Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have…

Summary: But it can destroy you, too. JxS

Disclaimer: Labyrinth is not mine. But the plot bunnies are!

A/N: This story was inspired by true events. Yes, one of my friends actually did this. Not in the Labyrinth and all that, but in real life, she did make all this sick stuff and dying stuff up. Sad, huh? Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think!

Warning: Sarah's actions are a bit OOC at the moment, but that will be explained...

Sarah sat impatiently in the doctor's office, kicking her legs carelessly against the front of the metal table she sat on. She had been here for what seemed like forever, only it wasn't really that long at all. She probably had only been in there for about ten minutes. However, she had been at the doctors for two hours getting different tests done.

Rolling her eyes impatiently, Sarah wished that she wasn't here at all, but her father, Richard, had made her come. For the last year or so, Sarah had had intermittent pass outs. No one knew why, though. Usually, it only happened when Karen was around, but Sarah's father didn't pay that any mind. His daughter was ill and he needed to know the reason. She was only twenty, for God's sake! What in the world could be wrong with her?

Thus, Sarah waited and waited and waited for the doctor to come back. Unlike her father, she wasn't worried whatsoever about what the doctor might tell her. She knew she was perfectly healthy, although maybe a little light-headed at times, but usually those just grew into a headache, and she forgot all about them.

Sarah turned her head to the right as she heard the door open. Watching the doctor silently, she waited for him to get his things in order and to address her. The doctor was about fifty years old, a heart-shaped baldhead, large, broad rimmed glasses, and a tiny, thoughtful mouth. He was pretty short, too. Typical old man, Sarah figured.

Then he turned to her, and the mouth that had been frowned with concentration now smiled at her.

"Well, Sarah," he said happily, "it seems as though you are perfectly healthy. I thought perhaps it could be cancer of the esophagus causing you to pass out, but there were no traces. You're just another healthy, young, twenty-year-old."

Sarah smiled gratefully back. "Thank you so much, Doctor Zhigo," she said, jumping off the table. "I greatly appreciate your time."

The doctor continued to smile. "It's just what I do, Sarah."

She reached her hand forward and they shared a brief, yet firm, handshake. Then Sarah once more said a thank you, and then she was gone from the office.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

When she got home, Sarah found both her father and stepmother sitting on the couch. Her father was sitting on the edge of the couch, elbows on knees, and head in chin. His left foot was tapping constantly, showing his nervousness. Her stepmother, on the other hand, was perfectly relaxed in the couch, leaning back peacefully, reading the paper.

As the door closed shut, Karen looked up first, noted Sarah, and looked back down. "Well, you're finally home; took you long enough," she said absentmindedly. "You know, because of your silly little tests, I have been forced to sit on this couch for the entire evening thus far. Do you have any idea what you have cost me? I wanted to get things done, such as, clean the house, maybe do some laundry, cook dinner, etc. But, because you worried us so much, we couldn't do a thing. Now what do you – "

Sarah couldn't take any more of Karen's bantering and raised her own voice above that of her stepmother's. "Maybe if you'd stop talking for one second, you'd have time to hear that I'm going to die in three months!"

Karen was silent, and her father's eyebrows rose in worry. Then, of course, Karen said, "Oh, don't be silly. There is nothing wrong with you. You know it, I know it, and the doctor knows it. Don't be such a dramatic little tart."

"Sarah?" her dad asked, his eyes questioning, at last being able to get in a word.

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest, tears forming in her eyes. All those years of acting would finally come in handy. "It turns out that… that I have cancer." She paused, trying to clear her throat enough in order to talk. The tears and sadness were just so overwhelming. "It's, I believe, cancer of the esophagus. It caused my intake of air to decrease, thus causing me to… you know, pass out." She paused for dramatic effect. "There's no cure for it, and… and the doctor says I'll be lucky if I live three months."

Immediately, Karen asked, "Cancer of the esophagus, you say? Don't you know the medical term for it? Surely the doctor would have told you."

Sarah's mouth pouted and her cheeks were shiny from the tears. Her stepmother just wanted to ruin everything, didn't she? Well, Sarah could outsmart that old witch. "He wanted to put it in something that I could understand. If he had used the medical term, as you called it, then I wouldn't have had any clue what he was talking about. Call him yourself, and he'll tell you all about it."

Karen still looked at her stepdaughter unbelievingly. "All right, maybe I will."

While the battle of the wits went on, Richard just watched Sarah. Truth be told, he believed Sarah over Karen. But, if he voiced that, then Karen would have a fit. Ever since they married, he just agreed with Karen, and if he didn't, he didn't say anything. He was like a puppy on a leash; he hated arguments. Although at the moment he believed Sarah, he would never talk to her about it. He hoped that the look on his face – eyes large, brows raised, mouth frowning – would say enough for itself.

Then expectedly, after no one said anything, Sarah turned and stomped up the stairs, sobs echoing throughout the room. She could never do anything right!

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Richard turned and looked at Karen, who, upon looking back, just rolled her eyes and stood on her feet.

"Oh, please, Richard," she cried exasperatedly, "You don't actually believe that rubbish? She is obviously lying just to get to me! I bet right now, she's up in her room cracking up, getting a real kick out of this!"

"Now, Karen, let's not be hasty…" he started slowly. He was treading on dangerous water.

"What? What? Well, let me tell you, Richard Lee Williams, I am going to call that doctor and prove that girl's lies!"

"All right, Karen," Richard sighed. "That sounds like a good plan to me."

Karen stared pointedly at him. "Well, that's because it is."

Then she turned and stalked off to phone Dr. Zhigo.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o00o0o0oo0o0o0o

Sarah lay belly down on her bed, face sobbing into pillow. Why didn't anyone ever believe her? Was she so phony that nothing ever seemed true? Well, right now she was lying, but even at past times – specifically the Labyrinth experience – everyone took her for an imaginative girl, but nothing more. So it was typical that even now, with her life on the line, no one would believe her.

She turned her head and looked at the Escher poster on her wall. Although it was five years past the incident, she still liked the poster and other trinkets that were modeled after the creatures from the Labyrinth; they all helped to remind her of the lessons that she had learned that day – or rather thirteen hours. Or perhaps the nine hours because of that dirty little trick of the King's. But that experience had helped her in more ways than one: teaching her that life isn't fair, the way forward is sometimes the way back, to not take things for granted, and other such things. Plus, she truly treasured the friends that she had made, although she had not called on them in some years.

New tears now formed in her eyes at the loss of her friends. They were the truest, most loyal people she had ever known. And now, when no one believed her, she knew that they would. Although she would hate scaring them like that, making them believe that she was dying, but still... at least someone would believe her. After all, what's a little white lie?

Unexpectedly, a knock pounded at her door. Sarah wiped angrily at her eyes, but stayed on her bed. The knocked came once again.

"What?" she yelled, irritated. Couldn't they just leave her alone?

The door opened and Karen stepped inside. Sarah immediately looked away and failed to notice the tears in Karen's eyes.

"Well, I just called the doctor…"

"And?" Sarah interrupted, just wanting to get this over with.

"Could you just let me finish?" Karen cried. "He told me all about the cancer! And, well, I guess I'm… I guess I'm sorry! I'm so sorry that I didn't believe you!"

Sarah's eyes widened in shock. No way! Did Karen actually believe her? But the doctor… he told Sarah that she was fine… who was the liar? Karen or the doctor?

"What?" was all Sarah could say.

Karen sat down on the bed next to Sarah, causing the girl to flinch and move away slightly. "I called him and asked about the cancer. He explained it to me. I asked him how long patients live, and he said three months." A pause. "You were telling the truth! And in such a horrible situation, I didn't believe you!"

Sarah forced a sad smile. "Yeah, well, you're not the one dying. Now, if you wouldn't mind, I would like some time alone."

Karen smiled too, tears in her eyes. "Okay, sweetie." Sarah cringed at the term. She wasn't sure if she hated mean Karen or nice Karen more. "If you need anything, just let me know."

Then Karen was out of the room, and Sarah let out a heavy breath. This was just too good, she thought with a small smile on her face.

As she sat up, she felt a slight breeze float into the room. Creases on the bridge of her nose, she turned and looked at the window. It was closed. Her confusion rose and she walked over to the window, looking about and searching for anything.

While she was by the window, a voice said, "Looking for something?"

Sarah spun around on her heel, long hair flowing wildly. Her eyes were wide and white as she looked upon the Goblin King. Her first thought was, Since when did he get so hot? Then she cleared her mind of such nonsense and wondered why he was here. She didn't call on him, she didn't wish anyone away, so… Oh no, did she get wished away? Before her panic could increase anymore, the King said, "I'm not here on business."

Sarah's mouth formed an 'oh' as her eyes wandered anywhere but on him – those pants were so tight.

"Are you sick?" he asked out of the blue.

Sarah immediately looked at him, keeping her eyes on his face… yes, his face… her eyes questioning his.

He cleared his throat. "I hear you are dying."

Sarah was taken aback. Was he actually worried about her? "And this concerns you because…"

He looked at her sharply, and she took back her words. "It doesn't. But being the generous king that I am, I thought I would help."

Sarah rolled her eyes, unable to keep the fire down. "What, going to put me in a crystal bath, chant some magic words, and cleanse me of my problems?"

Jareth regarded her amusedly. What silly things she thought of him… "No. But that could work. I was thinking more along the lines of a healer."

"Thank you, but no. We have "healers" up here."

"But mine are much more productive, I can assure you. Just tell me what you have…"

"Cancer," she said quickly, hoping that he wouldn't take this too far. After all, she didn't technically have anything wrong with her.

Jareth cocked his head. "Like the human horoscope? It's a disease?"

"Not that kind of cancer. It's a sickness that currently has no cure." Seeing the look on his face she quickly added, "But if caught early enough, they can cure it."

"And yours…?"

"Wasn't."

Jareth nodded slowly. "And you don't want my help? You would rather die?"

She sighed. "Look, it's not like I don't appreciate your trying to help me, but I just don't think that you can do any more for me than my doctor can."

"Well that's foolish – "

"But it's my choice," Sarah said, finality in her voice. Of course, she should have known that the Goblin King always got the last word.

"You are to come with me and see my healers. If they cannot help you, then I shall return you here immediately. If they can, then you stay until treatment is complete."

Sarah didn't know what to say. Perhaps she should go to the Underground just one more time. She could see her friends again and get a little vacation from her family... Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad.

"If I went, my family would wonder where I was."

Jareth brushed aside the concern. "Underground time is different. You would be gone but a few hours, a day at the most."

"They'll still want to check up on me…"

"Sarah," he said harshly. "Remember I move the stars for no one."

Sarah smirked. "I thought you were generous…"

"I am generous. You are just hard to please."

"Do I starve and near exhaust you?" she asked with a smile.

"You have no idea," he said under his breath before he made a crystal and transported them to the Castle Beyond Goblin City once again.