Thankyou to my two loyal reviewers
Chapter 4: It isn't real

Mel watched as Lauren got slowly to her feet and walked off through the maze. Frowning she grabbed Mimi and hauled her after the retreating form. Mimi was sobbing apologises between bursts of tears. Eventually Mel just told her twin to shut up and that they'd discuss it later. To her surprise Lauren seemed to be leading them straight towards the castle.

When Lauren reached the gate the guards saluted to her.

"Is Jareth home?" Mel heard her ask.

"Yes your highness," one replied, "He's in the main dining room. Waiting for you."

"Thankyou,"

Mel's eyes were nearly popping out of her head.

"Hey!" One of the guards called and Mel felt strong arms grab her. The other guard had her sister.

"What shall we do with these your highness? They were following you."

Lauren half turned and ran her eyes over the two captured girls. Mel gasped. Lauren's eyes held no familiarity.

"Dispose of them," she answered with a wave of her hand.

"No, Lauren its us!" Mel cried out in desperation. She caught a flicker of recognition in her friend's eyes before it died.

"I do not know you. However…throw them in the dungeon. I will decide their fate later." Mel and Mimi were dragged off.

When Lauren had eaten the peach her memories had been wiped out, or not so much wiped out as pushed to the back of her mind. They had been replaced with new memories. Fake memories. The most recent of which was a wedding.

She walked into the main dining room, 'I hope he's not mad at how late I am,' she thought, because it would be terrible for him to be upset with her. That would tear her up inside, even though she knew that he'd forgive her immediately.

There he was, sat in the head chair and he looked happy to see her.

"Lauren," Jareth smiled, "I've been waiting."

"Sorry I'm late, I didn't mean to stay out so long."

They sat down at the table and Lauren began to eat. Jareth just sat in his chair gazing at her. It had worked better than he could have hoped. She really believed that they were married. He sighed and glanced over at the clock. Two hours left.

They spent the meal in conversation. Although Jareth had to be careful what he said in case it jogged her memory. It occurred to him that this was completely false. This wasn't really Lauren but he pushed it away.

Lauren felt that she was learning loads of things about Jareth. As if she hadn't known him before, what he was really like. But that, she decided, was impossible. Why would she marry someone she barely knew?

When Lauren finished eating Jareth snapped his fingers and music came on. He got up from his chair and held out his hand. Lauren took it giggling slightly.

"Jareth you don't have to do this all for me," she smiled.

"But I do," he whispered back pulling her towards him.

They swirled around the dance floor, in perfect rhythm to each other. But still the doubts crowded in Jareth's mind. Was it worth it when she didn't really love him? She rested her head lightly on his chest and breathed deeply. His eyes gazed unseeing over her head. She lifted her head and stared up at him, she traced her finger lightly down his jaw line.

"Jareth?" He looked down at her. She kissed him softly, her lips meeting his in a gentle caress. Jareth was taken momentarily off guard. It was completely unexpected. For him maybe he realised but to her it was perfectly normal. She kissed him again and this time he kissed her back.

They started off soft but started getting more passionate, more urgent.

Lauren had her arms around Jareth's neck but started moving them away. Sliding her hands down onto his chest she began to undo the buttons on his shirt. To her surprise Jareth pulled away. He walked away to his chair so the table was between them.

"Lauren can you tell me what the time is?"

Frowning at the strange request Lauren looked at the clock, "Almost Twelve o'clock," she answered. Then she looked again. There was a number thirteen on this clock. Was that right? She shook her head to try and clear the confusion.

"Never mind, have some fruit." He tossed something at her. Catching it she realised it was a peach, now why should that make her uneasy? Jareth bent down and began to pet the dog that lay at the foot of his chair. Lauren looked closer. Wait! That was no dog. It was far too large but it was impossible, how could he have a wolf? The dog/wolf lifted its head and snarled at her. Lauren's head reeled. Something, she was missing something. Something was trying to fight its way to the surface. The clock began striking. The girls at the gate, something…it hit her like a lightning bolt. She remembered. Gasping she looked at Jareth. He met her eyes.

"Oh you remember now do you? It seems you have an hour left." He vanished.

Lauren was seething with anger. How DARE he! How dare he trick her like that! Good thing she'd figured it out in time. Running down to the dungeons she let out her friends who were, conveniently, unguarded.

"Lauren! Are you ok?" Mel looked her over worriedly.

"I am now, quick, we don't have much time left."

The girls headed into the centre of the castle.

"Its quiet, too quiet." Muttered Mel.

Lauren glanced off to the side. There was a passage partially hidden in the shadows and leaning in the doorway was Jareth. He raised an eyebrow at her and went through into the next room. Lauren gave a hiss of rage and ran after him unthinkingly. Skidding to a halt in the next room she found she couldn't tell what was up or down. Staircases lined the walls, ceilings and floor. Spotting Jareth walking away from her she ran after him angrily. She didn't notice how the door sealed off behind her, leaving Mel and Mimi on the other side.