrogant angle.
Sarah didn't know what made her do it. Maybe it was the stress of the day. Maybe it was the feelings that had been buried deep within that her conversation with the Labyrinth had exposed, she was very certain that the voice she heard in her head was the Labyrinth. Or perhaps it was that infuriatingly arrogant smirk of his. Whatever it was she snapped. She balled up her fist and delivered her strongest punch right in the center of that smug face. When she got no satisfying crunch of bone, no soul cleansing bloom of blood, she dared a look at his face.
Oh, shit. She thought to herself. The look of horror and rage on his face was almost beautiful to behold. He was truly frightening in his anger. Well-deserved at this point.
Grabbing her arms in a vice like grip he hauled her to him. "What, precisely, was the meaning of that?" He whispered softly. His gentle tone belying the anger in his eyes.
"Seemed like a good idea at the time." She replied weakly. Her face was so close to his that she could make out every inch of his eerily beautiful face. It was saved from painful perfection by the one too large pupil. The ice blue of the iris' seemed to burn into her soul.
"Naughty, naughty, precious." He whispered menacingly to her. "Whatever shall your punishment for that sincere lapse of judgement be, I wonder?"
As Sarah entertained thoughts of being dipped head first into the bog of eternal stench, she missed when the glare of anger in his eyes became a gleam of mischievous humor.
"Jareth, I'm.." She began, only to be silenced his lips slamming forcefully down on to hers.
Sarah let out a squeak of surprise and tried to evaluate her situation.
He's kissing me! She thought. Do I want him to? Oh yes! She sighed internally. I so want him to be!
Jareth changed the kiss from brutally punishing to gentle and persuading in one breath. He gently traced her lips with his tongue, asking her to open to him, she did on a sigh, tasting him was like tasting heaven. Spicy and sweet, like a good wine. She relaxed against him and ran her hand up along his chest to tangle in the downy softness of his hair. With a low growl his arm hooked around her waist and pulled her more firmly against him. His other hand cupping her face and caressing her jaw.
Finally! He thought. My Sarah. My precious heart.
Sarah broke the kiss in need of a breath and a chance to collect her sanity. Jareth took advantage of the opportunity and slowly nibbled along her neck, pausing to gently flick her ear with his tongue, he nibbled back down to the base of her neck where it met her shoulder and bit firmly. Sarah gasped at the small pain and then hummed in pleasure as his warm, soft, tongue soothed the small hurt.
"Jareth!" She gasped, pushing weakly at him. "I'm all for exploring this, believe me, but not now."
For his part, he ignored her and continued to explore her neck and shoulder, placing little bites here and there just to hear her gasp of surprised pleasure.
"Jareth!" She hissed more sharply. "Mind controlling psychopath! Remember?" She asked, pushing more firmly against him.
"I, my dear, can multi-task." He murmured against her throat. The vibration of his voice sending a delicious shudder through her body.
"We have to stop. Jareth! I don't want my first…" She stammered, stopping before she embarrassed herself.
Jareth went completely still, raising his head from her neck, he looked deeply at her. Sarah blushed deeply at the tender knowing look in is eyes.
"To be continued, then. At a more comfortable time." He said gently. Brushing his hand down her hair.
"Are you going to stay?" She asked, hating the small trace of neediness in her voice.
"Of course, Sarah. It seems that Fate has decided that we complete this challenge together." He replied. Settling her in the circle of his arms.
"I have questions." She warned him. "This time I expect answers."
"Of course. All in due time." He replied. With a swirl of his cloak, they disappeared from the lakeshore and reappeared in the great room of Belvedere Castle, five pairs of eyes looked at them in astonishment.
"Bit small." Jareth remarked dryly. Sarah sighed, rolled her eyes and punched him lightly on the shoulder. Looking over at Liam she saw him grinning cheekily. For the first time in the last several hours, Sarah thought they might actually get out of this relatively unscathed.