17 HELPLESS OBSERVATION

As he poured the sleep spell through the crystal and over Sarah, Jareth once again felt a tear slide down his cheek. The pain had returned, for now there was nothing he could do. The link between her and the real world was growing stronger as her body began to heal. She was no longer near death, her body was slowly recovering. The first sign had been the long period between her last weak spell, the weakness that came from her heart failing above ground. Twice she'd died, twice they'd brought her back. A miracle of modern medicine, or a curse. He still didn't know which it was, which she'd view it as. All he knew is each time her heart had stopped beating, he'd watched her soul fade in his Labyrinth, and he'd died inside. But all that was over now. She was stable. She was nowhere near recovered though, not close to leaving him.

A coma. That was what the Aboveground medicine men had called it, brain dead. Was that true? Was her body really that far from recovery? Would she ever recover at all? Her soul was intact, it was gliding over the river of dreams right now, safely in the arms of a Mysterique. Maybe not the best choice of route in retrospect, but it was too late now. All he could do was keep her in a state of unconsciousness until she had passed it. As for her soul, he was torn over her fate. He was desperate to see her, desperate to hold her, but the quicker she got here, the quicker she would have to make her decision. He couldn't keep her here against her will, and he honestly didn't know what she wanted to do. Her decision wouldn't be easy, each option came with its own terrible pain, so what would she choose? He didn't know, and for a moment his soul was filled with such pain his tears increased, only for him to once again smash the crystal he was holding, this time in frustration.

For the moment he was helpless, but he would not act like a child, he would not shed worthless tears over a woman. Yet his heart would not forget her, and once again producing a crystal to view his love, his mouth was open before he had even fully realised the song. The pain, the love he felt, pouring out to a beautiful soft melody.

When I look into your eyes,

I see something I don't recognise,

And I get this feeling, deep inside,

There is something in my heart,

That causes so much pain,

But I see that pain reflected in your eyes,

This cannot be in vain,

Tell me how you feel,

Set your own heart free,

Come to me in friendship,

I'll give you all you need,

For now that I stand here,

Looking down at you,

I realise, that all along,

I've been in love with you,

Please do not look away from me,

I cannot stand that rejection,

Please come to me, reveal you heart,

Please show me your affection,

Now as I take your hand in mine,

And look into your eyes,

I know I live for you, my love

I belong at your side.