I walked a dark passage, unsure of my destination. I just knew that I had to keep moving; that someone worse than Brighton, something worse than the Jabberwocky was following me. Before me in the dim light the path shot straight out, walled in on both sides. Occasionally same random debris was thrown awkwardly across the path- I stepped over these tree branches or other such random objects. I kept walking. My head pounded and my limbs were heavy. I had to keep on though; no one would find me here in this secluded space if I stopped. No one would hear me scream. Wearily I lifted my legs and went on.

Eventually I stumbled over a tree branch. I went down to my knees and didn't get back up. I was ready to rest my head against the old, decaying wood, and go to sleep. Gently I felt a hand on my arm. Forcing my eyes open I looked up- King Oberon stood looking down at me with a smile on his lips. He knelt next to me. "Rest my dear young lady, rest." He gathered me against him, laying my head on his shoulder. He smelt of fresh linen and cool water. I relaxed against him.

My first conscience memory was a bright, flickering light. My eyes adjusted and I saw a table with a candle. Illuminated in the light was Oberon sitting with his chin resting on his chest, lightly asleep. I glanced around the space- it looked like I was in some sort of tent. At the flaps, a soft grey light came through. My mouth was dry and I began to cough. Oberon was at my side with a cup of water, gently raising my head and helping me drink. The water helped me relax. Then some sweet liquid was poured between my lips and I fell off to sleep again.

The next time I opened my eyes I had the distinct feeling of moving, as if I was sort of hovering along. Part of me wondered if I was having an out of body experience- watching the clouds pass over me. I began to cough again. Someone yelled, "Bartholomew!" and the moving came to a halt. The physician's face appeared above my head blocking out the sky. He had water that he helped me to drink and then administered a draught of liquid that tasted syrupy sweet. "Rest easy Rebekah," he said smiling. I saw that he had long scratch across his left cheek. "You're on your way home."

I managed to raise my hand to touch his arm. "Tell me," I sounded hoarse. "did we win?"

He touched my hand, giving my fingers a squeeze. "Yes, yes we won. Jareth is resting right now. He beheaded the Jabberwocky."

At the mention of the king's name my whole body cringed. It was good to hear the king was well; it was reassuring even. Part of me was just reeling in the thought of coming into contact with him. I retreated my hand from him. The expression on my face must have registered as pain to the physician, as he prepared another draught immediately. I waved him off weakly. "When-when will we be home?" I asked.

"We should arrive by night fall. The sooner we get you home, the better off you'll be. Rest now." I dreamed that Jareth had tamed the massive Jabberwocky and was leading the monster by a leash. The monster didn't seem to mind the encumbrance though; it patted behind the king like a pet. Coming near to me, he offered the control of the monster to me. "The beast is tamed Rebekah," he said with a look of happiness. "and willing to be with you." He offered me the leash, but as I moved to take it the chain morphed into a long snake that hissed at me. I started away in alarm.

I saw glimpses of the castle through my eye lids. The feeling of exhaustion was beginning to irritate me. Brighton hadn't necessarily starved me; I hadn't been beaten. Yet my body was behaving as if it was infected with the flue virus. I heard goblins celebrating the victorious return. An elf's voice rose with song.

I felt softness engulfing me. My skin welcomed the sensation. Slowly I opened my eyes to see whiteness, like pure light surrounding me. I lay on a bed with white sheets and I wore a gown of pale grey. The place felt safe, removed from any potential harm or any cares. Something fluttered in the corner of my eye that could have been wings or rustling fabric. Focusing I saw Jareth at the bed side. He too wore an outfit of pale greys. He stood slightly away from the edge of the bed with his hands clasped. "Is this a dream?" I asked. When he shitted his weight, I felt my skin crawl ever so slightly.

Was that concern or kindness in his eyes? Either way he said, "Yes, you are dreaming."

"I've been so tired," I then told him. Even in this dream my limbs refused to move leaving me frustrated. "What's wrong with me Jareth?"

He let his eyes fall over me. I wanted to squirm. "Rebekah, your body doesn't want to wake up; it doesn't want to remember how to feel." He spoke softly.

My eye lids closed as I considered this. What had Brighton done to me? Reminded me of all the reasons I had avoided touch for so long. This was Jareth though- I had accepted him, right? When I opened my eyes again his body had moved to the foot of the bed. Furrowing my brow I said, "I'm afraid, Jareth. I'm afraid to be touched again, to be felt, to be… to be loved."

"Your body is confused. Remind it."

In response my skin broke out in a million goose bumps. I arched my neck, straining to move. "What am I supposed to do?" I exclaimed.

This time I saw his presence flicker away from the foot of the bed back to the side. The process made my eyes ache. His voice was every where all at once, "Remind it!"

Alright, I reasoned with myself, this is my dream; start dreaming about something…I don't know, sensual; dream about him naked; dream that he's on top of you just stop this insanity!

"Brighton misused you; confused your body between love and lust." He leaned very near. His body heat was just enough to cause my stomach muscles to tighten. I fought to use the tension to my advantage. "You have to want me."

I looked him in the eyes and then began scanning the rest of his body. I had already accepted him. No half quacked, cocky bored fairy king was going to ruin my chance at love. I had already gotten over my insecurities once… I can do this again! "Help me," I pleaded with him. "You reminded me once before of how wonderful touch could be; how rewarding intimacy could be. Brighton has no power to make me stop loving you."

He leaned in closer, near my face, near my lips. "Don't tell me that." I smelt spices, wild and enticing. "Tell your body."

The goose bumps had subsided, instead I felt warm all over. It's your dream Rebekah, I thought again. In a blink his shirt was off and he was sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked at himself and then smiled slyly at me. Not good enough, I closed my eyes and focused my imagination. I recalled our first night together; it had only been what?- a week ago. My fingers twitched and slowly my hands rose up. Remember, how gentle he had been; how determined. I found his arm and coaxed him towards me. Opening my eyes I realized he was on top of me, his body against mine. "That," I began touching his face. "feels right."

I thought for sure he was going to kiss me. He looked at me, his eyes all ablaze. "Remember you're still dreaming. Best wake up and call for me." With that the light seemed to be sucked out of the room.

Startled my eyes flew open. I sat up, looking around, feeling frantic and strange. Gasping I looked around- I was back in the castle, in Jareth's room, in Jareth's bed. No wait- our room, our bed! My skin was alive and tingling. If I didn't find him soon my insides were likely to jump out. I began yelling out his name. "Jareth! Jareth! Where are you?!" The door to the room flew open and he appeared. He may have been slightly limping as he hurried across the room; his face was concerned.

"I'm here girly, I'm here. What's the matter?" He was at the bed reaching for my hands.

I wasted no time in putting my arms around him. He felt so wonderful. I hugged him close.

"Oh Jareth!" He smelt of nutmeg and cinnamon; cloves and mint. I squeezed him tighter.

"Easy there girly!" Pulling away I saw he was wincing. "I'm still healing. Oh, I'm so glad to see you awake." He ran his hands along my neck and shoulders. "I was so worried about you. You have been in and out of consciousness for nearly three days."

Had it really been that long? My hands ran along his arms. His skin was so smooth and delightful. Only partially heeding his caution of healing I kissed him full on the lips. Taking his face in my hands I held him captive against my lips. He made some noise deep in the back of his throat that sounded both pleased and surprised. All of the energy that been surging under my skin seemed to centralize in my gut, growing like an igniting nuclear war head. It wanted to explode; needed to explode. He returned the kiss catching up quickly with my need. Roughly I pulled him to me, falling back on the bed. He grunted and broke the kiss. He seemed to grit his teeth. "You're making demands on a wounded king girly," he smiled slyly. "and while it is nothing life threatening and I'll gladly oblige your demands, I would like to make sure your well before entertaining such physical excursion."

I pulled a face and pshawed him, and proceeded to ignore any of his concerns. He seemed ready to chastise me and climb off the bed. "No don't do that!" I exclaimed holding him fast. "Look," the bomb was ticking. "I just spent several days with a Fae who would have had me and tossed me aside; a selfish, over sexed… idiot. I'm telling you," I pushed myself up to be face to face with him. "to fix what he tried to destroy. No more words! Now make love to me before I toss you back and mount you myself."

Concern seemed to turn into desire on his defined features. He gave me one shrewd look as if to make sure of my resolve and then proceeded to grin most feline like. One of his hands snaked under my head while he held himself steady with another. "Gladly." He kissed me deep and long; it tasted like a drink of sweet wine. When the bomb exploded instead of screaming, my body sang in the release.

I didn't allow for words until we were spent and lying twisted and naked among the sheets. Even then the words chosen were few. He briefly explained what had happened after I had been knocked unconscious- the battle with the Jabberwocky had been swift all thanks to my remembering the words to the poem. His men were then upon Brighton's grounds and inside his castle where they found Valery and Eddie, heavily sedated under a sleeping enchantment. Thank all the powers that be they were unharmed and returned to the Aboveground safely. "To them it will seem as if they had a bit of a nightmare, a dream."

"Can we visit them soon?" I asked, disappointed that I had not been able to see them before they had been returned to the Aboveground.

"Christmas time, the holiday season in the Above is happening quite soon, I should think it would be a good time to visit them. I know you're not disposed to too much talking at the moment," he went on. "but there is some kingdom business that you need to be aware of. In two days we are to appear before King Oberon at court, for judgment and sentencing of the prisoners of war, as well as to review our own actions. You will accompany me, as my wife and queen." He leaned over me and caressed my cheek.

I smiled at him. "And you as my husband and king… my king."