Transition Plan Chapter 93 - Searching for Jeanne Part 11

Author's Note: The past month or so I've been giving you double and triple length chapters in order to describe the action. Time to slooooww down a bit!

…July 14, 1916. Lagos, Nigeria. Bastille Day…

The brand new French Embassy looked resplendent for the day of French independence, built just down the street from the British Embassy in the new modern section of the Council of Chiefs Village. The old village was about two miles away. The citizens maintained their traditions proudly, but was off limits to casual or simply curious western visitors, unless they followed the Nigerian dress code while visiting. European social norms were required in the new section of the village. It was a good balance between old and new. The local tribes called the new section Lagos.

There was a huge crowd of dignitaries of multiple nationalities gathered at the new French embassy, and it was a bustle of activity. The British were assisting in the celebration by supplying the honor guard and drill team from the Royal Army garrison that had been resident in-country since the English had colonized Nigeria and some participated the Kamina and Kamerun operations while the majority defended Nigeria, so most were combat-hardened. General Cunliffe was with the Captain of the garrison and enjoying his time with them. It was a special honor for the young Captain to have the General's undivided attention, and the old warrior had been there for several days with the garrison observing their combat skills. The lasting effects of Tarzan's and Jacot's specialized training from nearly two years ago was evident. They could handle any situation thrown at them – from civil insurrection to jungle skirmish to full battle against a modern adversary. Nearly all were combat hardened. The garrison, under Jacot's leadership, would form the core of the training team for jungle fighters from multiple nations, one of the main purposes of having the joint headquarters here.

The embassy was very festive-looking, adorned everywhere with the French tricolors alongside many Nigerian flags and banners – which was a British union jack with a green and red six pointed star with a British crown inset. As a result, there was a overwhelming amount of red, white, and blue bunting and ribbons for the event from both nations.

The Clayton's had arrived bareback via Tantor's family the day before to the old part of the Village of Chiefs from their most recent Mangani nest, where they dressed formally in Abassi's hut after a brief but friendly visit, and walked the short distance in the European section to overnight with the Ambassador's family in their beautifully-decorated residence. The Abassi's would come to the Embassy the next morning.

The two families got along very well, as the entire Clayton family's French was impeccable. Even the twins knew a few words. They shared an amazing dinner prepared in the ways only the French could do. They may as well have been in Paris. The French Ambassador had only two small boys about Lily and the twins' ages, and the Ambassador's wife Veronique was delighted that Lily and Jack and the twins played so well with them while the women had a delightful visit.

But now the men were down to business while the families continued to build their friendships. Abassi and Tarzan and the French Ambassador had been in session alone with a very early private breakfast. General Cunliffe joined them for a short debrief on the military situation report across the region, but departed for further preparations for the new headquarters. The Embassy's Chief of Protocol was very fretful, and reminded the men several times of the short time before the dedication occurred. Finally the leaders emerged.

The new French Ambassador Jean-Pierre was all decked out in a very formal suit with his sash and badge of office to receive the long list of guests of honor. The guests arrived in order of protocol. Second to last were the Clayton's, considered the 'rulers' of the land of the Mangani, a special place never spoken of with outlanders in public by the Nigerians. He was only introduced as the Count of Greystoke. The French Ambassador learned the Nigerians considered the land of the Mangani a special sacred preserve within their country in which all the leaders of Nigeria placed their trust to Count Clayton to be its permanent steward. The Ambassador didn't understand why an English nobleman would be entrusted with the care of such a vast primal land considered sacred to the natives and an untouchable wild animal preserve, but he would try to comprehend the reasons. But he could tell the Count had a very special relationship with not only Abassi but all the native tribal leaders. The Englishman knew most of them by first name and spoke to them in least three of the most widespread Nigerian languages. Jean-Pierre only knew a smattering of Igbo so far.

"Who is this man and why is he everyone's friend?" the Ambassador pondered with respect.

Tarzan looked wonderful in his Clan Clayton kilt and sash of nobility. Jack was dressed similarly and was grateful for the open kilt in the heat for some relief. The wool kilt was itchy. Paul wore shorts and knee socks and Elisabeth wore a cute frilly bright yellow dress that matched her mother's and Lily's more formal ankle length attire with boots and sun umbrellas. They also wore scarves that matched the Clan Clayton tartans.

Chief Abassi was introduced last, with his wife Femi by his side with their children Ndidi, Okpara, and Sopuluchukwu. Everyone was always amused by their youngest son's name. It was such a big name for such a little boy. But he would grow into it and live its meaning of 'respect God'. They were a very handsome family. The Chief wore the most impressive feather and bone headdress and fur mantle of his office said to go back generations, with a matching loin cloth, and carried an ornamental spear. The children and Femi were dressed in matching apparel to the Chief. As a warrior 'queen', she carried an equally impressive battle staff. She and Ndidi also wore fur tops for the first time ever for modesty among the Europeans. Mother and daughter both thought it felt weird.

Six and half year old Lily was even more uncomfortable. She hadn't worn anything for nearly two years, since the family couldn't maintain the twice per year cycle back and forth between Africa and England due to the war. Keeping the twins in their clothing was more challenging than Jane expected. This was the first time they ever wore clothes since they were born. They knew nothing of European styles and the proper behaviors of that culture. But finally, they minded their mother after promising them a treat after the ceremony.

Lily lamented, "How can you wear all this mother? Besides, Daddy and Jack aren't nearly as handsome now. Or Okpara."

Jane was thinking exactly the same thing. Natural bodies were much more attractive and more comfortable in this oppressive environment. Jane knew that her oldest daughter had a close friendship with the Chief's very handsome son for some time. He was only a year older than her. Jane wondered if she was seeing another future relationship bud. It was far too early to tell.

The dedication of the embassy went on for a long time. All the dignitaries from French, Belgian, Spanish, and English colonies surrounding Nigeria tried to outdo each other as they extolled the virtues of their regional alliances. They lauded their joint victories over Germany's African colonies and spoke positively of achieving victory in Europe coming, even though the countries there were bogged down in the horrendous conditions of trench warfare.

When it was Chief Abassi's turn to speak, everyone was abuzz. He pontificated the longest and the best of all the speakers, as it was his place to do as the Chief. It was exactly what everyone wanted to hear, and he was very sincere. Abassi loved a podium and always interacted well with an audience. It was fortunate that he was so entertaining to offset being so verbose. He had a lot of good stories that made people cry in one moment and laugh the next. Ambassador Jean-Pierre was impressed with the Nigerian leader.

The establishment of the Regional Allied Military headquarters proceeded next, with a different set of speakers. The heroism medals would be presented during that ceremony. Tarzan would receive a French Legion of Honor award, conferred by France on warriors from other countries, and Armand and his people would all receive the Croix de Guerre, the country's top military honor. For gallantry at both Garua and Kamina, Armand didn't know that he'd be getting an extra honor of a bronze cluster pin affixed to his Croix de Guerre.

General Cunliffe, known to everyone as 'the Hero of Kamerun', presided, and was nearly as talented as Abassi at being a master of ceremonies. The garrison's color guard and drill team were impressive, drawing considerable applause. He proudly announced his new senior staff, and their spouses. One name, a national hero to all the Frenchmen present, triggered a strong response. But to one couple, not in a good way.

Cunliffe expounded, "And now, I'd like to announce my Deputy Commander of our Allied headquarters, a name familiar to all Nigerians. A man who reached out across national lines to make a unified fighting force of Frenchmen, English, and Nigerians. A man who can do that across all of western Africa. That would be Colonel Armand Jacot of the French Special Forces, the brilliant mastermind of the special operations against German communications posts in Kamina and Garua. He is here on permanent station with his wife, Madame Josephine Jacot, a former Army nurse in her own right, and their youngest daughter Michelle. Michelle is not their only daughter. It is our fervent hope that someday, their oldest daughter, Jeanne Jacot - another hero of Kamina we honor today in absentia for her personal bravery alongside her father, his men, and the Clayton family - will return to receive her medal in person. Unfortunately, young Mademoiselle Jeanne Jacot was captured in combat in Kamina and remains a prisoner of war in the hands of the enemy. We ask your fervent prayers for her safe return."

It was that subtle but important designation by the General of Jeanne being a POW – now officially pronounced - that permitted her father access to any resource the Army possessed for a search and rescue of his daughter.

Everyone got to their feet in roaring applause for the Jacot's, especially Abassi, who held Armand in very high regard. The Clayton's, reluctantly, rose to be polite. They were completely shocked and aghast at this surprise. They immediately knew it had been engineered to be a secret.

"Oh… my… God…" Jane gasped to her husband.

The Countess was never in favor of harsh language, but she was completely floored, and she and Tarzan were even more stunned when they saw Armand.

The Colonel limped in from far off stage. His prosthetic leg was bothering him today - of all days - and he needed the cane was well, and Josephine had to help him climb and walk. He looked weaker than he was.

"Dear God, Armand's been terribly hurt, Jonathan," Jane stammered. Her anger for a moment was tempered by her sympathy for him.

She and Tarzan saw that the Colonel not only had a prosthetic leg, but also had his heavily damaged left arm in its brace. Additionally they could see he had lost his left ear and there were disfigurements to the left side of his face. Once the jungle couple had gotten over the shock of the extreme injuries to Armand, Jane noticed their eighteen month old daughter, just a little younger than the twins. She, like her sister, was an amazingly pretty little girl with the same beautiful dark olive skin and black hair as her sister and mother, and was toddling beside them helping her father. Josephine looked a little worn and unhealthily thin.

"I can see…" Tarzan pitied Armand despite his growing anger over this surprise.

Jack was very restrained, trying to avoid being noticed by the Jacot's.

Even more of shock was that Cunliffe had announced that Armand would be the Deputy Commander at the Allied headquarters office. That meant the Jacot's would live in Lagos, and that Tarzan would be compelled to work with him. Things were strained enough between the families, but this was a nasty surprise and entirely unwelcome.

Deep inside, the Clayton's remembered they had tried everything not to part on such horrible terms, but Josephine's irrational demands and legal actions to completely cut things off between them and embittered them. This only aggravated the situation.

All that, especially with the Jacot's living just ten miles from them, was too much. The memories were too disturbing. The Clayton's couldn't be sympathetic. Jane tensed up very defensively, and sheltered Jack beside her protectively, who obviously needed the emotional support from his parents. Jane gave Josephine an icy cold stare. Josephine had at first smiled at Jane cheerfully as she emerged on stage for her husband's introduction, but she saw Jane's angry expression and her protective stance with Jack and his shattered look. Josephine felt awful that they had sprung this unwanted surprise reunion, and cast her eyes down.

Tarzan nearly stopped the proceedings and thought about leaving in protest, but it would have caused an international incident. He stood and endured the ceremony for the military headquarters dedication and he had no expression of recognition for Armand. It made the French soldier very uneasy. Keeping the secret that he was going to be stationed here permanently had really been a miscalculation.

General Cunliffe and the Ambassador finished the headquarters dedication, and then proceeded with the military honor awards ceremony, which was even more awkward because Jacot, what was left of his team, and the Clayton's were forced to stand together. Tarzan, and especially Jack, tried to move away from Jacot on the other side of his men also honored, but could not, because he and Jacot were the leaders of the Kamina operation, so Tarzan was forced to stand right next to Armand and shake hands with him for the flash pictures with their awards, and then with the Ambassador. Jack refused to pose between his dad and Jacot holding Jeanne's medal - to be awarded when she returned - as the photographer asked. Jack hid against his father's side as far away from the Colonel as possible. Tarzan apologized that Jack was nervous and shy around cameras, but Armand knew the truth. The boy was terrified of him and that saddened him.

"This is going completely wrong," Armand lamented to himself.

Josephine sat in the audience watching how difficult this was for the Clayton's and saw her husband's exasperation in his eyes. She sat in another chair in the very back of the room rather than be next to Jane as it had been planned. She made the excuse to the Embassy Protocol Officer that Michelle was fussy and would disturb the proceedings. Jane made no acknowledgement that Josephine even existed.

This situation could not be any more awkward for the two families because of Armand's miscalculation.

Few things had upset Jack more than being slapped and kicked by Josephine – someone he had come to trust and care for to that point – and then to have received the vile verbal abuse when he was already very distraught about Jeanne's abduction. All that had etched into his young psyche.

"These people hate me," was all he could think.

It was not rational, but it was how he felt nonetheless. He was really not ready to be forced to remember that terrible day during a time that should have been joyous, and like his parents, was not receptive to the signs the Jacot's were giving for reconciliation between the families.

Cunliffe could see the discomfort and awkwardness between the Clayton's and Jacot's, and knew it wasn't because the nice English civilian family was being humble receiving the French Legion of Honor awards. Something was really wrong between these two men – former combatant colleagues - and their families. The Ambassador caught it too.

Finally the public spectacle was all over. Mercifully. After a few congratulatory handshakes and well wishes for them, Jane tried to be polite as she insisted with the Ambassador, "We're sorry to hurry off, Ambassador Jean-Pierre, but we must depart for urgent family business."

The French statesman was puzzled, "So soon, Lady Jane? There is a luncheon in honor of all the awardees and their families next. Perhaps you'd like to get reacquainted with the Jacot's. I understand you haven't seen them in a couple of years."

He was aware of a strain in relations by Armand's own admission. Unfortunately he was not aware of how deep-seated their differences had become.

Jane was polite but insistent, "My dear Ambassador, we really must decline the luncheon. I am truly sorry."

It was very awkward and there was fire in Jane's eyes toward the Jacot's. The Ambassaor finally saw the animosity Jane directed at a very guilty-looking Josephine.

Being the diplomat that he was, Jean-Pierre suggested delicately, "Ah. Well. Countess Clayton. I am never one to stand in the way of family business of our English allies. It appears we need to make other arrangements. Another time, perhaps?"

She recovered and was graciously polite, "I appreciate you accommodating us, sir. Yes, it would be our pleasure to be with you another time. Thank you."

Armand could see the Clayton's were preparing to leave. The tension had gone far enough. Jacot approached the Count directly.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Ambassador. Before you leave, Josephine and I would like to have a word with you, Count and Countess Clayton. Alone. Outside in the gardens."

Jane assented conditionally and abruptly, "Not without legal counsel. British legal counsel."

"As you wish," Jacot acknowledged.

There was that ugly matter of the restraining order on the Clayton's. Armand had tried everything to get the restraining order removed before this ceremony but to no avail. The courts moved slowly. Tarzan called the Legal Counsel from the British Embassy over as a witness to their conversation. The elderly man was quite familiar with the court order that restricted the Clayton's from ever engaging in any contact with the Jacot family or rescue of Jeanne. He had to unfortunately serve it to Tarzan and Jane. At the time, he was not sure if Lady Jane would ever stop crying after she read it. He'd already been watching this tense encounter.

The couples went outside while Jack and Lily took care of the twins, still squirming in their clothing, and the Counsel reminded them what could and could not be said. Josephine was desperate to talk and apologize. She didn't care about the restraining order limits or lawyers.

She interrupted the lawyer pleading in an unsteady voice, "No please, enough of this legal mumbo jumbo, we must talk. Both of you and the Viscount too. I have to apologize for everything. This must be said, Jane."

Countess Clayton could hear the remorse in Josephine's desperate voice, but still responded formally, following every letter of the order, and found it hard to restrain her emotions, "Absolutely not. You may not talk to us or my boy, Madame Jacot. We barely know each other now. I am Countess Clayton to you. You have said enough to my family. You had the audacity to put a legal restraining order in place to prevent us from interacting. Live with it. We are breaking the law every minute we talk. We intend to follow the letter of the intent of the order exactly. This conversation needs to end now."

Josephine remembered bitterly she had demanded that Jane only address her formally and was even more adamant about the restraining order. Jane's insults cut Josephine deeply. The French woman knew that she deserved every one of them.

Weakly, Josephine tried again, "Please, you must hear us out."

The Counsel advised, "We're near the time limit on casual incidental contact in a social situation, and Madame Jacot, you are violating the order's terms by seeking to relax the restrictions."

"No!" Josephine wailed. She wrung her hands and whimpered, having to hold it all inside her. Her eyes darted to all of them, getting no sympathy from the Clayton's. Armand couldn't look at her. Josephine fell silent.

Tarzan noted calmly and deliberately, "Thank you, Counsel, but if you will permit us a few more comments. Colonel Jacot, we're very sorry about your injuries, and hope you will continue to heal as best the situation will permit. Madame Jacot, your daughter is beautiful. Congratulations."

Josephine jumped to the conclusion that there was a thaw in their reticence to talk, "As are your twins, Count and Countess. They're very cute! I didn't know you had twins. What are their…"

"Of course you didn't know I had twins," Jane interrupted and snapped, "We haven't said a word of any kind of personal nature to you, enforced by your damn court order, in nearly two years, Madame Jacot. If we do, the Bobbies will put us in jail. Or have you forgotten that? Or do you want us in jail?"

Josephine was frantic, "No! No! Of course not, Countess."

The Counsel held his hands out to stop them and warned, "Countess… you are becoming angry and critical of Madame Jacot by raising your voice and using profanity. That is prohibited. I must advise you to desist. Madame Jacot, must I call a gendarme? You are completely out of line engaging in personal conversations with Lady Jane."

"That's enough, Jane," Tarzan demanded. If there was trouble again, the Clayton's would not start it.

Josephine's voiced cracked, "But we would never do that to any of you. We're sorry. I hate this court order and everything else we did to you. Mon Dieu, how many times must we tell you that we want to be friends again?"

Jane's eyes narrowed, even though it was killing her inside to say these things, "We don't know that. Your apology is empty with no action to change the way things are. Good day, Madame and Colonel Jacot."

The Countess gathered the children, whirled and turned with her husband, and abruptly left the Jacot's standing shattered on the patio. Josephine buried her head in her hands, and the Colonel put his hand on her shoulder. The incident was hard to miss by everyone gathered.

…

Back inside the Clayton's said their swift goodbyes.

Jane curtsied and smiled, standing formally with her arm in her husband's arm as if nothing happened outside, and said sincerely, "Ambassador Jean-Pierre and Madame Veronique, we appreciate the wonderful hospitality you and your family showed us the past two days, and we are so humbled and honored that my husband and son received the Legion of Honor. I know how special and rare that is. Your government is most kind. Those medals will always be displayed in a place of great respect in our Castle. Madame Veronique, you are such a wonderful hostess. I know our children all got along so well. I would propose we let them play together often. We will be freer next week, if you have time for lunch with us then."

The Ambassador was equally cordial, and Veronique gave Jane a very broad smile as she acknowledged, "I understand completely. Everyone has busy schedules. I will arrange for a luncheon engagement and a playtime for our children and let you know soonest."

Jane and Tarzan acknowledged her kind offer and departed. Jeanne-Pierre and Veronique sighed and looked at each other. Everything had gone so well with the Clayton's. They were delightful people. But the day was marred by a fundamental problem between the Clayton's and the Jacot's. That would not do, and the Ambassador frowned at both Cunliffe and especially Armand, and turned to go to lunch with Abassi and the other award honorees.

Armand and Josephine intended to follow the Ambassador and Veronique into the luncheon that was intended to honor him too, but the Ambassador around and gruffly said, "Colonel Jacot, I think it best if you do not join us today. I wish to only dine with your men."

That was a serious insult to the national hero.

Cunliffe was very angry and went straight to a very embarrassed and flustered Jacot and demanded, "Whatever issues you have with the Count's family, Colonel, it appears they are far greater than you thought. And you better explain the total truth of this to me and the Ambassador. And why the British Embassy Chief Legal Counsel was involved with their conversation."

The British General had no knowledge of the restraining order from the French Army Judge Advocate General to the Clayton's.

"Yes sir."

The General added, "You better find a way to reconcile with them fast, soldier, or you're going back to Dahomey as a permanently retired Colonel. We need to have our best relations with the biggest land owner and military cargo and personnel shipper in the region. We do have a second choice for your job – a Colonel that has no history with the Clayton's. After seeing what happened today, it would be much better to have someone with no relation with them than to have a terrible one like you do. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Jacot sadly replied and he could feel the back of his neck break out into a sweat. Josephine felt very uncomfortable standing nearby hearing Cunliffe's dressing down to her husband. This could ruin his career.

Cunliffe picked up a glass of champagne and noted to his Deputy as he prepared to enter the dining room with the honorees,"I am not going to let what happened just now ruin my good mood. You are dismissed to go prepare my briefing on the tiff between your family and the Clayton's. We will talk on this in the morning at 0700 in my office."

Armand stood alone, with Josephine in tears in his arms, and little Michelle wondered why her mother was crying in such a beautiful place and party where her Daddy got the pretty new shiny medals.

Ironically, the Clayton's were the ones doing everything the court order said: there was to be absolutely no contact with - without counsel - for only required socio-governmental events and no more than five minutes conversation. To make things irrevocable, the order read that would be no initiative permitted on the Clayton's part to relax those conditions. Today it was the Jacot's seeking to change the 'no contact' provisions.

Nearly two years was a long time for a lot of hateful words to fester.

…

In the ten minutes it took to reach the sanctity of the Council of Chiefs Village, the Clayton's all gladly shed their English clothes and enjoyed their natural comfort with people of the village. They intended to make the ten mile hike back barefoot carrying their belongings and awards in bags and drop them off at the treehouse before going on to the Mangani nest. They knew the Jacot's would not come to the original village since by both their admissions 'natural living' was unnatural to them according to the "French Way" of life they claimed they were so proud of. Tarzan and Jane were still furious at what Jacot had done with the surprise announcement of him being the Deputy to Cunliffe.

Jane groused, "How could they just barge right back in to Nigeria unannounced thinking we'd all get along and everything would be just perfect? If they want to be friends again they sure went about it completely wrong. How naïve do they think we are? That was the worst surprise ever. I can't wait for them to go home."

Tarzan was a little calmer, "They are home Jane. He's the Deputy Commander for the new allied headquarters that's based here."

Jane pressed, "Can't you make a formal complaint that you can't work together with him, dear? Surely they can send him anywhere else but here."

Tarzan scoffed, "I'm not sure an English Count is going to dictate who can serve as the General's Deputy."

Jane insisted, "Well, you can try, can't you, dear? I don't want them near us or Jack. You are the 800 pound gorilla in the room."

After more than a decade together with Jane, Tarzan still just didn't have the knack of comprehending English slang.

"I beg your pardon, dear. I'm just under 250. I have gained a bit of weight…"

For a moment they just enjoyed laughing about that, and she shook her head, "Sorry about that dear, I was just explaining you have so much impact on what happens here in Nigeria that they must listen to you."

Tarzan had more compassion about Jacot's situation because of his remaining respect for Armand as a wounded warrior, even if the surprise had angered him, "Oh… yes…of course, dear. I… I will try. But Jane, listen to me, please. It seems like Josephine and Armand have had a sincere change of heart. I would imagine Armand nearly dying changed them both. Perhaps we should listen to what she has to say first before we get him removed from his new job."

Jane was very cautious, "Nothing changes between us until that damn court order is rescinded. Then I will believe the sincerity of her apology. Otherwise, it's just words."

Tarzan blinked. In the space of just a few hours, Jane swore. Twice. She never used profanity.

He asked, "Jane. Please. Be kind. You are never this cynical. It's clear that Armand almost died in combat in Garua destroying another German Wireless. I didn't know he was even there until today and the other awards for him."

"I am sorry Tarzan. It's hard to forget how terrible they were to our son. Look what they did to him just by being here."

The troubled look of Jack wringing his hands galvanized the reasons why they should not permit any more contact with the Jacot's.

Tarzan asked Jack, "Are you OK son? We are very worried seeing the Jacot's today caused some really bad memories."

"Well it did. But I tried to be brave, Dad, and I will not go near them, so don't worry. I'll never do anything bad to myself again. Why are they here? What are they going to do to me next, Mom and Dad?

Jane saw the same fear from nearly two years ago return and hugged him, and prayed that his severe anxiety was just the shock of the moment like the rest of them. She couldn't go through this again. She would let no further harm come to their boy.

Jane hugged the boy and vowed, "We won't let them do anything to you, dear."

As they proceeded through the jungle, Tarzan tried very hard to piece everything together, and had so many mixed feelings about the Jacot's reaching out to them but doing it completely wrong because of the restraining order, "I've been trying to figure out why Armand was in Garua. It wasn't just the Wireless being a target. They didn't need French Special Forces in a mostly Royal Army battle. Our British soldiers have demolition teams."

Jane remembered the conversation with Mawalie the cape parrot. But for the battle they could have been there too.

Jane theorized bitterly, "I imagine he found out independently from his Army friends that Jeanne was there too. He already disappeared before we could try to tell him what we knew from Mawalie. He sure didn't save her, though, did he? If Armand did something without us to try to rescue her in the jungle, it serves him right to go out alone and fail."

Tarzan was really shocked at his wife's statement and chastised her, "Jane. That was incredibly harsh. Now who is being the irrational woman? They were our friends. I fought with the man in battle."

Jane showed no remorse, "I'm sorry, Tarzan. Remember that they were our friends. Not now. It's this simple: if they are here now, I don't want to be. Can't we get the 'Destiny' to take us home to England?"

Tarzan sighed, "Philippe won't let us. The Destiny is a prime target in the open Ocean. Every U boat Kapitan knows who that Clipper belongs to. It's our freighters that bring food and ammo to our soldiers to defeat them."

Jane grimaced, "Dear, I'm really tired of Philippe trying to tell us where and when we can go anywhere 'to protect us'. I feel trapped in our own world, Tarzan. Where's the ape man that was free to roam wherever he wanted to?"

Tarzan admitted, with his eyes cast down, "Somewhere hidden underneath that Count's regalia, dear."

She took his hand and squeezed. She didn't mean to be cross with her husband. They were silent all the way back to the latest Mangani nest. Every once and awhile they needed a true withdrawal from humanity to be with their animal brethren. Today was certainly one of those days.

…

After the meeting with the Clayton's that went horribly wrong from its intent, Josephine could barely be comforted by Armand. All their positive plans – even the acceptance of the job at the new military headquarters - had counted on the Claytons being conciliatory. They never conceived of the reaction they got. They really didn't know what to do next.

Josephine tried to be optimistic, "Let's go talk to them at the treehouse. Maybe we can meet them in a place they feel safe, we can reach out, and become friends again. Maybe it was just the shock of seeing us after two years."

Armand suggested, "I know another person we have to talk to first or none of what we want to happen ever will. The person I should have gone to first to avoid this disaster."

"Who, dear?" she asked anxiously, praying for some kind of miracle to reach Jane.

…

Author's Notes: Wow. An angry Jane. A very angry Jane. And despite Tarzan being more strident than Armand was with Josephine in pointing this out, she won't back down. How does she resolve this? So much misunderstanding…