AN: Hello all! This is my first attempt at writing Fanfiction. Please Review, be mean if you want, I'm easy :)

Summary: 7 years after the Labyrinth Sarah has left behind the land of make believe and lives in the harsh light of reality. But a certain Goblin King isn't finished with the Champion of the Labyrinth yet. While Sarah Williams struggles to raise her brother in the dangerous crime ridden city of New York the Fates are plotting her next move. Will the hero save the day? Or will Sarah have to save herself from the hero?

Chapter 1

Sarah looked up from her work when the sound of ringing bells announced a visitor. As the visitor walked inside the bright sun streaming in caused the tall figure to remain a mass of silhouettes and shadows. She tried to focus her tired eyes in an effort to make out the visitor's face, but couldn't make out any distinguishable features. Whoever it was took a second to look around before walking back outside not even giving her time to ask if she could help them. Now with the door once again shut Sarah had to take a minute to let her vision readjust to the gloomy room.

Shrugging her shoulders to the empty office she went back to carefully typing out the memo her boss had asked for. It was a brief note to the rest of the office letting them know the annual office retreat was approaching. This was Sarah's second year with the small publishing company and she had felt too new and too young to attend last year's retreat. Finishing the memo she emailed it to all of the office's employees. It was a quiet Wednesday with very little to do, so Sarah decided to start on Friday's weekly expense report.

As she let her mind drift into "auto drive" she thought on whether she felt confident enough to attend this year's retreat. The office Sarah worked in was just a small branch of a larger chain of publishing houses. Dars Publishing reserved a resort on the river once a year where bosses and secretaries alike from all branches could relax, have a few drinks, and "build inter-office relationships". Supposedly it was to get everyone together once a year for "team building" but from the gossip Sarah had heard from last year it sounded more like a wild weekend to get drunk and rid the office of all the built up sexual tension.

With the CEO of Dars Publishing a married toned and tanned family-made millionaire and the Supervisor of Offices a single power hungry vixen there was plenty of tension. Even the smaller offices like the one Sarah worked in caught the wind of chaos when the two were throwing lustful gazes to each other over the Board of Directors heads. Since Sarah's boss reported directly to the Supervisor of Offices at the end of each week she always got an earful the next Monday about the "secret" affair. The company retreat was therefore the perfect opportunity to relieve the building steam between the two. As a cover for a rule-free weekend the company threw a fundraising ball at the end of the weekend; the employees were invited along with a date of their choosing as well as any seasoned or prospective clients. Rumor had it that this year's ball would be a masquerade, a factor Sarah was particularly interested in witnessing first hand.

Nearing the end of the report she felt the joints of her fingers growing stiff and her eyes steadily growing heavy. She let her mind relax as the image of masked strangers swayed before her to the tune of a hauntingly familiar ballad. In this state it was no wonder she jumped in her seat when once again the front door bells announced a visitor. Frowning down at the computer's clock Sarah noticed it was already past hours.

How had the time gone by so quickly? She asked herself.

By now the sun was almost completely down and Sarah could clearly make out the grumpy pouting expression on her best friend's face. She need not remind this visitor they were closed. She smiled up at Clarice, thoughts of ballrooms and masks once more forgotten.

"Bad day?" She asked not expecting an answer.

As usual the ebony haired girl remained silent as she slid onto a squat sofa by the door and stretched out her long legs across the arm of the seat. Sarah watched her chest rise and fall in a silent sigh.

"If Mrs. Dabney catches you in here like that she'll ring my neck."

Making sure she had Sarah's attention Clarice shook her head once then pointed towards the door. Sarah was used to Clarice's way of communicating after being her friend throughout high school and community college. She took these gestures to indicate her boss had already left. Which meant Sarah was once again the last one to leave. At least Clarice was here and she wouldn't have to walk home alone in the dark.

"Alright then let me finish this report and I'll lock up the front."

Clarice only nodded a single time before resting her head on the sofa's coarse cushion and closing her eyes. Sarah quickly typed up and saved the document. Grabbing the black purse at her feet she walked around the large oak desk. Remembering that Mrs. Dabney didn't always lock up the back when she left Sarah poked Clarice on the head to grab her attention.

"Just one more second while I check the back door, 'kay?"

Clarice answered by closing her eyes once more. Sarah suppressed a giggle at her friend's lack of energy. Clarice worked as a nanny for some upscale couple with twins.

How that girl keeps up with two five year olds and without being able to shout at them is beyond me. Sarah's thoughts turned to her own eight year old brother who was no doubt patiently waiting for Sarah to return home.

He will probably be passed out of the couch by the time I get home the telephone still clutched in one hand. The image of Toby sitting alone in the small apartment glancing at the phone every ten minutes made Sarah's stomach curl in pity for her little brother. He just couldn't get past the paranoia that something tragic would happen to Sarah no matter how much she tried to reassure him she would always come home to him. But Sarah knew she was making empty promises. They lived in a dangerous city where young women went missing all of the time and children weren't safe to play at parks without fear of being taken.

Sarah missed her home with its large open parks and safe neighborhoods. She missed knowing if something bad did happen she could call her out for her dad and he would come running down the hall to save her. Heck, she even missed Irene's half-hearted lectures on the importance of locking the door after leaving the house, when she was babysitting, or when she was alone. Back then no one worried about intruders. They had been safe.

Or so she had thought. She had been twenty, just out of community college when she found out she would be taking care of Toby. She finally broke down and moved from her and Toby's childhood home to a cheap apartment when it became too difficult to drive all the way to New York City just to find a suitable job that would allow her to pay for rent, for food, and for supporting Toby. She got lucky when Clarice had decided to move with her. At least she didn't have to be without one friend in the big city. Looking back down the hall to the ever silent Clarice, she smiled a small grin of thanks. Sometimes Clarice had it right. Words just weren't enough sometimes.

Working her way down the dark twisting halls of the office she made her way to the heavy wood door that opened to the employee's only parking lot. She saw from under the door that the lamp outside was once again working and let out a sigh of relief. Mrs. Dabney wasn't the best driver in an empty parking lot when it was well lit. Make that same parking lot pitch black and there was sure to be an accident. It wouldn't be the first time.

Walking closer to the door Sarah's heart skipped a beat when a shadow suddenly shifted across the light indicating someone had just walked past the door. Sarah swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to calm her mind and rationalize, suppressing the immediate paranoid thoughts of burglars and rapists as much as possible. Clarice could have been mistaken and Mrs. Dabney hadn't left yet. All Sarah had to do was walk away and go out the well lit front door. But taking a glance at the lock Sarah swore quietly under her breath. Of course the door wasn't locked.

Just one more step Sarah-girl, you can do this. You have to. Under no circumstances can you leave this building unlocked.

Taking a deep lung expanding breath she took one careful step forward, glad that the floor was carpet. The shadow passed once more and Sarah fought the urge to tuck tail and run for it. Something didn't feel right and somehow Sarah knew that whoever or whatever was outside wasn't Mrs. Dabney. A cool dew of sweat broke out between her shoulder blades as she reached for the metal lock above the door handle. Grasping the cold metal she jerked it quickly to the left satisfied with the sold click. She waited a moment too afraid to move. After a minute when nothing happened she let out the breath she was been holding.

Turning around to face the dark corridor she tried to shake the knot of fear from her stomach. Soon she had made her way to the dimly lit front room where Clarice was seemingly asleep on the sofa. If she had been asleep she made no hint of being startled when Sarah laid a cold hand on her arm. She simply opened her eyes and smiled, obviously happy that they were finally going home.

-x-

From the hidden safety of shadows a tall lean figure materialized. With an elaborate twist of his wrist a crystal orb appeared. Balancing on the tip of his pale sinewy fingers the crystal reflected the image of a young boy gently snoring as he slept; a white cordless phone tucked snuggly under his chin like a security blanket. Behind the boy the figure saw a large round mirror hanging on the wall, pristine and un-smudged, a work of beauty beside the dingy furniture.

The man stepped back into the recess of the alley as two women emerged from the office building across the street; a rope of bells tinkling as one opened and closed the door. One woman was willowy tall, had slender legs and arms, a small bust, and petite hips. Under the street lamp he could make out her smooth bone-white skin, midnight-black hair, her tired dark eyes, a thin straight nose, and full seductive lips.

Her companion was of average height, though next to her towering friend she seemed almost a fairy. Her rich brown hair fell in gentle waves to the middle of her back. Her exposed skin was pale also; as, he observed, were most inhabitants of this polluted city. Her slight waist gave way to curving hips and strong runner's legs, the kind formed for distance not power. And even from his veiled place he could see under dark prominent brows the sparkling of her bright hazel-green eyes.

Of the two he was sure most would pick the thin dark beauty as the superior, but in his eyes he only saw the other. He craned his neck to keep her eyes in view as she turned to lock the door; she turned to the other woman and smiled a small knowing smile.

Now we can go home. He read her lips as she spoke. Her friend rolled her eyes in response. A chill wind picked up and to him it carried a girlish teasing laugh. They started to walk westward allowing him to see their faces as they traveled. The tall one never said a word as the shorter one went on and on about her day. She would ask her companion a question or two and though the other never verbally answered he got a sense she could communicate without words.

The figure stepped back into the light when their backs were turned towards him and he was sure they couldn't see him. Still she rambled, and when she reached the part of her tale about a masquerade ball he allowed his breath to cease for one short moment. Something resonated in the pit of his heart at her words; a song, a sadness, a memory. Shaking himself he went back to listening to the girl. Soon even her voice was too far for him to hear.

Knowing he didn't have much time he brought forth the crystal once more. Although the boy had sifted slightly he remained sound asleep. Moving deeper into the alley, the man found a still puddle of water. Planting one foot into the puddle the figure descended through the water as if he were walking down a flight a circular stairs.

He came out, fully dry, from the large round mirror he had seen in the crystal vision. The boy's shaggy sandy-brown hair lay in disarray on the arm of the couch. Walking around to face the sleeping figure, the man knelt to observe him closely.

Has it really been seven years? The boy had a darker skin tone than either of the two women, and across his nose there were sprinkles of light brown freckles, a testament to many summers played outside. Light eyelashes fanned to rest on his round cheeks. His mouth hung partly open as he breathed deep and steady. Certain he was well and truly asleep the man straightened and carefully slid the phone from the boy's firm grip. After placing the phone on the glass coffee table the man hoisted the boy into his arms.

-x-

Sarah slumped against the door of her apartment and closed her eyes.

Why am I so tired? She hadn't felt this exhausted since Toby had to be ran to the hospital after getting a high fever. She had stayed up the entire night at the hospital not going to bed until the next afternoon when Clarice came over and sent her home. Looking down at her watch she saw it was a little after nine o'clock. She was too tired to fix dinner and really that didn't bother her knowing Toby would have had dinner at a neighbor's. She just wanted to fall into her bed and sleep for a century. But first she would need to see to Toby.

Sarah stood up straight and walked into the living room.

Huh, no Toby. A long lost memory seemed to surface for a split second and with it a rising sense of panic filled Sarah. She scrambled for the phone only to find it wasn't on the hook. Turning around in a tight circle she finally spotted it on the coffee table, dead. Toby had obviously taken it off the charger and now the battery was drained. The rising panic took a leap up as Sarah imagined having no way to call anyone if her brother was missing.

Sarah could feel herself beginning to hyperventilate. She hadn't felt this level of panic in seven years. Commanding herself to take deep calming breaths, she rationalized that Toby didn't always stay up waiting for her. She would check his room and hers, then the restroom. If he wasn't in the apartment she would go to her neighbor, David, and ask him if he had seen Toby.

And if he isn't there?

No time to freak out now, just do like you said and CHECK first.

Stopping at Toby's bedroom door she knocked gently. Not hearing a response she slowly opened the door, not knowing the reason she was prolonging this. She peeked into the semi-dark room until she saw that his wizard night-light was turned on. The light cast was just enough so she could make out a lumpy form on the child's sized bed. The form was covered by the comforter and Sarah was unable to make out his form. Opening the door fully she let the hall-light into the room. The form appeared more solid now but still did not seem to move. Walking in and then crouching by the bed Sarah reached out and like with a bandage she quickly threw aside the covers.

There she saw her little brother sound asleep, his hands tucked under his chin. Sarah smiled and smoothed down his untidy hair.

I really need to cut his hair.

As she moved her hand back he turned over to face her, one sleep-crusted eye peering at her in confusion.

"Sarah?" he mumbled.

"Yeah, Kido, it's me."

"Oh, good. I waited up for you." Then looking around him he said, "But I don't remember going to bed. I'm not even in jammies."

Sarah could understand how this might confuse him. Toby was raised by Irene long enough to be used to a very strict routine. He never went to bed without changing first and then brushing his teeth.

Frowning down at her befuddled brother she just said, "Well maybe you've taken to sleep walking like me."

At this, Toby smiled, exposing a missing tooth. He was no doubt remember all the times he had woken up in the morning only to find his big sister sleeping outside on their patio, still dressed in her nightgown. The first time it had happen Sarah made the excuse that she must have fallen asleep on accident; it didn't explain how she had gotten changed from her work clothes into her nightgown first though.

Sarah had shrugged it off and thought nothing more of it, until the next morning when Toby woke her up once more and she was again outside on the patio in her nightgown her last memory being climbing into the soft sheets of her bed. It became a joke between the two that Toby would have to start booby trapping Sarah's bedroom door to wake her up if she ever started to sleep walk again. But after a few nights it had stopped. Thinking back on it Sarah figured it must have been around this time last year, since Toby didn't have to wake up early for school.

"Anyways, Kido, sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep, I'll wake you bright and early in the morning and cook you a big breakfast. We have a big day ahead of us, don't we?"

Nodding his head in affirmation he rolled back over away from the light. Right before Sarah closed the door she heard him whisper, "I love you."

In her own room Sarah stripped out of her work suit, the clothes making a crumpled trail on the floor as she made her way to the bathroom. Standing nude before the mirror, taking out her earrings and placing them in the blue velvet jewelry box, she examined her reflection. So much had changed in the last two years; it was strange to look in a mirror. Sarah expected to see a middle aged woman with hair just beginning to grey and skin starting to sag. Instead she stared at the youthful face of a girl who she felt like should be her younger sister. She scrubbed off all of her makeup, brushed her teeth, and went about her nightly ritual thinking aloud.

"It's not that I want to be older. I just don't feel my age. I feel… well not like a twenty-two year old that's for sure. I'm sure no one else from my high school is taking care of an eight year old child. Not that he's my child. But I have been taking care of him his entire life; before it was just babysitting. And now? Now I'm raising him. And I'm not sure I am even doing a good job. I miss you Dad. Heck, I even miss you Irene; I wish-"

She stopped short.

Be careful what you wish for, Sarah. The voice of her father sounded in her head. One day you just might get what you want. And you might not be too happy with it.

"I'm sorry Daddy," she whispered to the photo of her father and Irene, her stepmother, which she had taped on the mirror next to the photo of her mother.

Finished for the night, Sarah slipped into her cotton nightgown and got into bed. She laid there for a few minutes before giving up on automatic sleep. Rolling over she turned on the bedside lamp and opened the drawer of her nightstand.

There sat her favorite novel; red leather-bound, worn from being read so many times. The gold lettering of the cover was flaking off and not much of the original title could be seen. But Sarah knew. She could never forget the Labyrinth.