A NOT SO GOBLIN STORY

This story I have been wanting to write for while. I have read many Lab fanfictions, but very few that I like. There are so many where Sarah is very over the top, thinking Jareth wants revenge, and seems to have learned nothing from her adventure. My take from the movie is she did learn, and could possibly continue to learn.

I do not own Labyrinth or it's characters. Please enjoy and review. My story takes place with Sarah turning thirty. She is till single, Toby is 17, and has a girlfriend. Robert, her father, is still mostly clueless. Karen is, well still Karen.

Sarah woke up early Friday morning, and just stared at her reflection in the mirror. She closely inspected her face for any new lines or wrinkles. So far, she wasn't sure if the ones she had were a product of her over active imagination, or if they were really there. Today was her thirtieth birthday. Karen, her step-mother, had been trying to fix her up with several men for years.

It started when she had turned twenty-five that Karen made it her life's mission to see Sarah married. It only got worse over the years, especially around her birthday. She sighed, and began to get ready for the day. Sarah was very proud of herself, she had gradguated top of her class, and she was now a social worker. She had started right out of college with a recommendation from her professor and the director of the arts department.

What does the director of the arts department have to do with social services? Well, the woman that gave Sarah the interview was married to said arts director. She missed her arts class, but glad for the friends she made. They still saw each other at least once every six months, but never less than once a year. Sarah had even met her best friend in a play. They both had signed up for the lead. Jasmine had rightfully won the part, with Sarah as her understudy. They decided to help each other study together, and had been friends ever since then. The phone rang, while Sarah was deep in thought, finally after the fifth ring she answered.

"Hello." Sarah answered. " Happy Birthday snot face!" She heard on the other end of the phone. " Have you found the dye gel I sent you? Now that you are old." Sarah heard Toby, her brother, mocking her age and beauty. " Wow! And to think you were my favorite brother." She said. "I am your only brother, Sare." He replied. "Says you." That always quieted him down. Years ago she told him part of the story about wishing him away, but without fully disclosing it was him that was wished away.

The only reason he never doubted her was because at times he seen things that no one else could. He only mentioned it once, and that was when she told him the story. "Not funny." She laughed. "Anyway, Carla is coming to your birthday dinner as my plus one. I have a favor to ask." He said rapidly. "What? On my day? Bad enough dad and Karen have that gala to go to and will leave after dinner. What happened to our yearly movie marathon?" Great. She thought. Another let down.

Thirty, single, childless, and house full of goblins. Might as well be hairless cats. Maybe I will start knitting. " Sarah. She has a ten thirty curfew, and only because it is a family get together. My curfew is midnight. Do the math. And no offense, but I kind of want to spend time with my girlfriend." He said quietly. " Toby. I get it. I really do. Just promise me you will be careful. Don't do anything you might regret." Silence filled the other end. " I hate you know me so well. And yes. We will he careful. Just, if anyone asks. We are with you."

She cleared her throat. "Fine, but this better not bite me in the ass." He laughed. "Wait. Here's mom, she just walked in." Sarah groaned as she heard her brother laugh. " Good morning, Sarah. Happy birthday! How are you feeling?" Sarah felt her left eye twitch as she finished putting on her makup. "Thank you, Karen. I am doing very well. Busy day today." Karen giggled, which only made her eye spasm worsen. "With what? Oh. That's right. Your traditional birthday movie night with Toby. Just make sure he takes Carla home. Her curfew is at ten-thirty. So make sure he leaves at ten."

"Yeah. Not a problem. So you and Daddy will be here at five thirty then?" Jasmine would not be there until she knew Karen was almost leaving. Her friend loved her, but Karen was a different story. " Yes. We want to get to the gala early to get good parking. Will the food be ready by then? I know you have to work. Are you sure you don't want me to make something?" After reassuring Karen she had everything covered, Karen ended the call.

Sarah went up to her room, and sat at her old vanity "'Well, I have one more thing to do be I go to work. I hope he answers. It has been months since we spoke. I wouldn't blame him for not answering." Sarah paced the floor in front of her childhood mirror. Months ago she had made the mistake of hurting her one true friend, and being a prideful woman she now had to make amends. She had to also admit she was wrong, but it was the right thing to do. They couldn't end up hating each other. "Well. Here goes nothing." Sarah cleared her throat. "Hoggle. I need you." She waited, looking in the mirror. "For no reason, for every reason, I need you."

Five minutes had passed with still no answer. She knew it would be too much to ask him just to come at her neck and call. Sarah hung her head and sighed. "I can't believe I doubted he would lie to me again. If only I could see him just to say I am sorry for being a bubble headed, stubborn pain in the bog..." She heard someone clear their throat. "Well, you can't say I didn't warn ya's."

She looked up to see her withered old friend, with his newsboy cap she had given him for his last birthday. He stood there fidgeting with it in his hands, bashfully barely looking at her. "Oh! Hoggle! I could kiss you!" She exclaimed. "Now! Now! There'll be none of that!" He said fearfully looking around as if something were to happen to him. " I am so glad you are here. I wanted to talk to you for so long." He cleared his throat, but said nothing. "I wanted to say I was sorry for acting the way I did about Bret. You were right about him all along." She began.

"I told you I could smell a rat." He began."But No! Not Bret! Heh!" Hoggle put the hat back on and crossed his arms. " I said I was sorry. Who would have known he was wanted in ten different countries for jewel thief. And had the mob after him." Hoggle began to laugh."Boy. You sure can pick 'em." They both began to laugh at that. "Look. It's that time of year again. My birthday, and anniversary of my run. So, get the gang together. Same time."

After Sarah ran and won Toby back, they had a yearly celebration. The goblins declared it Champions Day. It involved a parade promptly at one, a play involving chickens recreating her win, and food provided by the champion. She wasn't sure who had a bigger ego, the rooster who portrayed the Goblins King or the far himself. The dramatization was never acurate. Most of the time the kingy looked to be very generous, other times it seemed he was a victim of his own curse. Once the play had nothing to do with either of them, just the goblins weird fixation for chickens.

Either way, this year she would introduced them to a few movies. "Sure thing. Oh. By the way. This is for you." He handed her a box that had a pair of gloves for her. "They are from his majesty." Hoggle said. Also, with the yearly party there had been a gift from his royal glitteriness. She was still wary about receiving anything from him, but everyone assured her it was his duty as King to provide her with a gift. "They look like his." She said. "Show my appreciation for the gift. I will send a slice of cake later tonight, as usual." That was the most they ever ineracted with each other. She had not seen him since her win. Sarah realized it was going to be a long day.

I hope you enjoy. Again please leave a review, forgive the typos, and if you have any questions please ask them. Thanks.

Edit: I went back and fixed a few errors, space out the paragraphs and all that. Hopefully this will be easier. Thank you for your time.