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Part 1

Willow clutched a stake as she made her way through
 Sunnydale's graveyard. All of the Scooby's had divided up
 Buffy's patrol route after her mother's death. Willow
 had
 been stuck with the cemetery. She was heavily armed.
 Willow had several stakes, a large cross around her
 throat,
 a pink "Hello Kitty" water pistol filled with holy water,
 and a really good "zapping" spell. Tara had found it for
 Willow, basically it allows a witch to point her finger
 at
 any target and send a small bolt of electricity through
 it.
 Essentially, it was harmless, it just dazed the "zappee"
 for a few moments. It would give Willow extra time to
 get
 a stake ready.
 Willow walked around a large tombstone and almost
 tripped
 over Spike. He sat on the ground, staring up at the moon.

 "What are you doing here?" She asked.
 "I live here, Red." He said, pointing at yon crypt.
 "Oh. That's right! So. . .How've you been?"
 "Just fine, pet. Bloody fantastic. Can't you tell?
 I'm
 leaning against a tombstone in the middle of the night,
 talking to a witch. "
 "There's no need for sarcasm." She pointed her finger at
 him, she could feel the build up of electricity zinging
 through her veins. She let her momentary flash of anger
 cool, and brought her hand to her side. He had just been
 humiliated by Buffy, and she had done it right in front
 his
 ex-girlfriend.Both of his ex-girlfriends, actually.
 Then,
 the Scoobys had all refused to speak with him as well.
 Spike must be very lonely.
 "Sarcasm is all I have left, luv. You takin' over for
 the
 slayer?" He asked, noticing her small arsenal.
 "Yup. She doesn't feel like "slaying" with her mom. .
 ."
 Willow's eyes were shining with tears as she trailed off.

 Joyce had been like a second mother to her. She missed
 her
 guidance and her warmth. It was hard to get used to, the
 idea that she would never see her coming down the stairs
 or
 popping her head into Buffy's room to talk to them.
 "Yeah, I heard. Ran into Anya the other day. She told
 me
 all about it." Spike had wanted to be there for the
 slayer.
 Hold her, comfort her. But she didn't love him. Could
 never love him. It was a devastating blow, to his pride
 and to his heart. The one Buffy was convinced couldn't
 love. Stupid bint. Why can't she love me?
 "Well. I should keep on patrolling. Do the slaying
 thing.
 See you around, Spike." Willow said, luckily she cut
 herself off before she could start babbling. Spike had
 always made her a little bit nervous. Geez, could it be
 that he kidnapped you once and the threatened to make you
 a
 vampire? Or could be that irrational flicker of jealousy
 you got when Buffy announced that Spike had a crush on
 her?
 Nope, it was the death threats and kidnappage. Uh-huh.
 That's it.
 "Want a spot of company, pet? It's a dark and scary
 graveyard. Chalk full of nasty things. And I'm still the
 Big Bad as far as any demons or vamps go." Spike hoped
 to
 spook Willow into taking him with her. He was more lonely
 now than he had ever been. No Drusilla, no Buffy, no
 Harmony. . .. Besides, killing things always made him
 feel
 good.
 "Sure. Why not?." Willow tried to sound casual. She
 recognized his loneliness though. She could put up with
 her misgiving about Spike to ease his pain a little.
 He'd
 been through enough. And with Glory still prowling
 around,
 she was grateful for his offer. He nodded and stood up
 from
 the ground, dusting off his black jeans.
 They walked in companionable silence for a few moments
 when a vampire jumped out at them, it was intent on
 killing
 her and advanced rapidly. Spike grabbed one of Willow's
 stakes, got in between them, and staked it in less than a
 second. He sighed. That's better. There's nothing that a
 good kill won't cure.
 "Thanks!" She said.
 "My pleasure." Spike drawled, feeling a little more
 cocksure now. He glanced at the red head, she was
 focused
 on the darkness, peering at hidden dangers. Maybe he
 could
 convince her to come back to his crypt with him. Spike
 had
 enjoyed her company, always had. He liked making her
 angry,
 seeing the color in her cheeks and the fire in her eyes.

 Just as he was contemplating that, a pale figure came
 into
 view. The man stood in a shaft of moonlight. He seemed to
 relish the weak light, like he was bathing in it. His
 hair was a blond, almost the same shade as Spike's. His
 eyes were a crisp blue. He wore a long flowing black
 cape,
 with a midnight blue satin shirt, and black breeches
 tight
 enough to make even Angelus blush. Spike noticed that
 the
 man. . .no, not a man. Demon? No. What was he? He
 couldn't put his finger on it. Whatever it was, was
 staring at Willow. Had been the whole time. And he
 seemed
 very pleased with what he saw.
 Spike got the impression that the man had wanted them to
 see him. He nodded almost imperceptibly at Spike, even
 as
 he focused on Willow. He drew a crystal from the air, it
 seemed to materialize in his hand. He twirled it in his
 hands, from one to the other, and then brought it to his
 lips and blew. It flew to Willow and then popped. A
 blue
 rose appeared in the air, a split second before it fell
 the
 ground. Both of them had been so intent on the bubble
 they
 hadn't noticed that the blond man had gone.
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 Jareth grinned wolfishly as he sat staring into his
 crystal. The red haired young woman stood holding his
 rose. Her expression told him that she was both intrigued
 and a bit frightened by his gesture. Good. He sat back
 deeper in his throne, letting a leg rest over the arm.
 The
 game never started this way but he couldn't stop himself.

 He had seen the lovely creature all alone in the darkness
 and was overcome by her. Jareth knew that he had to
 appear
 to her. Wanted to watch her and look into her eyes. He
had seen magick in those
 green depths, muted and not completely controlled.
 With Sarah he made a mistake. He'd been too overpowering
 -- hadn't enticed her with his charm. Jareth never made
 the
 mistake twice though. No, with this one it would be
 different. And she would realize that she belonged to
 him.
 She had since the moment he had seen her. Jareth clutched
 the crystal closer, his determined beauty was walking
 away
 from the cemetery. The blond nightwalker was following
 her. Jareth frowned.
 So, she had a suitor already? Too bad. Jareth didn't
 like competition. In fact, he could be very. .
 .unpleasant
 when he chose. The vampire would have to go. He smirked.
But first, first, he had to find out more
 about her. What she liked, what her weaknesses were. So
 he could use them against her.
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 "Red, is researching this bloke really necessary?"
 Especially, right now? Spike was irritated, how dare
that
 "thing" show up and ruin his plans. He had been in the
 process of sweet talking Red into his crypt so she could
 comfort him some more. Make him forget HER for a
 while.

 "Yes. I don't even know what he, er. . .it is." Willow
 finished lamely. That was either one of most single
 romantic gestures she had ever seen or the most
 horrifying.
 She'd like to know which it was. And why is Spike
 looking
 at me like that?
 Willow entered Giles Magick Shoppe and invited Spike in
 (they had uninvited him from the store). Anya looked up,
 she was behind the counter, counting the day's money.
 The
 shop was doing well under her financial guidance. "Why
 did
 you bring him here?" She was curious, not angry.
 "Because I need his help."
 "Oh." Anya wasn't angry with Spike anymore. After all,
 since she was an ex-demon in love with a mortal that had
 made her a hypocrite.
 Xander rounded a book shelf and scowled at the newcomer.
 "Spike."
 "Idiot." He said, cheerfully. Ahh. It was good to be
 back.
 "Willow, why did you bring him with you?"
 "I need his help." Argh! Was there an echo in here? "I
 ran into this. . . it wasn't a demon or a man or a
 vampire.
 I don't know what he, or it was."
 Xander sighed. "Great. You find an "it" and the
 Watcher
 and Slayer are out of commision right now." After Buffy's
 death, Giles had been spending more and more time with
 her.
 He'd been handling all the arrangements and caring for
 the emotionally fragile Buffy.
 "I've never heard of a being like that." Anya said,
 wrinkling her nose.
 "Let's research." Willow said, staring at all the books
 in
 horror. Usually, Giles could point them in the right
 direction, but it would almost be rude to interrupt him
now.
 Besides, who knew if the "it" was dangerous?

Part 2

“I think he’s dangerous.” Xander said, putting down the
book he’d been reading.
“All I got here is that his name his Jareth, he only
appears in this dimension every
hundred years, and he has magickal powers but no one knows
too much about them.
Oh, and that he likes to kidnap girls.” He cast a baleful
look at Spike. “Maybe Spike
could explain that to us. That’s how he gets dates.”
“I do not! It’s called ‘persuasion’, you idiot. Sometimes
you have to convince a
lady.”
“You say ‘persuasion’, she says restraining order.” Xander
said, smiling at the
scowl Spike was giving him.
Willow was oblivious to both of them. Spike slammed a
book shut, startling
Willow. She’d been pouring over the Watcher’s Journals for
nearly an hour.“Well, pet?
What kind of beastie is it? And how do I kill it?” Yeah,
it’s all about killing things. Has
nothing to with the way that frilly poof was staring at
Willow.
“His name Jareth, The Goblin King. He’s some sort of
sorcerer or maybe one of
the fae.” She said absently, reading once more.
“Jareth.” Spike, said rolling the name on his tongue.
He’d never heard of the
bloke, but his power had been evident. “So, he’s a king,
huh? Maybe that why the sod
was wearing a bloody cape. Didn’t see a crown, though.” he
observed.
“Where he comes from, he’s pretty much considered a
god.” She picked up the
book. “Here it says that he hasn’t been seen in our
dimension in a little over fifteen
years. There are some references to a girl named Sarah,
but she was reluctant to
provide information to the Watcher’s Council. She’s the
only one who has ever defeated
him at some game that he plays with young women.
Apparently, he takes them to his
castle and they are never heard from again. It mentions
something about a labyrinth,
but the details are sketchy.”
“Probably eats ‘em.” Spike said.
“Be serious.” Willow scolded.
“I am, pet. From the way he was watching you, I’d wager
he was thinking you
were good enough to eat.” Willow pointed her finger at him
under the table. Zap!
“Ouch!” Spike yelled, rubbing his thigh. “What the bloody
hell was that?” He
poked his head under the table and saw nothing.
“Maybe it was a stray bolt of lightning.” Willow offered.
Spike frowned. “It’s not storming outside, luv.” Willow
shrugged.
“Wait a minute! You didn’t tell me that you talked to
him, Wills.” Xander said.
“No, I didn’t talk to him. He gave me a rose.” She said,
bracing for Xander’s
tirade.
“He gave you a rose? Don’t you think that would be
important information?!
Maybe he’s trying to get you to play his games.”
“You catch on quick, idiot.”
“Shut up, Stalker.” He turned to Willow. “We’re calling
Giles.”
“But-“
”Now, Wills. We need his help.”
~*~*~*~*~*~
Yes, his beauty was a witch. Willow. He’d asked his
crystals to show her life to
him. He’d been pleased to discover the nightwalker was not
her beau. No, he was just
an annoyance. She did have a relationship with another
young witch, Tara. Jareth had
smiled as he watched her through her mirror. Tara had been
performing a spell, child’s
play really, but highly entertaining. He had decided to
let her live simply, because she
was interesting and magickal. Though, he’d have to unravel
their relationship. Hmm. ..
a fight should do it. Perhaps jealousy? She was no
serious threat anyway. He’d done
all of those things from the quiet of his home. But some
things. Some things, required
his personal attention. Willow’s dorm room had been warded
with a magickal barrier,
which he had easily broken through. As a king of a fairy
realm, he possessed more
powers than she would ever know on this pitiful plane of
existence. Once she was in
his world, he’d tempt with the promise of power.
He wondered how long it would take her to succumb to him.
Being in her room,
basking in her essence, Jareth had the feeling he might
have found The One. He could
sense her innocence, her magick. He would not let Willow
go.
What was the most intoxicating about his little witch, was
her sense of whimsy.
It was in the bright colors, the soft stuffed animals, and
the little objet d’art which
adorned her room. She had a love of the fantastic. And
Jareth lived and breathed
fantasy.
Jareth picked up all of her photographs, scrutinizing the
faces. Now, he must
find someone for her to wish away. No convenient younger
sibling or cousin. No
irritating stepmother or stepfather, another popular
choice. The other witch? No,
lovers did not do well. It would give Willow a reason to
hate him. It had be someone
whom she had a competitive relationship with. So, who? Who
could she be angry
enough to wish away? The, the answer came to him. She was
the perfect solution.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Giles was worried, he’d heard of Jareth. The fact that
the man had given a gift to
Willow. That was significant. Giles promised to be into
the shop tomorrow. He’d sort
through his texts and fine the information. He’d ordered
Willow to be extra careful.
She had agreed, deciding to suspend further magickal
activities for now. Sometimes,
this energy attracted unwanted evil attention.
~*~*~*~*~*
Spike silently followed Willow through the streets of
Sunnydale. “Spike?”
“Yeah?” He was a little embarrassed, convinced that he had
been stealthy
enough to not be seen.
“Why are you following me?” Willow was a little worried
that he needed
someone to be a stalkee to his stalker.
“Watchin’ out for you, luv. For Buffy. Cause you’re her
mate and all.”
“I don’t need your protection, okay? Thanks, but I’m
fine.”
“Now, luv, you can’t feel that way when you have some
royal poof sniffin’
around you just waiting to take you to some other
dimension.”
“Well, when you put it like that. Why don’t you walk with
me, though?” She
waited for the blond vampire to walk up to her. She smiled
at him. “Thanks for you
help tonight.”
He ducked his head, avoiding her gaze. He was pleased
that she acknowledged
he had done something for her. Unlike someone else he
knew. “Don’t worry about it,
Red.” He walked with her until they reached the entrance
to her dormitory.
“Night, Spike.”
“Goodnight, Red.” He watched her unlock the door and shut
it behind her. He
put his hands in his duster and pulled out a cigarette and
a book of matches. Lighting
one, he inhaled deeply.
His life had changed so much in the past few weeks.
Realizing that Buffy didn’t
love him was hard for the vampire. And then dealing with
Drusilla. . .it’s a wonder he
was still sane. But, when the Scoobys had kicked him out of
their little circle he had
been lost.
But, now Red had let him back in. He always kind of liked
the little red head.
Well, he liked her blood a lot at first. Her scent was
overwhelming. All that innocence
and magick. But then he’d noticed her strength. She had
stood up to him before, even
when he’d threatened her. She had defended him numerous
times from the Scoobys
little verbal attacks. She even stopped him from staking
himself. Maybe they could be
mates, though he’d never been ‘just friends’ with a female
since he was turned. They
had either been lovers or meals. Still, there was a first
time for everything.
He settled onto a bench and watched the red head through
her window. He’d
stay here a little bit longer. Just trying to get back in
the slayer’s good graces. Not because
the idea of that blond man touching Willow made him want to
snap the arrogant git’s
neck. Willow was his. . .his friend. That’s right, his
friend. Nothing wrong with protecting a friend.

Part 3

Willow's fingers hovered over the ethereal blue rose.  It
lay on her dresser,
looking every bit as beautiful and fresh as though it had
just been picked.  She hadn't
even placed it in water last night when she'd gotten home
and it was nearly noon the
next day.  She fought the urge to pick it up.  Part of her
wanted to rip the petals right off
of it and throw them away.  Part of her wanted to inhale
the unusual scent it gave off.  It
smelled clean and salty.  Like the ocean.
She gave in to temptation and seized the rose in her
grasp.  She plucked a petal
and she could have sworn she heard a tiny scream.  Willow
dropped the rose instantly.
"Such a pity." A voice mixed with mocking laughter and
tender concern said.
Willow pivoted to see The Goblin King staring at her.  He
crossed his arms and tilted
his head to one side.
"You're him.  The Goblin King."
"Please call me Jareth. After all, you and I are going to
be very, very close." He
grinned at her then.  Like a hungry owl who'd just found a
frightened mouse to devour.
"Look here. . .Goblin King.  I'm not some naive girl
you've decided to pick on!
I've read the books about you, buster.  I know all about
your nasty plan." How dare he?
And the expression on his face!  Spike had been right.
He chuckled.  This was going to be so much fun. "Do you?"
He turned away from
her, his black cape swirled about him as he cupped his chin
thoughtfully.  Willow took
the opportunity to study her opponent.  He wore a white
poet's shirt, open to almost
the navel.  A necklace with a strange symbol on it graced
his neck.  Willow made a
mental note to check it's significance.  He wore tight
black breeches again.  She blushed.
"I'm going to make you an offer."
That sounds like a the beginnings of a pick-up line.
"Alright." She said cautiously.
"Come with me now.  Enter the labyrinth willingly."
"The labyrinth?  All the girls must enter the labyrinth?'
He smiled and plucked a crystal from the air to offer her.
 "I'm offering you
power, Willow.  More magickal energy at your disposal then
you can fathom."
Willow looked into the crystal, it was showing her
practicing rituals, clouds of
power were swirling about her.  She reached out to it.  To
him.  Then, she pulled back.
"No, I'm not playing this game."
"I knew you wouldn't accept. In fact, I was counting on
it."  He began to
disappear.  Slowly fading out.  All that was left was his
voice.  "I'll see you soon,
Willow."  It was a threat.
Had she made a mistake? Willow wrung her hands, frightened
by the encounter.
Her glance slid to the floor.  The rose lay at her feet, it
had withered and died. She
began to shake.
                           ~*~*~*~*~*
"He was in your room?"
"Yes, he just appeared.  Then he offered me power if I
would go with him."
Spike got up from his seat and punched the wall.  "Did he
hurt you, Red?"
Willow saw the look on his face.  "No.  Nothing like that,
Spike."
He seemed to visibly relax.  "You're staying with me from
now on."
"What?  I can't stay in your crypt, Spike."
"No?  Then, I'm staying with you at your parent's house."
Spike nodded, his
decision made.  She started to protest but he cut her off.
"If you don't let me stay with
you, I'll follow you to keep you safe."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because. . ." He mumbled something else after that.
"What did you say?"
"Because you're my friend."
Willow was at a loss for words.  The Big Bad just admitted
that a human was his
friend.  It made her feel warm inside.  "I like you too,
Spike." Despite everything he had
ever done to her or the other Scoobys.
He looked her in the eye.  After that tender admission, he
had to compensate.
"Really?  How much?" He waggled his eyebrows at her.  A
mock leer.
She laughed outright.  "Come on, let's gather up your
stuff, it's almost
sundown." She refused to think about how angry her friends
would be with her.  She
needed. . .wanted. . . his protection and companionship.
They packed a small bag for
Spike and headed off in the direction of Willow's home.
                             ~*~*~*~*
Giles was waiting for them in her kitchen.  "Willow," he
began without
preamble.  "You are in grave danger." Then he saw Spike.
"What are you doing here?"
Giles became The Ripper once more.  He advanced on the
vampire, trapping him
against the wall.
"Look, mate.  I'm just helping out, Red. There's no need
to get all upset."
"You can't have Buffy so you've decided to go after
Willow?  Is that it?" Giles
pressed his hand against Spike's throat.
"No, Giles!  Stop!"  Willow came out of her daze.  "He's
staying here to protect
me from Jareth.  He showed up at my dorm today."
Spike forgotten momentarily, Giles turned around. "What
happened?"
"He offered me magickal powers and asked me to go with him
to the labyrinth."
Giles shook his head. "It's begun.  I've read through all
the books that mention
him, Willow. We have only fragments of information but he's
clearly centered on you."
"Yes, he gave me that impression." Willow said, attempting
humor but failing
miserably.
          "Another thing troubles me, I've pieced together
as much as I can of his pattern,
     and he doesn't seem to be following it."
"Meaning?" Spike interjected.
"That either he's changed, learned from his mistakes." He
turned to Willow " Or
you must be very  special to him."
Willow didn't like the sound of that. "Spike is staying
with me, in case he gets
back."
Giles glared at Spike. "No, Spike isn't. You shall stay
with me."
" I've felt his power, Giles. He's dangerous.  He'd
overpower both of us very
easily.  And Buffy?  She's no match for Jareth right now.
Spike is the obvious choice, the
only one strong enough."
Knowing the truth of her words, Giles couldn't help but
give in.
 

Part 4

      Buffy lay on her mother's bed wrapped in her sweater. It still
smelled like her. If she closed her eyes, she could hear her voice.
She buried her face in the pillow. Losing her mother had been
hard. Harder than she ever imagined.  Buffy had to be strong for Dawn.
She wasn't sure if she could, though.  She felt like she had been
broken into little pieces.
      "You must be in  a great deal of pain." A soothing voice said.
      Buffy blinked and sat up in bed.  Grief had slowed her slayer
instincts.  "Who are you?"
      "I'm here to help you." The tall blond man came closer.
      "Help me?"   She almost felt like time had slowed somehow.
But she didn't feel threatened.
      "Yes.  You miss her, don't you?" He produced a crystal orb and
set it into her shaking hands.
      Buffy saw herself sitting under the Christmas tree with her
mother.  Dawn was laughing as she strung tinsel.  "How?"
      "I can bring you to place where you never have to be separated
from her again."
      "But. . .is it really her?"  Her mother smiled at Buffy from
the orb.
      "Does it matter?"
      Buffy found that it really didn't.  "What do I have to do?"

      ~*~*~*~*~*

            Spike sighed loudly. Willow was studiously ignoring
him, bent over a bunch of musty old books when she could be talking to
him.  He got up from his chair and stretched, casually walking behind
her.  "You're tense, Red.  Fancy a back rub?"
      "No, my back is just fine."
      She could literally feel Spike's eyes slide over.  "I'd have
to agree."
      "Spike?"
      "What?"
      "I know that you are lonely right now-"
      "Not anymore, pet.  How could I be lonely when I'm with you?"
He bent over her and whispered the last part in her ear.
      "I have a girlfriend."
      "I don't."
      "Spike." Her tone held a warning.
      "Alright, Red. No touching."  For now.
      Willow picked up the book she had been reading.  "Why doesn't
it say anything about why the girls entered the labyrinth? I mean, he
didn't try to force me to go with him. He just asked.  Why would they
go?"
      "Maybe the royal poofter has something they want." Spike
suggested as he patted himself down for his cigarettes.  He found them
and lit up a smoke.
      Willow bit her lip.  He had offered her power, but she had
still been able to resist him. "Wait a minute! I saw something on
that!" Willow said as she pulled out another book. "According to his
last "transportee", Sarah, she had to go to retrieve something.  But
she wouldn't say what it was."
      "How did it get there?"
      "She said that she had wished it away. But it doesn't say
how."
      Spike hopped up on the kitchen counter, he was bored with this
topic.  He blew a ring of smoke. "Anything in there about the
goblins?"
      "What?"
      "The goblins.  He's a goblin king, right?"
      "Yes. Nothing seems to written about them though."
      "Maybe when that bird wished away something, the hobgoblins
came and got it.  That Jareth bloke doesn't strike me as a "fetch and
carry" type." He wondered if she would think he was serious.
      "You could be right." She said smiling.  Then she laughed,
imagining furry goblins sneaking around people's homes taking things.
In her mind's eye, they looked like the furry "Muppets" she had
watched as a child. "It's just too ridiculous!  No one can just wish
something away like that. There must be an incantation or a ritual."
      Spike grinned, he loved the sound of her laughter.  It was
unrestrained and girlish.  "So, what do you say, luv? Wanna try it
out?"
       "No, we shouldn't."

       "Come on! I dare you, Red, make a wish!"
      "I wish the goblins would come and take..." She looked around
for a suitable object. "Spike's duster."
      "Hey!  You'll not be wishin' away things I'd like to have
back!" His smile was evil.  "I wish the goblins would come and take
the shirt Red's wearing away."
      Willow flushed and then flashed him an equally wicked grin.
"You wanna play it this way?  Fine."  She wasn't about to be pushed
around by a fangless vampire. "I wish the goblins would come and take
Spike's underwear away."
      "Uh, luv?"
      "What?"
      "I don't wear underwear."

      ~*~*~*~*~*

      "That's disgusting." Bazzle said.  He was the most intelligent
goblin.  He was the leader in charge of the group assigned to watch
Willow.  "X-rated wishing." He shook his furry head.  "They didn't
even do it right."
      "If they did, we'd actually have to do their bidding." Beezle,
the second goblin in command, said.  They all made a face at that
thought.

      ~*~*~*~*~*~*

      The game had gotten out of hand. Spike arms caged Willow
against the wall."Any other piece of clothing you want to wish away,
pet?" She shook her head.  "All you have to do is ask me nice and I
could make all of those wishes come true."
        Willow was actually considering his offer. She tilted her
face up to look at him and he was lost. His tongue traced the seam of
her lips.
      "Get away from her, Spike!" Buffy's voice commanded.
      Spike whirled around. Willow put herself in between the two
blonds. "Buffy, we were just playing a game.  Nothing happened!"
      Tara stepped into view.  "Buffy told me.  W-willow, how could
you?"
      "How could I what?"
      "Cheat on me. . .and with Spike." Her eyes filled with tears.
"I didn't want to believe it, but the way you two were-"
      "No. . .it's. . .please don't cry."
      "Don't listen to her, Tara. After I rejected Spike, he started
going after Willow and she just gave in to him." Buffy said. Willow
noticed that her eyes weren't the same. They appeared to be shinier.
      Tara looked from Spike back to Willow.  "I can't stay here!"
She ran out of the house.
      "No, Tara!  Wait!" Willow made as if to go after her but Buffy
stepped into her path.
      "Let her go.  Haven't you hurt her enough already?"
      "Why are you lying to Tara?  What's wrong with you Buffy?"
      "Don't try to deflect the blame, Wills.  I know what you two
have been doing."
      "Go home, slayer. You've done enough damage here for one
night." Spike said. Buffy looked like she was about to say something
but ran off behind Tara.
      "I've got to go after her, Spike."
      "So you can lie to her?"
      "But-"
      "You know what was going to happen before she and the slayer
showed up." Willow refused to look at him.
      "Buffy made it sound like we were carrying on for a while.
Tara must be so hurt."
      "You can't do anything tonight.  Let her cool off , luv.
You'll be able to straighten things out with her in the morning.
      "Why would tell Tara that? I just don't understand." Willow
sat down in a chair with a thud.
      "I don't know, pet."
      "It's the grief, that had to be the grief talking."

      ~*~*~*~*~*

      The goblins were bored.  Bazzle tapped his foot.  "All they
have to say is. . .I wish the goblins would come and take Buffy away
right now.  What's the hold up?" He looked at the others.  "We've got
to get out of here.  I'm sick of this place.  There's no beer.  No
chickens running around! Let's make her say it!"
      The goblins got together in a circle and began to chant.  "I
wish the goblins would come and take Buffy away. Right now!

      ~*~*~*~*~*

      "I should go to bed." Willow said as she stood up.
      "I'm right behind you, pet."
      "You can sleep in my parent's room since there gone."
      "What if he comes for you?  Don't you want me close at hand?"
      She was about to protest, but she just couldn't
summon the energy right now. "Alright.  But you are sleeping on top of
the covers."
      "What if I get cold?"
      "You are cold, Spike.  You're a vampire."
      He was about to make a smart remark when he heard voices.  He
couldn't quite make out what they said.  "Do you hear something?"  He
asked.
      "Yes.  Sounds like chanting. It's very soft."
      The voices had already entered their subconscious minds.  It
was far too late.  "You know what a bloody good wish would be right
now?" Spike asked.
      They both stopped to look eachother in the eyes and said in
unison.  "I wish the goblins would come and take Buffy away.  Right
now!"
            "You're wish has been granted." Spike and Willow turned to
see The Goblin King leaning against the wall indolently.
 

Part 5

Jareth appeared calm but inwardly he was seething. Willow
was the only one he
wanted in the labyrinth. The nightwalker was not part of
his plan. He knew a couple
of goblins who would spend eternity doing laps in the Bog
of Eternal Stench.
“Wish?” Willow echoed. “You took Buffy.” It wasn’t a
question. Willow now
knew how the young women had been persuaded to enter the
labyrinth, the goblins
had taken someone they loved. “I want her back.”
“Hold on a minute!” Spike interjected. “We don’t even
know for sure if he took
Slutty.”
As if on cue, the phone rang. Willow picked it up with a
trembling hand.
“Hello?”
“Willow? Is Buffy there?” All color drained from
Willow’s already pale face.
Dawn continued to frantically explain. “We were talking
and then the lights went out. .
.and then there was laughter and little things were
scurrying around the room. I was so
scared! When the lights came back on, she was gone. I was
hoping she had played a
trick on me.”
“No, Dawn, she isn’t here. But we’ll find her, I
promise.”
“We? Is Tara there?”
“No.” Willow winced. “But Spike is.” She looked at Spike
and saw his eyes
soften, he felt protective of Dawn.
“That’s good, he’s very strong, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is. Everything will be fine. Can you do me a
favor?”
“Yes, anything to get Buffy back. I can’t lose her. .
.first Mom and then Buffy.”
“I’ll get her back for you, Dawn. I don’t want you to be
alone right now. Call
Giles and he’ll come and get you. Tell him I have entered
the labyrinth. He’ll
understand.” She looked at Jareth as she spoke the words.
His eyes were triumphant.
“I will, Willow.” She said in a small voice. “Please be
careful.”
“Of course.” She hung up the phone.
“I’m going with you.” Spike announced, his eyes threatened
Jareth. “I made that
damned wish too.” He wanted the goblin king’s blood for
doing this Willow but this
was not the time or the place. He still held the slayer at
his castle.
Jareth scowled at him but there was nothing he could do,
the laws of his realm
dictated that the vampire had the right to go. That meant
that Jareth needed to make. .
.adjustments to the labyrinth. He’d never had a pair of
people try to solve the maze,
much less a vampire. Jareth walked to the window and they
followed him. But instead
of the street she grew up on, Willow saw a castle in the
distance surrounded by
enormous walls and hedges. The labyrinth.
When she looked down they were standing on a windswept
hill. Spike pulled
his duster over his head, fearing the light would reduce
him to ashes. “Bloody hell! I’m
a vampire you royal poofter. You bring me here so you could
make me extra crispy?”
Jareth rose on elegant eyebrow and said in a haughty tone.
“The sun won’t burn
you here, nightwalker. I have willed it so for the
duration of your. . .stay.”
Spike righted his duster and growled at the arrogant man,
he was really going to
enjoy killing him. Jareth smiled and gestured behind the
their heads, the turned to see a
cuckoo clock appear out of nowhere. Willow stared at it
apprehensively, she over at
Jareth to find him watching her with a frightening
intensity. “You have 13 hours in
which to solve the labyrinth before Buffy becomes mine
forever.” As he said this, his
lithe form began to disappear, leaving only his mocking
laughter.
Spike was staring in wonder at his hands bathed in
sunlight. He looked at
Willow. “We’ll get her back, Red. Don’t you worry. I’m a
bleedin’ genius at solving
puzzles.”
“I feel so guilty.” She whispered.
“Don’t. We didn’t know.”
“Earlier, when Buffy came to my house. . .that wasn’t
really her, was it? I mean it
was her body, by he made her say those things-”
“Yes, luv. I’d wager she was under his spell. But you’ve
got to clear your mind
of this for now. He’s counting on you getting distracted
by your grief and your guilt.
You can’t do that, though. Focus all of it on him, get
angry at the bastard!”
Willow did as he asked, feeling the anger starting to
build. “Let’s solve this thing
then! I can’t wait to see the look on his face when we
win.” She and Spike began their
descent down the hill.
*******
Giles held Dawn as she sobbed into his shirt. He felt
like crying himself. Joyce
was dead and Buffy had been taken. Willow had been drawn
into the goblin king’s
magickal realm along with Spike. Glory was still looking
for The Key. The situation
couldn’t possibly be worse. At least none of the vampire’s
in the area knew that the
slayer was missing. Giles fervently hoped that they
wouldn’t find out. Giles decided to
call the Watcher’s Council, he needed some help.
*******
Willow and Spike stared at the imposing gates of the maze.
The wall were
nearly humming with magick, it was nearly visible. Even
though it was disguised,
Willow had found where the doors were. “How do we get in?”
She asked.
“Open sesame!” Spike shouted, coaxing a small smile from
the woman at his
side. “Guess it didn’t work.”
“Sara, the girl form the watchers’ journals, said that
their was a gatekeeper.”
They both looked around but saw no one. “I guess we’re on
our own, then.” She and
Spike got together and pushed on the doors. They didn’t
even budge. “Let me try.”
Willow flexed her fingers and pointed at the doors, willing
the magick to unwind its
hold and admit them. They slowly creaked open.
“Left or right, Red? They both look the same.”
“To me too. But that can’t be possible. Nothing is
exactly alike. This has to be an
illusion.” She tapped her foot. It was an elaborate one,
more sophisticated than the
simple magick used on the doors. She didn’t possess the
skills to crack its veneer. “Let’s
go left.”
*******

Jareth cut the small bubble in the palm of his hand and
watched its inhabitants.
The slayer was enjoying the world he had created for her.
She was sitting down to
dinner with her younger sister and mother. They were all
smiling and talking. If she
only knew where she was and what was going to happen to
her! He released his hold
on it and watched it drift about the castle.
He considered himself lucky that he had caught her in such
a terrible emotional
state. He was willing to bet she would be a formidable
enemy had she been at full
strength. Not that it would help Willow any. She had
stumbled into his trap and she
would be his soon. Very soon.

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