A/N: Once again, I must be apologizing for not posting sooner. The truth being that I simply haven't had time, and forgot how much I like this fic.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Labyrinth, Sarah, or Jareth, for if I did, I could listen to the real David Bowie sing, instead of just my Labyrinth soundtrack. Adianna belongs to me, because I made her up especially for this fic.

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~Upping the Stakes~

Since the second commercial break, Sarah was feeling good about herself, saying that she had won the first round and had a good start on the second. Meanwhile, Jareth was fuming. Not only because he was losing the tournament, the round, and Sarah's respect, but he found he hadn't kicked his quota of goblins for the day, and was having withdrawl.

However, the immediate situation at hand was the fact that he was losing. This would not have been a big deal, had this been a normal game of Labywood Squares, for ordinarily, Jareth had nothing to lose and Sarah had everything.

"Jareth, ol' buddy, ol' pal!" said a tall faerie, approaching Jareth at his podium. She smiled a mocking smile and placed her hands on her hips.

"Adianna," he said "a displeasure to see you, as always."

"Cut the crap, J," the faerie said, leaning over the desk so her dark hair trailed flirtatiously in front of Jareth's face. "It seems to me that you have, once again, used Labywood Squares to carry out your own personal vendettas. Now, just what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Listen, Adianna, if I could, I'd pay for the air time and then some. But you see..."

"I don't think you realize how valuable these people's time is. But I realize that with the Underground economy being what it is, cash is a little tight, eh Jareth?"

The king blushed. He had plenty of money, or would have, had he not just purchased a life-size marble sculpture of himself last week. "Erm...yes, but I assure you, I will compensate for your valuable time, as well as the use of the set...just as soon as," he coughed "the economy is back to normal."

"Actually," Adianna replied with a smirk that could top even Jareth's, "I was wondering if you'd like to make a little wager." Warning sirens began blaring in Jareth's head; he was the one who set the ultimatums, not accepted them.

"What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Oh, nothing much," she said, smoothing a wrinkle out of her all-too-proper looking black pants suit. "Let's say, if you win the game, not only will you receive Toby as a goblin addition to your kingdom, but also a faerie queen."

Once again, the warning bells obscured Jareth's better judgment. Several years ago, when the labyrinth was young, Jareth and Adianna had been an "item." Unfortunately, she called it off the day before he was about to propose, and Jareth had never truly gotten over her. But here she was, a successful business woman offering to take him back...if he could only win this game.

"But if you lose," she began, although Jareth barely heard her from the cloud of his own thoughts, "You must help me with my new project, one that will benefit the station greatly."

"Deal!" he blurted out before he could stop himself. Adianna extended a graceful hand to shake his leather gloved one, a self-satisfied smile creeping across her face.

"Congratulations, J. I'm sure you won't regret it."

***

"Did you make the deal?" Sarah asked in a low voice, as Adianna approached and lingered around the water cooler.

"Of course," she said, giving Sarah a mini high-five behind her back. "If all goes well, Jareth's telecast should be airing tomorrow at 8/7 Central."

***

"And we're back, with the second half of Round Two," Igglewert practically yelled over the crowds of screaming fans. "Jareth, I believe it's your board, so why don't you choose a square?"

"Oh. Yeah," Jareth murmured, deep in thought. The bright lights reflected off the goblin king's skin with a paling phosphorescence. "I'll take Karen to block." Sarah's stepmother, who still didn't quite know why she was here, wrinkled her nose at the mere prospect of participating in a game show.

"Karen, here's yer question: What time's it when Sarah leaves the park?"

"I remember, it was 7:00 PM exactly, because Sarah was supposed to be home at 6:00. I hope you've learned your lesson, young lady."

"Oh, bugger off," Sarah muttered under her breath.

"7:00 PM, do you agree or disagree?"

This woman has way too much time on her hands if she remembers exactly how late her daughter was. It must be true. "I'll agree."

"That'd be correct, Yer Highness," Igglewert said a little dismally. "Sarah, it's your turn."

The girl sighed. "I'll take the Wise Man to block."

"Good choice, milady. Now, Mr. Wise Man, your question is...Mr. Wise Man?" He was snoring rather audibly now, which was awfully hard to ignore, especially when one trying to ask him a question.

"Well, well then, another question for me, eh?" It was the bird. Half the audience groaned.

"Yes, I s'ppose so. What color was the feather in Sir Didymus's hat?" All eyes glanced towards the noble knight, only to find that he wasn't wearing a hat at the moment.

"It was red, I believe," the bird drawled. Sarah had to stop and think a moment. What was he wearing that day in the labyrinth? I think his plume was red...but I'm not sure.

"I'll agree?" she ventured.

"I's sorry, milday, but yellow was the correct answer," Igglewert said, a melancholy note weighing down his voice.

"Sucker!" the hat screeched.

Igglewert waited a moment for the startled whispers of the crowd to subside. "And that makes a win for Jareth. Stay tuned, folks, cuz we's going to be back after a commercial break for the final round, as well as the secret square!"

Damn! Sarah cursed to herself. I guess you never can trust a chicken hat.

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An interesting twist added to this chapter...the score is tied, so who will win? What is Adianna's "special project?" And why are Sarah and Adianna scheming? More questions answered with the next chapter of Labywood Squares!

~CrystalDreamer620~