Okay, I know my chapters can be a bit well...umm...long. Please let me know how I'm doing...if you like it, if you hate it...
Once again, this isn't any of my own material, The Labyrinth is property of Jim Hensen Productions and so on and so forth...
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Michael glanced at Elyssa in his rear view mirror for what was probably the hundreth time. She sat in the back seat of the speeding Bentley, simply gazing out the window at apparently nothing. Michael ground his teeth in worry. He knew he didn't like that spiky haired bastard from the moment he laid eyes upon him. Luckily for him, Michael's concern for Elyssa proceeded his desire to chase him down and kick his scrawny ass.
All through the evening, Michael had closely monitored the couple, following them with his hawk like eyes. When Marishka announced the last waltz of the evening, Michael sighed with relief. Closing his eyes, he gently rubbed at them, trying to alleviate the dull throbbing pounding in his head. When he looked back up, he was shocked to discover that he could no longer see Elyssa. Ignoring Marishka's order, he rushed forward, pushing people out of his way, frantic in his search. Couples swirled around him, blocking his view. Finally, out of the corner of his eye came a flash of green. He jerked his head around to see Elyssa being led up the stairway, her head down. Like a bulldozer, Michael pushed people out of his way, desperately fighting his way through the crowds. Cold rushed over his body, replacing his initial panic with a calculating awareness. Although Elyssa had left with men countless times in many situations, every instinct in Michael's body screamed that something was wrong, something was not right. Gritting his teeth, Michael pounded up the stairway after her.
The man was steering Elyssa towards the door, his slender arm draped around her slender shoulders. Before they could reach the door, Michael yelled, "Elyssa!" Slowly, as if she was in a trance, Elyssa turned at the sound of his call. Her eyes where half closed, it seemed her eyelids where to heavy, her eyes desperate to close. She lifted a hand to her face and slowly rubbed a pale cheek. "Michael...," she murmured softly. Her gaze sought him out, her eyes clouded with confusion. "Michael, did you call me?"
Michael hurried towards her, taking one of her hands into his. "Elyssa, what's the matter? Why where you leaving without..." Michael never got to finish his question. Elyssa fainted; Michael had to quickly dive to keep her from falling. Scooping her limp form easily into his arms, he jerked his head up trying to see where that bastard had run to. Michael cursed silently under his breath. There was no one else there...
Muttering a few choice words, Michael checked Elyssa once again in the mirror. "Michael, I'm alright so you can stop staring at me any time now."
Her voice was sounding normal at least, her thought, even if she is a bit irritable. His mouth formed a grim smile. It didn't take too long for her temper to return. "Are you sure you don't want..."
"It was a long night. All I want to do is go home, and get some sleep. I've got to meet Marcus early..." her voice trailed off. Elyssa longed to rub her eyes but didn't, afraid that Michael would worry if he knew her head ached. Right, she chuckled grimly, after tonight's escapade, Michael's going to be hovering over me badly enough as it is.
With a sigh, she settled back against the soft interior of the car. Closing her eyes, she tried to clear her mind but all she could hear was Jareth's dark voice whispering in her ears. All she could see where his strange eyes staring into her's. Unconsciously, Elyssa began to rub her temples as if her hand sought to rub away the disturbing memories.
Madame Marishka watched as Michael chased after Elyssa and Jareth. Concerned, she hurried after him, hoping to allay any potential bloodshed. She was shocked to see Elyssa faint into Michael's arms, and quickly rushed over - taking charge in her brusque manner. Elyssa awoke moments later, disoriented and confused, but perfectly alright.
Color rose in Elyssa's cheeks as she recalled waking to find both Marishka and Michael hanging over her...with Jareth no where to be found. Elyssa was shocked to find that she could remember almost nothing of him especially why and how he managed to talk her into leaving with him. Everything was just so surreal - the entire evening was a blur. Vaguely, she remembered his warm breath against her neck, the feeling of his strong hands around her waist - but nothing else.
The sudden motion of the car turning jarred Elyssa back into the present. Finally, they were home.
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Since Elyssa's private dressing can be classified as the messiest dressing room in New York, most people would be shocked upon entering her immaculately clean townhouse. The counters shimmered, the floor sparked - it was perfection. It would be safe to say that Elyssa employed a rather dedicated cleaning service.
Although most upscale homes along Madison Avenue were enormous, Elyssa's modest two bedroom townhouse fit her perfectly. When her father was still alive, they lived here together harmoniously, enjoying each other's company. Since his untimely death two years ago Michael, although reluctant at first, took up residence using the then empty room. As time progressed, Michael undertook more and more responsibilities playing at chauffer, butler, and sometimes cook as well as underseeing every aspect of Elyssa's security. But he never minded - Michael never minded doing anything when it came to her. Elyssa knew it, Michael knew it. Elyssa never abused his willingness, although his devotion sometimes scared her. Michael, however, cursed himself constantly. He found out a long time ago that his feelings had somehow evolved from a detached employee-employer relationship, to friendship, to affection, to something else - something forever unattainable and unrequited. It was true, Elyssa loved him in an offhand, paternal sort of way. It was impossible to be so intimate with another human, be it female or male, and not have some form of love develop. Hopelessly, Michael's feelings transcended Elyssa's, turning into a growing sense dread. He knew what he felt was wrong. He knew that he couldn't protect her as well if he allowed himself to become emotionally involved. But, he also knew that no matter what, he could never leave her under his own power. It was enough to serve her devotedly, to support her whole heartedly - it had to be. Somehow, Michael found contentment.
It was never difficult for him watching Elyssa run the gamut with men. Her dating life was chaotic, even the gossip columns had trouble keeping up with her sometimes. Always searching, she never seemed satisfied with any man for long. Most people figured she was simply in love with herself and could never find a man to meet her high standards. Michael knew the truth, or at least he thought he did.
"But then again, sometimes Michael thinks he knows everything about me," Elyssa muttered to herself. She glared once again at the small digital clock on her nightstand which read 3:15 A.M. "Oh I give up," she groaned. Pushing back the heavy comforter, she heaved herself out of bed, padding softly towards the balcony. Moonlight filtered through the lace drapes lightly illuminating her pale skin. Waves of depression washed over her, threatening to pull her under. Loneliness filled Elyssa's aching heart as it often did this time of night. Sleeplessness and nightmares had plagued her for years making her nights misery. Staring into the night sky, Elyssa breathed deeply, praying softly to whoever could hear her for peace. After several moments, she padded back to bed closed her eyes and succumbed to restless sleep.
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Unbeknownst to Elyssa, she was not the only person plagued by sleeplessness that evening. Outside her window a snowy white owl perched in silence. You could have been mine tonight, my dear. And I assure you, your dreams would have been much much sweeter. If it wasn't for that damn guard of yours.... But don't worry. I'm an extremely patient man, and I've had an eternity of practice in these matters. Soon enough you'll be mine forever and there's nothing anyone can do to prevent it...
Jareth fumed is silence. The Goblin King was not used to having his plans thwarted by anyone, even if they were made on the fly. Jareth never intended on attempting to take Elyssa with him tonight. He simply needed to see her face to face, to feel her in his arms before bringing her back to his kingdom. But, once he stood before her and held her close to his heart, Jareth found that he didn't want to let her go, even temporarily. Carefully, her began enchanting Elyssa as they danced together, afraid that he would alert her if he did it all at once. When the ball was almost finished, Jareth drew the lovely girl to him and placed a kiss on her sweet lips, sealing the spell. Defenseless, Jareth led her to the empty hall, intending to open the portal. The damned lovesick bodyguard managed to stop him just in time. He could have continued on his merry way...but something held Jareth back. If he would taken Elyssa right then and there, by the rules of the Labyrinth, Jareth would have been bound to return her if she so wished it. But...if he could only wait as he originally planned...
Thinking back on her futile attempts to defy him, a vicious smile crossed his lips. I'm going to enjoy teaching this one what it means to obey - and what it means to feel pleasure. Jareth continued to gaze into the moonlight bedroom. Elyssa had finally fallen into a somewhat peaceful sleep. Her dark red hair spread across the silken sheets. Jareth longed to go down and feel the texture of her hair. He imagined it's softness, matched only by her skin. Tomorrow, he decided, tomorrow you are mine...