Author's Note: Oh, my God. I am so sorry to anyone who reads my story. I've had a ton of crazy stuff going on in my life for the past couple of months, so I haven't had a lot of time to write more chapters. I feel super bad for abandoning everyone, but when life rears its ugly head, it's hard to ignore. Sadly, this weekend my high school's drama troupe is doing Little Women the musical--I'm Aunt March :(--so I'm probably not going to have much time to write throughout Hell Week, but I promise I will try to get a new chapter out.


Chapter 7: A Budding Friendship?

Olivia lay staring up at the canopy of her bed. She had been like this for a long time, probably around two hours. Laying here. Thinking. About him.

She had had another dream. It had lasted longer. It had finished with her--well, it had finished and so had she. That had never happened before, and while it hadn't happened, she could pretend that the dreams were meaningless. But now that she had experienced that ultimate release…

"Up already, my lady? I didn't think you could wake up this early, especially on your own." Evie's voice intruded on her thoughts.

Olivia snorted, glad for the distraction Evie provided. "You make me sound like such a burden."

"Not at all, my lady. I love being your maid. I just hate having to try to force you out of bed every morning."

"You're exaggerating. I'm not that hard to wake up."

Evie smiled. "Whatever you say, my lady." The girl was setting out her clothes. "Will you have a bath this morning?"

Olivia nodded. "Evie, do you know of a way to block dreams that you don't want to have?"

"What kind of dreams?" She looked up curiously.

"Just dreams in general, really."

"Maybe. You could ask His Majesty if he knew--"

"No!"

Evie's eyebrows shot up.

"I wouldn't want to bug him. It's no big deal. I just thought I might get better sleep without dreams."

"What have you been dreaming about that troubles your sleep, my lady?"

"Nothing specific. I'm just tired when I wake up."

"I might be able to get you some kind of sleep medicine if you'd like."

"That would be great, Evie."

"Well, come on, let's hurry up, His Majesty mustn't be kept waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

"His Majesty said he wanted to meet you down in the gardens."


Jareth slowed his brisk steps when he saw her. She was sitting on a bench, having what appeared to be a rather animated discussion with Chloris. Her long, dark hair was loose around her shoulders and down her back and she was wearing a lovely yellow dress that made her olive skin glow.

"I don't care what you say, it's just not possible."

"Not possible? Not only is it possible, it happens all the time."

"Then prove it."

The sprite shrugged. "I can't right now, they ain't ready yet."

"Of course, you've got to wait, right?"

"I ain't avoidin' anythin'! It's just not ready. You'll have to wait at least two more weeks."

"Hopefully, I won't be here that much longer." Olivia looked at Chloris sadly.

Jareth picked that moment to make his presence known. "Good Morning, Olivia. Chloris."

Chloris smiled and stood. "Mornin', Jareth." She turned to Olivia. "I'll prove it to you as soon as they're ready. If you stick around until then."

She smiled again and walked away, disappearing into the shrubbery.

"May I ask what she was talking about?"

"Nothing." She quickly changed the subject. "Evie said that you wanted to see me?"

"Yes, I wanted to spend the day with you. Get to know you better."

She stood, her honey eyes distrustful. "Why?"

"Contrary to what you may believe, I'm not a monster. I don't wish you any harm and I don't see why we can't be civil to each other."

"Just civil?"

"I already told you that I'm not going to touch you again."

She looked down, her thoughts becoming instantly traitorous. I don't mind if you touch me. It felt damn good and I don't care if you do it right now. In fact, I want you to. Touch me. Kiss me.

"That wasn't what I meant, but thanks."

She was avoiding his eyes again, and she had become meek. He wanted to see that defiance that spirit.

"It's no trouble really. I don't want to be bothered by you following me around like a ghost."

That did it. Her eyes snapped up to his and her hands became fists.

"Why would I do that? I didn't exactly enjoy it. I don't make a habit of kissing complete strangers. Unlike you, I have morals."

Whoa, she was overreacting. He had gotten too close to the truth though. She needed to just calm down and--

He smirked. "Oh, you do? If memory serves, you were pressing quite sweetly against me."

Her cheeks flushed with color. "I-I was struggling to free myself."

"Were you?" Jareth stepped closer. "Shall we test that theory?"

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. When he reached for her, she turned and started toward a stand of flowers, chased by his deep, mocking laughter.

"Oh, don't get in a huff. I wasn't being serious."

She eyed him suspiciously over her shoulder. "You meaning you were joking?"

He nodded and she smiled. Jareth was awe-stricken. He had never seen her smile before. It was quite charming. She had dimples when she smiled and he thought that he would like to make her smile more often just to see them.

"Well, you shouldn't joke about things like that, they're just not funny."

He bowed. "I'm sorry to have offended you."

They stared at each other for quite some time before she finally looked away. "So show me around, Evie and I got distracted last time."


They stood in a wide corridor, the entire east wall of which was composed of tall windows looking out on the gardens. The gardens they had spent the entire day exploring. It was nice to talk to someone, even if that someone was your kidnapper.

God, it was all so confusing. At first he had been entirely infuriating, smirking and baiting her, making her feel like an idiot, telling her that he was out to get her mom. Then all of a sudden, he had changed. He was different toward her. He was funny now, he joked around with her, he seemed genuinely to want to be friends with her.

She looked at him. "Sorry, did you say something?"

"Lost in thought, my dear?"

She could feel her face begin to grow hot. That was something else that was bothering her. Before coming to the Underground, she never blushed. It wasn't something she did. Now every time he opened his mouth she found herself turning red. What was wrong with her?

"I guess."

"I asked if you liked my castle."

"Should I? I'm a prisoner. As far as I know, most people being held against their will don't exactly enjoy themselves." She was starting to realize that she had let her guard down far too much with him today. She had to remember that he was using her to get back at her mom. "Don't call me 'dear,'" she added belatedly.

Jareth fought back a frown. She had been like putty in his hands all afternoon, eating up his every word. Why the sudden change? "Most don't get treated nearly as well as you have been. I don't have to let you stay in such a nice room, with your own maid and the freedom to roam the castle and its grounds. I have a perfectly functional dungeon, you know."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Mhm. I'm still a prisoner."

"An exceptionally beautiful prisoner."

She blushed and shook her head. "Why do you do that?"

"Do what, my dear?"

"Call me beautiful. I know what I look like, thank you, and I don't like being lied to."

"What makes you think you're not beautiful?"

She turned to look out the window, drinking in the beauty of the gardens at sunset. "I've seen myself. In mirrors, in pictures. I'm passing pretty."

"Ah, but isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder?"

"That's what they say."

"Well, this beholder thinks you are incredibly beautiful."

She turned and her eyes widened when she realized how close he was to her. They weren't touching, but they weren't more than an inch apart. His legs were touching the skirt of her dress.

"Jareth, there you are! I've been looking for you for ages!"

They both turned. A woman was striding toward them, her arms outstretched.

Jareth moved away from Olivia. "You've found me."

The woman threw herself into his arms, plastering her mouth to his and pressing her winsome body against him.

Olivia felt her cheeks begin to burn. She started backing away from what she assumed was a passionate reunion between lovers.

When his mouth was his own again, Jareth frowned. He pried himself from the woman's grasp, looking around at Olivia. She was staring at him, her eyes those of an abused puppy.

The woman turned toward her and Olivia felt her breath stop.

"Olivia, this is Cassia."

Cassia was gorgeous. Tall and blessed with abundant curves, she was every man's dream and what every young girl hopes to look like when they grow up. Olivia felt utterly lacking next to her. She was completely aware of her modest bust, her now seemingly short stature, her less than breath-taking facial features.

A frown briefly flickered across Cassia's lovely face. He had introduced her to the girl. The lower person was always presented to the higher.

"Jareth. I've missed you so very much. I can't tell you how absolutely horrid it's been to be away from you." She kissed him again, disappointed that he wasn't responding quite the way she wanted him to.

He again freed himself from her arms, gave her a look and turned from her. His eyes searched the hall for Olivia, but she was nowhere to be seen.

"Darling, did you hear me? I missed you terribly." She looked up at him with feigned shyness. "I was hoping we could catch up in your chambers."

She was touching him, trying to coax a reaction out of him.

"I'm busy this evening. Maybe tonight." He turned and left without another word.

Cassia frowned. He had been much more cold than usual.

It must have something to do with that girl. Who was she and why did she have such pull over him?


Jareth scowled at his desk. He couldn't focus on these damn papers. He had read the same paragraph at least three times and it still didn't make any sense. All he could think about was the look on Olivia's face when she saw Cassia kiss him.

She had run before he could come up with an explanation. Damn. This could seriously affect his plan. He was working hard to earn at least a little bit of her trust and just as it was starting to pay off, Cassia had come in and possibly set him back at square one. He needed her trust or his plan would never succeed.

There had to be something he could do to make her forget that little scene with Cassia.


Author's Note: Again, I'm so sorry to those of you who actually take the time to read my meager attempts at writing an interesting story.