Sorry it's been so long since I last updated.

Frankly Hoggle can be a friggin Wuzzle for all I care. Problems? Get Prozac. It does wonders.

Thanks for all of you guys who have read and responded. Let me know if this chappie is any good.

Jessie

************************

Elyssa seethed, her heart pounding hard in her chest as she watched Marcus' retreating back. Her body still trembled in anger, but already the bitter taste of regret filled her mouth. Words said in anger can never be taken back, no matter how true they are – or hurtful. The door to the cavernous dining room clanged shut in Marucs' wake, the echo resounding with a hollow boom.

For a moment, the loneliness and homesickness that had been building up all day overwhelmed Elyssa, almost doubling her over with the pain.

For a moment, she almost called out to Marcus – begging for his forgiveness.

For a moment…

****************************

The "tour" with Hoggle only served to make Elyssa's foul mood go from bad to worse. As the party proceeded through the Labyrinth, Hoggle prattled on and on about points of interest while Marcus squealed in delight, noisily proclaiming irritating snippets like, "You can't find something like that in Central Park." And of course, the more they walked, the angrier Elyssa became, and the louder Marcus got.

Somehow, it really irked her to see him having such a grand time. All she could think about as they moved through the towering walls and lush gardens was about her bodyguard Michael. About how he had risked his life yesterday, willing to give everything to save her. She wondered where he was right now – she had intended on asking Jareth when she saw him today, but His Majesty didn't deign to make an appearance yet today.

Originally when they had begun their "tour", Elyssa had figured it would only take a few hours. Before she knew it, the shadows began to lengthen and darkness began to slowly settle in. Caught up in her dark thoughts, she didn't even notice the passing of the day. By the time Hoggle led the two back through the chaos and disorder of Goblin city, dusk had settled in. He led the pair towards the sweeping steps leading up to the castle then bowed uncomfortable before scuttling off into the growing darkness. Marcus turned towards Elyssa, a large grin plastered across his face, "Well that was fun, now wasn't it?" With a snarl, Elyssa turned, running up the steps and almost bowling over the small form of Bashion, the Mistress of Chambermaids.

Elyssa groaned inwardly when the tiny goblin informed them that His Majesty requested their appearance at dinner. Now what, she seethed. I've had just about enough "fun" today, that I can stand!

Bashion led them to their rooms to change and "freshen up a bit" after their long walk outside. Elyssa welcomed the chance to be alone for awhile, even if it was only long enough to wash her face, and comb out her long curls. When she opened up the large armoire to change clothes, she was shocked to see it filled with completely different clothing. This morning, it was occupied with a large selection of pants, shirts, skirts, and a few light dresses. Now it was filled entirely with formal dresses and jackets of every size and style imaginable. Remembering Marcus, she grinned for the first time that day and muttered under her breath, "A wardrobe that constantly changes itself… Well you can't find something like this in Saks."

Eagerly, she dug through the armoire, finally settling on a simple black dress. Although it was cut and fashioned like nothing from her own world, Elyssa managed to find something remarkably similar to what she might have normally worn. The dress was scooped low at the neck and synched tight at the bodice, flowing down into a full skirt that reached her ankles. Unlike most of the other garments she picked through, the dress had simple short sleeves. After sweeping her hair up into a quick chignon, Elyssa took the time to admire her reflection before a servant goblin came to fetch her.

She followed behind the scampering goblin as he lead her though the now silent hallways towards the dining room. Elyssa was somewhat surprised to find herself break out into a cold sweat as realization finally began to sink in. His Majesty requests your appearance at dinner tonight… A royal invitation…she should be thrilled, right? Elyssa merely groaned. Yea gods, I'm going to have to face Him tonight. So caught up in her anger and frustration at the thought of being held prisoner, she had forgotten all about the problem of facing her captor. Not tonight…I just can't face him tonight. Not when I'm already so weak. Elyssa had fought off many an overzealous lover. In her world, men had fought for her affections and attentions, but she knew how to dodge her suitors when they became too insistent. And of course there was always Michael to protect her…

Magazines and tabloids had once labeled her the Gossip Queen, scandal and innuendo surrounded her name because it seemed she always was with another man. What they didn't realize was that the men were the ones constantly breaking off relationships, frustrated in Elyssa's refusal to give them what they desired. In her world, there were some things that a ballerina couldn't risk… An unwanted pregnancy could wreck the career of a young prima faster than a box of Godiva.

Elyssa sighed in frustration. Just how am I supposed to fight a man who manages to turn my mind to mush just by saying my name? Have I become such a coward that I no longer even want to fight?

She was startled to see that the goblin had stopped and was opening two very large wooden doors. "This way, please m'lady." She smiled weakly, then stepped into the breathtaking beauty of the grand dining room. The opulent room was dominated by a table large enough to comfortably seat as many as fifty people. Along the gilded walls, sconces were spaced filling the room with the soft warm glow of candlelight. Ornate pictures and tapestries depicting scenes of strange creatures, faraway lands, and fierce battles were spaced throughout the room. Overhead the ceiling, which was made completely of glass, soared revealing the night sky. Elyssa jumped when a branch crackled in the huge fireplace set against one of the walls.

Suddenly, Elyssa's mouth went completely dry as an unexplained terror spread through her chest. She felt short of breath, as if iron bands where tightening around her chest. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried unsuccessfully to calm down. Something about the sheer opulence of the room was overwhelming. Crossing her arms, she forced herself to regain her calm.

"Took you long enough to get dressed! I thought I'd have to send a search party to come and get you," the familiar voice of Marcus broke the spell. He stepped cheerily out of the shadowy corner where he had been standing, watching her entrance. "We seem to be alone, and there's food on the table, so let's eat!"

Elyssa gritted her teeth, as irritation threatened to overwhelm her. She moved towards the table, her eyes scanning the room for more "secret observers." Marcus was definitely right about the food… Piled high were roasts, chickens, fish, soups and sides of everything imaginable. The smells were amazing, but suddenly Elyssa felt queasy. The thought of trying to actually eat when she felt this highstrung was just out of the question.

She turned away, from the table and moved towards the fireplace. "I'm not hungry. I think I'll just wait."

Marcus snorted obnoxiously, "Suit yourself honey, but I'm going to enjoy it." He grabbed a plate and began to pile food onto it.

Elyssa rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, " Yeah, just like you've been enjoying everything else that's happened to us."

"Excuse me, dearheart? I can't hear you standing over there." His voice was syrupy sweet, grating at Elyssa's nerves. Somehow, she managed to bite back the bitter retort which came quickly to her lips.

Marcus suddenly slammed his plate on the table, and through his hand on his hips. "Okay, Missy. We need to talk."

Elyssa kept her back to him, staring deep into the flames. "About…?" she spoke softly.

"I am getting sick and tired of this attitude you've been throwing around lately. Just because the situation isn't to your liking doesn't mean you have to right to be Miss Bitch of the Month." Marcus banged his hand on the table, accenting his point. "I can't take being forced to coexist here with you if you're going to be moody all the damn time." He sniffed once dramatically and wiped at his eye.

Elyssa just stood there, feeling her cheeks burn with anger as she thought of Michael. Michael protecting her, Michael reminding her to eat, Michael's concerned face whenever she couldn't sleep…Michael's look of defeat when the walls of the Labyrinth threatened to crush him. Elyssa fought back the angry tears, and kept her silence.

Marcus banged his fist on the table once more before noisily pulling out a chair and sitting down. "Well, if that's how you're going to be Miss Bitch, then that's how you're going to be. But Jareth has gone out of his way to make us feel comfortable, so I'd…"

Elyssa whirled around at the sound of Jareth's name. Her soft voice cut through the still air like a knife. "Comfortable? Gone out of his way? I'm so comforted that His Majesty has gone out of his way to ensure that our prison cells are filled with the nicest of amenities." In her anger, Elyssa's voice began to crescendo. "I'm glad that you're having so much fun here Marcus. It's almost as good as going to Disneyland, isn't it?" Marcus tried to speak, but Elyssa cut him off. "What you can't seem to get through your thick skull is that this isn't a god damn theme park. This isn't a fucking vacation. You've condemned us to die here, you stupid fairy, so excuse me if I'm having trouble keeping up appearances."

Marcus' jaw dropped in shock. Then he simply stood, and ran towards the door. Elyssa fought back the urge to call out for him. The cruel words tasted bitter in her mouth, and she instantly regretted losing her temper. For a moment the loneliness was overwhelming, threatening to crush her like a bug against the floor. Falling to her knees, she resisted the urge to weep openly. What have I done… she wondered. Standing, she moved towards the door preparing to find Marcus and apologize.

"Leaving so soon my dear? And here things were just getting interesting." Jareth's silky voice whispered softly in her ear sending shivers of pleasure down her spine. He emerged from the shadows dressed all in black. The sound of his boots resounded through the room as he moved to stand near her.

The pure shock of seeing Jareth so near was mind blowing, leaving Elyssa breathless. "I'm sorry, but I have to go find Marcus he…" She forced herself to turn away and move towards the door.

"There's no need, my dear. I've removed him from your presence. He's home now, sleeping happily I presume."

Elyssa stopped dead in her tracks. "What do you mean? Why did you do that?" She turned to face Jareth, her eyes filling with tears.

Jareth moved towards the table with cat like grace. He proceeded to pick through a bowl of fruit, scrutinizing each piece before rejecting it and tossing it over his shoulder. "He was upsetting you. I merely removed the source of your discomfort."

She watched him go through almost the entire bowl before finally settling on a perfect peach. She shook her head, incredulous. "Marcus wasn't upsetting me…" Jareth's eyes seemed to laugh at her, his look showing a scathing sarcasm. "Okay, so we fought a bit, but he honestly wasn't upsetting me…"

Jareth tossed the peach in his gloved hand, twirling it effortlessly in his fingers as if it were a crystal. "He was a distraction. One that I didn't want interfering." He moved towards her, and Elyssa instinctually backed away.

"Elyssa," he chided. "Don't move away from me. I'm not going to hurt you." Elyssa blushed, not realizing that she what she was doing. He eyes seemed to mock her look of extreme discomfort and embarrassment.

"I'm not afraid of you," she whispered huskily.

"Good," Jareth whispered in return. "I don't want you to be…" He stood directly in front of her, gazing down into her mossy green eyes. He lifted up the peach that he still held. "You haven't eaten since this morning, I know. I want you to take this with you then sleep tonight. Tomorrow will be a busy day." He gazed at her pale neck, the silky smooth skin seemed to beckon his kisses. Jareth fought back the urge to take her in his arms and taste her. Suddenly distracted by the scent of the fruit mingled with the scent of her body, he began to wonder which would be sweeter… the peach or her skin.

"Thank you, but I'm not hungry." Unable to meet his gaze any longer, Elyssa fixed her eyes on a mural on the wall. Although she couldn't see his eyes, she could feel the intensity of his stare on her skin. Her whole body seemed to tingle with an unexpected heat.

Jareth lifted her chin towards his own. "Elyssa, don't defy me."

For a moment, Elyssa's eyes flashed with anger. No man can tell me what to do, even if he does own his own realm of existence…. "And if I do? Defy you, I mean?" She met his gaze coolly, for once completely under her own control.

Jareth cackled loudly, moving a few steps away from her. He shook his golden mane of hair back mirthfully, taunting her with his extreme amusement. "Well then, you negate your promise…" He white teeth gleamed in feral delight.

No… Oh god, I couldn't have been that stupid…. Angrily she grabbed the peach from his hand and took a fierce bite. "Do I have to eat the whole thing, or can I leave out the pit?"

"Now now my dear…sarcasm isn't becoming of you." He moved towards the fire, languidly stretching his back. "You don't have to eat this pit this time, unless you decide you want you."

"So generous…" she muttered as she moved towards the door.