A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long to write. I've had this scene in my mind for several weeks now, but just haven't been able to get it down on paper. Kind of a short chapter, but I'm setting up the plot for the ending... I hope you guys like this, but let me know what you think. Thanks for being so faithful in your reviews!
Disclaimer: Big shocker guys... The Labyrinth isn't mine. Please don't sue.
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The silence that filled the room was deafening. Elyssa's mind reeled in shock while a sick, panicky feeling tightened around her neck, threatening to close off her windpipe. From across the room, Jareth watched her every move like a hawk marking it's prey. A cold quiet voice in her head, jerked her back out of panic mode. Stall him, fight him – don't just stand here like a frightened rabbit, it's what he wants. The sneaky bastard caught you off guard hopping to tear down your defenses. Resist him… it's the only way you'll get out of this tonight.
Tonight, maybe, her mind reasoned, but what about tomorrow? Who gives a damn about tomorrow, the voice screamed. Worry about tonight first. Now move!
Catalyzed into action, Elyssa forced herself to relax and remain calm as she stepped further into the room. "Well, the bed looks comfy enough, but I can't stand the décor. I'm sure I'd be much happier in my current room. The fung shui was much more to my liking." She was amazed at how cool and collected her voice sounded in her own ears.
Wordlessly, Jareth began to unfasten the buttons of his shirt, watching her with amusement. Catching a glimpse of his muscular chest, Elyssa quickly averted her eyes by pretending to inspect a large bookcase close by. "See this?" she gestured towards a leather settee situated close to the bookcase. "It ruins the whole energy flow, you know. Nothing in this room is too my liking." She sniffed delicately and turned her nose up to accentuate her point. It was getting hard to keep her eyes away from him. Her traitorous gaze kept creeping over to where Jareth stood, the soft cotton shirt hanging open revealing inches of tantalizing skin. Sweat beads began to form on Elyssa's forehead from nervousness.
Jareth only stared, his dark gaze burning. He moved slowly towards her, moving carefully to avoid startling her. Elyssa resist the sudden urge to move away and bolt out the door. Her mouth was running dry, and her tongue seemed too large for her mouth. Boldly, she met his gaze, feigning a defiance that she didn't feel, silently praying that he couldn't see her tremble. She remembered how she felt when she saw Jareth in his power for the first time, when he came to take herself and Marcus to the Underground. She remembered how she had knelt in the throne room later on that night, and made her promise to save Michael's life. Elyssa realized that it was only a matter of time before this moment came, when Jareth finally decided to stake his claim. What she didn't expect was to have to resist her own body, let alone his. She was shocked to discover that she actually wanted him to touch her. In fact, he body began to tingle and burn in anticipation.
It seemed to take ages for Jareth to cross the room – everything was moving in slow motion. When he stood before her, he reached out and caressed Elyssa's pale cheek. His eyes bore into her own, demanding that she yield, searching her eyes for some sign of resistance. His touch was feather soft, and her mind irrationally wondered if he would wear those gloves even in bed. Jareth inclined his head ever so little, and Elyssa knew that he was about to kiss her. Her entire life she had resisted the advances of men, saving herself - for what, she wasn't sure. Somehow she instinctively knew, though, that if he kissed her now, she wouldn't be able to stop him, or herself tonight.
Gathering the last of her strength she pleaded softly, "Please don't do this Jareth." Her voice barely rose about a whisper. She squeezed her eyes shut, unable to meet his gaze. "I won't fight you, not tonight, and if you take me to your bed now, I won't try to stop you. But I'm begging you. Please – please not tonight."
He stood so close, that Elyssa could feel the warm heat from his body and smell the faint hint of the wine on his breath. She knew that Jareth could surely feel her trembling, but she no longer cared. Fascinated, Jareth caressed her cheek again, savoring the feel of her soft skin under his fingers. Even now, her eyes pleaded with his own, begging him for mercy. Only he knew the truth – the dream had revealed the passion that could burn behind those orbs. He had only to take her, possess her and she would yield. Desire filled him so strongly that it was like a physical ache. His whole body hungered for her touch, her taste. Gods, how he wanted to see her burn for him, like he burned for her. Bet her eyes – her damned pure, innocent eyes held him back once again. Damn it all, have I become such a weakling that a woman's sensibilities hold me back? Isn't this why I brought her here in the first bloody place. He leaned down to kiss her and almost did… almost.
Cursing himself for a fool he breathed into her ear. "I've given you everything that you've wanted, everything that you've asked for." Jareth gently laid a hand on her waist, drawing her closer against him. The feeling of her soft body pressing against his own was slowly driving him mad. Struggling to keep control of his mounting desire, he spoke, but his voice was strained with the effort, "I've been very patient with you."
Elyssa's temper flared, her voice quivering, "Patient? Yes, you've been so patient, that you waited an entire three days before promoting me to my new position as the Royal Bed-Warmer." The bitterness in her voice startled even herself. Jareth stared at her in bewilderment, his grip around her waist tightening.
"Elyssa, I don't understand you." His lips grazed her own before moving closer to her ear. "Your body betrays you, my love. You want this as badly as I do, I can feel it - so why do you insist on resisting me."
Elyssa bit her lips fiercely, trying to concentrate but Jareth was making things difficult. His muscular body was pressed against her own, and her arms were starting to feel quite awkward hanging from her sides. She longed to put her arms around his neck and just give in to whatever he wished, but the iron of her will kept her standing rigid. "Time," she whispered. "I just need some time…" She gasped softly when Jareth kissed the sensitive skin of her neck, leaving a trail of feathery light kisses towards her shoulder. Making love to him would be like an oblivion of pleasure, and she longed to sink into it's depth. His skilled lips teased her flesh, luring her into submission, but something held her back. Silently making her decision, she held her ground.
Just when he thought she was finally giving in, Jareth could feel Elyssa stiffen in his arms. He resisted the sudden urge to give her a good shaking. Bend her too far and she will break... damn it woman, sometimes you are more trouble than you could ever realize... To his disgust, Jareth realized that she had just turned herself off to him once again. If he took her now, it would just be her body... "How much time, Elyssa?" his spoke, his voice thick and unsteady.
Elyssa lifted her head in shocked disbelief, expecting his sudden change of heart to be some kind of trick. "I don't know, a few weeks, a month or two maybe. Just some time to get to know one another..." she faltered.
Jareth caressed her cheek once again, a strange smile playing at his lips. "Seven days. I give you until the night of the ball."
She swallowed, a lump forming in her throat. "That's not a whole lot of time, but I suppose it sounds pretty reasonable." Her breathing was still coming in short gasps, Jareth's close proximity making it hard to concentrate.
"And you will come to me willing, then?" His intense gaze was becoming hard to bear. Considering the implications of her words, Elyssa nodded her head in agreement. "In seven days then, I will come to you...willingly." She lowered her eyes, embarrassment suddenly making it impossible to meet his own. Jareth gripped her chin, lifting her face to meet his own. "Elyssa D'Artagnan, you are indeed proving to be more than I bargained for. Never before have I yielded my will to anyone be it man or beast. I yield to you now, my lady, against my better judgment." He released his grip on her waist, and kissed her forehead before moving past her and opening his chamber door. Outside, a goblin groom stood at attention. "Show the lady back to her quarters, Hicks." The groom snapped to attention, barely missing poking out his eye as he saluted.
Elyssa moved quickly past Jareth towards the hallway, escaping while she still could, terrified that her would change his mind. She gasped when Jareth grabbed her wrist as she passed. "One more thing, my dear, and then I'll release you." He slipped a cold crystal sphere into her trembling palm. "I forgot to give you this."
"What is it," she pondered. Her heart was beating rapidly again at his unexpected touch.
"It's a crystal," he stated the obvious. "But if you think of a song, it will play it - remember it from this morning? I believe it will make your morning exercises go a bit more smoothly."
She nodded, unable to speak. Jareth leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss on her wrist before releasing her. "Sleep well, my dear."
Numbly, she followed the goblin down the hallway, back to her room. Kicking of her shoes, Elyssa didn't bother taking of her gown before crawling into bed and falling immediately into an exhausted sleep.