Disclaimer: I do not own Labyrinth, Jareth (as much as I want him), David Bowie (again, as much as I want him) or Skub. None of the books mentioned are mine, but are in the public domain. Kate, Rachel, Catherine, Edward,Anna, and the wished-aways are mine.
Getting Acquainted
Kate took the offered hand and nodded. "Please." She was generally pretty good with directions and filed the paths to the dining room and the library away for later. The next door Jareth opened showed a massive swimming pool sunken into the stone floor. There were steps carved into the end nearest them and an underwater shelf all the way around. Kate crouched to feel the water. "I didn't figure you for a swimmer," she said, looking up at him. She realised her position and blushed, standing quickly. "I can just imagine you wearing a Speedo."
"Perish the thought precious. I never have and never will. I prefer to swim starkers." As her blush deepened he chuckled. "Perhaps you'd like to join me some time."
Kate nodded, not trusting her voice to work properly as the image of Jareth in the altogether entered her brain and refused to leave. "Th-that sounds like fun," she finally managed, face bright red.
"I look forward to it. Now, why don't I take you to see the children? You wanted to know what I did with them, didn't you?"
She nodded, filing this route away with the others and following him. He pointed out bathrooms and extra bedrooms along the way before stopping at a door and opening it. Inside was a spacious nursery full of toys and games, the children ranging in age from a few months to about thirteen years old. She knelt down as one little girl crawled over, picking her up. She couldn't be more than nine months old. "You keep them all?"
"I try to place them with families that want children but cannot have them. It seems kinder than simply turning them out, and less stressful than keeping them."
"So why let the world say you turn them into goblins?" she asked, smiling as the baby fisted a hand in her hair, even though she knew a tug was coming.
"To protect my reputation of course." He grinned. "Are you fond of children Kate?"
She winced slightly as she felt the pull, then chuckled. "Well, you've got quite a grip haven't you sweetheart?" She looked at Jareth. "I love children. Who watches them all?"
"I've got wet-nurses for those too young to eat proper food, and some of the older children help out on occasion, but mainly I have the goblin women tend to them. You can, of course, visit whenever you wish," Jareth said, taking the baby from Kate and setting her back on the floor. He took her hand. "Come, there's still more to see." He led her around, showing her everything worth seeing, and ending the tour at a door across from hers. "Last door precious. Go ahead."
Kate opened the door and stepped inside. It was a bedroom, all cherry wood and grey marble. The curtains and bed linens were a deep navy. "Whose room is this?" she asked, running her fingers over the coverlet and realising it was silk.
"Mine, precious." He smiled, the grin inviting and almost predatory. "You're welcome any time you like."
"I-I'll keep that in mind," she said, unable to look away from his mouth. She knew from his kiss during lunch just what those lips felt like. "I'd extend the same invitation to you, but that would probably give the wrong impression."
He laughed, sitting in a chair by the unlit fireplace. "Kate, relax, please. You think I don't know your romantic history? Your first kiss was at age thirteen and came from Jacob Scott, the boy across the street. Your first long term relationship was at sixteen, with the same boy, and lasted just under a year before you broke things off with him. At age nineteen, after a few failed attempts, you began a relationship with William Masbeth which lasted two years before he revealed his preference for men. The next year you gave things with Jacob another go but you broke it off after six months when you caught him with his ex-girlfriend and he blamed you for the affair. The next three and a half years you devoted to your education, and now I've got you."
"I can't decide if that's devoted or creepy," she said, sitting in the chair across from him.
"You fascinate me precious. It's always baffled me why someone as lovely as you are cannot find anyone worthy. Are all the men in your circle so stupid?"
"How do you mean, stupid?" she asked, a little confused.
"Take Jacob, for example. He was given a second chance with you and instead of making the most of it, he chose to bed another. Masbeth never saw you as anything more than a friend, though he did at least try."
"I do know smarter men than Jacob, but unfortunately for me, they were already taken. As far as William goes, I simply wasn't his type, but he can hardly be blamed for his preferences, and his boyfriend is a great guy, so I'm happy for him. And you, well, you may be the cleverest man I've ever met, but you're a king, and I'm just an average girl."
"Not royal or noble perhaps, but certainly never average," Jareth replied. "I don't waste my time on average people."
"I'm flattered that you think I'm worth your time," she said, not sure what was so great about her other than her twice-great grandmother. "What's so special about me?"
"On the surface? Your beauty. You look like my Champion, you have her eyes. There's a spark in you I rather like. And it doesn't hurt that you're a fan of my work."
Kate nodded. "Speaking of your work, I'm curious, how accurately did the film portray your powers?"
"You mean the crystal balls?" he asked, conjuring one. "Completely accurate, though I don't need someone else to juggle them for me. My magic allows me to do nearly anything I want."
"So you could have magicked Catherine into staying with you."
"I could have, but even I have lines I won't cross. I gave her my word, and my word is binding. And even if she had stayed, she wouldn't have loved me. She would have resented me for breaking my word and keeping her from your twice-great-grandfather."
"Couldn't you have made her love you?" she asked, wondering how far his powers went. "Made her forget Edward and be your queen?"
"No. My magic can't negate true love, like the love between Edward and Catherine, nor can it create it where it doesn't exist. I can reorder time, move the stars, but love is beyond my power to control."
"So I guess you have to do things the old fashioned way, with wooing, and dates, and making an effort." She smiled. "That'll be nice, no one ever takes the time for that anymore."
Jareth chuckled. "Are you giving me permission to woo you precious?"
Kate blushed, realising how she must have sounded. "I don't imagine you need anyone's permission, given the fact that you're a king."
"Let me put it another way. Would you like me to woo you?"
Part of her was saying 'No, I want my freedom.' but the rest of her was shouting 'Yes, dear god yes!' "That sounds wonderful."
"And I would love to woo you." He smiled, but it faded after a moment as his crystal glowed. "Unfortunately, I have work to do before we can begin. My apologies precious." He stood, tossing his crystal into the air. As it fell he vanished.
Kate sighed and stood, picking up the crystal ball and setting it on the table. She left the room, heading for the library. She climbed one of the ladders and looked at the loftier titles, deciding on the original French version of Les Misérables. She picked out a chaise lounge and sat, curling her feet under her and settling in to wait.
She made it about a third of the way through the book before she drifted off, thumb still in her page. She woke with a jolt when she heard the door slam open, an unknown voice, male and American, yelling 'Where are you, you little monsters?!' She sat up, looking for the source of the question and finding a teenage boy. "What's going on?" she asked.
"I'm looking for the twins who just got wished away. Their sister is running the Labyrinth. Lord Tightpants is going to kill me if something happens to them. Identical twins, a boy and a girl, brown hair, four years old. Did they come in here?" he asked, looking her over. "And who are you?"
"I'm Kate. My roommate wished me away. Why don't I help you find the children?"
"Sure. Name's Braydon. I have to say, I wish more of the wished-aways were like you," he said, smoothing his short blonde hair back, his blue eyes bright.
"How do you mean?" she asked, marking her page and standing.
"I mean, older, good looking girls. How old are you anyway?" he asked, tone and expression full of overconfidence.
Kate narrowed her eyes. "First off, thank you for the compliment. Second, you never ask a woman her age. Third, I'm not interested. You're not my type." She smoothed her skirt and crossed her arms. "Do these twins have names?"
Braydon's machismo deflated. "Elena and Eric."
"Alright then, let's find them so I can return to my book and you to babysitting." She headed out, calling for the missing children in a loud but gentle voice. After trying a few rooms she and Braydon found them by the pool, dangling their feet in the water, their shoes beside them. "You two wouldn't happen to be Elena and Eric, would you?" she asked, getting to their eye level and speaking softly. Their heads bobbed in unison. "I'm Kate. It's very nice to meet you. But what are you doing here?"
"He didn't want to play with us, he told us to go away," Eric said, pointing to Braydon. "So we went away."
"Is that so?" she asked, looking at the teenage boy. At his pale face she sighed and returned her attention to the twins. "I'll tell you what, why don't you guys come with me, and we'll play while we wait for your sister, how does that sound?"
They smiled, nodding again. "Will you tell us a story?" they asked, standing up and grabbing their shoes.
"Sure, I know a few stories." She tucked her book under her arm, then gave them her hands and began heading for the nursery. "What sort of stories do you like?"
"Stories about dragons and ogres and trolls!" Eric said, at exactly the same time Elena said, "Princesses and fairies and handsome princes!"
Kate laughed. "I think I know just the story," she said. When they reached the nursery she sat on a cushion, the children gathering around her. Braydon slipped off toward the back and she began. "Once upon a time, there was a princess named Catherine. She had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes and she was the loveliest girl in the kingdom. One day she met a prince named Edward, and he fell in love with her instantly. She loved him back, but Catherine wasn't the only girl who loved Edward. There was another, Anna, and she was so jealous that she tried to get rid of Catherine. She bribed the royal coachman to leave the princess in the forest so she could have Edward all to herself. Catherine had no idea where she was, but she knew that the dragon who lived in the woods would eat her if she didn't find a way out. She walked for a long time, and was almost out of the woods when the dragon found her. He took her back to his cave and was about to roast her, when suddenly he began to change. Instead of a terrible beast there stood Edward. He explained how Anna had cursed him for refusing her love. By day he was a human, but at night he became a dragon. Catherine asked him how to break the spell and he told her that only true love's first kiss could restore him. She didn't hesitate, but threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. They returned to her castle and told their story to the king, who had Anna thrown into the deepest dungeon for the rest of her days. Catherine and Edward lived happily ever after. The end."
Kate jumped when a smooth, all too familiar voice came from the doorway. "What a wonderful story precious. You seem to have found a niche for yourself."
Eric looked up at him. "Can we go home with Pam now?"
Jareth shook his head. "I'm afraid not dear boy. Your sister didn't pass her test, so you two get to stay here."
"Can we stay with Miss Kate instead of the boy then? Miss Kate is nice," Elena chimed in, coming over and taking Kate's hand.
Eric claimed her other hand. "Miss Kate's staying, isn't she?"
The Goblin King laughed. "You've got fans already precious." He looked at the twins. "Yes, Miss Kate is staying."
"And I'll come play with you every day." She blushed, laughing softly as the children cheered.
Jareth motioned for them to settle down. "For now, though, it's suppertime. Miss Kate can come back tomorrow."
Kate hugged the children and stood, taking the king's offered hand and waving with the other. "I'll see you all tomorrow," she said. Once the door was closed behind them she looked at Jareth. "How long were you standing there?"
"Long enough to know that you're a brilliant storyteller, and a natural with the children. I can only imagine what you'd be like with your own."
"I've never given much thought to a family of my own."
"As I said, you're a natural." He grinned. "What are you reading?"
"Les Misérables. I've read it before, but not in the original French."
"It's a good story, but the author seems rather prone to rambling," Jareth said. "An entire chapter on the Battle of Waterloo, simply to introduce Monsieur Thénardier and explain Marius' loyalty to him seems a bit excessive."
"I agree, but as a whole the Brick is a masterpiece," Kate said, grinning. "Have you read all the books on those shelves?"
"At least once. Each was acquired at the time of the first printing, many signed by the authors. Is it surprising that I enjoy a good book?"
"A bit, considering how the film portrays you. I'm actually kind of impressed with how accurate the wardrobe department was. I thought that was just the costume designer, bless her."
"I'm not entirely sure what you mean precious. I helped inspire Ms. Flyte, as she was known then, and showed her images of several of my own garments," he replied, tone amused and a bit curious.
"You mean you actually wear pants like that every day? Is the Area really that big, or was that a sock?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Jareth stopped and looked at her for a moment, then chuckled darkly. "Ah, I think I catch your meaning now. To my knowledge there were no socks involved during filming, only Mr. Bowie. And if you doubt that I'm completely real, I'd be more than happy to prove it to you precious." He took a step toward her, closing the distance between them and holding her close.
Kate blushed red, unable to move. This close to him, his hard, lean body against hers, she absolutely believed it was all him. She tried to form a coherent thought, but her brain refused to function. Even the small part that demanded she resist was quiet. She looked up at him, eyes wide, unable to do anything else.
He leaned down and kissed her, tongue sweeping over hers as he conjured a crystal. Without looking he tossed it up onto the air, transporting them to the pool. A second crystal took care of the book and their clothes and then he picked her up, walking them into the pool.
Kate groaned into the kiss, face still flushed, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She gasped when she felt the water, surprised to find it heated. When he finally broke the kiss she took a deep breath. "Jareth…"
The Goblin King smiled, letting her legs go and holding her against him. "Mmm, I love how my name sounds on your lips."
"Jareth, I've never…" She trailed off, it was tough to think, pressed against him like this. She tried to form a coherent sentence and failed, giving a gasp as his teeth nipped her neck lightly. His lips followed, kissing a path downward, and she bit back a groan.
"I know precious. I won't hurt you." He pulled back, lifting her at the waist and sitting her on the ledge.
"Everything's moving so fast," she said, looking into his eyes. "I can't seem to think straight when I'm with you."
"Then don't think. Just feel." He ran his hands up her sides, his touch light, almost teasing. When he reached her chest he cupped her, earning a gasp of surprise as his thumbs brushed over her nipples. He groaned softly, she fit perfectly in his hands.
Kate moaned, sensation building in her belly before spreading downward. His hands were just as talented as his mouth. "Jareth… please…"
"Please what precious? Please stop?"
"No! No, don't stop, please god don't stop!" she begged, hearing the desire and desperate need in her voice but not caring. "You can't stop now, not yet, please."
"As you wish," he said, one hand sliding downward as his mouth captured a nipple, his other hand kneading her other breast. His free hand found her quim and he traced lightly over her already moist lips with one finger. He felt her hand thread through his hair and chuckled as she arched toward him.
"Jareth!" She groaned, fire building as her free hand reached out, finding his chest and traveling down, lost to her feelings. She found his hip and pulled him closer, getting hotter when she felt how hard he was.
The hand at her breast moved, guiding hers from his hip to his shaft before returning to its post. He moaned softly as he she started to stroke him, his fingers moving to toy with her clit. He shifted so his tip was at her entrance, prepared to complete his conquest when the door opened and a high-pitched voice called "King!"
Kate gasped, then cried out softly as her first-ever orgasm swept over her. Her hand tightened on Jareth's shaft, making the Goblin King buck against her, joining her in her climax.
Jareth held her against him, mentally cursing the goblin as he rode out his orgasm. When both he and Kate had settled he turned to the intruder, eyes narrowed. He swept Kate's legs up over his arm and climbed out of the pool, conjuring a crystal. He tossed it up in the air and when it fell he and Kate were dry and clothed. "Panjan, give me one good reason why I shouldn't Bog you right now," he said to the goblin, tone deceptively calm.
Panjan shuddered at the threat. "You have guests, King, from the Winter Court," he said, bowing. He looked at Kate and bowed again, hoping her presence would spare him the Bog. "Lady."
The Goblin King frowned. "Wait for me in your room precious. Hopefully this won't take long," he said to Kate. Then he conjured a crystal and tossed in into the air, vanishing as it fell, leaving Kate alone with Panjan.
She blushed, hurrying back to her bedroom, both mortified and exhilarated. As she tried to focus on her book her mind drifted and the rational part of her brain piped up. She thought about how hard she'd worked to save herself, how little she really knew about Jareth, and told herself next time she'd stay strong.