Sometimes a room changes when a person enters. A wisp of a new smell permeates. The floor creaks in different ways. Shadows rearrange themselves. The change is subliminally obvious. You don't even have to be conscious to feel it.

It was that feeling that woke Sarah up in the middle of the night, and it did not make her happy.

She sat upright in bed to see Jareth the Goblin King patiently leaning against the opposite wall. His frock coat was cobalt blue, his cravat was ice blue, and the smirk on his face was infuriating.

Sarah's expression turned venomous. "What?" She growled. No response from the intruding monarch. "I have an exam tomorrow, so this better be important."

"In fine form this morning aren't we?" He said apathetically. "I'm afraid it's business as usual my dear Erinye." With a wave of his hand, her bedside lamp switched on and her duvet slid to the floor.

She rolled her eyes as she got up to retrieve her work jeans and a pullover. "So, is it office work or a business trip?"

It was a strange and euphemistic code they'd developed over the past year since Sarah took the Goblin King's offer of employment. It served to mask the implausible nature of the job in mixed company, as well as to preserve at least an illusion of Sarah's remaining innocence.

His answer was coded in kind. "Unfortunately, we have some traveling to do, Gosling." Jareth purred nonchalantly. "I've located an old friend of mine outside town. Introductions are in order."

Sarah heaved a sigh from behind her Oriental screen as she changed pants. It still managed to strike her how cavalier he managed to sound about what was likely his current mission in life.

It had been a couple of months into her employment when they learned the crowd of incubi and succubae who'd once been Jareth's peers was not happy he left them to jump back on the wagon. The group of lechers had proceeded to join the rebellion against Faerie's high royalty and wreak havoc. Their first target was the heir apparent to the high throne, a sixteen-year-old darling with an open heart and a trusting mind.

Calria would have been the perfect prize for the two incubi they sent, were it not for a couple things. One- she was one of Sarah's best friends and classmates. Two- she was Jareth's cousin, whom he had helped raise and now regarded as closer than a sister. And Three, she was the reason for their reunification and the first thing they agreed upon in years.

The attacking 'inkers' were dealt with swiftly though the repercussions had lasted. Calria found wisdom through the ordeal. Jareth found a purpose in the human realm, aside from looking after the heir apparent. And Sarah, she found herself on the Labyrinth's payroll (and not a moment too soon in this economy).

However, had she known the inconvenient hours and overall risk factor of being the Labyrinth's champion and a licensed incubus hunter, she would have reconsidered Jareth's second offer. She brusquely ignored Jareth's small talk while changing and purposefully nudged his shoulder after emerging from behind the screen.

"Who's the target tonight?" She asked while grappling behind her headboard for the knife she'd hidden there.

"Malthus Lothair. He's a second level incubus and a Snaketoungue. A nasty bugger with quite the reputation. And Sarah," he looked over to see her retrieving her gun from under a loose floorboard. "He likes them young."

A satisfied click came from the modified revolver. "I'll be sure to remember that."

Sarah fished ammunition, another knife, and her holster from their respective hiding places before she was ready. "Have we got far to go? Because I'm choosing the restaurant if we do."

"It's only a mile or so from the roadhouse," said Jareth, already appearing more owlish. "We'll be taking the car."

Oo0oO

"Didn't even offer to zap me into his stupid car," mumbled Sarah as she scrambled down her trellis into the back yard. It had become disturbingly easy to sneak out of her house after all the midnight 'business trips'. A short sprint across the vacant lot and she hopped into the purring black Camero waiting for her.

Of course Jareth couldn't have a normal vehicle now that he spent half his time on the human side of the border. It wasn't just the usual rich twit's sports car either; it had to have a horse demon trapped in the engine. Said demon, whom Sarah affectionately dubbed Kit, chirped happily as she settled into the passenger side. A classic rock station began to play on the radio.

Jareth scowled and floored the gas. For the first time that night, his partner smiled. "You're just mad because Kit likes my music better than yours."

"I am annoyed when you take feral creatures under my authority and proceed to make pets out of them. You are becoming quite predictable, Gosling."

"Y.H.N.P.O.M., your Majesty," Sarah had found a baseball cap in the glove compartment and was tugging it over her eyes. She may yet salvage some sleep before they passed the roadhouse.

A/N: Most of these stories will be set as a supplement to the Oddford universe which you can find here (.com/gallery/#The-Odd-One) at my deviantart posted comic isn't as far along as this fic is set, but will eventually become a part of the plot.

I couldn't resist putting a Knight Rider reference in there. My brother loved that show & is excellent eighties nostalgia. As for what Y.H.N.P.O.M. means, it is an acronym of a quote from the film, and I question your right to call yourself a Labyrinth fan if you can't decipher it eventually.