Arthur Summerlee frowned at Challenger. Those bloody experiments would one day be the death of that man...
"George..." the older man hedged, "are you certain it's safe to inject yourself with this?"
"I am trying to help the Zanga, Summerlee." Challenger said, gruffly dismissing the older man. "I want to make certain of its side affects before I inject some of their stock animals with it. If it makes them sick or worse--- they can't very well say so until it's too late, can they?" he reasoned.
"Well, no... but, I'm just not certain it's safe to test it on yourself."
Challenger smirked a bit. "Well, Arthur, you're a bit old for the affects of pheromones, especially mixed into a cocktail of other things." he teased, grinning when Summerlee flustered and chuffed. "Anyway, it's no harm in it--- I'm a human, a grown man, and a scientist, fully in control of my faculties as well as my libido."
"So much so that I do wonder how your dear wife stood it." Arthur muttered under his breath, but, luckily, Challenger didn't hear him.
"At any rate--- it's a harmless experiment. If it works, then it should help the Zanga's dwindling stocks. If it fails... well, back to the drawing board and they're no worse off than if I hadn't tried."
Summerlee nodded. There was sound logic behind it, and the man seemed to know what he was doing... So, he patted him on the shoulder and walked out of the lab, to where the others were enjoying breakfast...
George Challenger awoke to the sound of the shower going.
"Funny," he thought to himself, "no one usually is running the shower this time of night..."
Baffled, he went towards the showering room, and saw Marguerite standing behind the bamboo walls, soaping herself up, oblivious to the fact that she was being watched. Moving forward, he opened the door, and gazed openly and hungrily at her wet, naked body. The beautiful curves, the perfectly round bosoms, the soft...
Suddenly, she noticed him and her mouth and eyes opened in horror and shock. She started to scream, but he was faster. He quickly stepped into the shower, still going, and clapped a rough hand over her mouth, pinning her against one of the walls. She started to struggle as his other hand snaked down, fingers almost expertly curling around---
And, suddenly, Challenger wasn't in the shower at all. He was alone, in his own bed... it had all been a dream...
Sighing in immense relief, he leaned back and mopped his fevered brow with the sleeve of his nightshirt. Looking at his pinging alarm clock, he realized that it was time for another dose, and he walked slowly towards his syringes, shuffling his feet as he went, and jabbed the needle into his arm once again...
Roxton walked into the lab the next morning to see Challenger filling his morning syringe and about to inject himself.
"I say, Challenger; what are you doing?"
"Er, ah, simple experiment; nothing more." Challenger said gruffly, not wanting to go into details with Roxton, especially after last night's dream, which was most assuredly a side-affect of the injections.
"Yes, well, be careful injecting yourself with things--- I thought that's what you had rats for."
"Yes, well... this one I need to know first hand. It's... I need a subject who can talk to me, tell me all effects. A rat cannot."
"True enough, I suppose." Roxton shrugged.
"Besides, I could not in good conscience experiment on my friends."
"Ah, good to know." Roxton smirked. "Well, come on to breakfast, George." he said over his shoulder, walking back to the table.
Roxton had good reason to want to get back quickly; Marguerite was in good spirits this morning, and he wanted to take advantage of that. She was not usually a morning person. But, the fresh roasted coffee was flowing, and she was definitely in a good mood. Assai had spent the night before, staying in Veronica's room, and was seated between both women, who were talking animatedly about something. Roxton sat down on Marguerite's other side and smiled.
"So, what are you ladies so cheerful about so early?"
"Marguerite's going to be dress model for Assai so she can make some new clothes." Veronica chuckled.
"As long as she doesn't stick any pins in me." Marguerite smirked at Roxton.
But, Roxton was eying her, the very idea of her in one of those "jungle outfits" starting to make his pulse race a bit. "Really, now? You ought to keep one for yourself, you know." he smiled, trying to sound teasing but it came out a bit hoarse.
Assai and Veronica exchanged smirks, but Marguerite grinned at him, looking at him assessingly.
"Why, Lord Roxton... the things you say..." she whispered.
"I have lots of material." Assai offered. "I don't mind making one at all... which color would you like?"
"I... I'm not sure..." Marguerite fumbled.
"Lavender." Roxton said, smiling at Marguerite. "Lavender is definitely her color..."
George came in around this time, sitting at the opposite end of the table. "Oh, Assai; I'm glad you're still here." he said, piling his plate higher than usual. "I think my experiments to help your stock are coming along quite nicely. I'll need a couple more days of data... but, yes, I think this should be helpful."
Assai smiled. "Thank you, Professor; you are so knowledgeable, and kind..."
Marguerite made a "pfft" noise. "Don't give the man a bigger head than he's already got--- no offense, Challenger."
"Oh, none taken--- is there any coffee left?" he asked.
Veronica nodded, walking over to him with the pot. "Here you are, Challenger." she said, leaning down a bit to pour.
Roxton noticed that he gazed openly at her cleavage as she did so, and so did Ned, but the Veronica was oblivious. Unfortunately for Challenger, Marguerite was not.
"What's the matter, George; didn't your mother wean you properly?"
Veronica started, and Roxton dropped his forehead into his hand, laughing. Ned blushed.
"That wasn't a nice thing to say, Marguerite." Veronica huffed.
Marguerite shrugged. "Tell that to Mr. Lookee-Lou over there."
"I... was not..." Challenger fumbled.
"Of course not!" Veronica soothed, glaring at Marguerite.
"Oh, fine, once again, everybody blames me. Whatever, I am going to go ahead and help Assai." she said, walking off, yanking Assai by the wrist with her...