NOTE: No reviews yet...that's a little disappointing, but who cares. I write this stuff because it entertains me. I just hope someone out there likes it.

7

Jareth crept into the Goblin City and saw that it hadn't taken a terrible amount of damage, nothing he couldn't repair in the future. Goblins roamed the city along with trolls and ogres, the majority that came with Misha to take over the Labyrinth. Trying to avoid being seen, Jareth swiped a brown drop cloth and wrapped it around himself. He hurried from spot to spot, watching out for anyone who might recognize him.

Holly ran through the gates of the Goblin City and right into a mirrored room. She found herself running head first into a mirrored corner. The gate closed somewhere around her and then the room was dark.

Jareth stepped between goblin shops and pressed his gloved hand against his side. The minor wound stung and he felt unable to take a full, deep breath without intense pain.

"Get outta my alley!" A shrill shriek came from behind him. Jareth glanced behind him and saw a fairly round goblin woman brandishing a broom. "This is my alley you gutter snipe!"

He left, moving quickly and hoping that no one would mind his presence as he moved through the city. He had entered the Goblin City on the west side, which was the furthest gate from the castle. He wove his way through a crowd watching a few dancing goblins, managed to remain hidden when two patrolling trolls passed through the main avenue, and he avoided recognition when he recognized some passing enslaved goblins as those from his royal army. The Goblin City was massive and Jareth told himself that he would have to make a more direct thoroughfare to the castle when he recaimed his throne.

Holly stood still in the dark room. She wasn't sure how much time had passed when the light from a single candle suddenly gave minute illumination. In the mirrors, it looked as though it came from behind her, but at a distance that was impossible.

"Hello?" Holly called out. A second candle illuminated and Holly could almost make out the table the candles were resting on. Stretching out her hands, Holly felt around the mirrored room, turning in circles. The candles were impossible! The room walls were mirrors. Holly watched as more candles were lit by an unseen force. "Hello?"

Holly watched the mirrors. The room behind her remained dimly illuminated. The room in the mirror had dark burgundy walls and waxed wooden floors. The decor was minimal, but ornate. It reminded Holly of an 18th-century room.

"Holly" Misha's voice called out in a disembodied echo. Holly looked for Misha, but he wasn't there. She turned to look around and felt silly when she simply managed to look at the room yet again. Something was different, but she couldn't quite place it. She saw the table and the candles, the dim light, the burgundy walls, but not- "Holly."

Holly gasped and jumped, startled, when a hand touched her shoulder. Before she could fully react to the hand and voice, she felt the hand move to her throat and another snake around her waist. A tall, firm figure held her.

"Holly" Misha hissed in her ear. "Why is Jareth still alive?" Holly could only make noise and groaned. "I asked you to trust me, to kill Jareth, so I could send you home unharmed." Misha's hand, that was on Holly's throat, dropped and unclasped the cloak. "What will I do with you?"

Holly tried stepping away from Misha and found that he allowed it. She turned towards Misha and backed up until she hit the table. The mirrors were gone, except for a few that lined the wall behind Mischa. He was dressed in what looked like black clothing, but the candlelight indicated that he had small ornate details over his vest and frock coat. It was a glamorous change from his dark warrior look she had first encountered. He looked like some kind of dark pirate or highwayman. His dark clothes looked as if they had tiny stars of green, gold, and blue sewn into it. His long dark hair was tied back with a green ribbon that matched the ribbon in his heeled shoes. Jareth's pendant was prominately displayed hanging from Misha's neck. Without meaning to, Holly found herself nearly breathless at the sight of him.

"Where-?" Holly whispered. "What do you want?"

"How did you manage to get here?" Misha asked. He paced, gradually getting closer and closer to Holly. "What magic being brought you here?"

"Why do you care?" Holly hissed. She couldn't manage a full voice answer, especially when she saw the bright twinkling green of his eyes. Misha finally towered before her and leaned in. Holly heard his hands gently touch the polished table. His face was a breath away from hers. "Can't you just leave me alone?"

"Absolutely not" Misha growled. In an instant, Holly felt herself being pulled and lifted, twirled around until she stood a few feet from the table. A brushing around her legs made her look down. Her business clothes were gone and in their place was a dark green dress with black pearl accents in the same 18th-century style as Misha's outfit. Holly touched the dress to make sure she wasn't losing her mind. "Much better. Music?" Misha flicked his hand and somewhere an orchestra played a slow song. Misha pulled Holly into a dancing embrace and tried moving around the room with her. Holly was wide eyed and clumsy. "You are a terrible dancer."

"I never said I was any good" Holly remarked. She tried stopping, digging her heels into the ground in protest, but Misha simply pulled her along as if she were simply a stiff broom. Holly was never one to normally cry, but she started to feel tears well up in her eyes. "Let me go."

"Don't be silly" Misha said with a dark grin. He twirled her around and then held her tightly against him. "You being here means that I win."

"Win what?" Holly asked. "Are you threatened by me? By King Jareth?"

"That magicless oaf?" Misha asked. He leaned in and brushed Holly's cheek with his lips. "I'll humiliate him, drive him to madness, do terrible things to him. He is no threat."

Holly turned her face away from Misha, hoping to escape him in some manner, but she merely exposed her neck to him. Misha leaned down and placed a few kisses along her neck. "Stop. Please stop."

"You could stay here forever if you wished it" Misha told her. Holly looked at him with worry.

"I don't think I want that" Holly replied. Misha moved her around the room again and then stopped in front of the mirror. He slipped behind her, holding her in place with an arm around her waist and a roaming hand finally resting on her neck and jaw. Holly was forced to look in the mirror, to see the pairing they made.

"You wouldn't age as you would Aboveground" Misha whispered in Holly's ear. "Look at yourself. You would fit in well here." Misha released her waist and flicked his hand, a crystal appeared. "Let me show you your dreams, the possibilities, what could and couldn't be."

Holly's eyes followed the crystal, but she remained quiet. Her brain was signalling danger and all she could picture in her mind was a flashing red light.