Title: A Faded Memory

Author: Devlyne (Originally published as BelleAngeli)

Published: 2/10/2016

Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth, Jareth or Sarah. Nor do I in any way resemble Jim Henson, The Jim Henson Company, Henson Creature Shop or Disney. Any recognizable quotes belong to the aforementioned.

A/N: Alright, this is the final chapter. There will be an epilogue posted directly after this. And finally, after 12 years, I will be finished with this story. Its incomplete state has haunted me. Its original lack of direction killed my motivation, but finally I can mark it complete.

Chapter 16: The Beginning at the End

It was nearly done. Sarah knew that the time Jareth had given her to prepare was a generous gift and she was grateful for it. He had been generous to her since the first time they'd met. It was hard to see his generosity because Jareth hid it behind arrogance and conceit, but Sarah was learning to see through all that. There might still be a price to pay at the end of everything, but more and more she was finding herself willing to pay it. Jareth always asked for payment and she no reason to think this might be different. Well, except, that he had been acting differently since their reunion. The man had shown more patience in the last two weeks than in all the years she'd battled him in her head.

In the end, that was the realization which had begun to ease Sarah's doubts. All her battles with Jareth had spanned thirteen hours and then been in her head for years afterward. She had no idea what he was really like. Doubt was a terrible creature but at least Sarah could admit that she did doubt. It wasn't only his intentions that had come in to question but the decision itself. At first it seemed like the best option to up and leave everything, spend time in Underground. Now, Sarah began to wonder what would happen if the time away wasn't the healing balm she was hoping for. There was a hole in her being that needed filling or she would always feel fractured.

Jareth's gentle comfort these last two weeks had eased her anxiety and she was grateful for it. He was not a man Sarah had credited with a great deal of patience yet he showed it now. Every time her doubts and fears had reared their ugly head, he had soothed them back. She wondered if perhaps the trip was not to mend her feelings alone. Jareth might also need mending and if Sarah could do that for him, it would be ample payment for what he was offering. Well, so long as he kept to his part of the bargain.

The final week had been spent packing Sarah's belongings for storage. It amazed her how she could have so much space but so many items. Most had been marked for storage though Jareth had made a few trips back and forth to deliver her belongings. Privately, Sarah thought maybe he hadn't needed to go back to Underground to make the deliveries himself. He was a king, after all, and he did have a kingdom to run. Maybe he had needed time away from her. That thought was one of many that clouded her mind as she finished sealing the last of the boxes for the storage unit.

It shouldn't have been a question because Jareth had spent so much time with her already. Still, Sarah wondered how he would manage his kingdom while she was there. He had a kingdom to run and subjects to rule over though that didn't seem to bother him at the moment. Was Jareth as free with his time at home as he was when he was away? Sarah wondered if there would be pressing matters once they settled back in the labyrinth. She didn't want to monopolize his time though that was what he was suggesting she do.

"You are thinking so loudly that I imagine I can see the words flying from your head." He purred, a gloved hand moving over her shoulder. The voice was so suddenly near her ear that Sarah startled, dropping one of the packed boxes

Sarah spun and drew back her hand to punch the intruder with no real spite. "Don't do that! You scared the life out of me!" She squeaked at Jareth who wasn't bothering to hide his laughter.

"I could not help myself, forgive me?" A hand pressed over Jareth's heart as he bowed but there was no remorse in his features. "Now, tell me what's on your mind?"

At some point, Sarah had promised to talk to Jareth and tell him her problems. It was all part of making her better or at least helping her get there. She hesitated to tell him, again, that she was having her doubts about this move. How many times had they been over this the last few days? Her head shook at him and she stooped to pick up the box and set it with the others. How much doubt could the man take before he gave up on her?

"Ahh, I see. We're back to this then." Jareth murmured. He began to pull his gloves off at the fingertips, laying them on the counter one at a time. "You think that this might all be a mistake and that you will never heal. And that I will exact some great price from you for my help." One brow rose as he waited for her to agree that this was the case before continuing on. "Sarah, look at me."

He waited until Sarah had turned to look at him before hands lifted to cup her cheeks. His fingers were warm from being in the gloves and she'd found them oddly soft for a man. Perhaps the consequence of being a King was that one never had to do hard labor. Or was that a benefit? For a long few moments, they stood together in silence and Jareth gazed down in to her eyes and face. He saw her; he wanted her to know that. Jareth saw Sarah for what she was and what she could be. His head bent and lips pressed to hers before he drew back.

"I don't want anything." Jareth whispered. "It might be a mistake, but you won't know until you try. And even if you are never healed, then you are perfect just like this and will always have a place at my side if you wish it. A promise; my promise to you."

Sarah's eyes brimmed with unshed tears before she pushed upward on her toes to brush her lips to his in return. It was the third promise he'd made her in two weeks. It did not take the fear away or extinguish her doubt but it gave Sarah the courage to push past it. He was right; she would never know until she tried. Her head bobbed in acknowledgement before she looked about the apartment. There was so little left to do.

"Thank you, Jareth."

One brow rose and then his head inclined in acceptance of her thanks. "It's my pleasure. Now, we have work to finish. You are supposed to move out by tomorrow. What do we have left to do? Any more boxes that need to be delivered?"

There would be a long road ahead of the two of them, Sarah was sure of it. If she could weather the storms that would come, then maybe there was a bit of light waiting at the end of the tunnel. So many years had been spent in a type of purgatory. Sometimes, with each breath she took, Sarah felt as though she were awakening from it. He was moving from box to box in front of her and she still hardly believed that he was real. That would take time, far more than two weeks could give her. Oh, Jareth had worked to ease that feeling by making sure they were seen out and about together.

"No, nothing. This is all for storage. Though, if I do decide not to come back, I at least sorted it by what should be donated and what should be given to people. I don't want it to go to waste," was the answer as Sarah joined him.

His eyes drifted to her at that answer with lips curling up into a smile. "Good. Then let's go through all the rooms and cabinets, make sure you have everything. We'll get this moved over then have dinner and…" And? The word hung between them a moment before Jareth shrugged. "Go home. We'll have dinner and go home."

"Home." Sarah murmured. "Home is where the heart is. At least, that's what they say, anyway."

And maybe, just maybe, Sarah's heart was still in the Underground where she'd left it. A faint smile began at the corners of her mouth and then grew until it brightened her face and lit her eyes; yes, home. Not for the first time that week, there was a rush of wanting to go and be done with this place. It burst through Sarah giving her energy. She was almost bouncing about the rooms, checking cabinets and looking through drawers. They were going to go home.

"Don't forget," Sarah called out to him from the bedroom. "You promised we could start looking for Hoggle and the others!" There wasn't a reply from the front room though Sarah could hear Jareth moving about. Perhaps he hadn't heard her? She moved to the door to glance out and almost ran in to him.

His hands caught her arms and Jareth steadied them both before answering. "Yes, about that…" He hedged which caused a knot to form in Sarah's stomach.

"You promised, Jareth…" And a promise was a promise, wasn't it? "You said you would help me look for them. " Sarah's voice rose as her anxiety returned. He couldn't change his mind now, she wouldn't let him. This was it, the moment when the other shoe dropped.

"Sarah!" His voice sharp as Jareth tried to stop her verbal flailing. "As I was going to say…about that…I've already begun looking. My trips home, I've been sending the goblins out scouting. Granted, they're notgood at it." A hand waved that small fact away, but it was more the idea that he had begun looking before she'd even arrived.

"What?" She murmured, the fight draining out of her.

Jareth's hand lifted to brush Sarah's hair back behind one ear before caressing her cheek. "I have already started looking for your friends." He reiterated. "As soon as we have any news, I'll let you know. I didn't want to worry you with it while you were packing. I thought it would be a nice surprise." Especially if he could have found them before she came to Underground, but no luck so far. Still, it had only been a few days in both worlds.

Guilt filled the pit of Sarah's stomach and she pressed her hand there a moment. Was she ever going to stop judging him harshly? In time, she reminded herself. In time, when more than two weeks had passed and she'd had the chance to see him as a person, Sarah would stop judging. It would take time. The fear and anxiety that he would grow short of patience or temper returned to her. Sarah took a deep breath, stilling herself. They had time; all the time in the world.

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head and cut her words off. "For not picking out a place to eat. It is a terrible imposition to force me to choose, yet again." He reached out a hand and grasped Sarah's arm at the elbow to guide her out of the bedroom and in to the hallway. "Oh, well, I suppose we will have to go to that deli again. We're not dressed for formal."

Her coat was shoved in to her hands. Jareth smoothed a hand over his chest to show Sarah how easily he could change his own clothing to suit. She laughed at him and pulled her coat on before following him out of the apartment. There was a pause in her steps as Sarah looked back at the rooms she'd called home while in purgatory. It didn't look or feel like home anymore and that was alright. Jareth's arm linked with hers and led her out the door, closing it firmly behind them. He would take care of any remaining boxes.

"No more looking back, only forward." He murmured and patted Sarah's arm as they waited for the elevator. "Close your eyes."

Sarah's brow knitted as the bell for the elevator dinged but she did as he asked. It was in her to protest and question him but in that moment, she didn't. His steps sure as he guided her on to the elevator and the doors slid closed behind them. A surprise of some sort, then? She felt her heart beating a bit harder in her chest in expectation and concern. As the doors to the elevator slid open warmth and the smell of hay assaulted her senses causing Sarah to open her eyes. The Labyrinth lay before them looking as she remembered it.

A glance spared at Jareth as she asked, "I … I thought we were going to dinner?"

"We are. I just may have lied about the deli, that's all…"

There was that devious, playful smile on Jareth's lips and Sarah only shook her head at him. The elevator doors closed behind them and her escape to Overland was cut off. It didn't matter because Sarah didn't want to escape. It was as wonderful as the first time she'd seen it though more desolate than she remembered. His hands fell away as she moved forward to the edge of the hill and stuffed her hands in her coat pockets.

"It needs some work." Sarah observed, looking over the sandy hills and the decaying labyrinth beneath them. Her head turned so that she could see Jareth as he stepped up to her side, his clothes changed back to normal.

His head inclined voice soft. "It does," was the acknowledgement she received. "Perhaps something you might be interested in undertaking. Well, if you don't like the idea I have to suggest to you. I mentioned, some time ago, that we had no teachers. Maybe the goblins would be less troublesome if educated…"

Or they had time; she could do what he suggested and also work on the kingdom. It would take time regardless. Sarah smiled and wrapped her hand about his arm. Home. For the first time in years, she felt warmth bubbling up in her chest and Sarah began to laugh softly. Jareth was puzzled at the outburst but slowly a smile crept to his lips. He began to guide her down the hillside toward the path that would take them to the castle. Yes, maybe the goblins would be less troublesome with Sarah as their teacher instead of him.

"Let's go home," Jareth murmured.

Fin.