Welcome to "M's Orchid." I am your hostess, Serenity Stardust. I do hope you enjoy your time here with me.

I do not own any respective "Labyrinth" characters.

This plot was heavily inspired by the movie "The Linguini Incident".

This story is rated M. There is some serious mature content littered throughout this story, so viewer discretion is advised.

*~*Prologue*~*

~The Bet~

The evening is chilled with a blistering spring breeze. The sky is dark, but the city is luminous. A tiny crescent shaped moon leers over the city of Manhattan. The moon dances within the dark and voluptuous clouds that embrace her. The clouds light up with electrifying exuberance as the thunder calls to those who yearn for the nighttime air filled with the wistful aroma of pipe tobacco and vodka-filled sweat. This aroma is a tempting and commencing scent of grown human men and women alike. There is no judgement in the nighttime void. Anyone who enjoys indulging themselves within pleasures of unmistakable desire, jazz, and drink are invited to join in.

M's Orchid is among the latter of all things nocturnal and naughty. It is not just any Cabaret club that can be found among the stormy streets of New York- it the greatest underground city that is filled with drink, smoke, and endless entertainment- for those who can afford it, that is. Just as one enters the stalky, black painted double-doors, they are bombarded by the sight of smoke and mist. They are enclosed in a small corridor that fits no more than a handful of people. The only thing standing in the guests way of the main hall is a transparent windowpane stained through the ages of nicotine and other numbing narcotics. A ticket-man can be found hidden within the shadows of a large coffin-like box. Guests are never surprised to see a gloved hand that accepts the small payment as each morsel enters. It is a lavish city of nightlife and luxury.

Finally released through the thin and suffocating corridor, all senses are overwhelmed. Some eyes will either find four windowless walls that drip with silk or take a gander of the booths that scale the sides of the tall, yet small theatre. Others might observe the many table tops swimming in liquor and cash. These flawless human-like creatures make themselves comfortable, for there are many events that unfold night in and night out.

One's nose will be caressed with endless fragrances- Louis Vuitton perfume, Giorgio Armani cologne, and sparkling beads of pearly sweat that decorate each and every head in the room. A feast of risque and scantily clad dancers parade and dance throughout the dimly lit halls. Instantaneously, they drop to the floor in splits on the beat of the brass-filled music that floods the ear's of the audience with the threat of explosion. The sole of every foot is immediately welcomed with the endless buzzing of the mind -numbing bass that vibrates the floor. Such a sensation can even reach the thighs and necks of the lucky ones who wander in these teasing and lustful halls.

M's Orchid's bordello-like atmosphere hints at a little more than what may appear in front of the blissful guests that enter and leave throughout the night. This indoor kingdom seems miles wide, yet it only fits in a slanted inner corner of a dead-end street. This palace is tucked in far away from any real civilization in this large and rendering city of New York. It seems as though the only way to find this place is if one has been here before, which always bewilders it's guests with how many people leer in and out every single night. Because of its obscurity and clever location, it is almost as if, those who enter here enter into another world. The glamour and bliss is so poignant, as soon as someone exits, they would wonder where they have been the entirety of their evening.

Regardless of M's Orchid's shabby and empty location, the place is endlessly busy and bustling. It is a retreat for all of those who yearn to get away from their reality and enter into a new world; a new realm of existence. It's cramped, it's dark, it's murky.

It's a nighttime paradise.

There is, of course, far more to be found beyond the luscious pillows and billowed epicure, if one is willing to look hard enough. It is a curious place, indeed.

In essence, M's Orchid is as intriguing as its very own name, and the owner's, even more so.

Little is known about the beginnings of such a place. Even less is known about its owners, Montgomery and Michelina. Much is speculated about the fraternal brother and sister twins and their opaque existence, but very little information has become common knowledge. Their origin is unknown, their age is unknown, and their history with running the business is unknown. What is known is that they are the current caretakers of such a historical monument, and that they are two of the most beautiful people that anyone has ever met. They are both tall, matching around six-feet, with Montgomery sprouting just half an inch taller than younger sister Michelina. They both have glossy blue eyes, sun kissed tan skin, and very fine, thick charcoal colored hair. Michelina styles her endlessly long and straight tresses with a straight bang that brushes just above her eyes, while Montgomery sports a short and very slick pompadour, with gel that locks it in place. They are both as slim as they are tall, and their pastel-colored high fashion helps to enhance their height. Their complexion is young, almost youth-like, as if they were freshly plucked out of school, but their eyes show that this is not the case. One may look into their eyes and their world will spin, if one is not careful with the wisdom that the twins have locked away inside. Their demure and classy personalities are completed with the richest, milkiest, and most enchanting accent, foreign to many ears and curious to all who have the pleasure to speak to them.

Monty and Michelle, as they are commonly named, are the fire and metal that mold and hold this structure together. Monty is as lively as he is amorous. Michelle is reserved and always thinking one step ahead. They are very good at what they do, and they are desired by many that are both famous and infamous. They can be the kindest friend or the fiercest enemy. It is up to the world to decide what role they will take. Although they do not flaunt the power that they wield, their reputation exceeds any and all trepidation. Together, they have built an empire, and they will not accept any less. Their workers are their children and their audience are their people. Here in M's Orchid, they are royalty. And no one crosses the King and the Queen.

Her majesty Michelina sits upon her throne. The paper work on the office desk in front of her is her crown, and the problems that arise are no match for this fierce woman of power. She works endlessly to keep her kingdom in tip-top shape, and the workload never seems to end. She hears the muffled music from the main hall and the bristled voices of pleasure and contentment. She could tell by the seemingly endless line in the bathroom hall that tonight was going to prove prosperous. As she focuses her energy upon some figures in her hands, her ears twitch at the sound of the office door slowly creaking open. She doesn't move a muscle, but her eyes dart up to see her elder brother making his way in. He holds a cheery disposition upon his face as he throws the door shut in a slam.

She speaks. "Alas, he appears," she continues to work numbers with fast reflexes on her calculator at hand.

"Alas she sneers." His smile enrages his little sister.

"You are late." Her words bite the air.

"This comes from a woman who likes to show up three hours earlier than the rest." Montgomery slumps his body on the tip of the desk as he observes what Michelina is working on.

She continues to work. "You know that I do not tolerate tardiness."

"I'm not one of your strippers, my dear. I don't-"

"Dancers," she enunciates as she stops her progress, "they are erotic dancers." She looks straight into his eyes as she points her pen towards him. "I will shove this in a very uncomfortable place. And I like this pen." Her words hit him in a threatening manner. "Where have you been?"

His brow lifts in the slightest. "I'm sorry, I was not aware that our mother has come to visit." He tilts his head to the side. Michelina sighs in disappointment as she continues to work. He uses this silence to continue. "If you must know, I was in a very important meeting."

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"I assume her legs went up to her throat and her breasts were the size of-"

"His legs were quite plain, and his breasts were hidden quite well. I do apologize for the anticlimactic outcome." He stops her senseless mockery.

"Oh, you were actually taking care of business?" She looks up to him in general disbelief. "I was not aware that hell had successfully frozen over."

"You would definitely be the first that they would notify when that day comes, sister dearest."

She bites her tongue as she takes a deep breath. "And what was this meeting about?"

"Business."

Her eyes roll. "What kind of business?"

"The kind that can get us more business."

She sighs as she stands. "Montgomery, I really don't want to send an electric shock up your spine to split in half. So will you please do me the courtesy of growing the fuck up for a moment or two and tell me what and who you were talking to?"

He chuckles. He loves making her angry. "Relax, Michelina. I was discussing updates with Trafaig."

"Trafaig?" She stops in her tracks. She slowly exhales at his explanation. "What is the update?"

"He wanted to tell us that everything is running smoothly and they are ready for a new shipment."

Michelina spins around to open a drawer directly behind her chair. "How many would they like?" She grabs a marked folder and opens it.

"Three."

"Hmm," Michelina looks into her notes with a negative response, "we don't have three."

"Are you sure?"

She looks to her brother with a sisterly attitude. "Would you like to second guess me again, because that worked out just splendidly, last time."

Monty gently sighs. "How many do we have, then?"

"It looks like we have two... at the most."

"That's all? Even if we include-"

"No." She cuts him off. "You know it's not going to happen."

He crosses his arms. "Never say never, darling."

"Care to make a wager, then?" She crosses her arms.

He huffs at her as he leaves no answer. He instead takes this moment to grab his own chair and sit across from her. "Well, how about you? Do you have any news on your end?"

"Yes." She says as she writes something in the folder before putting it back in its place. "Ms. Williams is still on personal leave."

"What?" Montgomery pauses.

"Oh, my apologies," Michelina corrects herself. "paid personal leave."

"Excuse me?"

"She called and said that she will be extending her leave an extra two days."

"How in the seven Hells did she accomplish this?"

"Other than the fact that she always brings our biggest business and is quite the protégé, she had not missed a day of worked since she started five years ago." Michelina picks out her file to inspect it. "Legally, she was owed a few extra day's paid leave."

Montgomery sighs a heavy sigh. "It's because of that girl- the one she keeps as some... pet, right?"

Michelina shrugs. "Humans, are so simple. They rely on this emotional finesse called... love-er something." Her face scrunches in disgust. "I've seen it with some of our bartenders and waitresses. It's God's-awful."

"And you are letting her do this?" Montgomery looks surprised at his sister. "She's lucky she's good."

"Oh shut up. You know that she is the best entertainer that we have had in the last decade." She dismisses her dim-witted brother, "let her waste away for a week in some folly lovey-dovey crap. Let her get it out of her system."

"It's fine," Montgomery thinks on this matter. "She can owe me for making my audience suffer without her."

"Speaking of," Michelina changes the subject, "have you checked the numbers tonight?" she asks as she stacks the majority of the papers on the desk together.

"Not yet. I haven't had a chance to make the rounds."

Michelina stops as she looks up to her brother. This causes a smile to creep upon her face for the first time tonight. "Oh, you haven't?" She tilts her head as her smile only grows.

His brow curls. "No."

"Have you been on the floor at all?" Her smile remains.

"No..." His smile shrinks. "Why?"

She quietly giggles. "Go make your rounds and see for yourself."

"Well, I don't want to, now."

"Well, I am suddenly very thirsty." Michelina says as she stands. "Come on, you're gonna make me a drink."

"Michelina-"

"Come on,"

"What is out there, Michelle?" He calls her by her given nickname.

"You know how I like my drinks, right, Monty?" She throws his right back at him.

"With freshly squeezed arsenic," he asks as he opens their office door and lets his sister out first. "coming right up."

The hall is crowded and bustling with a group of drunk people stumbling to find a restroom. The twins maneuver out of the crowd and into the filled floor. The music is loud and overbearing as is the heat in the building with all of the bodies stacked against one another. With swift movements, they are able to make it to the other side of the building to the large and loaded bar full of every single kind of alcohol one can imagine. Monty jumps behind the bar as he grabs a glass to make a drink.

"What do you want, little sister?"

"A Black Russian, and use the good stuff."

"And I'll take a Manhattan." Says a much deeper and more masculine voice.

Montgomery knows this voice. His spine crawls in pure hatred for this voice. His eyes swiftly roll to the back to his head as he turns to see the culprit of such an annoying bass: a tall and thin man, fit with blonde layered hair and eyes that kill with one pupil larger than the other. His toothy grin brings Montgomery's blood to a boiling heat. "And use the good stuff." His eyes spark with childlike animosity.

"Jareth." Montgomery hisses through his teeth with a forced smile. Michelina sits next to Jareth with a wide grin on her face.

"Hello Montgomery."

"Cousin Jareth!" Michelina's gratuitous smile cannot be hidden upon seeing her brother's arch enemy. "It has been too long."

"That is has." He nods in agreement, his accent matching his relatives.

She continues. "How are things in the bewildering world of that grotesque and repulsive Labyrinthian Kingdom of yours?"

"Quiet and dismal." Jareth nods in thanks to his cousin upon being given his drink. "There is little activity on my end."

"Aww, no kidnappings? What a bore." Montgomery mockingly pouts at his cousin's discern.

"It is always a joy to see you, dear cousin." Michelina pats Jareth's hand with hers.

"That is very kind of you to say." Jareth's smile towards Michelina is genuine. "And I am sure that the fulfillment that you express when your brother and I bicker and fight has nothing to do with your welcome wagon upon my arrivals."

"Oh no," the sarcasm is barely missed from Michelina's voice, "though it is fun to watch you keep my sweet and loving brother on his toes."

"Mmhmm," Montgomery is less than amused. "What brings your bony hide to our humble abode, dear cousin?" Irritation drips as Monty tries to smile.

"Need I a reason to come and say hello to family?" Jareth takes a sip of his extremely alcoholic drink.

"You are hardly that courteous." Montgomery's words are poisonous.

"Isn't that calling the kettle black, young one." Jareth dismisses the blatant insult with his own. This makes what little smile that is on his cousin's face drop in an instant.

"At least I have something to show for it." Montgomery says as he pours a shot for himself.

"Yes," Jareth observes his surroundings. "A stark and filthy human infested shack with weak alcohol and stacks of green paper that barely passes for proper currency." Jareth takes another sip.

"Will you be staying long, Jareth?" Michelina's voice is open and inviting.

"That depends."

"Oh what?"

"On you."

"What really brings you to our side of the tracks, my dear Jareth?" Montgomery's pompousness seeps through his words.

"Your astute attitude and charming good looks, dear Montgomery." Jareth shrugs.

"And the actual reason?" Michelina quips as she shamelessly darts her eyes to her ugly older brother.

Jareth sighs. He is finished with this façade. "I am, in fact, here to congratulate the two of you."

"That's a curious statement." Michelina looks back to their cousin.

"On what grounds do we deserve such a celebration from the mighty Goblin King?"

"On the grounds that this King is officially passing down his crown to his successors: Prince Montgomery and Princess Michelina of the Royal Tuatha Fae Court, direct descendants of the Goddess Brigid, Ruler of the "Domhan na Dóiteáin." He smiles tilting his head towards his younger sibling-like cousins. "You are to accept the crown during this next Winter Solstice. Our grandmother does miss you, so."

They both look to him, dumbfounded by this sudden collection of information. There is quite the lengthy silence between the three beings, regardless of the loud music echoing the walls of their self-made palace. Out of nowhere, the twins suddenly burst in some hardy chuckles which renders Jareth's brow to lift in confusion. They continue to chuckle at his words.

"Oh, Montgomery? Could this be true?" Michelina says holding her tiny stomach.

"Yes," he replies, "the Goblin King is gracious enough to sacrifice his wonderful crown down to us common folk. What a blessed day!"

"Oh, but wait, brother dearest," they slowly stop their laughter, "do we want the Labyrinthian crown?" The acting in her voice is obvious.

Montgomery ponders for a moment. "Why, no. I don't think we wish to dwindle and whither away on a godforsaken throne that keeps the lowest magical life forms on a leash."

"Oh, well my mistake, Jareth." Michelina's face drops in joking favor. "I do not think we will be accepting today. Thank you for the kind offer though." They continue to laugh.

Jareth's smile refuses to leave, regardless of their poking fun at his demise. "You will be there." He nods, refusing their refusal. "You will show up during the Tuatha Winter Solstice Bailiú, you will carry yourself through the crowning ceremony and you will rule the Labyrinthian throne." The confidence in his voice causes their laughter to subside.

Michelina lightly sighs. Her smile remains. "I'm sorry, Jareth." She is kind in her words. "But we do not accept the crown." She lovingly rubs his arm in reassurance. He accepts it, his smile never fading, but his eyes do darken in the slightest.

"Yes," Montgomery adds, "although we are next in line for the crown, it is only upon our decision on if we wish to accept the crown or not." He finishes with a smile returning to his face.

Michelle continues, "We know that you have been doing this for quite a few years-"

"A few Millennia, to be generous." Jareth adds.

"We are just not in a position to accept." Michelina's kindness is uncharacteristic.

"And why is that?" Jareth kindly asks.

"Look around you, cousin." She waves a hand around their vision to gather attention to their environment. "We have a purpose here. We have substance."

"And we refuse to be in charge of ghoulish and disgusting creatures that can't keep their junk in their pants. Ruling over a nasty thrown and keeping unruly, low of life forms are not things that I am interested in." Montgomery is incredibly blunt. "Though, I am sure you are doing a marvelous job." He pats in Jareth's direction.

Jareth replies, "I have no doubt that Michelina must have more than enough practice with ghoulish and disgusting creatures, keeping you on a leash all this time. They do frown upon pillage and rape nowadays, don't they, Montgomery?" Jareth's quick witted retort causes Monty's face to drop.

"How is your father, Jareth?" Montgomery pushes the insult inside of Jareth's ears. Michelina's jaw drops as she looks almost apologetically to her cousin.

Jareth doesn't need to buff his chest. He only adds to his previous thought as he backs his little cousin up with his size. "I did your mother a favor taking this throne all those years ago when you two were too young to rule. But you two are plenty old enough now. And you will repay me by taking responsibility. It is time to be grown-up's and do what is required of you."

Michelina and Montgomery look to one another as if they were pondering their decision. Mirroring one another, they look to each other, then look back to Jareth simultaneously. And as they speak, they speak in one voice. "No."

"Okay." Jareth's lips thin out in anger. "I do apologize if I have given any implication that am making a request." He chuckles in his own irritation. "I am not asking. This is an order."

"An order?" Michelina asks slightly surprised to hear such a word.

"From someone of a higher power." Jareth points to himself.

"Well, this does cause something problematic, doesn't it?" Michelina's positive demeanor is starting to irritate Jareth.

"What should we do?" Montgomery asks.

"I don't think we have to anything." Michelina flutters her lashes with a greedy smile.

"Why is that?" Montgomery asks.

Michelina shrugs. "Because it's not our problem."

"Oh. How interesting."

"Well it's settled then." She agrees with her brother as they both walk away from Jareth leaving him in a pool of his own gloom.

"I hope you enjoy tonight's entertainment, dear Jareth." Montgomery finishes, walking away.

"And all of your drinks will be on the house." Michelina adds with a wave.

Jareth's face is scrunched in anger of the two obnoxious child-like twin cousins of his. There is only one thing left to do.

"Cowards." He says just loud enough for them to hear.

Montgomery stops dead in his tracks. The action causes Michelina to follow.

Slowly, they turn their heels to see their eldest cousin sitting and twirling the straw in his drink.

"Pardon?" Montgomery asks.

"Did I stutter?" Jareth's grin is small and frigid. His cousin's head quickly tilts to the side. Such a simple comment sends pure loathing within his soul. But before he starts to speak, Michelle steps in.

"This is not cowardice, Jareth." Michelina stands in front of her brother, knowing how he can be. "It's resourcefulness. We are very sorry that you have became wrapped up in this, but it is to no fault of ours that you volunteered to take this role. Nor is it our fault that these rules have been set in place. If we do not want this throne, then we have a right not to accept it. We are sorry." Michelina feels as though is able to end the discussion with peace and understanding. Jareth slowly nods as the twins continue to back away.

Montgomery adds, "We do have responsibilities, Jareth. Just because they do not coincide with yours, that doesn't make them any less important."

"You don't want to take it voluntarily? That's fine." Jareth says as he takes another sip of his drink. "Then how about we make it interesting?"

This perks the ears of both twins, but Michelina is quick to respond. "No-"

"Now, wait a minute, Michelina," her brother stops her, "we haven't heard what our dear cousin has to say yet."

"Montgomery. I am not going to let you-"

"I'm sorry... are you my mother?"

"Our mother is dead!"

"Jareth, I'd like to hear what you have to say." Montgomery agrees in spite of his wretched sister.

Jareth grins. "If we weren't related, I'd swear you two were human." Jareth speaks to the twins as the leisurely bring their gaze back to him. "It would be... fun to engage in a friendly wager, just as we did in our youth."

"It depends on how interesting you are willing to make it. I don't want to get bored."

"By the goddess. Montgomery you are such an idiot." Michelina lowers her head in shame. "And what could you possibly have that we would want?" Michelina motions of Jareth as leans her body up against the bar.

"It's not what you want, but rather what you don't want." Jareth says as he looks into his cup that is almost empty. He points his cup to Monty, demanding another drink.

"Elaborate." Michelina says urging him to continue.

"If I win, I get to step down and you get to take the crown. It can be both of you, or you can fight for it since I know how much you both want it."

"And if we win?" Michelina urges him further.

"I leave. Simple as that."

"No, no." She stands tall as she faces her older cousin alone. "You leave and never return."

"I am willing to accept those wages." Jareth is blunt.

"Wait..." Montgomery stops them. "What is the bet?"

Jareth shrugs. "Anything. I am at your disposal, after all."

The twins chuckle. Montgomery adds."Well, you're the one that wants the bet."

Michelina continues. "And we just can't up and leave, dearest cousin. As we have discussed earlier, we have roots."

Montgomery shrugs at the thought. "Well, it's not like we're married to the place, darling." He just cannot resist adding to this interesting topic.

"Yes, but Jareth isn't married at all." Michelina says as they both chuckle. "At least we have substance."

Montgomery's smile reaches ear to ear. "A pathetic truth, indeed."

"There's our bet." Jareth suddenly says through the chuckles.

The twins look to one another in slight confusion. "Wha... Marriage?" Michelina asks.

"Marriage to what?" Montgomery questions.

"Marriage is binding, you said so yourself." Jareth says as it is his turn to smile.

Michelina catches on quite quickly. "So... You want to marry? Marry whom?"

"That is the interesting part, isn't it?" Jareth says looking around. "Who should I marry?"

"I think the question is who would marry?" Monty quips with a laugh. "You have existed this long without a betrothed. There must be a reason."

"And what makes you think you can get anyone here?"

"A bet's a bet. What do you say?" Jareth stands erect with the wager on the table.

"We're not interested." Michelina shuts down the offer. "Let's go, brother."

"Tell you what," Montgomery ignores his sister completely. "If you can get any of my girls in our establishment to marry you in... one human week, then we will gladly accept the Labyrinthian throne."

"What?" Michelle quips. "No! I don't agree to this."

"Easy enough." Jareth agrees.

"And you have to act as a human." Montgomery continues. "No magic and no use of power to glamorize your position. You have to use old fashioned wit and charm, so long as it didn't waste away with your old age. We might as well get a show with this bet." The eldest twin giggles towards Michelina at the thought of this outrageous idea.

"No magic and I must be married in one week time." Jareth settles the rules at hand.

"Is that a wager?"

"Are any of you morons listening to me?" Michelina fights her way into the conversation. "As a businesswoman who owns 50% of this establishment, I am refusing this idiotic endeavor. This is Ludicrous."

"It's probably for the best. I wouldn't want to lose, either." Jareth shrugs as he finishes his rum.

"Please." Michelina starts to giggle. "You would fall flat on your pretty little face within the evening."

"Then why not play along?"

Montgomery and Michelina look to one another as they mentally discuss this idea with one another one last time. After coming to a conclusion, they put their hands in.

Michelina speaks. "If we win, you will return to the Labyrinthian throne and you shall rule for an eternity. You will not return and ask us to take over again, and we will get to do what we please."

Jareth nods in understanding. "And if I win, I have my freedom."

"As a human." Montgomery adds.

"Pardon?" Jareth asks.

"You will get your freedom, but as a human. You will have to remain here." Michelina agrees with Montgomery's addition.

"And you will not be allowed to divorce your betrothed."

"You are only allowed to be a widower, or otherwise at a physical loss of your bonnie lass. Is that agreed?"

Jareth is surprised at this addition to the bet. He sits there for a moment to ponder the wages at hand, here. He did not expect this to escalate this much. He hides his reservations about this irrational idea.

"Are we in agreement?" Montgomery asks with his hand in.

"Aye. We are in agreement." Jareth shakes Montgomery's hand.

"I can't believe I am doing this," Michelina lays a hand on top of theirs, "but the wager has officially been made." All hands temporarily bind with a gentle green glow. "You have one week, Jareth. You better hurry."

He says no more. He only bows as he leaves them to be off.

"So, you say our little Sarah Williams will not be returning for another two days, correct?" Montgomery asks motioning to his sister.

"That is correct." Michelina responds as she holds her hands behind her back to straighten out her posture.

"This will prove to be exceptional entertainment."

"You underestimate our cousin, dearest brother." Her eyes lower to their cousin as he approaches the first waitress that he sees. "He will prove to be very fitting opponent." The twins look down at their dynasty of M's Orchid.

"Then let the games begin."

-S+Stardust-