While doing one of my favorite past times... talking, Kara reminded me of
something I had written.  Of course I had to dig it out again.

For the lack of something better to do, I'm going to post a short piece
that I had written for Molly's Halloween fic a while ago on the Labfic
list.  She was in the middle of writing a listian fic, and had asked the
listians involved to write a short piece in which Jareth would give them
they wanted most.  It was probably not what she expected, but when do I
ever write what's expected? *g*  So some of you have seen it before, but
not by itself.

Author : Jade
Title : The Greatest Gift
Rating: PG
Disclaimer : Jareth belongs to Jim Henson and Luke belongs to George Lucas. Blast it. I could have had some fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Now what can I do for you?" Jareth asked.

"Nothing," Jade replied softly. 

"Oh come now, I know you Jade.  I know what you like and what you don't.
How about this?" he said, producing a crystal in his thin fingers. 

Jade looked into it and saw the one fictional character she obsesses over
on a daily basis.  With a small smile, she shook her head.  "I don't think
so," she replied softly, although the idea was tempting.

"Just take it.  You never know what you may find if you don't at least
try," he said, offering it to her once again.

Jade looked at it, then to Jareth.  "Thank you Jareth."

"My pleasure," he whispered as she disappeared.
***

Jade found herself standing in the middle of a room that seemed vaguely
familiar.  Glancing around, she noted many pictures that lined the walls
and a desk in the far corner.  Then her gaze fell across him.  There not
far from her, standing as perfect as ever, was Luke Skywalker.  She
turned her attention back to her surroundings.  What was it that seemed to
tug at her mind?

"Are you going to talk to me?" the gentle voice cut through the air.

"What do you want me to say?" Jade replied, not looking back at him, but
studying the pictures on the mantle piece.

"What ever you want," he replied.

Jade heard him walk up behind her.  "This wasn't my idea," she explained.

"Come with me, there is someone I want you to see," Luke said softly,
taking her hand and leading her down a long hallway.  Coming to a door, he
took a step back and motioned her on.

"Who is it?" she asked, intrigued. 

"You'll see," he stated simply.

Jade grasped the door handle and felt an odd feeling in the pit of her
stomach.  Glancing back at Luke, he gave her a warm smile and nodded for
her to continue.  Turning it, she slowly pushed the door open and her
breath caught in her throat.  "Oh dear lord," she breathed bringing a hand
to cover her lips.

A elderly man looked up from his game of solitaire to look her straight in
the eye.  A smile lit up his wrinkled face as he set down the deck of
cards.  "Where you been hidin' pete?  Where's repeat?" he asked, his raspy
voice filling the air.

Jade couldn't move.  She was in total shock.  She felt a hand push her
gently into the room.  Walking softly over to the table, she sat down and
could hardly believe what she was seeing.  She felt the tears well in her
eyes.

"Grandpa," she whispered.

He chuckled heartily, taking off his glasses and cleaning them.  Placing
them back on his face, he looked across the table at her.  "Why the
tears?" he asked, reaching across and wiping them from her cheek.

"I have missed you," she said, grabbing his hand and holding onto it for
dear life.

Another chuckle.  "Where's repeat?  You two were always inseparable," he
said, his big hands making hers looks so small in comparison.

"Bobbi's married now," Jade replied.

"Oh?" he queried.  "Someone actually glued her feet to the ground?" he
laughed, the sound filling Jade with memories she had long since
forgotten.  "And Kathy?"

"Married, three kids."

"I have missed out on a lot, haven't I?" he asked, regret filling his
voice.

"Don't say that," Jade said a small smile on her face.  "You are with us
no matter where we go."

He glanced at Luke standing behind her.  "And who is this?" he asked,
raising his left hand and indicating the man behind her.

"His name is Luke," she said, glancing back at him as she realized he was
her moral support.

"You married yet?" he prodded.

A smile crossed her face.  "I told you once before I wasn't going to get
married, Grandpa."

Nodding, a smile broke out across his features.  "Yeah, I remember," he
replied.  "It's been too long."

"Seven years," Jade replied, the memory of his passing away filling her
mind. 

"So, you still writin'?" he asked seriously.

"Yeah, I am." she grinned.

"Good," he said.  "Got to put that imagination of yours to good use."

"I do," she replied.  "Although I don't think I am nearly good enough
yet."

"Nonsense.  You are my granddaughter and that makes you the best." he
replied, a certain haughtiness surrounding him.

Jade got to her feet and walked closer.  Leaning down, she hugged him
tightly.  "Thank you."

"For what?" he asked, patting her back.

"For believing in me," she replied.

"What is a grandpa for?" he replied as she stood back up.  "Are you going
to stay awhile or do you have to get back?" he asked, his voice sullen.

Jade looked at Luke then back to her Grandfather.  "Of course I am going
to stay.  You can't get rid of me that easily," she grinned.

"Yeah, you're like a bad penny, always turning up." he remarked, laughing
at his own joke.

Jade smiled and shook her head.  She silently thanked Jareth for giving
her the best thing she could hope for. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~