A/N: I'm sneaking on my aunt's computer to post this. My mom will be pissed if she catches me, so I've got to type fast before I'm missed. I really wasn't expecting to be able to have access to computers while on vacation, but I've been pleasantly surprised. So I bet you're all waiting for the next chapter of Haunted, right? Well, unfortunately, I'm having a little trouble with it. sigh

So to pass the time, and maybe inspire something, I'm going to start a new story. I've had this idea in mind for a while now, and now it comes to fruition. WARNING: This is a very dark fic. This is me letting out all the dark Jareth I've held back in haunted -yes, you read that right, held back- and it feels really good. So, without further ado, please read and enjoy

Lurking in the Shadows

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Raymond Hamilton sat at his desk, inspecting his latest figures. He was an attractive man in his early fifties, fit, swarthy skinned, his dark curls flecked with silver. He was one of the wealthiest men in the state, used to having the best of everything.

He silently read over the figures, nodding to himself. They seemed to be in perfect order, as they always were. He made sure that only the best, smartest, and most competent were permitted to work in his company. He signed the bottom of the paper, and set it aside. He sighed, and spun his chair around to face the window. He looked down at the valley below, the steep cliffs, acres of towering trees, and the river winding off into the distance.

The beep of his intercom brought him back to reality. He whirled back around, and pushed the secretary button. "Yes, Eleanor?"

"Mr. Hamilton, your three o'clock is here," the flighty voice said on the other side.

"Send him in," he said, sitting up straight, and quickly smoothing his hair out. The office door opened, and in walked the new applicant for the coveted position as his assistant. He wanted someone to oversee some of his affairs, so he could spend more time at home with his family. He rose, and thrust his hand out.

"Good Afternoon. I am Jay Rhett," the man said, his voice cold and clipped.

"Raymond Hamilton," the older man said, grasping his visitor's gloved hand, and shaking it firmly. He looked the applicant head to foot, scrutinizing the man. He was not so tall as he was, his hair ash blond, longer than he liked, but slicked back so the overall effect was rather distinguished. He was dressed in a dark suit, his hands were covered in black leather gloves. The man's most striking feature, however, were his eyes. They were two different colors, one dark, one blue. They glittered with an icy stiffness, a quality Hamilton didn't typically like his employees to have.

The two men sat opposite each other. Hamilton took out his file, and looked it over.

"So Mr. Rhett. What do you think qualifies you to be my new assistant?"

"I have plenty of leadership experience. I worked for a company back home, where the people I supervised had the intellectual capacity of a sack of rocks."

"Back home, you say? Where exactly is that, I don't see it on your resume," Hamilton asked, staring intently at Rhett.

"Overseas. Manchester, England."

"I see. It says here that you are a graduate of Oxford? That's... impressive."

"Thank you, Mr. Hamilton," he said, never taking his eyes off the man before him. Hamilton continued to read through the resume. Rhett took the opportunity to take a look at the photos on Hamilton's desk. There was a photo of a pretty redhaired woman, holding a handsome dark haired baby boy, photo of Hamilton holding another baby, a young man standing beside him, and a photo of a lovely young woman, with dark hair and green eyes. Hamilton noticed where Rhett's gaze had turned.

"My family," he said simply.

"And a lovely one, Mr. Hamilton. Which one is your wife?"

"Both. The red head is my first wife, Lauren. She passed away when our second son, Theodore was born. The brunette is my wife of a year, Sarah."

"She's beautiful, Mr. Hamilton, but if you don't mind me saying, she seems awfully young."

"Twenty five. You know, a lot of people don't like that I married a woman so much younger than myself, but I frankly don't see the problem. Sarah isn't a gold digging tramp, and we are really in love."

"What does age have to do with love, anyway. Age is a meaning less number, and love is eternal," Rhett said wisely, glancing at the young woman's photo again.

"A romantic, and an aggressive business man," Hamilton said, nodding in approval, "I like your style, Rhett. I think I've made my decision. Welcome to Hamilton Systems." He got to his feet, and Rhett did the same. The two men shook hands, and Rhett turned on his heels and stalked out of the office.

"You are a lucky man, Mr. Hamilton. Handsome sons, a pretty wife, and rich to boot. You should watch your back, people must want what you have."

"I'm not worried," Hamilton said simply, going back to his figures. Rhett smiled coldly, and closed the office door behind him.

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A/N: And that was chapter one. A bumpy start, but it will get better. I promise.

I'm guessing that you guys aren't idiots, and know full well who Jay Rhett is... what is he doing working for Sarah's husband?

Please Review!