Disclaimer: I do not own the labyrinth or any of the characters.

Chapter Nineteen

Joker and the Thief Reprise

Sarah looked to concerned faces around her. With everything that was going on, even had she been allowed, could she really trouble them with this new vision? She hadn't been plagued by the future for months, and now this? With a sigh she shook her head.

"I can't… It was just a white shadow," Sarah lied. Selina and Eve exchanged looks, but Jareth's gaze bore into her. "It's nothing to worry about honestly…"

"Sarah you should really tell us just in case," Selina coaxed.

"No really, I promise it wasn't anything worth thinking over." Sarah looked around to see the disbelieving looks, but the girls seemed to let it drop. She sighed. How many times had she been irritated with Jareth for keeping things from her?

"Would you please leave us for a moment," Jareth said, startling Sarah slightly. Selina and Eve left the room slowly, giving one last look before they closed the door. "Sarah…"

"Listen I know alright," Sarah sighed. "I shouldn't be keeping this a secret but it's just stupid to tell you when it's not even that bad," she lied again. Jareth sighed, deciding it might be best to leave his Queen to her thoughts for awhile, maybe she would come around.

"You trust me don't you?" Jareth asked quietly. Sarah looked up in surprise. Slowly she reached out and took his hand.

"Of course I do." She leaned forward to kiss him lightly. "Please don't be angry. I just need to sort this out for myself."

"If that is what you wish, I'll leave you for now," Jareth as he kissed her upon the forehead. "…but should you need me…"

"I'll call you first thing," Sarah finished with a small smile. With his departure, Sarah felt a pressure dissipate from her mind. The vision replayed in her head; it was no white shadow.

Sarah was walking the battle field; it was with Asura, though she said nothing to her. A man in black armor, looking like the Un-Seelie court dark elves, was walking straight towards her vision self.

"Have you brought what I requested?" The man asked. Sarah watched herself nod and pull a small blue glowing orb from her robes. "Then I shall leave them all alive, and remember, you are to hold up the final stipulation of this agreement. If you fail to become my Queen, I will destroy everyone in this blasted underground that you have ever known or cared about…"

"Sarah," Asura now spoke from her side, allowing the girl to hold gently to her arm. "You must not tell anyone of what you have seen here, it is crucial to the shift this world is about to endure. Do not fret, things will eventually turn out the way they should be."

"I understand," Sarah said, tears streaming down her face as she felt herself pulling away from the spirit realm.

What a horrid thing to see, but if Sarah could ensure the safety of those she cared about, she would do anything. She could only wonder when the King of enemy elves would try to contact her. Asura had assured her that things would return to the way they should be; surely she could suffer a little to save them. What if the way things were supposed to be, had nothing to do with her being with Jareth? She couldn't even fathom that, she wouldn't. To endure the trials that were to inevitably to come, she would have to be strong and think positively.

Somewhere in another Kingdom dark laughter could be heard resonating around the room.

"Sire you know the penalty for interfering in the spirit world," a raspy voice reprimanded.

"Yes, I know very well, but Asura has nothing on me. Besides, the girl would never even hear my message unless I gave her reason to… If she's anything like the stories make her out to be, she will do anything to save the pathetic lives of her friends. Also, it will give us a willful Queen…"

Sarah went through the majority of the day undisturbed. Eve and Selina had returned to their kingdom, and Jareth seemed to be avoiding her on purpose. She found this more irritating than usual. He didn't even show up to dinner which concerned her considerably, and found herself even more irritated.

Heading to bed, she found that Jareth was not there either. Sarah heaved a sigh and plopped down on the bed. Sleep refused to come, as she tossed and turned. Hours passed, and then there was a disturbance. She was not surprised, sitting up, she looked around calmly.

"Mistress," a scratchy voice called out. Sarah knew this voice, and then knew exactly who it was when she heard a second voice.

"We has a message for you," the second said. It was the Joker and the Thief.

"I've been expecting you," Sarah said blandly. It was too dark to see the hideous smirks upon their faces. "What is it…"

"He has the ultimate weapon to use against your army," Joker said.

"Why are you telling me this?" Sarah asked.

"We need something from you, and the un-seelie king has given his word that he will leave your people un-harmed if you agree," the thief explained.

"Just how am I supposed to trust this word of his?" Sarah narrowed her eyes, she knew she had to do this, but might as well convince herself first.

"There will be a signed document if you wish, not tricks or hoaxes and he encourages you to read through it…" the joker all but laughed out.

"What does he want?"

"You will find out all in good time, are you willing to see him?" The thief asked.

"Yes, but in a neutral place and alone," Sarah said defensively.

"We wouldn't expect anything less of a bright woman such as you," the thief said.

"If that is all, just go away," Sarah sighed.

"As you wish mistress," the two said together, disappearing quickly.

With their departure, Sarah could feel a cloud of evil and dread descend upon her. Curling up in bed, she feigned sleep.

Jareth had fallen asleep over his desk. That was completely unusual. He sat up quickly, the spell lifting as the Joker and Thief left his kingdom. It couldn't have been an intruder, he would have known right away. Sarah didn't seem distressed, just a bit down. He still felt uneasy. Disregarding his plans for the night he appeared in their bedroom.

Sighing in relief, Jareth smiled to see Sarah looking to be asleep. Deciding it would be best to just turn in for the night, he climbed in beside her, turning on his side to drape his arm over her waist.

"I love you," Jareth whispered sweetly into her ear, closing his eyes and falling asleep. Sarah bit down on her lip to keep from crying out, from turning and throwing her arms around him and sobbing. Whatever was to happen, it would not turn out as well as when Verdant had abducted her. She knew that she and the enemy Elf King would not become friends.

Letting out a sigh, Sarah turned smoothly in his grasp hiding her face in Jareth's chest, her soul comforted at his presence even in sleep. She let all thought drift from her mind as she allowed herself to be consumed in his aura.

Though comforted, Sarah still couldn't sleep. All that she could think about was her love sleeping with her and the people she all considered family in the underground. Selina could easily be her sister. Eve was like the fun sort of aunt that took you shopping; Feyore the silent but amused uncle. She didn't really know where Verdant was in this whole picture. He was like a family member whose relation you never remembered, but just got along with. She hoped dearly that he and Selina would become even more attached, and perhaps someday marry.

After hours of random thoughts and memories, Sarah finally felt herself drift off, but not before whispering: "I love you too…"

Author's Note:

Alright another chapter. Not as long as some of them but longer than the last, or so I tell myself. But anyway, check out the last chapter if you haven't already and review and let me know what you think!