----Sorry I didn't update sooner. I've been really busy and trying to decide where I want my story to go. I hope more people start reading my story and reviewing! Comments or suggestions are welcome. ----

----Don't own Labyrinth----

Before her, Sarah saw a very large pond with a huge waterfall. It flowed off of a bluff that seemed to float in midair. There was a stone path that led to a pristine white gazebo.

On the other side of the pond was yet another brilliant willow tree with soft moss beneath it. A small rowboat was set on the side of the pond, and lily pads adorned the edges of the water.

Speaking of the water, it was also crystal clear. And wildflowers were everywhere.

"Oh Jareth, it's beautiful!"

"I'm glad you think so. This is my sanctuary, and I've chosen to share it with you."

He smiled down at her

"Thank you," she whispered. Did he even know how much that meant to her?

Probably not. The way he was acting must be some sort of act. He had never been this gentle or nice to her before.

'I wonder what he's up to?' she asked herself.

He offered her his arm, and gratefully she took it. He led her to the gazebo, hoping to learn more about her life. There were benches inside and they took a seat across from each other.

"So Sarah, tell me how you ended up in such a horrible relationship?"

So, he'd decided to get right to the point? This was going to be an interesting conversation.

"Well, we met my senior year in high school. I walked into our local café and he striked up a conversation with me. Sparks flew and a few weeks later, we were dating."

She smiled at the memory. "He was the perfect guy. He sent me flowers for no reason, just to say I love you, he was very chivalrous, opening doors, pulling out chairs. He knew just what to say to get me to love him." Then she hesitated.

"Continue Sarah. It's all right." She nodded.

"After graduation, I got accepted to a very prestigious college. I was so happy that I could finally continue with my dreams of becoming a writer." She smiled again.

"But when I broke the news to Jake, he was furious. He thought I was going to leave him to go to college. He was afraid I'd meet some college guy and run off with him. But I'm not the cheating type. I tried to explain to him the opportunities that lay ahead of me, but he wouldn't listen to reason."

Jareth frowned at this. How could Jake be so selfish to deprive the woman he supposedly loved of her dreams?

"That's when it all started. That was the night he first hit me. And then every time I tried to do something nice for him, it was the wrong thing to do. So, he hit me for it. It continued for two years Jareth." She was crying by now.

Jareth came to sit next to her and put his arm around her shoulder. She took comfort in his embrace and cried into his shoulder.

'If only I had realized it sooner, maybe I could've saved her from all this heartache,' he thought to himself. 'No, it's her fault. She could've taken her dreams when I offered them to her. But she refused.' He shook his head to clear the thoughts from his mind.

Her tears were worn down to mere sniffles.

"Are you all right Sarah?"

"Yes, and thank you for a shoulder," she smiled.

He nodded.

"So Goblin King, tell me something. Why did you come for me this time, but none of the other times I called for you?"

He looked surprised at her question. How could he tell her this without hurting her?

"Well...I suppose it was because...I didn't want to help you. You had refused my offer, and I hated you for it. I didn't know how bad things were getting between you and your lover. I just simply ignored your pleas."

"I don't understand! I was being abused, beaten senseless, and you just chose to ignore it! How can you just avoid something like that! Jake almost killed me I don't know how many times!"

She stood up, enraged at the arrogant Goblin King.

"I thought you were better than that Jareth." She walked away, not knowing where she was going, except away from him.