A Forgotten Love

Chapter 7

The soft light from the street lamps illuminated the crowd that was consistently growing. Coaches lined the streets as the floats began to come into view. Sarah slowly lifted a delicate hand to her hair, making sure her elaborate hairstyle was holding. She turned to catch a glimpse of her reflection in the glass of a coach parked next to where she was standing. She had a feathered mask complete with sequins that revealed only her sparkling green eyes and her red lips. She was wearing a gown make of emerald green that fit snugly around her midsection pushing up her breasts. Sarah looked around for some sign of recognition...Where was she? She couldn't remember how she had gotten there...wherever there was...

Sarah glanced up and caught sight of a street sign illuminated by the street lamps. It read "Bourbon Street". It all began to fall into place as she saw the float drift past tossing beads and doubloons out at the crowd. Attached to the float was a banner that read "If The World Ceased To Love.... Mardi Gras.... 1872."

"That's impossible" she thought, "How on earth did she get here?"

Sarah looked down at her feet, feeling foolish that she couldn't remember anything. She was lost, in New Orleans somewhere, she knew that much. As she stared down at the wet pavement, she saw a coach stop directly in front of her, and a gloved hand reached out for her to take it. Sarah looked up a little confused and met eyes with a blond haired stranger. He looked deeply into her eyes, searching her soul. She couldn't explain why, but she felt that she had to go with him, like is hes her destiny. He sat across from her in the coach dressed in a white poet's shirt with black breeches and a lavish cloak that had purple, green and gold fabric elegantly woven into it. He wore tall Black boots and soft black leather gloves. He too had a mask, but his was attached to a slender stick so that it could be held up to cover his face. His mask looked remarkably like a gargoyle.

Sarah opened her mouth to speak, but he just held one gloved finger over her mouth to quiet her and she gently closed her eyes. He slowly traced his finger down her chin, across her neck, and down to the swell of her breasts. Sarah Gasped...She didn't know who this man was but she couldn't shake the feeling that she knew him from somewhere. She had so many questions to ask him; like for one, where the hell where they going? Secondly, she wanted to know how she got there, and finally who was he?

Sarah debated blurting out her questions, but she somehow felt like deep within her, she already knew the answers.

The coach slowed to a stop as the driver came round to open the door. Her blond host stepped out gracefully and offered her his hand as she stepped out of the carriage. She locked her arm in his and together they made their way to the entrance of the magnificent mansion that loomed ahead of them. As they entered the ballroom, music was playing and many people we dancing. Candlelight danced on the waand and the elegant chandeliers hung from the ceiling. There were long tables covered with food. A man in a serving uniform stepped over to them and offered a glass of red wine. Sarah reached for the wine and held the crystal glass to her lips as her escort watched her intently.

"What is your name Sir? I have this strange feeling as if I've known you for years..."

He gave her a devilish grin and simply replied, "You may call me Jareth."

"Do I know you? Or am I mistaken?"

"I do not believe we met Mademoiselle, but I simply could not resist your beauty as my carriage was passing by."

"My name is Sarah. Sarah Williams."

"Would you do me the honor of a dance Sarah?"

"Of course" she replied as she put her hand in his and they stepped on to the dace floor. A soft waltz was playing as they began to dance. She felt so safe in his arms and she didn't know why. She had hoped she wasn't being too forward as she gently leaned her head on his chest. He simply smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her head.

They danced all evening and drank wine, occasionally stopping for something to eat. At the end of the evening many people were beginning to head back to their coaches to leave. "I guess we should be going too." Sarah said.

"We don't have to go anywhere," Jareth told her as he lifted her chin with his gloved hand so that he could look into her eyes.

"Why not?" Sarah asked a little confused...

"Because this is my home. Unless of course YOU wish to leave..."

"NO...I mean no, of course not." Sarah stated with a sheepish grin. She couldn't hide the fact that she was blushing furiously. She had to admit, this man was VERY attractive...and she wasn't exactly in the mood to go home by herself...wherever home was...

"In that case, why don't I show you the rest of the house?"

"I'd be delighted"

As Jareth gave Sarah a tour of the house, she was so taken aback by the sheer size of it and of course it's beauty. There were statues in the house; one in particular that caught her eye was a statue of Venus. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Jareth finally stopped just in front of two very large double doors that were exquisitely carved. Sarah looked up at him with a daring look in her eyes as she slowly moved her hands around his waist.

"And what is behind these two doors, hmm?" She said with a little laugh. "You've shown me the kitchen, the study, the guest rooms, the bathrooms, and of course the ballroom...so, let's see...what could this room be??"

Jareth laughed low in his throat as he opened the doors to reveal his magnificent bedchambers. There was a giant four-poster bed with a delicate mosquito netting surrounding the perimeter. On the bed were the softest satin sheets. There was also a hand carved floor length mirror, and a matching armoire. This was the most beautiful room she has ever seen. Jareth closed the doors behind them, and walked across the room and lit some candles that here placed around the room.

Sarah Looked at Jareth and smiled seductively. She was beginning to feel a little bold, so she reached up and took the pins out of here hair. Her Long, Dark hair cascaded down her shoulders as she took a step towards him. Jareth ran his hands through her silky hair as she closed her eyes. He could no longer stand it. He had to taste her luscious mouth. He grasped a handful of her hair and pulled her to him. He kissed her deep on the mouth as he slowly let his tongue probe her lips. Sarah arched into him, letting him know that she wanted him just as badly. Jareth slid his free hand up her back and slowly unzipped her dress. She let the emerald gown fall in a crumpled heap at her feet. He broke off the kiss to spin her around, hng hng her remove her corset. As he did so, he lightly trailed his gloved fingers down her back. Sarah again turned to face him, revealing her body to him. Jareth stood back and took in her beautiful form. He had never seen such beauty.

Sarah reached up and caressed his cheek, placing small kissed on his neck. His hair was so soft to her touch. She untied his cloak from around his neck and let it fall to the floor. She looked up innocently into his eyes and began to unbutton his shirt. She could see the hardness in his pants as he stood ever so patiently for her to undress him. She could feel the warmth spreading between her legs and she arched against him with desire. Jareth kissed her deeply and swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her gently across the silken sheets of the bed, and removed the last of his clothing. He climbed onto the bed, kissing her and holding her so tightly. He trailed kisses lightly down her neck, across her breasts as he cupped them and squeezed them gently. His kissed continued lower down her midsection to her navel. He glanced up at her with a wicked grin and pushed her legs apart with his hands. Sarah tensed unsure of what he was going to do, but complied without resistance. Sarah felt Jareth's tongue delve deep within her. The sensation seemed to rock the core of her being...She began to move rhythmically to his movements. Sarah moaned low in her throat urging him to continue. She had never experienced anything like this before in her life. Jareth sensed her climax as she violently shuddered and her breathing became erratic. He slowly moved up and thrust himself deep inside of her. Sarah Gasped and held her breath. She clutched his shoulders and squeezed them as he rocked back and forth inside of her. His movements became harder and faster as she moved beneath him. She felt her climax beginning to build once again and she arched into him. He climaxed at the same time, releasing his seed into her. He collapsed on top of her and kissed her gently.

"That was amazing my love..." He whispered into her ear.

Sarah was so exhausted, that she pulled him into a tight embrace and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
***
Sarah awoke the next morning, tightly gripping Lancelot. She sat up in surprise hugging the bear to her chest, not being able to believe that it had all been a dream.

"What the hell was THAT about?? That was way too realistic to be a dream.


MEANWHILE...


Jareth sat in his throne like chair in his bedchambers and laughed wildly..."That was nothing my darling...there is a lot more to come...soon, you will be mine completely."

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Chapter 8

Sarah paced her room in her pajamas; trying to make sense of the "dream" she had the night before. It was the most realistic dream she ever had in her whole life. She could still fell the soft caress of his lips brushing against hers, "Ok Sarah, it was just a dream. You can't dwell on it all day." Sarah walked across her bedroom to look out the window.

"Shit! it's raining and I wanted to go to the park today. Oh well, I guess today would be a good time for me to unpack and make my bedroom homey again."

Sarah decided breakfast was in order first. She walked down the stairs to the kitchen to see what smelled so good. Her Father was cooking a large breakfast in the kitchen.

"Mmm, I can smell the bacon all the way upstairs!"

"Well, I figured it had probably been a while since you had a decent home cooked meal, lord knows you never cook for yourself."

"I do to! I know how to make Ramen noodles, Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches, and oh yeah, Grilled cheese."

"Quite the gourmet...well, here I made you a real breakfast. Welcome home honey."

"Thanks Dad."

Sarah eyed the mound of food on her plate. All of her favorites were here; Eggs, Bacon, French toast, and her dad's world-famous home fries. Sarah poured herself a glass of orange juice and walked into the living room. She set up a TV tray and turned on the Television. Sarah could never get enough of those early morning cartoons. This was one of her favorites too, the one with the hungry wolf who had a rope tied around his waist. He had to keep tightening it every time his stomach growled. Sarah inhaled her breakfast and walked back in the kitchen with her plate.

"Hey dad, is Toby going to be around today?"

"Actually not today, Karen just took him over to his friend Sean's house. He will probably be there all day I imagine. Those two are inseparable."

"Oh. I was thinking of taking him to a movie, but I can do that tomorrow."

"Oh, Sarah, Karen wanted me to ask you if you will be free later this afternoon, she was hoping you would be up for that pedicure."

"Sure, I didn't make any plans today. I will probably just be upstairs cleaning my bedroom."

Sarah's father stared at her for a moment thinking of her saying almost those exact words six years ago. That was when he had noticed his daughter had drastically changed, and she has never been the same since.

"What is it dad?"

"Oh, nothing. It's nothing."

"Well, I will see you a little later, I will be upstairs."

Sarah walked back up the stairs and opened her bedroom door. She decided before she would clean her room, she was going to take a nice hot shower. Sarah couldn't help but let the memories from that dream creep back into her mind. "It just seemed so real", she thought. She grabbed a pair of jeans and an old tee shirt and headed for the bathroom. The shower felt really good, and she didn't feel bad taking a little longer than usual. She stepped out of the shower and dried herself off and threw on her old clothes. When she got back to her bedroom she grabbed an old black and white bandanna and threw it in her hair. It almost gave her that peasant look. Sarah walked over to the old boxes that were in her closet and began to pull them out and onto her bed.
***
Jareth opened his eyes and glanced over to the other side of his bedchamber towards the mirror. "I wonder what she is up to." He thought to himself. He couldn't help but smile at the scandalous dream he had created for Sarah. He could have never imagined in his wildest fantasies how incredible she would feel beneath him. For a woman who is untouched, she sure seemed to know what she was doing. Jareth lay back on his bed, and thought about the sweet kisses she had given him. "I have to be careful, this woman is more powerful than I had anticipated." Sarah might have the power to beat the Goblin King at his own game if he didn't keep focused. Although a woman like Sarah made it hard for any man to keep focused, let alone the Goblin King.

Jareth got out of bed and strolled over the floor length mirror and quickly brushed a hand across its rippling surface. Sarah's image came into focus. She was sitting on her bed sorting through boxes. It looked as if she was pulling out old toys and things that belonged to her from her childhood. Jareth stood back and just watched her hoping she would begin to remember her time in the Labyrinth.

***
Sarah had already sifted through three boxes that she had in her closet. Nothing seemed to really jog her memory. "Well, this is the last box, Lancelot. Let's see what is in here shall we?"

Sarah opened the box and she had an instant feeling that this was the box she had been looking for. She pulled out a stuffed animal horse, and strangely, she heard an echo of a voice in her mind say, "Oooh, here's your little horsy, you love your little horsy, don't you, dear."

Sarah felt a chill ran down her spine. She set the horse down and looked at what else was in the box. She picked up a doll beautifully dressed in an elegant ball gown. She once again heard a soft far away echo in her mind. This time it was a song, "But I'll be there for you-hoo-hoo, as the world falls down...Falling in love." Sarah knew that these things she was slowly remembering somehow had to do with this memory that she was trying to uncover.

"Will you be ready to go to the mall soon?"

Sarah jumped and took a sharp breath. Karen had scared her; she hadn't even heard her open the door.

"Yeah, let me just throw on a sweater. I will be down in a minute."

"Ok, I'll be waiting for you down stairs."

Karen turned and left Sarah's bedroom. Sarah decided she would leave the rest of the box for another time. She had to process the feelings that were surfaced by finding these old toys. She didn't expect that she would feel any sort of recognition that quickly. Sarah opened her wardrobe to grab a sweater.
***
Jareth was pleased that she had finally found a few things that might have sparked some memory for her, but her was a bit angry that her stepmother had interrupted. He knew if there was one thing that would help her remember everything, he only had one shot to slip it to her unnoticed; this was the moment.
As Sarah opened her wardrobe door and searched through it for her crimson sweater, Jareth stuck his hands through the mirror and used his magic to levitate a certain red-leather bound book out of the box on her bed. Suddenly the wardrobe door began to close and Jareth quickly snatched his hands back through the mirror before she saw him. Sarah heard a crash behind her as the book fell to the floor with a thud. Sarah jumped and spun around quickly. She looked down and saw a small red-leather bound book at her feet. She picked it up and looked at the title, "The Labyrinth". Her brows furrowed as she tried to remember this book. "She opened the books pages and began reading out loud, "Give me the child. Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the child that you have stolen." Sarah's mind spun and suddenly she knew. The man in her dreams was Jareth, the Goblin King. The same Goblin King that had stolen her baby brother six years earlier.

"It can't be...it wasn't real!!" Sarah tried to believe that it wasn't real, that none of it had ever happened; but deep d she she knew the truth and she couldn't escape it. Sarah's hands shook as she dropped the book and raced out of her bedroom...


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Chapter 9

Sarah was out of breath when she reached the living room.

"Good god Sarah, are you alright? You look as if you just saw a ghost!"

"Yeah, I am ok, I just thought I heard something upstairs and it freaked me out a little. I know I'm just being ridiculous though."

"Ok, if you say you are alright, we'll get a move on...the mall awaits!"

Karen grabbed Sarah arm and they headed out the door. Sarah climbed into Karen's Ford Explorer and fastened her seatbelt. As they began to head towards the mall, Karen decided that it would be a good time to strike up a conversation.

"So Sarah, what did you think of Dr. Simms?"

Sarah immediately stiffened in her seat and decided it would be best not to mention the whole repressed memory thing.

"It was ok, Dr. Simms is very nice. I almost didn't go, but my curiosity got the better of me."

"Every now and then, a woman has to do things for herself. When work, or in your case school, gets to be too stressful, it is time to pamper yourself."

"Well, stress is definitely abundant at school. This should be a nice treat."

As they pulled into the mall parking lot, Sarah thought about buying some new clothes while she was here. She had always liked this mall; it had all her favorite stores, not to mention an Orange Julius stand. As they walked through Filene's and into the open mall area, Karen steered her towards the nail salon.

"Hey Karen, are you in a rush to leave here after our pedicure?"

"No, why? I just have to pick a gift somewhere in the mall, but other than that, No."

"Would you mind if I pampered myself a little more? I was thinking of getting a haircut, and maybe buying some clothes."

"That sounds like fun, as long as you don't mind if I tag along."

"That would be nice..."
***
Jareth appeared in the throne room and summoned Goresh.

"Yes your majesty, what can I do for you?" Goresh replied as he dropped to his knee.

"Goresh, I would like for you to do an errand for me."

"Anything your majesty."

"I want you to go to the local seamstress, Helga, and tell her I wish for her to make this dress for me."

"For y...You? Your majesty?"

"No, you pea brain, for our soon-to-be guest."

"What dress are you speaking of my lord?"

"Just give her this." Jareth tossed a Crystal at Goresh. "Tell her it must be perfect or she will be sorry."

"Right away your majesty." Goresh quickly retreated from the throne room while Jareth walked across the floor to the window. He looked out over the land of his kingdom, which was beginning to fall into ruin since Sarah had defeated his labyrinth six years ago.

"You will fix what you have destroyed, and when you have, you will be discarded." Even as the words fell from Jareth's cruel lips, he felt as if they weren't exactly the truth. He would make her repair his broken kingdom, but he didn't honestly know if he could part with her.
***
Sarah sat back in the huge pedicure chair as it vibrated gently to message her back and legs. Her toes dipped slowly into the soft warm water. "Ahh, now that's what I'm talking about."

"See, I told you that you would love it."

"You were right, this is absolute heaven."

The nail technician filed Sarah's toenails gently and dipped them back into the warm water. She had picked a sultry red toenail polish for her toes. AS she was getting her toenails painted, she looked over at Karen and smiled. "Thank you for this. I really do appreciate it."

"Your welcome Sarah. It is nice to see you smile. I have been waiting for a long time for us to be able to do something like this, and have you genuinely enjoy it."

Tears began to spring up in Sarah's eyes. She had suddenly realized how difficult she had been to Karen when she was younger, and that she had absolutely no justification for her behavior. Karen had never really done anything to her, except maybe try to get her to open up, but Sarah tried to push Karen away because she felt that Karen was trying to take her mother's place.

Once they had finished with their pedicures, Sarah went next door to make a hair appointment. She had an hour to kill, so she and Karen split up so that Sarah could look at clothes while Karen bought a gift for her niece. Sarah headed straight for Victoria's Secret. If she was going to pamper herself, she was going to do it right. Sarah walked around the store until she spotted something that was absolutely screaming 'Have sex with me'. It was a black sheer negligee` that she just HAD to have. Sarah walked up to the counter with the scandalous Jammies when she heard a familiar voice call out, "Hoo Baby, someone's getting some tonight!" Sarah spun around to see her friend Colvin smiling wickedly at her. Sarah had known Colvin since grade school. They had remained good friends even after Sarah went to live in New York. Colvin moved to California shortly after to go to college, but she had apparently decided to visit with her parents for the summer as well.

"Oh My God, I haven't seen you in ages! You look fabulous! How are you??"

"I'm great Sarah! It is so good to see you too. I'm so glad you are back for the summer, I was beginning to think I was gonna be spending this one alone."

"Yeah, I am staying with dad and Karen. We should so hang out while you're out here."

"Definitely. Give me a call at my parent's house tomorrow. I gotta run sweetie, but I will see you tomorrow, ok?"

"Sounds great, bye Colvin."

Sarah was still smiling. She hadn't spent time with Colvin in what seemed like ages. She quickly purchased her lingerie, and went to buy a few other things before her hair appointment.
***
Jareth was pacing wildly in front of the floor length mirror in his bedchamber. "What is taking her so long? She should have been back by now..." If there was one thing that Jareth was not, it was patient. He had no idea of how she would react towards him in the next dream he was planning to present her with. In the fantasies he creates for her, she still has her awareness and free will, although she cannot escape from the fantasy until it runs its course and she sleeps it off. Now that she remembered him as being the villain, this next one wasn't going to be so easy.

He was hoping she would remember her trip to the underground, but he didn't want her to see him as being her enemy...merely a distraction from her goal. Was that such a bad thing? She had shot him down wickedly when he offered himself to her just before she said the fateful words, "You Have No Power Over Me." He needed his plans to succeed if he was going to have proper revenge on her for the heartache she caused him.
***
Sarah was finishing up her haircut when Karen walked into the salon. "Your hair looks so cute, Sarah. I love it."

"Thanks Karen. I was getting so sick of it being just long and straight. It needed a little style."

Sarah had her hair cut to a little past her shoulders and layered. They also angled it around her face to accentuate her delicate features. She really liked it. It made her look more like the women she had become rather than a child.

Sarah got up and tipped the stylist and thanked him. She and Karen headed back to the car. On the way out, Sarah got her anxiously awaited Orange Julius, and couldn't help but think that she should somehow apologize to Karen for years past. She had really liked spending time with her today, and truly realized that just because she was her stepmother in title, she had never wanted to try to replace Sarah's mother. She wanted more to be her friend. Sarah guessed which was why Karen always seemed interested in her love life; it seems that is what a friend would do, not a mother.

As they climbed into the car and pulled out of the parking lot, Sarah bit her lower lip and her hands fidgeted in her lap. "What is it dear, you seem to have soing ing on your mind."

Sarah sighed heavily, and thought, 'Here it goes', "Karen, I really need to tell you something."

"What is it sweetie?"

"I...well, I just want to apologize to you."

"For what?"

"For the way I behaved when I was younger. I was completely out of line. I had no right to treat you the way I did. You only tried to be there for me, and I was so mad at my mom that I couldn't bear to let you into my life, for fear of letting her slip away from it. I hope you can forgive me, I am truly and deeply sorry."

A single tear streamed down Sarah's cheek. She had felt so guilty over the past couple of years that she couldn't bear to hardly look her stepmother in the ey

"Sarah, I forgive you. I know you were going through a really hard time, and you needed to get through it on your own. If that meant alienating me, that that is what you had to do. I love you Sarah, and I would never hold that against you. You have grown into a magnificent, classy young woman, and I couldn't have asked for any more than that."

Sarah cried even harder at Karen's Caring words. Sarah wiped her eyes and smiled at Karen. "Thank you for giving me a second chance."

"Your welcome dear. From now on I have a feeling that things will be so much better for all of us, and we will have a very strong family again."


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