~Chapter Three~

Sarah sank to her knees before Jareth realized what was happening. She'd gone pale, and when she tried to speak, nothing came out.

"Are you okay, Sarah?" Jareth inquired, helping her to her feet and laying her on the couch.

"Your wife…?" Sarah repeated. The King sighed and paced as he spoke.

"I told you I was angry and upset after you left. Perhaps we married to hastily, though we did wait two years, until Ana was twenty. But it was right, I know it was. Hers was a troubled heart until I came along; mine was a lonely and broken one. Catrina even gave us her blessing, something that made Ana and I very happy."

"And are you happy?" asked Sarah, swallowing a lump in her throat.

"Of course we are!" Yelled Jareth, forgetting he had to handle this just right. "We've 'adopted' Catrina as our own and are trying for another child."

"No…" Sarah put a hand to her head.

"After all these years, I thought you'd be happy for me. We've both moved on; I know I'm glad."

"I'm sorry." Sarah whispered. "Is that what you want? My apology?" Jareth sighed and went to the couch, then knelt beside her.

"I want nothing from you, Sarah. But I'm the one who must apologize. For the way I acted when you were in my Labyrinth, and for the unhappiness in your life.

"I never said I was unhappy!" Sarah sat up quickly as she protested; Jareth laid her back down.

"You're not yet over the shock, dear girl."

"To hell with my shock!" Sarah yelled as she pushed his arms off her shoulders. "And I am happy! My working at the orphanage is the best thing in my life. But the more I feed those childrens' minds with stories of your Labyrinth, the more I want to be here."

"Again, I'm sorry, Sarah. That won't make up for anything, I know, but please, except it."

"I can't."

The next events seemed to take place within a matter of seconds. Sarah stood and ran to the door, flinging it open and like the wind flew down the hall, toward no place in particular.

"Sarah! Don't do this!" She heard Jareth call. There was no harshness in his tone, yet Sarah was almost afraid of him. If he caught her, he'd make her accept the truth, and she refused to accept it.

Sarah turned her head, just to see if Jareth was coming after her, when she ran into someone.

Jareth.

He put his arms around her, though she struggled to make him let her go.

"Please!" She begged, crying again. "Tell me this is a dream! Tell me it's a trick!"

"Sarah, you know better. If it were a trick, it would be quite cruel, would it not?"

"I'll do the Labyrinth over!" She sobbed, pulling away enough just to look into his eyes. "And I won't turn down your offer, I promise!"

"Sarah…" Jareth whispered. He hugged her, as a friend hugs a friend, and this time, she didn't struggle.

Only cried tears of pain and loss on the King's shoulder.

* * * * *

Having no knowledge of his actions, Sarah was soon in the small bed again, courtesy of Jareth's sleeping spell. This was hard for her, he knew, but she'd accept everything in time.

He watched her sleep, and wondered: was she happy? Yes, she had her family, and yes, she had her job with the children at the orphanage, but Sarah did crave the magic she'd experience in the Labyrinth. Magic that just didn't exist on her world.

Jareth saw her stir and stretch, then open her eyes and sit up slowly.

"Sarah, are you feeling any better?" He asked, concerned.

"Can I meet her?"

"What?"

"Can I meet your wife, Ana?"

The King thought about this unusual request. Sarah was fragile right now, and could have another outburst. Not only that, but how would Ana take it?

"Yes." Jareth answered. "But you must promise not to make a scene."

"I won't." Sarah narrowed her eyes at him. "I'd just like to congratulate the only other person to solve your Labyrinth." She forced a smile, but it was a start.

* * * * *

Jareth stopped in front of a large, wooden door and put a hand on Sarah's shoulder.

"Catrina's with her. Please, don't say one thing to upset them."

"What little faith you have in me." Sarah reached forward and pulled the brass handle toward her. Despite what she'd read about castles, the door did not creak as it opened. She peered in.

A firey-haired woman, a few years older than Sarah, sat in a rocking chair, crocheting tiny clothes. She wore a silk blue dress and silver sandals. Ana was beautiful.

Catrina was lying on her stomach on the floor reading a book. She was fingering her short, brown hair and kicking her feet in the air. She looked just like her sister, Sarah observed.

The King stepped into the room beside her then, and cleared his throat softly. Ana and Catrina looked up, smiling when they saw Jareth, but glancing at Sarah with confusion.

"This is Sarah Williams." Jareth announced. Ana's face lit up.

"The one you told me about?" She asked anxiously.

Sarah blinked, then turned to Jareth with anger and embarrassment in her eyes.

"She knew about me all along?"

"I told her the truth about your journey," Jareth answered. "I had nothing to hide.

"Jareth told me you were the first person to solve his Labyrinth." Ana spoke with pride. "Congratulations!"

"Who was it?" Catrina asked, jumping up and joining the small group.

"Excuse me?" Sarah faced her, confused.

"You had to wish someone away for Jareth to take." The girl winked at him.

"My brother, Toby." Sarah half-smiled. "He's eight, now."

"Oh, he was really young, then. I was older than he is now when I was wished away. But I'm sure Jareth's filled you in."

"Yeah. And I'm very…happy…for both you and Ana. Finding what you wanted to make your lives complete."

Jareth gave her credit for not breaking down in front of them, but he knew in his heart she didn't mean what she'd said.

"Thank you." Ana beamed. "And I hope you find what you're looking for, too."

"Well, Sarah, I've kept you long enough." Jareth spoke up. "It's time to go."

"No!" shouted Sarah, whirling around to look in him the eye. "I can't go back! Ever! I had good reason to come back and you know it!" Her eyes watered and she shook terribly.

Jareth sighed and turned his eyes on his wife's. They seemed to be thinking the same thing. Ana nodded, and before Sarah could blink, the room disappeared.