I meant to have more sooner, but on Friday night when I was going to write this, I looked, and I have seven things I need to write, in addition to revising nanowrimo. So, rather than spending the weekend writing, I spent the weekend reading, watching Doctor Who, and complaining about how much I need to write. And now I offer you a short chapter... I have something of an idea where this is going, so I'm gonna try to update quicker, though it means a really short update here or there, and I apologize for that. Anyways, could I possibly beg or a review or two? :)

"Concubine?" she asked, almost uncertain she'd heard the word herself, and then stifled a laugh. "So, let me get this straight. You don't want me to be your sex bunny. But you want me to be your concubine."

"It's not the same thing," he insisted.

"So, you're saying that we're not supposed to…" She trailed off suggestively.

"It is traditional, yes." Sarah began to roll her eyes. "But it isn't a requirement!"

"Then what's the difference between being your concubine and just…being in the Underground."

"It has a different meaning there," he explained. "A concubine is a person who has shared blood with the King, has become whole with him. That is what must be done."

She was still trying to get over the whole concubine thing, but the part about "sharing blood" definitely caught her attention.

"What do you mean, sharing blood…?" she asked hesitantly.

"We bleed each other," he answered stiffly. "The easiest way is to simply press the wounds together and let the blood exchange freely."

"So, I have to open up a vein for you?"

"Well, I'll do it too."

She sighed. If this was the cost, how could she say no? A little blood and pain for the Labyrinth that had so captivated her?

"Fine, when?"

His eyes lit up slightly. "I'll be in the Aboveground in three day's time. I shall come to you. Be prepared for me."

With that, the Labyrinth faded and she woke with a start, back in her dorm room just as the light of morning began to creep through the window. Time to get up, she supposed. Glancing at the clock, she knew she didn't have to get up then, but she knew she wouldn't fall asleep again.

~X~

And so came the wait. It was Tuesday, and Jareth was coming on Friday. Every time she thought of it, of him, she clenched a bit, and her stomach squeezed. Honestly, she wasn't sure if it was excitement, fear, uncertainty, or some mix thereof. Mostly, she just wanted Friday to come, to let what happened happen, and get it done with. If nothing happened, if it really was just a dream, then Friday would be yet another night in, reading a book in her dorm room.

Or it could be the most important night of her life.

It was the uncertainty that killed her ever thirteen seconds. Of course it was the uncertainty.

There was a knock on her door not long after she'd gotten back from brushing her teeth and getting dressed. She set aside her book and answered the call, finding behind the door Adam, a guy she'd met and instantly connected with. There had been a bit of tension and something on either side, of that she was sure, but seeing him now, goofy grin on his face as he took in the sight of her - hair messy, a bit of eyeliner smeared beneath her eye after she'd been too lazy to remove it the night before - she wasn't sure how she felt about him. If Jareth really was back - and she wasn't sure how much she would actually let herself believe he was - then what was Adam to her?

She internally groaned and cried out in frustration as she let Adam into her room, taking the bagel he offered. It was going to be a long week