Thanks to everyone who's leaving me reviews, I really appreciate the responses…any ideas on how I can improve?

Once again, I don't own nothin in this story, except my own warped imaginations. The Labyrinth and none of its characters belong to me.

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Elyssa squeezed her eyes tightly shut and covered her face with her shaking hands. This can't be happening, this just can't be happening, her mind frantically screamed over and over like a mantra. "This isn't possible…," she whispered, her voice barely rising above a whisper.

"Elyssa, can you hear me?" Michael's voice was close. Uncovering her face, Elyssa turned towards the sound.

"Of course she can hear you, my dear fellow. I dimmed the lights not her ears."

All three heads turned in unison to the center of the room, following the sound of that strange, silky voice. Slowly, the light returned, but it didn't come from the ceiling. Instead, it seemed to emanate from the speaker himself. He was dressed entirely in black, a long cape shrouded him. His platinum hair spiked in a crazy disarray around his face, falling haphazardly on his shoulders and down his back. Jareth personified night, darkness. His very presence radiated raw power, robbing even Michael of speech momentarily.

Jareth extended his gloved hand to Elyssa. "Are you ready, sweetling?"

Michael shook his head, pulling himself together. Taking long strides, he swiftly moved to stand beside Elyssa. "Look buddy, I don't know what the hell is going on here, but…"

A small gesture from Jareth's extended hand unleashed a blast of force which sent Michael reeling backwards. He fell to the ground unconscious. "I find your show of loyalty terribly fascinating, however I grow weary with waiting." Jareth turned to face Elyssa once again, his hand still extended. "Shall we?"

"Shall we what," she spat agnrily, her fear melting away under the heat of anger. Seeing Michael on the ground shook Elyssa to the core of her being. "I'm not going anywhere with you. You better hope there's nothing wrong with Michael, or I swear I'll press charges. I won't let you intimidate me." Her empty threat died on her lips as a feral grin spread across Jareth's face. Elyssa turned away, moving towards Michael who moaned softly as if in pain. "Michael, are you okay...? Michael?"

"Elyssa, I've come only to claim what is rightfully mine." Jareth spoke as if explaining something simple to a small child. His eyes shone brightly in the semi-darkness, his grin widened.

Ignoring him, Elyssa kneeled beside Michael. "Let's get this strait, buddy - I belong to no one, least of all you," she grated between her clenched jaw. "Marcus," she shouted, "grab my cell and call the cops." Silence was her only answer. "Marcus…?"

She whirled around to face Jareth. "What the hell have you done with Marcus?"

Jareth laughed heartily, shaking his head from side to side. "You still haven't realized, yet have you?" Jareth placed both hands on his hips and slowly began to walk towards her. "He's already waiting for us."

Elyssa shook her head, confusion making her mind whirl. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Where have you taken him?"

"To my castle of course."

Elyssa's jaw dropped, in shock. Laughing nervously, she shook her head in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Elyssa, what's said is said. Your friend wished both himself and you to me...and I always like to take immediate possession of my new subjects." Standing only a few feet away from her now, Jareth allowed his eyes to roam up and down her body, enjoying the uncomfortable blush which spread across Elyssa's cheeks and down her neck. Clad only in short athletic shorts and a cotton shirt tied under her breasts, much of Elyssa's abdomen lay exposed to Jareth's roving gaze.

Elyssa crossed her arms around her middle hugging herself. Her slender arms didn't do very much to cover. "Wait a minute…you can't do this. Marcus didn't mean anything by that."

"Elyssa," her body stiffened when Jareth suddenly appeared behind her, his mouth inches from her ear. "Your friend's words, careless as the be, have sealed your fate, binding your irrevocably to me."

She moved forward, distancing herself from him. Her neck tingled where his hot breath grazed. "In the ballet – in the story, the girl gets the chance to solve the labyrinth."

Jareth chuckled as he moved steadily towards her. Elyssa stepped backwards trying to get away. "Ah, but you where the one wished away…you can't undo someone else's mistake."

Elyssa's back hit the wall. She pressed herself against it, as Jareth pinned her, his arms on either side, caging her in. "Elyssa…" he leaned his head against her neck, lips barely grazing the pale skin of her neck. Her heart pounded in her chest, as she struggled to control her ragged breathing. "…don't defy me."

"Get away from her, you bastard." Michael struggled to stand.

"Why can't some people learn when to stay down?" Jareth sighed as he released Elyssa and turned to face Michael, extending his hand. On the tips of his fingers, a small crystal appeared from nothing. "My dear, I think it's time we say goodbye, wouldn't you agree?"

"Wait a minute. You said that I couldn't challenge you in the labyrinth," Elyssa's mind raced. "But you never said anything about Michael."

Jareth turned back, his eyes suddenly cold, devoid of any feeling. "You're right. I didn't…"

Bracing himself against the wall, Michael stood and glared defiantly. "I'll do your stupid labyrinth…then I'll do what I've wanted to do since the moment I laid eyes on you."

"Oh really? And what could that possibly be," Jareth replied caustically.

"I'm going to kick your scrawny little ass."

Jareth rolled his head back, roaring laughter. "You can try…but let me assure you. You'll never leave the Underground alive. Go back home and forget any of this ever happened. I assure you no one will ever know, and after time even the memories will fade."

"You just show me where this place is, and I'll take care of myself."

Jareth shook his head, "It's there," he pointed somewhere behind Michael who turned to see. Instead of a mirror lined wall, Michael saw far off in the distance a dark castle surrounded by an endless maze. He was shocked when he realized that they were no longer standing inside the theater, but upon a hill overlooking an alien landscape. "My castle lies beyond the goblin city. You have thirteen hours to complete the labyrinth or Elyssa is mine forever."

"Where is she now?" Michael noticed that Elyssa was suddenly no where in sight. His stomach clenched at the thought of this asshole hurting her.

"Don't worry, Michael, she's quite safe. I promise to take good care of her."

Disgusted, Michael spat on the ground. "If you touch her, I swear…"

"You do realize that I'm really not going to let you out of my Labyrinth alive, don't you?" Jareth gazed at Michael's determined face.

"You won't be the first man to try and kill me," he clenched his jaw down, completely fearless.

"Such bravery. One must wonder if she is worth all this trouble - such a pretty little thing." Jareth stared at Michael inquisitively. Everything was falling together perfectly, leaving Jareth in an extremely jovial mood. "Well?"

Michael only glared.

"Is she worth it? Really worth it?"

Michael slowly turned his face towards Jareth, "More than you'll ever know." Without another word Michael jogged towards the labyrinth entrance.