This is a fanfic. All Labyrinth characters belong to Henson, et al.

NIGHT HAWKS

Epilogue

Last Words

It was nearly the third hour. Ludo was sitting in a large chair across from The King's desk. The King was being uncharacteristically quiet. He hadn't conjured any crystals all day and there wasn't a speck of glitter to be seen. He slumped in the chair behind his desk and regarded his shoes as they sat flat on the floor. He hadn't even propped his feet up on the desk. Ludo was a little worried about The King's lack of interest.

Outside of the office, the usual din of iniquity could be heard. The Peach Pit was busy tonight. The band was thumping and the dancers were humping. Drinks were poured and debts were scored. The King paid no attention and had not left his office at all.

Ludo looked The King over. The King of the Underground was wearing a very plain grey suit with no hat and no gloves. His wild hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail at his nape. He looked like an accountant who had just been told that the zero had quit working on his adding machine.

Ludo thought The King would have been happy. He had only spent about two hours in jail before his madcap lawyer had bailed him out. Denny had assured Ludo that they had nothing to fear since "women aren't reliable witnesses." Ludo didn't have a lot of faith in Denny's abilities as a lawyer, but he had absolute faith in the truckload of Old Squeaker's Finest Goblin Ale that was now hidden in the garage of the friendly judge's summer home.

Ludo guessed that The King probably wasn't happy about Hoggle being rescued. He probably wasn't happy that he still didn't have his five grand from the Old Man yet, either, but after all, he'd get it eventually. Probably.

He should be happy about the One-Eyed Pimp being in the hospital. The story going around was that the Pimp had been in a knock down drag out fight with Jack Frost and while the Pimp had, of course, won, he had also sustained some frost bite injuries. It was further rumored that Jack Frost would be out of town until late fall, so it was probably true.

Ludo felt a twinge of guilt about the whole Sarah thing, but he hadn't known that Sarah was actually an undercover Underground cop. Ludo thought The King had forgiven him even though he hadn't actually said so, because Ludo hadn't been bogged. Not that there was anyone that could actually put him in the bog. Perhaps those four idiot trolls? Not likely. Ludo reflected that he hadn't seen Sarah around since that night in The Café. Perhaps that was part of the problem.

Suddenly Ludo and The King both jumped to their feet as the door slammed open with a bang.

Sarah walked into the room, giving the door knocker a threatening glare. The knocker carefully avoided eye contact and quickly closed behind her.

Speak of the devil, thought Ludo.

"Well," said The King flatly. "If it isn't you."

"Yeah, it's me," said Sarah softly.

"Have any more ugly surprises for me?" he asked.

"No," she said. "I just wanted to tell you that you won."

"What?" Jareth's head snapped up. He was always happy to hear he had won something.

"Turns out, I've been a sucker. Your pals in the police department and the mayor's office have gotten the charges thrown out and all my work was for nothing. No promotion, no corner office and I may actually find myself writing parking tickets on Main Street," she said roughly.

Jareth looked carefully at her. She was really very angry.

"Surely you don't blame me for being who I am?" he asked.

"No," she answered, "actually I don't. You've probably been the most honest of all the jerks I've dealt with in the last six months."

"You charged me with facts evasion," he said.

"You're guilty," she glared at him.

He grinned. "Well, yes, I suppose I am," he smirked.

"Well, I hope you're happy. My career is over and you're getting away, free as a bird."

"You came by to just tell me that?" he asked. "Surely that is injurious to your sizeable pride."

"No," she barked. "I came by to tell you goodbye. I'm leaving town tonight." She turned toward the door.

"Do you want a job?" he hurriedly asked.

"What?" She looked as flabbergasted as a duck that just hatched an alligator egg.

"Do. You. Want. A. Job," He repeated.

"I'm a cop. You're a crook. Have you lost your mind?" she sputtered.

"You WERE a cop," he said, "and I'm hardly something as déclassé as a crook."

Ludo carefully looked at Sarah. She looked angry. Her eyes were sparkling with rage. No. Not rage. Something else. Ludo looked at The King. The same sparkle. Ah, well then. Silly human woman. Silly fae man.

"Sawah," said Ludo.

"Yes, Ludo," she replied without taking her eyes off The King.

"Weapons. Betteh fwisk him." The rock caller's eyes twinkled with merriment. He turned and went to open the door, frightening the door knocker very much.

He grinned at The King's astounded expression and closed the door behind him.

There was a moment of quiet as the two antagonists gazed across the warm and beckoning space between them.

"Up against the wall," Sarah said, with a tiny smile.

Jareth's smile was much broader.

"Come and get me, Copper."

The End