Up or Down? Chapter I

The Labyrinth of London
Up or Down?
A Sherlock/Labyrinth Crossover
Inspired By
“The Thin White Sleuth…”
By
Pika-la-Cynique

Summary: Jareth is running out of time to stop Moriarty from destroying everything Jareth has built. Soon, Jareth will face the choice when he falls “up or down”. TW: Suicide.

Trigger Warning: This story contains suicides with a more graphic description of violence than I usually have written for this series.

Chapter I: A Good Old Fashion Villain

&%&%&%

“Should I be insulted that you are reading the newspaper rather than paying attention to me?” Jareth asked.

Sarah and Jareth were at Russell Square having a picnic on Sarah’s insistence, despite the brisk temperature of the day. Jareth was resting his head on Sarah’s lap as she read a newspaper.

“Boffin’ Jareth King,” Sarah said, “What does ‘boffin’’ even mean?”

“A scientist or nerd,” Jareth said, “That’s my nickname? Boffin’. Not ‘handsome’ or ‘intriguing’.”

“I assume that is just a given,” Sarah said.

“Do you have one? A nickname or moniker or something?” Jareth asked.

Sarah flipped through the newspaper to the rest of the article. “‘His always faithful Sarah Williams’. Really? That’s all they can say about me?”

“You are faithful,” Jareth said.

Sarah leaned down and kissed Jareth, causing him to smile. “Jareth, you need to be more careful.”

“Why ever so?” Jareth asked.

“You are very, very close to being famous in the human world and that may cause people to want to investigate you,” Sarah said.

“I’m not close to being famous,” Jareth said.

Sarah folded up her newspaper. “Let’s see, you found that Turner piece in January.”

“Falls of the Reichenbach is over rated. I don’t understand why everyone was so excited about it,” Jareth said.

“You brought that banker back to his family,” Sarah said.

Jareth shrugged. “Scotland Yard would have figured it out eventually. Even they couldn’t miss it.”

“But you were able to find a connection to Peter Ricoletti and he’s been number one on Interpol’s Most Wanted list since forever. I mean, even Donovan and Anderson were impressed,” Sarah said.

Jareth pouted. “They got me the hat. It was awful.”

“They were teasing you in a nice way. That means they don’t hate you,” Sarah said, smiling slightly, “Besides, you look quite sexy in that hat.”

Jareth continued sulking. “It’s cliché. I am not some hardboiled 30’s detective.”

“You’re right. You don’t have the trench coat for that. Maybe I’ll get you that for Christmas…”

Jareth pinned Sarah to the ground. “Don’t you dare Sarah.”

“Make me,” Sarah said, smirking.

Jareth grinned and kissed Sarah, his left arm wrapped around her waist and his right tangled in her hair. Sarah kept both her hands cupping Jareth’s face and gently pushed him back.

“Just be careful, Jareth. The press will turn. They always turn; they’ll turn on you.”

Jareth rested his forehead against Sarah’s. “Precious, does it bother you?”

“People thinking you’re good at what you do? No.”

“I meant the famous part. I know you don’t like being recognized as Linda Williams' daughter and how much you were harassed with the Jeremy…”

“You’re not my mother, Jareth. Just try to keep a low profile. Find yourself a little case this week. Stay out of the news,” Sarah said.

“Dull,” Jareth said, rolling his eyes. He smiled at Sarah. “But I will do my best, precious.”

“Weren’t you working on some sort of suicide case before we left?” Sarah asked.

After a brief kiss, Jareth pulled Sarah up to a sitting position. He stroked her hair. “You are going to be late for work, precious.”

Sarah began packing up the picnic. “You didn’t answer my question, Jareth. When one comes home and there is a mannequin hanging from the ceiling, one wants an explanation.”

“Henry Fishgard never committed suicide,” Jareth said, “The Bow Street Runners missed everything.”

“Weren’t they London’s first police force?” Sarah asked. She handed Jareth the messenger bag containing the remnants of their picnic.

Jareth took the bag and then pulled Sarah to her feet. “Yes. They were founded in 1749 and disbanded in 1839.”

“I am glad you took such a pressing case,” Sarah said.

“They are all pressing until they are solved,” Jareth said.

Sarah bit her lower lip before speaking. “Remind you of the old days, cradle robber?”

“Oh yes, grave robber,” Jareth said with a smirk. He gave a quick kiss to Sarah. “Come on. You have patients. I have none.”

Sarah gently smacked Jareth’s chest. “That’s not punny.”

Jareth pulled Sarah’s red and white stripped hat out of her coat pocket and pulled it down on her head to cover her eyes. “I am very punny.”

Sarah pulled on the hat to see before wrapping an arm around Jareth’s waist. “Mine.”

Jareth put his arm around Sarah’s shoulder as he kissed the side of her head. “Mine.”

&%&%&%

“You have a patient you are not telling me about,” Jareth said as they neared St. Bart’s.

“I don’t tell you everything about my patients,” Sarah said.

“Not every incident, but you are completely avoiding talking about one patient. Your times don’t match up,” Jareth said.

“There are some things I can’t tell you,” Sarah said, “If it was something that directly affected you, I would tell you immediately.”

“So it is someone I know,” Jareth said.

“You have never met this person,” Sarah said.

“But it is someone I could identify and it would not be a good idea to say who it is,” Jareth said.

“Yes,” Sarah said, “I mean you walk me to and from Bart’s since Moriarty showed up again. You are obviously worried about me being followed.”

“Maybe I just like walking with you,” Jareth said.

“Maybe you are worried,” Sarah said, “I do like going with you. It’s nice to talk without worrying about a case most of the time.”

“I like it as well,” Jareth said.

They stopped in front of the employee entrance of the hospital. Sarah pulled Jareth down for a kiss.

“Hmmm… Have a good day at work, precious,” Jareth said. He gently nipped Sarah’s lower lip, causing her to shiver.

“Have fun solving your cases. I have to go. It’s almost eleven,” Sarah said.

Jareth kissed Sarah again before walking away to catch a cab.

&%&%&%

“How are you, Tristan?” Sarah asked the nine year old half-Fae/half-human patient.

“Miserable. You’re the only fun nurse,” Tristan said as he flipped through the TV channels.

“Even if I do give you insulin shots?” Sarah asked.

“Even then,” Tristan said.

“All right. You know the routine,” Sarah said.

Sarah quickly finished giving the insulin and then ruffled Tristan’s dark hair. “You’re doing good kid. I have some news for you: you can go home tomorrow.”

“Grandma will be happy to hear that,” Tristan said, “She was freaked when I got sick. Fae don’t get sick.”

“True, but you’re not full Fae. When you get older, you will have all of the Fae healing abilities. Until then, you are going to have to keep checking your sugar levels and taking insulin. Will you promise me that you’ll take care of yourself when I’m not here to keep an eye on you?” Sarah said.

“Yes, Nurse Williams,” Tristan said.

“Good. Now, let me clean this up and…”

“Don’t move, Ms. Williams,” a male voice said from behind Sarah. She could see Tristan’s eyes become wide with fear.

Sarah whispered, “Fill the needle with insulin.”

Raising her hands, Sarah said in a calm voice, “What do you want?”

“Turn around Ms. Williams,” a second male voice said.

Sarah did, making sure to block the men’s view of Tristan grabbing the needle and insulin. She saw that one of the men was a full Fae and the other was human with tattoos peeking out from under his dress shirt and jacket. No masks. Not good.

“What do you want?” Sarah asked again. She said as quietly as possible, “I wish the goblins would come right now.”

“We want the two of you to come quietly. Our boss needs the boy and the boy needs a nurse,” the Fae said.

“He needs a hospital. I doubt you have everything my patient needs,” Sarah said.

“We have…”

Someone began to open the door to the hospital room and the human shot at the door knob. A scream was heard and Sarah could hear a small panic start outside of the room.

“Guess we’ll have to shoot our way out,” the human said with a smirk.

“Idiot,” the Fae said, “If you don’t come with us, Ms. Williams, we will shoot you and grab another nurse on our way out.”

“Do you have a wheelchair? If not, one of you is going to have to carry the child and I’ll carry the saline,” Sarah said, “May I please begin preparations to move the patient?”

The Fae nodded while the human began to move towards the nurse and the patient. “Close your eyes,” Sarah whispered to Tristan.

Sarah moved Tristan’s blanket to grab the syringe full of insulin. Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah saw a crystal pop into the room and roll towards the Fae. The human kidnapper had just holstered his gun when the crystal exploded with a loud boom and a flash of light. Sarah was temporarily blind and deaf. She made an accurate guess as to wear the human was and she stabbed him in the neck with the needle, putting a full syringe of insulin into the man’s system. She kicked the man’s feet out from under him.

Her vision cleared some and Sarah saw goblins begin to attack the kidnappers as well as someone walking into the room. She put up her fists and took a firm stance. A crystal brushed past Sarah’s head causing her vision and hearing to return to normal. Jareth was standing a foot from her with one hand holding a crystal and the other held palm up.

“Sarah, we need to move the child,” Jareth said.

Sarah nodded and unhooked the saline drip. She carried it while Jareth picked up Tristan.

“Keep your eyes closed, Tristan,” Sarah said again. She flinched at the screams that started to come from the kidnappers.

The nurses tried to direct Jareth to another hospital room, but a sharp look from him and a nod of assurance from Sarah allowed them to pass. They took the elevator to the floor with the library. Once they reached a reading area, Jareth placed Tristan in a chair. Sarah passed the saline drip to Jareth.

“I’ll go get a pole so we don’t have to keep holding this. Is there someone…”

“This is the patient you would not speak with me about, correct?” Jareth said.

“Yes,” Sarah said.

“Your name is Tristan?” Jareth asked.

Tristan nodded.

“I am sure his Grandmother will be here soon,” Jareth said, “Do get the pole though. I am sure it will be easier on all of us. You are permitted to open your eyes, Tristan.”

Sarah nodded and quickly ran off to get some equipment. When she returned, Tristan seemed to be fascinated by something Jareth was telling him. Sarah silently took care of the drip bag.

“Do you solve mysteries with Lord Jareth?” Tristan asked Sarah.

“Sometimes, yes,” Sarah said.

“I thought there might have been another detective. I didn’t think you were grand enough to go adventuring with a former king,” Tristan said.

“Things are not always what they seem, young prince. The sooner you learn that, the wiser you will become,” Jareth said, “If you will excuse me for a moment.”

After taking a few steps away, Jareth gave a long kiss to Sarah.  Tristan made a gagging sound.

“You’re not hurt?” he asked as he rested his head on her shoulder.

“Fine. How did you know I was in trouble?” Sarah asked.

Jareth gave Sarah a tight squeeze. He moved away and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. After a few taps on his phone, Jareth held it up for Sarah to read. “Come and play. Tower Hill. Jim Moriarty x.”

“Tower Hill? As in the Tower of London? Does he want to play in the torture dungeons or something?” Sarah asked.

“No. He tried to steal the Crown Jewels,” Jareth said, “Lestrade called me to tell me that the Tower, the Bank of London, and Pentonville Prison were all being breached. All of the security, both human and magical, is down for those places. I then received this text. I knew he would come after you, but I can now see he was also trying to steal young Tristan.”

“Moriarty? That fellow who bested you?” Tristan asked.

Jareth said, “He did not best me. I defeated all of his puzzles and he decided to take a break from his… game.”

“I know that Tristan has an important grandmother, but I don’t know who it is,” Sarah said.

“That would be me, Champion,” a female voice said.

Sarah and Jareth both turned to the voice. Though Sarah had never seen her, she knew who it was. “A great and terrible beauty” Jareth had once described her. Sarah’s heart was struck cold and she wanted to both run to and run from the dark haired woman who stood before her. The woman radiated power and dark promises.

“Your majesty,” Jareth said with a brief bow.

Sarah made an awkward curtsy in her scrubs. “The High Queen of the Unseelie Court, I presume,” Sarah said.

“You presume correctly, Champion. You may call me your majesty, Queen Mab, or ma’am,” the woman said, “How do you fair, Tristan?”

“I’m okay, Grandma,” Tristan said, “Did you know Nurse Williams solves cases with Lord Jareth?”

“I did,” Queen Mab said. She moved to her grandson, her black dress flowing smoothly around her like a mist. She placed her hand on Tristan’s forehead. “You seem much better.”

“I am. Nurse Williams says I can go home tomorrow,” Tristan said.

“Did she?” Queen Mab said.

Tristan nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah. She made sure the bad guys weren’t going to hurt me. She stabbed one of them with a needle.”

“You were supposed to keep your eyes closed,” Sarah said.

Tristan shrugged. “It was boring to do that.”

“I am sorry that he saw that, ma’am,” Sarah said.

“His nightmares will be punishment enough,” Queen Mab said. She stroked her grandson’s hair absent mindedly. “Are you aware of who tried to steal my grandson, Champion?”

“Apparently Jim Moriarty,” Sarah said.

The Unseelie Queen furrowed her brow at that name until Jareth said, “The Gremlin King.”

“That is quite an accusation to be placed against one of my subjects, Lord Jareth,” Queen Mab said.

“It is one I would not make lightly, but it is the truth,” Jareth said, “He did try to take your grandson. To what end, I can only guess.”

Queen Mab hummed in agreement. “He has been quarrelsome in his short reign. I will look into it.”

“If you wish to speak with him, you will have to go through human authorities. He has broken into several of their most secure places and they will want to punish him,” Jareth said.

“I shall take care of it once my grandson is comfortable,” Queen Mab said.

&%&%&%

Much later, the Unseelie Queen permitted Jareth and Sarah to attend to the investigation on Moriarty led by Lestrade. Jareth made sure Sarah was by his side at all times, only letting go of Sarah’s hand when they reached the security room at the Tower.

Lestrade showed them security footage from the tower. Jim Moriarty stayed with the crown jewels when the alarms went off and the vault closed. He knocked out a guard with gas. The Gremlin King wrote something on the glass in front of the crown jewels before sticking some gum onto the glass. He broke the glass with a fire extinguisher. Moriarty then sat on the throne wearing the crown and other symbols of state until he was arrested.

“Well that’s a statement,” Sarah said, “I thought the glass was bullet proof. It should not have broken that easily.

“You are right on that. It isn’t normal glass. That glass is tougher than anything,” Lestrade said.

“It is not tougher than crystallized carbon. He used a diamond,” Jareth said, “It is not even a trick. It is just science.”

Lestrade then showed another angle of the incident showing what Jim Moriarty had written on the glass. It had been written backwards so it could be read correctly from the angle of this camera. “GET JARETH.”

“That’s why I’m showing you this. Any idea why he would write that when stealing some of the most valuable objects in England?” Lestrade asked.

“I don’t know but from what I saw and know, he let himself be caught. I just don’t know exactly why,” Jareth said.

“What do you know?” Lestrade asked.

“He’s showing off a new trick,” Jareth said.

&%&%&%

Puck was having tea with Mrs. Hudson when Sarah and Jareth returned from Tower Hill. “What are you doing here?” Jareth asked.

“Having tea with Mrs. Hudson, of course,” Puck said, “However, there is also this.” Puck stood up from Mrs. Hudson’s table and handed Jareth and Sarah each a rolled up piece of paper. “You have been served. I will be seeing you in a week.”

With a brief good-bye to Mrs. Hudson, Puck disappeared. Sarah unrolled her piece of paper and squinted at the writing. “Sorry, but Toby is the LOTR geek, not me. I don’t read Sindarian.”

“It is Fae writing,” Jareth said, “It is from a completely different language family than Professor Tolkien’s languages. Damn. I was hoping they would not include you.”

“For what?” Sarah asked.

“We have both been called to testify against the Gremlin King in front of the High Court,” Jareth said.