Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Memory Lane

Chapter 5

Both Jareth and Sarah were standing on the wall beside Hoggle as he helped Younger Sarah away from the Fireys.

As Younger Sarah saw Hoggle's face, the world flashed milky white again.

"Oh no," Older Sarah groaned.

"Ah! Another foot note." Jareth said.

Sarah tried to remember what fantasy she had conjured up for this portion of the Labyrinth. Out of all the areas, this had been the most frightening to her. Scary, crazy monsters with detachable parts that wanted to see if her parts came off too. She had been running, fearing for her life when she became trapped at the wall. How did her older mind alter this memory?

Jareth snapped his fingers and suddenly they were in her fantasy-realm. Older Sarah stared down at her younger, sexier self as she became trapped by the Fireys.

"And for this one, I think I'll take your voice," Jareth said and then quickly conjured up a wind that knocked the breath from her lungs.

Older Sarah begun to cough, feeling as though someone had just punched her in the throat. Her eyes widened in shock when she realized, even as she coughed, that no sound was escaping her. She turned and snarled mutely at a very smug-looking Jareth.

"Take off your head! Get a saw! Let us take off your arm!" One of the Fireys cried at younger Sarah.

"Let us take off your arm!" Another one cried.

"An ear! Take off an ear! You don't need two ears!" Another one said.

"The game's almost over!" The first Firey said.

"Stand away from the girl!" Fantasy Jareth bellowed from above.

Both Older Sarah and Current Jareth were surprised by his sudden appearance beside them.

"Jareth!" Younger Sarah cried out from below.

Older Sarah became exasperated because she finally remembered what fantasy this was.

The Fireys all immediately backed off at the sight of their king, and Fantasy Jareth pulled up younger Sarah with the same rope Hoggle had used in the true memory.

Fantasy Jareth pulled Younger Sarah against him as soon as she was up, and younger Sarah gazed longingly into his eyes.

"Why did you save me?" She asked.

"I couldn't let them take your head, it's far too beautiful," Fantasy Jareth said as he stroked her cheek.

"Oh, Jareth," Younger Sarah practically cooed. She wound her arms around his back, and settled her face against his neck, embracing him.

The moment was over in a flash, and Older Sarah and Current Jareth were standing back at their original spot as Hoggle and Younger Sarah moved on.

Older Sarah sighed in relief. Thank goodness that had been one of her more G-rated fantasies. She was positive there had been another on that spot, and she had definitely fantasized about more than a friendly hug.

"You wanted me to save you?" Jareth asked with a cackle and mocking in his tone.

Sarah, now happily with her voice back scowled at him and said,

"It was just a thought I had."

"Now why would you think something like that?" He asked with a raised brow.

Sarah looked down at her feet, suddenly feeling dejected.

"I don't know, I guess…" She stopped herself. Should she tell him what she really thought? Or should she hide her feelings?

There didn't seem to be anything to gain from hiding her true feelings…

"I guess I always thought that maybe there was more to you." She said very quickly.

She could hear the rustling of fabric and when she looked up she saw Jareth so close that he was almost touching her. She could even feel his breath on her cheek.

"Like what? Gallantry?" He practically spat the word.

"I don't know. I-I" Sarah stammered, trying to find a reason for her fantasy. She had a nagging, indignant feeling about it.

"I am the King, and I have a duty. So what would make you think that I'd be …kind?" Jareth asked, looking dark and menacing as he towered over her.

"Maybe it's not something I think," Sarah said, slowly shaking her head. "Maybe it was just something that I hoped was true."

She wanted the sentence to make him ashamed. Of course, shame might not be something this glittery and domineering King was capable of. But she didn't feel like she should have to explain her fantasy. It was a fantasy. Though, she was embarrassed that he saw it. She felt like it made her weak somehow, because in her fantasy he was so altruistic. What evidence did she have to support that idea?

Sarah flinched when Jareth raised his hand and brushed it along her cheek. She immediately felt stupid. Did she expect him to smack her? Running a little hot and cold, sure, but he had never laid a hand on her in anger. Granted, it's not like they spent a whole lot of time together. There was much she didn't know about him. And it made her feel like a fool. He was right. She had all these fantasies and ideas about him, and probably none of them were true.

"You've got a much softer heart than I originally thought," Jareth said.

His gentle caress had made her a little heated. But she prepared herself for the inevitable condescending remark that he always seemed to add.

"And to you that means I'm weak," Sarah said as she unwaveringly met his steely gaze.

"And yet you defeated my Labyrinth," He said softly.

Sarah was taken a back. Did the Goblin King just compliment her without making it back-handed? She wasn't sure how to respond, but it no longer mattered. Out of the corner of her eye she could see him raise a gloved hand, and then snap his fingers.