Disclaimer: Any elements of this work of fanfiction that are recognizable most likely do not belong to me, but to the respected owners, like Jim Henson. I only own the plot and original characters, as they are the product of my twisted mind. Please do not sue me.
The Incentive
by Fou Fou
Chapter 18 : A Real Man For The Job
"DAMMIT!" yelled Mara the next morning, crashing down the otherwise peaceful blanket of silence surrounding the Labyrinth early in the morning. "OF ALL THE . . ." here she broke out into a stream of all together language that would cause anyone to grow pale with horror. It did not take long for Jareth, Garith and Rawthorn to come rushing into her bedroom to see whatever was the matter. The elf in question, however, was not to be found in her bed, where she was supposed to be, or even in the room itself.
"I thought you were supposed to keep your eye on her," muttered Jareth to Garith
"Mara, where are you?" asked the vampire, ignoring the pointed look from the King of the Goblins.
"I'm going to kill Sarah," came a muffled declaration from behind the door leading to the bathroom.
The three men looked at each other, wondering what on earth could have prompted such a violent oath from Mara. "Mara, are you all right?" asked Rawthorn, nervously.
"No I am not all right! I'm in a homicidal mood right now, that's what. And it is all Sarah's fault!"
"Um, Mara, if you're mad at Sarah because of the whole nearly dying thing that happened, it was technically your fault. And I thought you got over that anyway," reasoned Garith. "And didn't the doctor tell you to stay in your bed?"
"Sometimes nature calls," said Mara mysteriously.
"I wasn't aware going to the bathroom involves such violent swearing," remarked Jareth.
A muffled complaint consisting of, "God hates me," was the reply.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Jareth.
After a sigh of long suffering, Mara said, "It would seem that Sarah has taken all my tampons, and I need some new ones. Now, preferably." There was some rustling and another swear, "And maybe some pain relief drugs."
Garith looked with amusement over at Jareth, whose face was turning an almost greenish tint. No doubt remembering a certain incident in a hidiously pink bathroom in Lincoln. "Um, are you quite sure you don't have any?" asked Jareth.
"Yes, Jareth, I am," said Mara. "And if I don't get some soon I will not be responsible for my actions."
Garith rolled his eyes. "I guess I'll be the man here and buy her some tampons. Is there any kind you prefer, Mara?"
"Um . . . the ones with the daisies on them. You can get them Aboveground. Humans have really perfected the whole dealing with the menstrual thing, and have some of the best stuff you can get." came Mara's reply. As and afterthought she added, "Thanks."
"Do you have any sanction to go Aboveground, Garith?" asked Jareth.
Garith shrugged. "I'm not sure. But if I go quickly, surely no one will notice?"
"Your funeral," said Jareth, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. Rawthorn meanwhile, just shook his head and left the room quietly, refusing to get involved with the feminine problems of his niece. He cared not about Garith's remarks about 'being a man,' there was some things he would not do, and that was buy tampons. He did have his pride, after all. Still, if the young vampire wished go Aboveground, or anywhere for that matter, and buy tampons, he was not about to stop him.
It was definitely one of the most disconcerting experiences of Sarah's life. One moment, she was standing there, discussing Garith's life story with him, and next moment she was standing in the middle of her dorm room back in the Aboveground. And I thought it was weird when Jareth started doing his whole Star Trek "Beam me up Scotty!" thing, going here there and everywhere all over the Labyrinth. This definitely tops it.
It was only after a few moments of regaining her composure did she realize that her dorm room was now the middle of a crime scene, and a very shocked young police officer was staring at her with open mouthed wonder. "H-How did you do that?" he asked, barely able to keep most of the stuttering in check.
"Pissed off the Underground Council," muttered Sarah under her breath. To the police officer she said, "I'm Sarah Williams."
"Are you like an alien are something?" continued the man, almost as if he hadn't heard her. "Do you have superhuman powers like Superman?"
"Do I look like Superman to you?"
"W-well, n-no not exactly," he admitted. "But you could be the female version."
"Sir, I assure you that I have no relationship, that I know of, to Superman, or any other super hero you may or may not have heard of."
"Hey, Joe, did you find anything, I heard voices . . ." said another cop as he entered the room, trailing off as he saw Sarah. "How did you get in here?" he demanded.
"Um . . . well . . . ." began Sarah, not quite sure what to say. I can't very well go, 'Yeah, Mister, I just came from the Underground, because the Underground Council told me I had to leave. What's the Underground you ask? You mean you don't know? Well, it's this other world inhabited by elves, vampires, goblins, dwarves, and a bunch of other creatures that I have yet to meet.'
Of course, Sarah wisely kept this all to herself. After all, she didn't want to get locked up in the loony bin did she? Of course that left the question about what the hell she should say to this guy.
Thankfully, Joe, decided to help her out, though perhaps not the best way possible. "She just sort of appeared, out of thin air! Like magic or something!"
The other cop rolled his eyes. "She appeared out of thin air?" he asked.
"Yeah, she did!" insisted Joe, earnestly.
Deciding it would be best if she somehow broke up the situation, Sarah extended a hand to the other police officer. "Good day, sir. I'm Sarah Williams."
"You're that missing girl? The one that just sort of disappeared almost two days ago?"
"Um, yeah."
"We you forced to leave or hurt in any way?"
"No, I wasn't."
"Was the individual Garith involved with your disappearance? I'm asking because he was under suspicion due to your disappearance, as well as your friend's, Mara, collapse into a coma."
"Do you have any information about them?"
"No. They disappeared the night you left. Garith was being questioned by police authorities when Mara's uncle and, apparently, a previously unknown fiancé showed up, demanding to see your friend. When asked to identify your friend Garith, since he claimed to grow up with her, they both said they knew him. They took Garith with them to Mara's room, where her friends, Tom and Andrew were waiting with her. Shortly after that, a man in funny robes appeared claiming to be her father, as well as two other gentlemen, demanding to see her. However, when they reached the room, accompanied by a police officer, Garith, Mara's 'uncle' and 'fiancé' were gone, along with Mara's unconscious body and the bed. We later found that the security camera had been tampered with. But we still do not know how they were able to move Mara and the bed."
"What about my friends, Tom and Andrew?" asked Sarah.
"They were found eating in the hospital cafeteria five minutes after officers found out about Mara's disappearance."
"I think the aliens took them," said Joe. "That, or they are actually aliens. It was like they disappeared, just like you. Well, you actually appeared, but you had to disappear from somewhere to be able to appear here."
That kinda makes sense, in a very strange way, thought Sarah. "You think Tom and Andrew are aliens?" she asked, turning the conversation down a different course.
Joe shrugged. "You never know. I mean, why did everyone else disappear, but not those two?"
"Wait, what do you mean, everybody disappeared?" demanded Sarah. "Even Mara's father?"
Joe nodded. "It was the weirdest thing. I was one of the officers with them at the time, when they went to go visit your friend. When they entered her room and saw that she was missing, the started saying something about how they weren't quite sure of Garith's loyalties lately, that he had been acting suspicious. Especially since it appeared that he aided and abetted the Goblin King (whoever he is) and the Mage Adept Rawthorn in taking her back to the Underground."
"We of course assume that the Underground is some sort of criminal organization in the area," said the other officer in a reasonable tone, wearily glancing at his partner.
"After they said all that, they said it would be best to go to the Underground Council and report, then they disappeared!" said Joe eagerly.
"Do you have any idea what any of this means, Miss Williams?" asked the other officer. "Have you found out anything about this organization called 'The Underground?'"
"Don't forget they mentioned something about a Labyrinth, too!" Joe added in.
Well the Underground Council is a little careless in their words, aren't they? mused Sarah. How the hell am I supposed to explain all of that? "Um, I really don't know."
"Well, do you know where you've been for the last two days?"
"Um . . . no?"
"I bet the aliens got her!" said Joe excitedly.
"Miss Williams, I'm going to have to take you down to the station for questioning," said the officer.
"But I have classes I have to go to!" said Sarah.
"As far as the college knows, you're missing," said the officer. "I'm sure they won't mind you coming down to the station."
"But . . ."
"No buts about it Miss Williams," he said, motioning to the door.
"Hey, Miss Williams, where did you get those clothes?" asked Joe.
Sarah looked down at the clothes she was wearing, and noticed that she was still in the clothing she was wearing in the Labyrinth: full medieval. She bit back a groan, trying to think of how to explain.
"Did the aliens hide you at that Renaissance Fair that's just outside of town?" continued Joe.
"Um . . ."
A little help here would be much appreciated, thought Sarah to whoever was listening, as she was escorted out of her dorm room by the two police officers.
When Garith arrived at the Aboveground, he found himself in a little alleyway that he had used often in the past to contact the Underground Council when he was spying on Mara. It was, after all, one of the places where passage (even illegal passage at that) was easiest between the two worlds.
"AHHHHH!" cried the voice.
He spun around to find himself face to face with a little old lady clutching her purse, cane held out as if to defend herself. She was short, barely reaching five feet. She seemed to have a heart theme going on with her attire; there were pink hearts on her dress, her purse was shaped like a heart, even her glasses were shaped like hearts. All in all Garith found the effect somewhat disconcerting, if not nauseating.
"How did you do that?" she asked.
"Magic," he said with a playful smile.
"How?" she persisted.
"Um . . . it's just something I can do," he said. Then leaning over, looking at her in a secretive manner he continued, "You see, my superiors don't know I'm here. I'm trying to help a friend of mine who is in big trouble, and I would appreciate it if you pretended you never saw me. If my superiors knew I was here . . . well, it could mean big trouble for both me and my friend."
"Is your friend a lady friend?" asked the old lady in a sly manner.
"How do you know?" he asked, eying her suspiciously.
"Oh, I just know these things, dear. It's the way you talk about here. I can tell she's someone very special," she continued. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"No, she's not," said Garith. "I don't think she's interested in me that way."
"But you're interested in her," cackled the old lady. Seeing Garith's shocked expressions she said, "Like I said, I know these things. Well, see you later, dear." She waved at him then tottered off down towards the street. Shaking his head with bemusement, Garith walked off, looking for the closest convenient store.
He was walking out of Brooks Pharmacy later, with a bag full of all the things that Mara had demanded earlier, when he saw what looked like Sarah Wiilliams being escorted out of a police station. He quickly cast a "Don't look at me" glamour over himself, and snuck closer.
"Don't try to leave the state, Miss Williams," said one officer, a tall, muscular man, with an expression that meant business. Beside him was a shorter man, wearing glasses, and a slightly goofy look about him.
"If you see any aliens, you'll let me know, right?" he asked.
"For the last time, there were no aliens!" yelled Sarah.
Obviously, reasoned Garith, she had been putting up with a lot of this.
"I assume you can take the bus back to the college?" asked the tall officer.
"I'll need some money. I think the aliens must have taken it," said Sarah, a little sarcastically.
"Watch it, Miss Williams," warned the tall officer.
"Here, I have some spare bus tokens," said the short one eagerly, fishing some coins out of his pocket.
"Thank you," she said graciously, taking the offered coins.
After saying their goodbyes, and an added threat from the tall officer about not leaving the state, Sarah walked away from the officers, and they disappeared back into the police station.
"Hey, Sarah," said Garith, removing the glamour.
Sarah jumped. "God, Garith, Don't do that again. You scared the hell out of me!" She paused, looking at him suspiciously. "What are you doing here? I thought you're supposed to keep your eye on Mara 24/7. Or actually, I probably should say 26/7."
He held up two big bags from Brooks. "Ladies' time," he said. "She's ready to kill you at the moment because you used all her spare stuff without telling her."
Sarah covered her mouth guilty. "Oops. I totally forgot I did that. How mad is she?"
"Pretty mad. She was yelling and swearing this morning . . . well, in Labyrinth time anyway. It's late afternoon here. She was also demanding large quantities of pain-relieving pills. . . don't worry, I didn't get her Aspirin. I got her some menstrual stuff. I even got her some chocolate, to get on her good side."
Sarah smiled. "So how did you get roped into menstrual duties?"
"Jareth was too squeamish to do it himself. Turned absolutely green. Next time you see him, ask him what happened in the bathroom that day you wished for him to take you away. It was quite amusing."
"Do I want to know?"
"Probably not," said Garith with a laugh. "Let's just say it involved Mara shoving a tampon down his pants."
"You know, that actually explains a lot."
"Amazing."
Sarah looked at the two bags. "Isn't that a bit much for Ladies' Time? You have, what, five things of tampons in there!"
Garith shrugged. "What can I say? Immortals, while they don't have their time as often humans do, it does tend to last a bit longer."
"Wonderful. Something to look forward to," said Sarah.
"So, have you had a chance to think it over?" asked Garith.
"Not really. I've been kinda busy dealing with the whole cop scene. When I came back up here, I appeared in the middle of my dorm room . . . which apparently was a crime scene."
"Do they think I'm involved?"
"Well, the short one is inclined to think that it is the aliens. The tall one thinks it is some mafia thing and they gave me some knockout drug, that made me forget everything."
"Sounds fun."
"Oh, yeah," said Sarah sarcastically. After a pause she added more seriously, "Look, I'm not saying I'm completely opposed to the whole becoming immortal thing. But, it's like you said, it will be hard leaving my family."
"Look, at least you get a choice. That's more than I got," said Garith with a hint of old bitterness.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that."
Garith waved his hand in a nonchalant manner. "Forget about it. I've gotten used to it." Somewhat, he added mentally.
Somewhere, a clock tower chimed nine o'clock. "Look, I gotta go before the Underground Council knows I'm gone. I've still got to fit in a feeding as well. I'm going crazy whenever I'm around Mara, I really don't get it." (At this Sarah snorted, as if she had her own suspicions but didn't feel like sharing them). "There's someone in the area who is allied with vampires, he owns a blood bank type thing. I'll probably go get a few weeks or so supply from him and bring it back with me. Prevent any unfortunate occurrences from happening that might cause Jareth to kick my ass from here to kingdom come."
Sarah laughed. "Well, have fun then."
"You'll get back ok?"
"The bus should be here in a soon. I'll see you later, maybe. Depending on how things turn out."
"I'll try to keep in touch," said Garith. "Let you know if anything turns up."
"Thanks," said Sarah. "I appreciate that." As she said that, the bus rolled up to the curve. "Bye, Garith!" she called over her shoulder as boarded the bus. The bus driver, after checking to make sure Garith didn't need a ride, closed the doors and drove off, leaving Garith all alone.
"Garith, you are a life saver," said Mara some time later after she emerged from her self-imposed isolation in the bathroom. For a moment, she forgot all her hatred she normally had towards him and gave him a one armed hug, appreciatively.
"I'd know I'd get to you eventually," said Garith with a grin, willing to take full advantage of this temporary bout of friendliness.
Mara scowled, withdrawing her arm, the moment spoiled. "As if!" she said with a huff.
Garith pulled out from behind his back the one item he hadn't given to her earlier after he returned. "Well, if that's how you feel, I guess I'll just keep this bar of chocolate."
Mara's eyes instantly locked on the piece of chocolate, unconsciously licking her lips at the promised heaven a bar of chocolate brought with it. "Garith you bought chocolate!"
"Yes I did," he said, waving it just beyond her reach.
"Give me that piece of chocolate," she demanded trying unsuccessfully to grab onto the elusive candy bar.
"Say, 'please.'"
"You have got to be kidding me."
"And then a kiss on the cheek," added Garith with a sly grin.
"This is blackmail," said Mara, crossing her arms angrily. "I'll tell Jareth on you."
"Oh surely you're not telling me that you run to Jareth for every little problem. In any case, you don't need the chocolate. So it can't be blackmail," reasoned Garith.
"You've never been menstrual before," she said, holding out her hand, demanding the piece of chocolate.
"I want my payment."
Mara looked around her room, trying to find someone to help her. Of course, as Fate would have it, Jareth was off ruling the goblins, and her uncle doing something, she wasn't sure what. "Come on, Garith. Can't you just give it to me?"
"You're lucky I'm only saying a kiss on the cheek. I can raise the price, however. Like a french kiss, perhaps?"
Whatever reaction Mara was expecting to that comment, it definitely wasn't the one she felt. Her stomach felt as if it had suddenly dropped down into the floor, while her heart felt like the base line of some of the music at a dance she once went to, going 120 beats per minute. "Fine," she said, in an effort to ignore how hard it felt to breathe. "Please, may I have my chocolate?"
"And the kiss?" added Garith, offering his cheek to be kissed.
Biting her lip in an effort not to scream, Mara stepped over to Garith, stood on her tip toes, and lightly kissed him on the cheek.
"See, that wasn't that bad?" he said with a grin as he handed her the promised chocolate.
Grumbling several unflattering comments about Garith under her breath, Mara turned around and stormed out of the room. All the while she tried to hide how red her face had become, and ignore that insane little part of her that wished it had been more than just a kiss on the cheek.
Garith only laughed before following behind.
"I see you're up and about, despite orders to stay abed," said Jareth as Mara stormed into the throne room with Garith close behind
"I couldn't stand the sole company of a certain vampire," she said, shooting a glare towards Garith. "I was wondering if I might make use of your libraries. Garith mentioned something about a possibility of turning Sarah immortal, and I want to see if there is anyway of turning anyone her age immortal without being bitten by a vampire."
"Already onto it," said Rawthorn sweeping into the room, several sheets of paper in hand. "I found several different ways of turning someone immortal, though most, however, involve the Council's blessing."
"Wonderful," said Mara, taking the offered papers from Rawthorn. After reading through some of it, she pointed to one. "This one looks somewhat feasible," she said.
Her uncle looked over her shoulder at the pointed spell. "That's what I figured too. Unfortunately, it does involve the blood of at least ten of the major Races."
"Well, we have me, Dark Elf," suggested Mara, as she handed the papers to Jareth. "That's one down."
Rawthorn shook his head. "I'm not quite sure if that would work. It specifically says 'pure blooded' Race members. That way there is exactly 10 of each type of blood in the mix. And since you are obviously missing some of the vital characteristics that define Dark Elves, we can only assume that you are some sort of hybrid. Which, in turn, I suspect, should also rule myself out."
"Why not you?" asked Jareth. "You look pure Dark Elf to me."
"Paternity tests when they were born proved that both Mara and her sister were Lord Taranus's children. Since it was believed that both Lord Taranus and his wife were purebloods, the fact that they had a daughter born looking like Mara proves that is not the case. Since we don't know which side of the family this anomaly occurred, it can not be certain that I'm fully pureblood either."
"Well, where would we find all these pure blooded representatives of different races?" asked Mara. "I mean I would suggest going from kingdom to kingdom, but it might become a little obvious as to just what our plans are."
"Well, there is the Underground Council . . . " said Rawthorn skeptically.
"Who I doubt will be willing to help us," said Mara. "They haven't exactly been friendly with us lately.
"What about the Hall of the Mountain King?" suggested Garith, joining into the conversation. "Or another one of the major courts of the Underground."
"That's all fine and well," said Jareth. "But how are we going to convince them to give their blood for this spell?"
"Actually, that's where I was hoping Garith could come in . . . " said Rawthorn, trailing off at the look in both Jareth and Mara's faces.
Mara groaned. "You have got to be kidding me," she said. "Use Garith to get the blood we need? That's crazy!"
"Of course, Mara would have to go with him, under the Council's orders," said Rawthorn, giving Jareth a meaningful look.
He better not be doing what I think he's doing, though Jareth, feeling torn between amusement and the brotherly desire to protect Mara.
"You mean to leave me alone with a crazy sex fiend like Garith? Are you insane?" demanded Mara.
"Oh, come on, Mara it might be fun!" said Garith, reaching out to put an arm around her waist.
"Exactly what I thought!" said Rawthorn cheerfully. "You can always say that Mara wants to check out the court, you know, live life like she was free and single before she is forced to get hitched. People will be watching for Mara to do something, and won't suspect Garith is the one who is compiling the ingredients needed to get out of the Council's decision."
"But why would Garith do that?" demanded Mara. "In case you forgot, he's working for the bloody Council!"
"Oh, I'm sure that Garith would be willing to help us in this," said Rawthorn with what Jareth could almost describe as a senile smile. "I believe Garith might have something personal staked in the success of this spell." Garith, at this comment, looked at Rawthorn with surprise and a bit of suspicion.
"Garith, have something personal invested in this?" asked Mara with a laugh. "Like what?"
"Oh, I think that is for Garith to tell, if he so chooses," answered Rawthorn mysteriously. "Now, my research tells me that we'll need at least a month to brew this thing, so the sooner you get the supplies, the sooner we can get started. I suggest that you two get packing and figure out which court you'd like to visit."
Mara, giving one last glare at her uncle, rolled her eyes saying, "Fine, but if this screws up I'm blaming you." She spun around, heading for the exit. As an afterthought she added, "And could someone get me some more chocolate . . . not you, Garith."
Garith merely chuckled and followed after her, calling out a "You sure? Because I do have some more." before their voices faded into the general sounds of the palace; goblins partying and chickens clucking.
After the two had left, Jareth turned to Rawthorn, "Please tell me you're not trying to hook those two up."
"Well, if it makes you happy, then, I'll say 'no I am not trying to 'hook those two up,''" said Rawthorn with a smile that clearly suggested otherwise.
Jareth sighed. "I hope you know what you're doing. You're treading on dangerous grounds. If he hurts her in any way, emotionally or physically. . ."
"Yes, yes, I know, you'll have my head as well as his," said Rawthorn. "However, I believe this will be good for the two of them. I think the events of earlier today prove it. You saw how eager young Garith was to help Mara out, when she found out that she . . . you know," he trailed off, uncomfortable to actually put the event into actual words. "I mean, you and I were both reluctant to get involved, but Garith said he would without a second thought. That's got to mean something."
"If you say so," said Jareth uncertainly.
"I know so," replied Rawthorn. "And if not, then you have my full permission to dump me headfirst into the Bog of Eternal Stench."
"Something, I will have extreme pleasure in doing."
Author's Note:
Ok, so this is the length we get when I'm stuck in on a car trip with nothing but a lap top and a few books to pass the time. (And by car trip, I'm talking 20 hours here, in the back seat of a cramped car and the battery for the laptop dying. However, I have now finally gotten to the point that I've been working so hard to get to. Believe me, folks, the end to this crazy adventure is in sight. No, I am not going to tell you what will happen. Not under pain of death.
Thank you to Megs, who is back from her trip (of course, right after I leave for mine, but oh well). You are a wonderful beta, especially for putting up with this e-mail way of editing. I know it's not fun, but thank you all the same.
Also, thank you to all those of you who took your time to review. I really appreciate it, especially those who have kept reading this, even when my life gets busy and I have no time to write. Hopefully I made up for that now!
Note: It actually took me four months after Megs gave me her revisions that I actually posted this. I'm sorry, my life got crazy. (On the plus side, I'm halfway through the next chapter!)
I know that I can now just e-mail you guys replies to your reviews, but I like posting it this way in all honesty. I mean, you guys took the time to review, you deserve to be recognized. Believe me, I wouldn't write more if it weren't for you.
Thank you.
CasseeninaMirror: Thank you. Sorry it took so long for the update.
Opaaru Tsuki: I love doing violent doodles went I'm upset. I'm glad you think this original, I try hard for it to become so.
Sarah H. No Cory, sorry. Maybe he'll show up next chapter.
LadyAniviel: Yeah, well, Jareth and Sarah will resolve their problems (this is a romance fic, after all!) Plus, I think they're ready to have some revenge on Mara and Garith for being so stubborn!
bobmcbobbob1: I'm glad you liked how I was able to mesh my original characters with the cannon characters. It took a lot of thought, especially to make sure that I stayed true to their character. As to the plan, my lips are sealed. Hopefully the next update won't take quite so long.
Lady of the Labyrinth: As for the whole hair thing, I notice that nobody ever mentions stuff like that. I mean, we all suffer from slightly greasy hair and whatnot on occasion, we can't be perfect all the time! Just trying to bring a level a reality to the story (as much as possible considering the fact that it takes place in the Labyrinth). Hopefully this will keep you un-bored enough until I finish the next chapter.
Cereberus: Yeah, I'm trying to figure out how everything is going to work out for everybody, but I think I have a final plan. (After the several that have been going through my mind.) Sorry for the long update.
The Jolly Glomper: I'm glad you think that I can do the Labyrinth justice, I really appreciate it.
If a rose were a rose: Star Wars is awesome . . . despite the fact that it is filled with clichés. (Personally, I think George Lucas should get help with writing his scripts).
AngelaScarlet: Sorry it took so long. I'll try harder next time.
Jessica: Oh, there will still be tension. Come on, you have two pigheaded people here. There will be more tension.
Danalas The Lady Chaos: Um . . . I'm not going to answer the therapy thing. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. And Mara and Garith are just stubborn, might take them awhile.
draegon-fire: Well, it always annoys me when Sarah in other fics automatically agrees to live with Jareth forever. I mean, she does have to leave a lot of things behind, and normally the only way authors deal with that is killing off everyone. I'm going to try and find another way to deal with it.