Transition Plan Chapter 94: Searching for Jeanne Part 12
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The next day in Cunliffe's office, Armand got another dressing down for mishandling protocol with the Clayton's, but after explaining the entire situation, it became somewhat more understandable to the General. He continued his demand that Jacot fix the problem and put him on probation pending a successful outcome. The Colonel sought permission to see Abassi as a part of his plan to make everything right. Cunliffe agreed, but still lacked confidence in his Deputy.
Armand and Josephine walked slowly into the old section of the Council of Chiefs, dressed like any Nigerian couple would – Armand wore nothing at all like all the other Nigerian men, and like the women, Josephine was dressed in only in her anklets, bracelets and cord that Femi gave her, and she wore it all proudly. It was a surprise to Armand that she had kept everything, given her complete repudiation of that lifestyle at the time of Jeanne's kidnapping. Michelle was delighted to be naked with her parents, savoring the freedom, and wore miniature versions of Josephine's belly cord, anklets, and bracelets her mother purchased right from a merchant. She giggled, loved looking like her mom and the native women, and happily ran around like a crazy person. Josephine longed to see Jeanne wear her Nigerian adornments, play with her friends, and be with Jack again.
Armand only wore the copper arm bracer on his left arm that Abassi had given him publicly at the awards ceremony as his nation's highest military honor – the sign of a distinguished wounded warrior, similar to but having more societal reverence than the Americans' Purple Heart award. As he limped into the Council of Chiefs Village leaning heavily on his cane without the prosthesis on the uneven ground, the villagers bowed to him in honor.
Disabled soldiers in Nigerian society had a unique connection to the spiritual world because part of them had gone before the living into the afterlife. The villagers believed that men like Armand had a special shaman-like quality to them because of that connection, and they were all held in true reverence. He felt more humbled and honored the further he progressed into the village. The entire population became silent as he passed through them. Josephine was very proud for him. It was something he really needed to build up his self-esteem after the disgrace from the day before.
General Cunliffe looked into the old village using powerful binoculars from the roof of the military headquarters to monitor as much as he could of Armand's efforts. He respected Armand and Josephine's courage to honor old Nigerian dress code rules in their meeting with Abassi and tried not to stare at them. He was not sure he'd be as brave. His respect for Jacot grew even more as he noted the reverence paid to his second in command by every villager and whispered, "I'll be damned. They all admire him…"
That was all he needed to see, and then put the binoculars away. He felt like he had invaded the Jacot's and the villagers' privacy. The Nigerians' homage to Jacot made the possibility of whether or not to replace him even more complicated.
All the honors of yesterday paled with the respect Armand received from the Nigerians as the French couple progressed. She squeezed his hand harder as they walked. She silently adored how handsome he still was despite his injuries, especially this way. It was one more dramatic realization for the couple that the 'French Way' was not necessarily the 'best way'.
The couple arrived at Abassi's family lodge.
Femi greeted them warmly with a big hug for each. She'd been alerted by a messenger of their approach, but was still shocked they were here, knowing the awful circumstances the last time they were here in the fight with Jane and Tarzan. She stated to her friend, "This is an unexpected but very welcome surprise, Josephine and Armand. Enter. Share a meal with us. I will get Abassi right away."
Thus summoned by his wife, Chief cut off an important meeting instantly and rushed to greet Armand in a warrior's arm-to-arm grip.
"It is good to be with you in your home again," Armand said emphatically to Abassi, "You didn't have to interrupt important Nigerian business to see us. It could have waited. We just saw you yesterday."
Abassi sincerely greeted his old friend and colleague, "Yesterday was a bad day for renewing friendships between men 'of the jungle', Armand. It was all just a French public relations stunt for the folks back home. It is good that you are here. It has been far too long fellow Ajani Armand. I both grieve with you over your daughter's continuing abduction and celebrate with you that you still live and are able to enjoy your new child. That you have come here to see us couldn't wait for any business. I had to be here for you now."
Armand was pleased with the warm greeting he had expected from Tarzan yesterday, "I am most grateful, Chief Abassi. Yes, it was a difficult day. We have a common purpose with common friends - Jonathan and Jane."
Abassi nodded and replied, "I figured as much. You came to the right place. I am honored you seek counsel over that unfortunate incident."
Armand sighed, "Thank you, my friend. I could lose my job over this. I greatly misjudged the situation and my approach to it."
Abassi concurred, "Be assured I will do everything I can with your General and Ambassador to make sure you keep your job. I want no other man than you as the main interface with my warriors. You have everyone's respect and admiration here. My words count here as the Chief of Nigeria, and I can influence our neighbor countries' chieftains too. Every man makes mistakes, and no one could anticipate the reaction of the Clayton's."
"I am indebted to you beyond words," replied Armand humbly.
Abassi dismissed Armand's statement, "There is no debt to be paid, Armand. We are friends. Don't feel so bad. I would have probably done the same thing and gotten the same result with them. Our friends Tarzan and Jane are often… headstrong… people despite their normally kind natures."
"Amen to that," agreed Armand with a regretful smirk.
"Lunch is ready," interrupted Femi cheerily. Josephine had immediately started helping her, letting the men talk, and introduced very curious Michelle to Femi and her children. The little girl had met very few native Africans on the French Army base and seeing other dark-skinned people like her and her mother made her very happy. The little girl took an immediate liking to Abassi and Femi's youngest son, only a few months older than Michelle. She was baffled by his long name and just called him 'Sopu'. It made him smile, and big sister Ndidi and Femi grinned too. It was a great nickname and one that would stick.
The families exchanged pleasantries and got reacquainted while they shared the meal together. Michelle was skeptical of most of the insect food items but enjoyed the fruit, and tried some of the items the older children were enjoying.
Abassi admired that they were with them once again dressed as a Nigerian couple, something they had rejected, and noted, "This is a good first offering, Armand and Josephine. Do you also intent to meet with them dressed as Mangani also, not as French?"
"We have to. When we parted, we flaunted the superiority of French ways over jungle ways. I'd forgotten this is actually more comfortable, and there are side benefits…" Armand smirked at Josephine, but gave her a very serious follow-up look, as his eyes were filled with her beauty. The French woman involuntarily gasped at the intense way he looked at her. It thrilled her.
"You perverted old soldier!" Josephine grinned and ribbed him. They all laughed. But tonight couldn't come soon enough for Josephine, seeing his admiring glance.
Femi praised her friend, "I'm really glad you kept your jewelry and cord. And Michelle looks so cute. She could pass for Nigerian. You knew you'd finally return, didn't you?"
Josephine confessed, "I… I guess I did but could never admit it, Femi. And I still have Jeanne's things too. For when she's back with Jack, so she can be dressed properly as a Nigerian girl with Jack, Ndidi, and all her friends without feeling out of place.
"Good, Josephine. Very good," Femi praised, and soothed her French friend's hand.
Josephine watched her youngest flash by with her brand new friends giggling as she ran, and commented with a genuine smile, "Michelle sure is having fun with your family."
Femi could sense a true change in Josephine. This was the French woman she had known, and commented, "She's a sweet little girl," and she joked, "Just as you and Armand discovered, Michelle has learned that once you try the 'Nigerian way', you'll never want to go back."
That elicited some much needed laughter between them because of the deliberate pun. But then Josephine got a very serious look. It was time to get down to business.
Jeanne's mother sighed, "Femi, why were Jonathan and Jane so…. so angry? We understand being uncomfortable with us suddenly appearing again after so long apart, but we never expected what happened. We thought they'd be happy to see us make the outreach to them."
Femi and Abassi looked at each other.
"Are you ready for the truth, Josephine?" asked Abassi seriously.
"Yes. No matter how bad," Armand said with certainty. He could see the Nigerian couple was holding some unknown disturbing news back from them.
Femi answered them, "My dear friends. It's going to be very difficult to for Clayton's emotionally to be friends with you again. After what you said and did to Jack, Josephine, Jack became increasingly despondent, and tried to commit a truly violent suicide. When the kidnappers rejected that lower ransom, he acted. And Jack nearly did do it, but for his little sister's love and persuasion. My daughter Ndidi, Jack's best friend, insists that he is still not the same that he was when your daughter and he were together. She says Jack hears Jeanne speak to him in his head sometimes, and he answers back to her. That greatly troubles her. You can never talk of this to Tarzan and Jane. You saw how traumatized the boy was just seeing you. That's why they reacted so defensively. You surprised them in a way they were not at all equipped to deal with suddenly. They thought you were out of their lives and the stress that causes Jack."
Josephine exchanged an utterly shocked look with Armand and clutched her face in her hands, with tears streaming down instantly,"Mon Dieu. We had no idea. I am so sorry. No wonder they are so angry. We didn't know. We never intended that."
Abassi noted, "I am sorry to say that there were severe consequences to what you said and did, Josephine. Whether you think so or not, Jeanne's kidnapping affected them all terribly, too. Ndidi once said to us that the Jack we all knew was kidnapped just as surely as Jeanne was, leaving a different boy behind."
The Jacot's sat silent and visibly shaken. It was a sobering revelation. And true.
"I… I… never thought of that. How terrible for Jane and Tarzan… and Jack. Dear me… I was not in my right mind then. At least I know better now…" Josephine barely whispered with her eyes closed, "But we want to try to apologize. We want to be friends again. We want Jack and Jeanne to be together again if they still love each other. We want to find her together as families."
Abassi promised cautiously, "That is a very large hill to climb with them. I will intercede for you with them as best I can. I do believe you are truly sincere about this. The Clayton's must see this in you, too, and accept it. I will take you to them. When do you want to go?"
The Colonel explained, "Just as soon as I have a special document from our lawyers to give them. They will not talk again until that is eliminated. They made that abundantly clear yesterday."
Abassi shook his head, "I have often failed to understand how simple pieces of paper from the French and English with countless incomprehensible words on them have more power than a man's promise with another man with a simple handshake."
"It's the 'French Way' my friend," Armand replied ironically.
All of them had a good laugh over that.
…September 1916. Lagos military headquarters…
General Cunliffe and Colonel Jacot exchanged respectful salutes.
"Good luck Colonel. God speed. I hope this goes the way you want it to with the Count. The Ambassador and I like how you have handled this so far and are grateful to Chief Abassi for being your mediator. You know, Colonel, the Chief thinks the world of you. He says you saved his country by fighting in Togoland and Kamerun and that you trained his warriors to defend the Village against German soldiers. He claims the Germans would have marched right through Nigeria from both sides and would have trampled them."
Armand was silently grateful for all that Abassi was doing on his behalf, but spoke humbly of that experience, and promised his new superior officer, "Thank you sir. We all worked together. But my work is not yet finished. If this discussion with the Clayton's doesn't go well, then you will have my resignation when I return. I promise."
Cunliffe showed his admiration for Armand, "I do truly pray that will not be necessary, Colonel. I would be loathe to accept it, truthfully."
"I appreciate that sir."
His commander left the couple alone and returned to this office.
Josephine looked at Armand holding the valise, and asked, "Are you sure you have it?"
"Yes absolutely, Jo. It makes no sense to go there without it," he assured her.
"And you have power of attorney for this?" she inquired.
Armand appreciated that Josephine was making sure every step was taken to prevent any more blow-ups, "The JAG assured me of that. I even have the paperwork for that if they challenge us."
She took her husband's hands, being gentle with the damaged one, in a prayerful gesture and smiled confidently, "OK let's go. I pray that God guides us in what to say and do and restores us with our friends."
They made it to the border between the Old Village and Lagos, left their clothes at the border to the Old Village in a locker erected for official visitors to follow the rules, rendezvoused with Abassi and Femi, and the foursome headed west to the border with the land of the Mangani. Ndidi would babysit Michelle and her siblings while they were gone. They'd been together so often over the past two months enjoying the rekindled friendship that Ndidi and Michelle felt like sisters. Ndidi was prepared to look after the children as long as necessary.
They trekked the ten short miles to the treehouse, although to a one-legged man with only a cane, ten miles was a major challenge. The foursome never got past the Mangani border seven miles up the trail. Jane and Tarzan met them literally at the gnarled tree marking the division between Nigeria and the land of the Mangani by dropping straight out of the trees by vine. The six adults straddled the border – Tarzan and Jane on one side and the other four on the other side. It was clear that the English couple did not intend for the others to be on their land. Armand already worried that this latest encounter was not starting well.
Armand and Josephine could see far behind them that Jack and Lily were taking care of the twins with several gorillas, and they could hear their happy chatter in the Mangani tongue. The concept of sentient gorillas and the Clayton's life with them was still mindboggling.
"How did you know we were coming?" Josephine asked timidly.
It had been a long time since she had seen Tarzan in his full jungle splendor and he was still a massive, powerful man. It was a bit of a shock, especially that animal-like glare that felt like fire boring through the French woman. Jane was a beautiful woman in excellent physical shape even after four babies. Josephine wished she was too.
Tarzan announced curtly, "Every living being in the jungle alerted me to your presence long before you got here. They call you ga-ata afụfụ."
"Which means?" asked Josephine tentatively.
Femi cleared her throat uncomfortably and translated, "It means: 'those who would suffer for what they did'."
It was like uttering those damning words were a signal to all the animals in the land of the Mangani. Instantly backing up the Clayton's on all sides of the six humans appeared dozens of creatures, all with angry-looking faces. The Jacot's could see elephants, hippos, water buffalo, and baboons. A jungle cat they thought was a caracal growled and hissed with her family. A flock of little red, yellow, and green parrots sat low in the branches and stared, squawking angrily. Several male and female gorillas stood by Tarzan. It appeared each species was represented by a mated pair who were resolutely angry at the Jacot's. Even a chameleon and his mate appeared to be unfriendly toward the 'outlanders', having turned a bright crimson red. The French couple looked away from the animals and cast their eyes uncomfortably toward the ground. This was going to be a rough day. Abassi and Femi just sighed. Tarzan and Jane meant business.
As if the gathering of Tarzan and Jane's animal friends was not intimidating enough, the human pair was armed and held their weapons at the ready, but did not brandish them directly at the Jacot's. The Jacot's came with no weapons at all on purpose, and Abassi only had his spear and Femi her staff for defensive purposes only. Those weapons were intended for use against wild animals, but never against so many that now surrounded them. And certainly not against their friends.
Everyone was dressed completely naturally – the Jacot's knew that Mangani dress was even simpler than the Nigerians. Tarzan and Jane noted that and the sincerity of the meaning that held by the Jacot's and the Abassi's making that gesture, but for now said nothing.
Tarzan challenged them first in fluent French, "What do you want with us? Wasn't our meeting at the embassy enough? You have to come to our lands for more?"
Abassi was upset with Tarzan's tone and scolded him, "Hear them out before you prematurely pass judgment, my friend."
Armand added seriously, "We intend no more ill words or arguments, Count Clayton. We only want to apologize for what happened. Not only a few months ago, but what happened two years ago. Today."
It was in fact the two year anniversary of Jeanne's abduction. On the very day of greatest sorrow to the Jacot's, they had come to reach out to Tarzan and Jane. That humbled the Clayton's, but the hurt was still there.
Jane acknowledged the sad anniversary but stated, "It is indeed a sad day for all of us, but we have nothing to say. I told you that. I appreciate that you dressed according to our customs, but it changes nothing. And rest assured, Josephine, Tarzan is not ogling you now. Or then. I am more than enough for my husband's eyes."
Josephine chafed at the words she used against Tarzan being thrown back at her. How horrible she was to her former friends. How hurtful the words used to insult them were thrown back at her now. She deserved every word of derision. And Jane was right. The Englishwoman was still beautiful.
This second meeting was going as poorly as the first, and the Clayton's were justifiably vindictive, but to prevent another horrible situation, Abassi interrupted all of them like an angry father, "Stop! Just stop. Please, dear friends. Over the past two years, you have all behaved like children fighting and calling each other names. Please just talk to each other. Do not throw epithets and insults at each other as bitter reminders of words long ago uttered and gone. Those words cannot be changed or taken back. The words you must say to each other now can have greater meaning to heal a friendship that desperately needs to be healed. Jane and Tarzan - can't you see the Jacot's are trying to make amends with you?"
Jane was still not ready to make up, even though she knew she should.
Jane spit out the words that were at the crux of their bitterness at the Jacot's, "I'm sorry Chief Abassi, but our words never caused any of their children to almost jump off a cliff in their despair and never be the same since."
Josephine's tears fell, "I don't know how to apologize any deeper for being responsible for that, Countess. Or how to ever make it up to Viscount Jack. We only recently found out about what really happened to the Viscount. Please forgive us."
Jane snapped back, "You can make it up by leaving and never coming back. We're done here. Go home."
Armand had enough of the angry words of retribution by the Clayton's and stated, "No we're not. Today we settle this once and for all."
Everyone stiffened.
He reached inside his valise for something. Tarzan pulled his knife and Jane drew her bow. That caused Femi and Abassi to take a defensive stand in front of the Jacot's with their weapons at the ready. Jacot froze his stance in mid-reach.
Armand remained calm though he was shocked their former friends would even consider aiming weapons at them, and spoke softly, "That will not be necessary. We would never harm you. And these days, I am very poorly equipped to take you on and ever hope to live, Lord of the Jungle."
"Put down your weapons, Jonathon," ordered Abassi. He was extremely upset at his friends.
Tarzan and Jane both felt very embarrassed at this, but they were all so terribly on edge over everything that had happened. They did what Abassi asked.
"S-s-sorry," they both said. And meant it. They dropped their weapons instantly.
They looked at each other. They were taking things too far and Abassi's words rung true. They were behaving like mean children. It was time to listen, not to blame and accuse further.
Armand continued his reach into the satchel he was carrying and gingerly drew a set of papers out, making sure that it was clear he was not removing a weapon. He carefully handed the official document to Tarzan. It was addressed to him and Jane.
Tarzan and Jane braced for something far worse than the restraining order, even an arrest warrant for the outbursts of their encounter at the embassy dedication. There were a lot of words on the documents, but he read the words at the summary at the end of the document aloud so Jane could hear:
"…The provisions of Court Order #17564B dated 17 December 1914 regarding total prohibition of contact between members of the Jacot and Clayton families in perpetuity are hereby rescinded in their entirety and the complete destruction, by any reasonable means, of the original Order is required to be witnessed by both parties simultaneously. Proof of the destruction of said document must be collected by the designated agent of implementation of this order. Colonel Armand Jacot is empowered as aforementioned agent to conduct said destruction by court-ordered Power of Attorney. The agent is required to return proof of elimination of Court Order #17564B to the Clerk of Courts within 30 days of close this superseding order. This warrant for rescission of the previous court order also requires witness signatures of Count Jonathan Robert Clayton III and Countess Jane Porter Clayton to be collected upon conclusion of the destruction procedure."
Jane gripped Tarzan's arm increasingly hard and held her breath as her eyes got wider and wider as each clause of the new order was read. This could not be happening. The nightmare was ending, by the only people who could remove the restraining order. For the first time, Jane looked at Josephine's eyes. They were kind and inviting.
Armand silently showed Tarzan his version of the Order, the original, which was identical to the one served to the Clayton's, and he asked, "Is this the Order you were served by Counsel, Count Clayton?"
Tarzan gave it a cursory reading.
In a softer tone, Tarzan replied, "It appears to be, Colonel Jacot. I trust your word that it is the original Order."
"Good. I assure you it is. Please pay close attention to what I do next, please, Count and Countess Clayton."
Jack and Lily drew nearer to the adults and paid very careful attention. Something was really changing. Seemingly for the better.
Jacot took out his Zippo lighter, held the original Court Order in one hand, flicked the igniter, and touched the flame to a corner of the Court Order. It startled some of the more shy animals and they stepped back. He held the paper as long as he could as it burned, then let it fall to the ground until there was nothing but ash. Jacot carefully scraped up the ashes of the burnt restraint order and put it in a small vial, sealed it, and then placed it all into the valise. Tarzan and Jane watched the hated Court Order go up in smoke. Armand had completed the intent of the Court to destroy the restraining order. Dramatically.
A trickle of tears ran from one of Jane's eyes and she bit her lips hard.
Tarzan and Jane's anger was consumed with those flames.
Josephine fell down on her knees at Jane's bare feet, bent over, and pleaded in anguish with her eyes to the ground, "And now Countess Clayton, with no restriction between us by the Court ever again, and in the presence of Almighty God protecting us in this jungle, I sincerely and completely apologize to you for what happened then and now and the pain and sorrow I caused you, the Count, and especially your dear son. It was inexcusable. And I've prayed to God every night since February that it is not unforgiveable by you. I fear it still is…"
Jane knew how harsh she'd been over their unexpected encounters, but destroying the restraining order in flames spectacularly in front of them touched her deeply and her heart melted for the sincerity of her old friend and the humility Josephine was expressing in her apology. In point of fact, Jane did want to forgive Josephine, despite her anger at the awards ceremony, but she just never considered that Josephine's extreme behavior would ever change. Jane guessed that Armand's near-fatal injuries caused the total change in heart. That had all changed now and the Clayton's realized it was wrong it was to remain angry in the face of such a true desire for reconciliation.
Jane approached Josephine, knelt in front of her, reached out to her, and with her fingertips, gently lifted the French woman's chin up to her eye level. Jane said softly, "My name is Jane, Madame Jacot. And I do forgive you. How could I not forgive you? You are my friend. And friends do not grovel at each other's feet."
She smiled tenderly, and Josephine smiled back, clutched Jane's hand with both hands, and she said nearly inaudibly, "Josephine is ever so much a better name to call me. Oh dear God, bless you, Jane."
The women fell into a kneeling hug together, sobbing happy tears of reunion and forgiveness. That prompted Tarzan and Armand to give each other a warrior's embrace and back slaps as the Colonel joked, "I… I'm sorry about all this just as much as Josephine is… I really could have used your help and Jack's in Garua, my dear Jungle Lord. Had we remained friends all this time, I might still be in one piece. I almost had Jeanne back, Jonathon. Surely it would have been different had you and Jack both been there beside me like in Kamina. I was so wrong to go there without you. And now I will pay the price for that forever. She's not back with us and I… well…"
He stopped before he lost his composure, and Tarzan gripped his friend by the shoulders for comfort and support. It was Armand's way of apologizing, renewing their friendship, and praising the capabilities of his old colleague and of Jack that would have made the fight with the kidnappers and the rescue effort successful.
Tarzan laughed nervously, but was pleased that Armand could actually joke somewhat about a very serious situation, "I am so sorry too, my friend. You must tell me about it, please, if it doesn't upset you."
Armand smiled warmly and accepted the offer, "I would like to do that, Jonathan, very much. Perhaps over a single malt Scotch?"
Tarzan grinned, "I don't have any of that except at the Castle. But you are welcome to join me in a hunt and around the fire afterwards with that Scotch, in celebration of the return of your daughter, Armand."
"Now that is a deal I could go for, Jungle Lord!"
They both chuckled, and the women admired their men as they rose with help from their husbands. They all stood together. They were both still very striking couples.
Abassi and Femi were visibly relieved at this reconciliation.
Tarzan offered, "This is truly a joyous day. I would like to offer a prayer."
All six gladly joined hands, and Tarzan led them in a prayer of thankfulness and joy for their rekindled friendship, and for God's forgiveness for so much anger and misunderstanding between them for so long.
Jane was always proud of how Tarzan had grown into the faith and was like any normal English gentleman in that regard. And taught those beliefs to their children.
Suddenly everything was back to how it had been for them, except for missing Jeanne. Jack and Lily held hands anxiously, and looked at all the adults with anticipation over what happened next.
Tarzan dismissed his animal friends, who happily grunted or growled or squawked their approvals of the restarted friendship, and disappeared into the foliage just as fast as they'd gathered to help defend the Lord of the Jungle. It was actually unnerving the degree of authority Tarzan had over the beasts.
Terk couldn't resist one last shot in the gorilla language, "Darn it, Tarzan. I was hoping for a real outlander butt-whoopin' this afternoon."
"Enough, cousin. Go home," Tarzan chided his childhood friend. Jane just rolled her eyes, and assured Josephine everything was all right with the animals.
Putting his arm on Abassi's shoulder, Tarzan observed with tremendous relief, "Without your help dear friend, we'd have never gotten things back to normal between us."
Abassi just smiled and shook his head, "I barely said a word. You guys all sorted it out yourselves."
Armand observed, "Yeah, but you were there, Abassi, and I dare say you gave us all a good scolding just when things were about to go badly again."
Tarzan added, "Shame sometimes is a really good motivating emotion."
Armand nodded in total agreement.
Abassi just laughed, "Well I guess I get paid to tell the truth about things and get people to become friends when they really start out not wanting to be."
"That's why we all call you 'Chief', Tarzan noted.
Everyone laughed.
It was a silent but happy moment for the six adults.
"What's next, guys?" prompted Femi.
Armand instructed, "Well. First things first. Jane and Tarzan have to sign the documents for the rescission to be official."
"Of course! " they said together.
With that task complete and all the paperwork and ash returned to the valise, Tarzan presented a second critical item, "Another thing. How do I make it right with your General and the Ambassador that our friendship is restored, Armand? I don't want you fired over this."
Armand suggested, "Can you come to their offices and tell them and they can see us being friends? I think that would do it."
"Absolutely. And I will write a letter to each on my letterhead as well."
"Even better, my friend," answered Jacot. It sure felt good to say 'friend' once again.
Enjoying her role as an intermediary in leading the two families back to functionality as friends, Femi asked, "What else?"
There was a lot of catching up to do over almost two years of forced silence.
Josephine looked resolutely at the Clayton's, "There's one more very important matter I have to settle. I have to talk with Jack. Right in front of you, Tarzan and Jane, so he'll feel safe and assured I will do nothing to harm him."
Jack heard this conversation and stiffened.
"Jack?" asked Jane and looked over to him, summoning him.
Lily squeezed his hand tighter to give her brother strength. She knew what her mother wanted.
"Yes Mom?" he answered tensely.
"Come here. My friend Josephine would like to talk to you."
At first the boy bridled, but then he realized what his mother said. His mother and Jeanne's mother were friends again. Maybe… just maybe… he could be too. He was after all, he assured himself, eleven now. Big boys weren't afraid.
The boy cautiously approached her, and Josephine partially knelt on one knee at eye level to Jack. This built some trust immediately. His dad always did that when he wanted to have a serious talk.
He continued to approach the French woman's outstretched arms and open hands.
He took her hands carefully. She could feel him shaking. She knew the boy could still remember the beating she gave him and she was very ashamed.
She gave a kind smile, "Jack. I'm not the monster you think I am. Neither of us are. I wanted to come here to apologize for all the mean things I said and did to you a long time ago."
"You made me want to kill myself, Madame Jacot. I felt awful for a long time," he stated candidly as only an eleven year old could.
"I know that Jack. I cannot be any sorrier for making you feel bad enough inside to do that. I was very upset - like you - losing Jeanne. I took it all out on you. I had no right to hit you or say those things, Jack. Both of you kids went in harm's way willingly, out of love for your fathers, and wanted to make a difference by protecting them. I understand that now. It's not your fault Jeanne was kidnapped. It was never your fault, honey."
Armand added, "We all thought Karl-Heinz and Gunter were dead like all the rest. I let our guard down, and Jeanne suffered."
Jack had never once heard Armand take the blame for the kidnapping until now. He relaxed considerably. His hands felt nice in Josephine's hands. She was a little more petite than his mother, and he wondered if Jeanne's matching olive-colored hands would feel this nice when he held her again.
Josephine added, "I said a lot of things I wish I'd never said."
Jack opened up a little, "Sometimes I do that too. I yell at Lily when I'm really angry. It makes her cry. Mom gets really angry with me."
Josephine replied, "Yes Jack. It's just like that. I wish my Mom had gotten angry and made me stop before I hurt you so much."
Jane really appreciated that Josephine communicated on his level.
Josephine said, "Listen to me please, Jack, honey. I don't know if you can ever forgive me for those things and for hitting you, but I want you to know I want you to be best friends again with Jeanne, if you still want to, and we can all try to rescue her together. Would you like that?"
He smiled at Jeanne's mother, "Oh yes, I would like that more than anything in the world. I sure hope Jeanne wants us to rescue her too. And yes I do forgive you, Madame Jacot."
Josephine was very relieved by Jack's acceptance of her apology and she reassured him squeezing both his hand affectionately, "I'm certain every day her thoughts are filled with being back with you and with us. I want you to someday feel like you used to about me. Do you remember?"
"Yes Madame Jacot. When we first met I wanted you to love me like my mother loves me because I love Jeanne. And you did. You told me so. It made me happy."
She beamed a beautiful smile at the boy, "I can do that again you know. Please let me try."
"OK."
Jack embraced Jeanne's mother, nestling perfectly into the woman's soft cleavage, enveloping him in her warm bosom like his mother's hugs always did. It felt like the first time in her embrace after she told him it was OK for him to love Jeanne. She held him tightly, closed her eyes, and she felt all his nervousness disappear, and whispered, "Dear Jack, thank you for forgiving me."
Tarzan took Jane's hand and they smiled.
It was some time before they parted. The French woman was weeping in relief. Jack actually comforted her. Jane smiled at her compassionate son.
With Jack still embraced in her arms, Josephine explained further, "I want us all to find Jeanne together. With everything the armies of France and England can do together to assist us. Colonel Jacot has permission to search as much as he can. But all the technology of the armies isn't enough. He can't find her without you, young man."
For a moment he was worried the adults had learned of his empathic connection to Jeanne and worried Ndidi had told someone their 'forever secret'.
"Really?" he said hopefully, pulling back just a little to look Josephine in the eyes. She brushed his dreads like she'd do so to Jeanne's hair.
Armand stood next to them and assured Jack, "Not any more than I could bring that big tower down without you. We are all very proud of you, Jack. You earned that medal."
For the first time he was proud of having been given the medal by the Ambassador. He had been very fearful that day and it clouded his experience.
Armand reached out to Jack in a handshake, but instead Jack spontaneously hugged Armand. And then all of them embraced with no reservation. Not to be left out, Lily and the twins joined the group hug too.
"Your twins are beautiful, Jane, and sweet, pretty little Lily isn't so little anymore," praised Josephine, with the children all gathered closely.
"Thank you Josephine. How about some lunch, everyone?" Jane offered with a grin after they separated.
Josephine's request was immediate, "Do you have any of that honeycomb stuff, Jane? I miss that a lot."
Jane smiled, "We don't but I'll gather some especially for you!"
They all walked toward the treehouse and couldn't stop talking. The building impressed Armand and he did make the climb on his own power. It took awhile, and he strained a lot, but he insisted on having no help. Josephine held her tears back as she watched her husband struggle, and Jane put her arm around her friend's shoulder for strength. Josephine acknowledged that by placing her hand on Jane's.
While the women worked together on the meal, Tarzan showed his colleague around the treehouse. Tarzan noted, "Armand, let me show you the Wireless room. I have to make sure we can communicate between the headquarters and here properly. I hear you have the latest model of radiotelegraph. This one is pretty old."
Armand reassured him, "We'll make sure we can communicate my friend, even if I have to send a couple of techs out here to update it."
The pedal-bike generator amused Armand and he often wondered how the Count's radiotelegraph was powered.
The rest of the day went swiftly and suddenly it was dinner time.
"Can you all stay the night? It's getting too dark to go back to the Village now. All of us together again in our home would be so wonderful. Please?" Jane asked.
Cunliffe had given Jacot permission to be gone as long as it took to restore the working relationship needed with the Count. He'd seen progress by the tireless Colonel and it was worth the time away.
Jane made the offer even more enticing for them, "The stars are spectacular here along the beach. We could all go for a midnight swim. The water is safe at night. We have guest rooms for um… well… afterward…"
The other two couples had a night free from their busy children and Jack and Lily could babysit their own brother and sister. The children knew that when their mom and dad were feeling amorous to just to keep out of their way. Especially when they were living in the Mangani nests. But they were always pleasantly amused by their parents' fun together and how much they cared for each other.
Making love on the beach sounded like a really good idea to Armand and Josephine and to Abassi and Femi who got so little private time. The two couples looked at other and the Clayton's kind offer. It would be no better time to rekindle their friendships after having just made up.
Armand answered for them, "Of course, Jane, it would be our pleasure."
Josephine blushed but savored the time ahead together on the beach. This was something they had never done together but it always sounded romantic.
Femi responded also, "I can't remember the last we've overnighted with you guys, so yes," and she turned to Abassi, "Can the Village survive a day without you, dearest?"
Abassi joked, "My war chief will probably stage a coup in my absence, but hey, maybe I need the break."
Femi needled her husband playfully, "If anyone is staging a coup, it would be me, big shot!"
They all laughed.
There had never been three happy couples on the beach before. They swam for awhile and watched the stars together around a fire, but pretty soon the women snuggled close to their men, and each bid the other goodnight, each finding a special place on the beach to maintain some privacy, but close enough together to jointly celebrate their long-lost friendships. Their time in Abassi's long house so long ago broke any privacy barriers between them. The guest rooms and the master bedroom in the treehouse never got used that night, because the couples slept on the cool sandy beach with the soothing sound of the churn of the waves. In the morning after an early swim and over breakfast, they vowed to do it again soon.
Jane and Josephine dared to think of certain future married couple having their own night alone on the beach, and prayed that it would be so.
And now, united in purpose as friends once again, nothing would stop the two families from achieving the goal of rescuing Jeanne together. But despite their strength of unity and all the combined military and industrial communications resources and network Armand and Tarzan they had between them now, they had no idea how elusive the kidnappers were and how long it would actually take to find Jeanne. It was still next to impossible to find one 11 year old girl deliberately being hidden in the world's largest and most primitive continent that was still reeling from the consequences of a world war.
And even more impossible when Jeanne's desire to be found had nearly vanished.
...
Authors Notes: Well how about that. They're all friends again. Will their combined strengths work to find Jeanne?
To the Guest reviewer of the last chapter: thanks for your kind comments on my story. Yes Jane is very strong-willed woman in these fan fics, building on the character she showed us in the movie - simultaneously professional and fearless in the face of danger when she has to be, but feminine and playful and very loving around her husband and family, yet fully capable of acting in her own self interest, especially when she feels wronged or her family is threatened. Had Jane been an American, you can bet she would have been a suffragette and would have thought of Susan B. Anthony, a women's rights advocate in the mid 19th century, as someone to admire.