Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Labyrinth. All other characters and the storyline are mine.

Chapter 15

"What in the world is going on?" Serina asked as she pushed the throne room doors open and slipped through. Jareth was sprawled in his throne, cradling a small child to his chest as he sang softly to her. Goblins filled the room and the noise was almost deafening.

"Her sister wished her away." Jareth sighed. Serina watched for a moment, a sad smile on her face, before she stretched out gracefully along one curved arm of the throne. She grinned at him, commenting about how good of a father he would be to his own children.

The Goblin King snorted gently, "And who would want to marry the Goblin King, my Lady?"

"Surely there is someone who catches your interests?" Serina responded quietly as not to disturb the now sleeping child.

'You possibly,' He shook his head, wondering where that thought had come from. "No. There is no one."

"Is she running the Labyrinth?"

"Yes." Serina looked up at the abrupt tone he had and raised a brow as she took in his posture.

"You look tired. How much longer does she have?"

Jareth glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and sighed again. "Five hours and she's only in the stone maze. She'll never make it in time."

"Would you like for me to tend to the baby while you rest? I can watch the runner for you as well." Serina offered as she studied the king. He gave her a thankful smile and handed the baby to her as he rose from his seat.

"Thank you, kitten. I believe I shall take you up on that offer." He squeezed her arm gently, amazed at the change she had underwent during the past six months and smiled at her once more before handing her a crystal and leaving. Serina sighed, shifting the now sleeping baby in her arms and moved over to the throne. One of the goblins made a loud sound and her eyes cut over to it with a warning. The creature shuddered at the flame that flickered in her green depths and the whole room grew quiet. With a nod, she curled up in the throne, humming lightly to the baby as she watched the girl running through the Labyrinth.

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"Jareth putting you on Labyrinth duty?" Kelgar laughed when he found her four hours later. She rolled her neck to ease the kinks in it and looked over at the grinning elf.

"I volunteered, he looked exhausted." She yawned as she turned her eyes back towards the crystal after checking the time. "She has less than an hour." Kelgar came over to her and leaned down so he could see.

"She'll never make it." He predicted softly. She shook her head.

"No, she won't." Serina's voice was cold.

Kelgar looked up at her in surprise. "What is it? You usually cheer for the runners." His eyes widened slightly as he realized why she wasn't cheering for this one. Serina only looked at him, a flame dancing in her eyes and he grew worried. Gently, he reached out and took the baby from her; reaching out with his senses to examine her. His frown deepened when he found the tiny break in the baby's shoulder.

"That was why the baby wouldn't stop crying. It's an old break, but it still pains her." Serina whispered as she raised the crystal to see the girl wandering through the Forgotten Forest. She twisted in the throne and stretched. Having the baby sleeping on her for the past four hours was exhausting in itself and her arm felt numb, not to mention her rear end. "I'm going to go wake Jareth. Would you stay here with the baby?" Kelgar nodded, his eyes closed as he concentrated on healing the damage done by the break. Serina slid from the throne, casting a look at the goblins to remind them to be quiet as she left.

Serina knocked on the heavy doors that led to Jareth's room and waited. When no answer came, Serina opened the door and slipped inside. His room was pitch black, with only a sliver of light coming from the crack in the curtains that hung over his balcony doors. It was enough for her to see the massive bed he was sprawled out on however. The thick carpet that covered his floor muffled the sound of her boots as she walked over to the bed and reached out to touch him.

Her fingers had barely brushed his arm when his hand shot out and grabbed her. Serina squeaked in surprise as she was yanked down onto the bed and he rolled over on her. Overwhelming panic rose up in her and she lashed out instinctively, her hand connecting with flesh.

"Serina!" She froze, her eyes wide as he stared down at her. When she relaxed slightly, Jareth eased the grip he had on her wrists. "What is it kitten?"

"The girl, time is almost up." She swallowed hard, uncomfortable with him pressing against her.

Jareth nodded and started to pull back. Suddenly he hesitated and reversed his movement, leaning back down over her. Serina tensed again before relaxing into his embrace as his mouth claimed hers. It wasn't the first time he had kissed her like that, but she never got used to the sensations he provoke in her.

She gasped as his mouth left hers and trailed down her throat. She slapped at his hands when he started pulling the low neckline of her bodice down. "Would you stop that?"

"No," He smirked down at her for a moment before leaning down to nip her bare shoulder with sharp teeth. Jareth grinned when she hissed.

"Jareth," her tone carried a hint of warning as she writhed under him. He murmured something against her flesh and she shivered. She was having a hard time controlling her thoughts as he continued teasing her. His teeth nipped painfully at her skin, before his lips and tongue soothed the marks as he moved across her body. "The girl…"

"What of her?" he murmured.

"Time…" Serina knew she shouldn't be here, but his weight against her as well as the way her body was reacting made protests irrelevant. He raised his head and smirked down at her.

"I'll reorder it."

Serina shoved at him hard and raised herself up onto her elbows as she glared at him. "That's cheating and you know it. You can not reorder time while a runner is in the Labyrinth. It won't allow it." Jareth sighed and looked at her, knowing that she was right and wanting to hate her for it.

He pulled away and let her roll away, "Very well. Where's the baby?" Serina slid off the bed and started for the door.

"Kelgar is healing her."

Jareth sat up all the way, fixing cold eyes on her. "What?"
"It was an old injury that pained her." Serina turned and looked at him, knowing what he was thinking. She walked back over to him and sat down beside him. "That was why the child wouldn't stop crying. Do you think I would harm a child deliberately, Jareth?"

He scrubbed a hand over his face before looking at her again, ashamed that the thought had actually crossed his mind. He reached out and pulled her against him, stroking her hair. "I'm sorry, kitten." He winced when she pulled back. "I know you wouldn't, but given your history…"

"Stop right there. Don't you even think for one second that I would ever harm a child. I may be violent and everything, but I would never stoop so low as that!" Serina was furious. Jareth watched as the flames leapt in her eyes and sighed heavily. He had to stop her before she got any angrier. Fisting a hand in her hair, he yanked her back to him and kissed her hard. She pushed against him, but Jareth knew that she'd give in eventually. He nipped her lower lip and when her lips parted, he took full advantage of it.

The first chime of the clock made him aware of the time and he let her go. The dazed look in her eyes made him smirk and she shook her head before pushing him away from her again. "Damn you Jareth! I hate when you do that!" She jumped off the bed and strode quickly to the door; not bothering to look back as she left.

oooooooooooooooooooo

Jareth appeared in the Labyrinth just in time to hear the runner cry out in fear. He leaned against the wall, knowing that the girl would run around the corner and see him. Sure enough, before the clock chimed again, the girl was before him. "Time is up. You lost."

The girl froze as tears spilled over her cheeks. "But… I was so close. I have to have my sister."

Jareth shook his head as he drew himself away from the wall, his wild hair brushing against the high collar of his jacket. He had always found black to be very intimidating and grinned wickedly as the girl cringed back away from him. "Your sister belongs to us now. You will return home and forget about her."

"No, please! Don't do this! My parents will kill me!" she dropped to her knees and begged before him.

"What's done is done. Return home Carina. Your parents will not remember the babe, but you however," His grin turned devilish, "you, will have to live with knowing that you lost your sister. You will forever feel her loss." Jareth raised his hand, a crystal glowing on his fingertips. She cried out as he smirked evilly and tossed the sphere at her, the thirteenth chime ringing through the Labyrinth. "Such a pity," his voice echoed through the air as he disappeared as well, returning to his castle.

oooooooooooooooooooo

"How is the baby?" Serina asked when she entered the throne room again. She stood next to the healer as he held the sleeping baby.

"She'll be fine. I healed the shoulder, so it will never bother her again."

"Good." Jareth smiled as he appeared beside them. He reached out and wrapped an arm around Serina's shoulder, drawing her against him. At first she resisted then relaxed. She could sense the tension in him and knew that he was still angry about the child.

"Do you have a family in mind for her?" She asked, looking up at him.

"Of course. There are always families ready to take a wished-away, kitten." He smiled down at her, "Thank you for helping with her."

"You looked like you needed the rest."

Jareth laughed, "Yes, I did." He traced a gloved finger down her face gently, "It's a good thing I taught you what to expect." Serina laughed and pulled away, but not before he dropped a kiss on her mouth. She flushed and backed away quickly, reaching for the infant.

Jareth laughed as she left the room, and Kelgar smiled approvingly.