Disclaimer: Labyrinth belongs not to me, but to more official companies. I make no money off it, it's just a little twiddle from my mind.

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Dust, cobwebs, and even more dust. Leora didn't let the crumbling surroundings dissuade her from her task. Her hazel eyes were intent on the tome before her, gazing fiercely, barely making out the faded words.

"Leora."

A voice. Irrelevant. Must not acknowledge, not while there is still the task.

"Leora!"

More insistent now, she continued scanning the pages, searching for those words that would set her free....

"The book won't help, you know."

These words made her whirl around. Leora found herself face to face with the last person she wanted to see. An instictive reaction, she grabbed the book and stared at him cautiously, ready to bolt, no matter how futile the manuver. "Is it you? Or one of THEM?" She watched him carefully, staring into his eyes as if they held the answers to the mysteries of the world. Indeed, it would be easier for her if they did.

"It's me. Lord Jareth." He articulated carefully, knowing the test. Satisfied, the girl relaxed, nearly wilting after the tense position she had been in.

"Good. I'm never sure if I can trust the others. The ones created by other minds. Some have been so dangerous...." She trailed off, searching for a way to describe why she preferred only him. "...but I know you, expect you." A few words remained unspoken, hanging in the air.

"And you knew I'd come."

Leora turned back to her ancient text, opening it back up. "I'd hoped you wouldn't."

Jareth came closer to her, and placed his hand ontop of hers, which rested on the book. "I'm connected to you. I wouldn't exist if you didn't need me."

Leora's eyes flashed. "Then fix it! I need you, you're supposed to be able to help me! Dammit Jareth, you've been poured from my heart, my soul whispers to you each night unconsciously. You've given me a level of creativity I could never have alone! But why'd you desert me, oh wise goblin king?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Too busy kicking goblins to notice? Notice what happened to the Earth while you were singing the days away?"

"You know that isn't it," he insisted. "You should."

She sighed, knowing it wasn't his fault. "Yeah, well... I just want a way out. Look around!" Leora swept out an arm, gesturing around the room. Moldy texts sat in the shadows, wrinkled old maps hung limply on the walls. A small, dust covered window gave a glimpse to the outside world. Cars speeding by, asphalt and dried grass baking under the afternoon sun. Speed, noise, dirt, all blocked out of this enclosed little world.

Jareth stepped closer, his wise and arrogant eyes softening as they gazed upon the girl. "Please. Don't drown yourself in this. Look closer." With a flick of his hand, he held a crystal towards her.

With a sniffle, Leora gazed at it. She saw everything she hated, and everything that made her want to escape. "I see it." Her voice was filled with bitterness. The crystal slowly turned a murky gray.

"Do you?" Jareth smirked. As she glared at the crystal, it began to lighten and change color. In an instant it was a sparkling Earth. Leora saw something else in it, and knew why Jareth had always been with her.

"Jareth...." she breathed. "Is this true?"

He didn't answer. Leora looked up at him, to find he had vanished. A slight smile on her face, she turned back to the book and gently closed it. Now she knew why she had Jareth, what she had needed to learn. Her gaze lingered on the cover of the book, then drifted to the window. Eyes on the sky, she noticed the sun had begun to set. She needed to get home.

She felt better. As she left the room, her final whispered words remained in the musty air.

*And the world is so beautiful tonight.*