Being sick sucks. . .X_X Well I guess it gives me lotsa time to do some work on my fan fiction. *achoo* Bleh.

R&R!!

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"Hurry up!" Hoggle commanded as he led the mismatched group through a maze of corridors. Every second made him more nervous.

"Are you sure you know where you're going, dude?" Bryan huffed. "I feel like I've been down this hallway a thousand times already."

"Hoggle knows his way better than anyone!" Sarah interrupted. "Believe me, I know. But Hoggle, why do we have to RUN everywhere?! I think my legs are gonna fall off."

"Wadda YOU think Jareth would do if he came face ta face with him?" The little goblin gestured to Bryan.

"Yeah, you're probably right."

Their hurried footsteps echoed through the cavernous castle, and they flinched at every single one. Every step they took could be leading them closer to the Goblin King; whom they all had reasons not to run into. The little gang skidded around a corner.

"Dead end!" Didymus announced. He had been in the lead, for foxes are faster than most humans.

Bryan rounded on Hoggle. "I thought you said you knew where you're going!" He screeched.

Hoggle darted behind Sarah. "I-I-I do, y-your majesty-! It's just that-"

"Hold it hold it hold it! Your majesty?!" Bryan shot him a sidelong glare. "What do you mean by that?!"

"Oh, um, sorry. It's just that ya look so much like Jareth-"

"ARGH!" Bryan turned away from him. "Let's just go this way!"

But no sooner than he had taken 4 steps did the Goblin King stroll nonchalantly out of the darkness.

"Well well well, if it isn't the little goblin protégé." He smirked.

Bryan stared, unmoving. Then his blue eyes narrowed. "Who's the goblin, you freak?"

Jareth laughed, but never took his eyes off the new goblin. "Who do you think? Surely you've noticed by now. Or have I mistaken your level of intelligence once again?"

"He's noticed, all right." Sarah stepped forward, trying not to let her fear betray her. "Heck, it's kind of hard not to whenever you can make torches light on their own and crystal balls fall out of thin air."

"Did I ask for your opinion, Sarah?" Jareth eyed her with disdain. "Or did you suddenly change your name to Bryan?"

Sarah didn't like being berated, but couldn't think of an appropriate comeback that didn't include some very nasty words. So she just looked over at Bryan to see his reaction.

She instantly didn't like what she saw.

Bryan's fists were clenched, and his teeth ground together as he glared at the Goblin King. Just as she had in Lindsay's room what seemed like a century ago, she sensed the magic level rising once again. Speaking of which, how long HAVE we been here in the Labyrinth. . .?

Jareth grinned. "I'm glad to see you're up to my challenge."

"What challenge? You didn't say anything about a challenge, you long-haired moron."

Sarah smacked her forehead. "Bryan, you really shouldn't talk to him like that-"

"Shut up, Sarah."

She fell silent. Seems like more and more people are out to get me these days. . .

Blue eyes met blue eyes as the two goblins stared each other in the face. Jareth spoke quietly, trying to conceal his rage.

"The challenge will be a battle to the death, using only magic. If you are as good at your magic as Sarah says you are, then this should be no problem for you."

"Yeah, whatever." Bryan shoved past the Goblin King. "Gimme an hour. THEN I'll accept."

Sarah ran forward and grabbed his arm. "Bryan, you don't know what you're getting yourself into!" She hissed.

"Get off of me!" He pushed her away. "You're the cause of this, anyway!"

"ME?!"

"Who else?!"

"Sarah," Jareth interrupted. He motioned for her to come to him. "If I could have a moment. . ."

God, why not? Things can't get any worse. . . Sarah nodded and padded over to the Goblin King. She could feel Bryan's eyes boring holes into her back. Serves him right.

Jareth placed a hand on her forearm and pulled her into the shadows. She didn't fight him; she wanted to get away from her boyfriend for the time being. Once they were entirely concealed by the darkness, Jareth pinned her against the wall with his body. His hand reached up and caressed her cheek, sending a tingling sensation through her.

"Fear not, my little Sarah," he murmured. "I have no intention of losing OR of killing the brat. However, I cannot have you here, as this battle might get quite heated. So I am going to send you and your friends, including Hoggle and Didymus, back to your realm. You must wait for me to send for you."

Sarah shivered, trying to rid herself of the tingle that was spreading right down to her toes. It was not unwelcome, but alien all the same. She could feel her heartbeat rise against his. "B-but why? Why can't I stay here? And won't the humans notice a fox and a goblin?"

"If I could change myself, don't you think it would be easy enough for me to change those two nimrods?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Shhh. . .Don't question me. Everything will be fine."

"But how can I trust you?"

He considered a moment, then leaned forward. "I will just have to leave you with a seal. Something that shows I will not betray your trust." Then his lips found hers as he snuggled against her warmth.

A searing fire shot through Sarah, drowning out the faint tingle from before. Jareth!!

Then everything went black.

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WHEEEEEEEEEEEE fun stuff!! ^-^ Sorry this story is getting to be such a long one. I just hope it doesn't start to drag out. . ..;; If it does, please tell me!!!