Disclaimer: The Labyrinth and all related material do not belong to me. They belong to Jim Henson and George Lucas. I wish I owned Jareth.

From the Other Side of Things

Charlie glanced up as an owl tumbled through one of the French windows. It circled around the throne before landing with more grace than a bird should and transforming into one of the strangest men Charlie had ever seen. This included Kate's odd male friends, half of whom were gay.

"Don't just stand there." Jareth got to his feet. "Stand and bow."

"I wasn't aware I should."

Jareth glared. "I am King of the Goblins, boy, show some respect."

Rolling his eyes, Charlie stood, but did not bow. "How do I know?"

"You're married to her-?"

"Not married. She wouldn't marry me. I'm her... partner, for lack of a better word."

"For Gods' sake, man! She's..." Jareth sat back down. "I'm not even human and I recongize what a... what is it? What a catch she is."

Charlie sat on the edge of the basin. Small goblins swarmed him. "Yes, well, catch or not, the woman won't marry me just for a baby."

"Creative woman you've got," Jareth commented as he sprawled across his throne.

Charlie flicked away one of the smaller goblins. "She's not mine."

"Come now, she must have been at one point. That boy didn't show up out of nowhere. He looks just like you. And just like her."

"She's only doing this to spite me. She'll laugh at the very idea that she has to save my ass, again."

Jareth chuckled. "She already has." He twirled a crystal. "There must be some affection between you."

"Maybe, once…"

"Again, the boy had to come from somewhere."

Charlie snorted.

But the King was right. There had been something between him and Kate once. Several somethings, several nights.

And then she found out she was pregnant.

Even after everything, she was still thrilled about the baby. She adored Conner.

Charlie felt he was in the way.

But he couldn't leave her.

He wouldn't leave her.

Not when he still loved her.

"It's amazing she's put up with you for as long as she has. You keep complaining about the baby. The one thing she treasures."

"She was so happy when she found out she was pregnant. Oh, she was scared too, but the idea of being a mother… She would do anything to keep the baby. I suggested that she get rid of it or give it up. And I think that's when she started looking at me differently. I was no longer the person she thought I was."

Jareth smirked and leaned closer. "There's something else…"

"I was stupid, as she's forever reminding me. She was six months along. Our friends and family were throwing her a baby shower. And I was out with my ex… Things went… too far."

"And she found out."

"Kayla did everything she could to make sure Kate found out. It devastated her. She wouldn't speak to me until the birth. Somehow, even mad at me, she asked someone to call me and tell me that she was in labor."

"Tell me you missed it," Jareth cackled.

"I was there, the entire time. I wasn't in the room, but I was there."

The King nodded and sat back.

"I don't think she cares for me anymore. I don't think she's cared for me for a long time."

"She must. She was willing to brave the Labyrinth for you."

Charlie snorted. "I know her. She's doing it to spite me. If she can't get a break, why should I?"

"Have you ever watched the movie with her?"

"Once, long ago."

"I offered her dreams. And she turned them down." Jareth glanced at the clock. "She has ten hours and twelve minutes to make it."

Charlie stood up, shedding goblins. They fell to the floor and bounced. They shook themselves and toddled off.

"And she has the baby."

He jerked towards the King. "She brought Conner with her! What was she thinking?" He groaned. "She wouldn't leave him alone, of course!"

He knelt before the King. "Will any harm come to them, either of them?"

"As I told her, I would never harm a child."

Jareth stood, leaving Charlie kneeling on the floor as he stalked off.

The mortal hung his head, praying for Kate and Conner's safety.