Transition Plan Chapter 104: Searching for Jeanne Part 22

Authors Notes: In case you haven't seen my notes about a more frequent publication schedule, this is the third new chapter since last Friday. That one, another one on Sunday, this one today, and the next 'normal' publishing date this coming Friday. I hope to do the same next week before taking a week off for vacation.

…The night of Jack and Jeanne's birthdays. Earlier. Lagos, Nigeria…

At the Allied Force headquarters, the radio man who'd heard the message and recorded it and tried to transcribe it phonetically, said to his superior, "What kind of language is that?"

"I dont know but get the damn wire recorder going. Colonel Jacot is going to want to listen. Track its transmission point soldier," he ordered.

"I'll try sir, but after the fifth repeat, it stopped. That wasn't enough time. All I got was the freq."

"A hundred stations have that freq. Find out where they all are and give me a report by noon of the ones in Africa, soldier."

"Yes sir."

…the same night, earlier, the treehouse…

Jack was very tired and nearly dozed off. He spent so much time listening that he was up late the day before, and he overworked himself in his physical training routine. He vaguely heard Mangani over the speaker, not realizing it was actually coming over the speaker, and was in that half-dream stage of not realy being cognizant of what was going on. Lily was pumping the bicycle generator to keep it going, but not paying attention in the slightest. She was reading a book.

He half-heard the transmission across the speakers in Mangani the first time and should have instantly recognized the female voice. But he was barely awake.

He muttered from his head down on the table position and flailed an arm randomly, "Thanks Lily, but I've never been to Dar es Salaam."

"I didn't say anything, silly brother," looking up from her book, "It's the radio."

He exclaimed, now wide awake, "What?"

He stared at the Marconi speaker and all the pulsing dials. The message came again. Plain as day.

Lily heard it too, "Jack! Listen! It's in Mangani!"

"I am! I am!" he listened carefully to the message for the information conveyed.

He made sure the wire recorder was running, "Good. I caught that."

The third time he recognized her voice. His eyes got huge.

"Lily ! It's Jeanne! It's Jeanne! It's Jeanne!" he danced, grabbed his sister, and whirled her around until she was dizzy.

"Jack! Silly, put me down! It's coming through again. Pay attention. She might say something else important."

They listened the fourth and fifth time. Then they heard the birthday greeting.

Lily grinned, "Awww, she still loves you, Jack. How sweet."

She knew from private conversations with their mother how important it was for her to build up his confidence that after Eleanor there was still Jeanne for him.

With the birthday greeting and the Mangani language message it could only be one person in the world.

He replayed the recording, multiple times.

He absentmindedly talked to the speakers, "Jeanne. Sweetheart… I love you too."

Lily giggled. Jack was talking to Jeanne's recorded voice, and she was so happy that he was clearly still very deeply in love with Jeanne. Eleanor was very nice but Lily had loved Jeanne as a big sister when she was little. And still did.

"It's her, Jack It's really her," she hugged him.

It was Jeanne, uncomplicated by the mystical 'connection' and its vagaries. It was a Marconi radio message. It was real. It was hopefully trackable. The proof that it happened and the voice was hers was undeniable. He raced downstairs. Tarzan and Jane dropped everything and rushed to listen.

They heard every second.

He was nearly giddy, "Mom and Dad. It's Jeanne. I tell you, it's actually her! Just like in Walvis Bay. That's her 'big girl' voice."

Jane remarked, "She's so mature-sounding now."

Jane reflected that Jeanne's voice was almost sultry, especially for the personal birthday greeting. That concerned her.

"It's the second best birthday present ever," Jack announced.

"And the first?" his father dared to asked, "It's not the Marconi, is it Jack?

He drew himself confidently and asked, "The first best birthday present is that you are going to let me go to Dar es Salaam and rescue her once and for all. No connection, no hunches, no posters. She's there. Dancing and serving food for a living somewhere. I'm going in secretly and alone and will bring her out, with the kidnappers either dead or alive by my hand."

Tarzan and Jane both knew there wasn't any way they couldn't say 'no' to this.

"I have to go there now. Tonight. Get the 'Destiny' ready."

"Wait a minute. Slow down, son. We have to discuss this with the Jacot's. Jeanne is their daughter. The crew is all asleep."

"OK, OK…" he agreed reluctantly.

…

They got in contact with Armand the next day in Nigeria very early from Nigeria and talked in code they had devised post war, lest the captors overhear them. In the past the kidnappers clearly had access to radio.

They reviewed the message which Jacot's men had recorded and had a general idea it was from eastern or southeastern Africa. They ruled out the station they identified in Egypt and any of dozens of other African stations west or south of Nigeria .

"It was definitely her voice, Colonel. She sounded the almost the same at Walvis Bay."

"I believe you Jack. Does anyone know Mangani besides your family?"

"No. One of us has to go into Dar es Salaam and save her. I think it should be me."

Jeanne's father knew this would be next. He didn't hesitate, "Jack. I know she's my daughter, but you know I can't handle a fight. And you know what she looks like and sounds like when she was 13. She's not going to be much different at 16. Go save her with her mother's and my blessings, jack. We all know she wants you to save her."

It was agreed.

Jack was excited and immediately took the next steps, "Thank you Colonel. So how to I get there in a hurry? Dad can get the 'Destiny' ready to sail in less than two weeks. I can take the train to London, and head out. We can sail the Med, come down through the Suez Canal, and sail around eastern Africa to Dar es Salaam. Six months and I'm there searching every day."

Armand grinned, "There's an even better and faster way now, Jack. Son, listen carefully to me. Go to the Royal Air Force Base Stirling on the Scottish coast in a week and we'll get you there the fastest way I know how. Have you ever flown before?"

"No Colonel," this sounded very interesting to Jack.

Armand was pleased to inform Jack, "This is my 16th birthday present for you and her. You will go on an aircraft from Scotland to Dar es Salaam and back, courtesy my friends in the Royal Air Force. It will be one that can carry you and Jeanne home. Be there at 9 am sharp next Saturday. That gives you time to prepare."

The Clayton's were absolutely dumbfounded. And ecstatic. And worried.

Jack was particularly excited, "Wow! Flying to Africa? Great, Colonel Jacot. I'll be there. Omigosh. Thank you!"

They signed off. Armand was very pleased with himself. That was quite a birthday present to give to his future son-in-law. The boy sounded like a toddler with a new toy.

Jane had a lot of misgivings, but knew it was too late to say no, "I don't know, Jack. Aren't planes kind of rickety and unsafe?"

Tarzan was quick to defend the choice, "We 'fly' on vines through the jungle. Are those safe? The Destiny would still take months to get there. No matter which way we go around Africa."

"No, ape man, anything we do together is unsafe at any speed," she snickered.

Jack rolled his eyes at his parents flirting at such a serious moment, but that is what they did.

"Mom! Dad!" he scolded.

But Jack knew they couldn't help themselves. He imagined he and Jeanne flirt-teasing each other, too. Lily thought it was cute. Nizzie and Paulie weren't paying attention but were bugging each other. He pulled on his sister's doll's arm and got swatted.

"All right, it's settled. You can fly. That's a first for any Clayton," Tarzan decided. Jane was still a little unsure.

"I'm jealous, Jack. You'll get all the fun," complained Lily, but not too much. She was happy for her brother.

"We'll worry about the fun of the flight after she's in my arms OK, Lil? As soon as I return, the next flight is for you."

Jack was a very serious and determined young man.

"That's sweet, 'big bruver'," calling him by her favorite childhood nickname for him and pecked his cheek.

The family had a good laugh together.

Every spare moment was getting ready for the long flight across continents. He had his crossbow. He had cash in three different currencies, combined with gold coins and jewels from their hidden treasure vault to pay off up to a half million Pounds Sterling in ransom. He had her brand new slingshot and a new loincloth his mother had made for him and her. Plus the rings and bracelet. Surprisingly, it was a pretty compact load for him, but he was a very big young man.

He hadn't had his final chat with his parents. On the day before they had to leave by motorcoach and then by train to stay overnight in an inn in Stirling, actually called Sruighlea in Gaelic, in order to get there by the next day.

They would leave the kids under Elisabeth and Edward's care. Lily would be a big help though.

"Jack, we need to talk," noted Tarzan as they sat on a bench in the garden next to the reflecting pool.

"I know…"

Tarzan asked, "Are you still sure you want to do this son? It's going to be frustrating, until you locate her, and then it will be dangerous."

Jack reassured his father and mother, "I have to go. I have to find her. She's my best friend, Dad. My soulmate. She affects me like no other. Not even Eleanor did what Jeanne does to me. I promised her, I promised Eleanor, and I promised Jeanne's parents. I am a man of my word, Dad and Mom, just like Dad."

This was one time they were wished he didn't want to be so noble and trustworthy. But he did seem to be working through losing Eleanor.

His mother had to say, "Jack, please be careful, and don't let your judgement about her be clouded."

"I will Mom."

Jane expressed a mother's love and concern for her son, "We wish you didn't have to go alone. When you get together you're gong to be so taken with each other after so many years, neither of you will think straight. I wish someone else could go along to help both of you see how much she's changed for bad or good. Remember what Dad told you the other day. That nine year old Jeanne was your soulmate and best friend. You remember the little girl Jeanne. She's been gone over seven years. She's 16 now like you. She's a mature young woman. A young adult. By now she's made her own decisions, about life, about who she is, and about who she wants to be."

"I pray she wants to be a Christian girl and be my wife, Mom."

Jane smiled and soothed his arm, "I know, honey, but that's going to be really hard, at least for awhile. All she's been subjected to will have its effect and cloud her thinking. Don't forget that she may have become one of them. It sure seems that way when she was in Walvis Bay. We barely got that pardon through. She was Jaeger's girlfriend and a part of that man's crime empire, Jack.

"I hate that part. God only knows what he did to her to twist her that way."

Tarzan added, "Yes, Jack. Be wary. She was right in the middle of conducting felony business fraud. She not just an intern. And she was very good at it. Jaeger took her everywhere and plied her with gifts. Even while being a hostage and prisoner. She was running that catering shadow business and the whole party for you and your father. While she organized so that you could save her, she did in fact organize it and there were all sorts of payoffs and bribes and illegal fees. Whoever she has become she is not the innocent little girl you loved. Just because she admitted to you she was tempted by Jaeger in moment of crisis isn't the whole story. She knew how to lie. She was a professional liar. She may have lied to you just to protect herself from being arrested. That man may have already taken her virtue, Jack, and she lied just to keep you interested."

"I know Dad. That makes both of us damaged goods."

"Oh my, son, yes, that's true, but it's so much harder to forgive Jeanne if she had relations with Jaeger a long time. Jack, you just made one very big mistake in all that with Eleanor. What a beautiful love you had. If Jeanne still loves you the way you should be loved, she will understand. And keep loving you like Eleanor did."

He choked back the tears. What they had was truly remarkable.

"I understand, Mom. I'm counting on her telling me the truth about being faithful to me and she wants to to be a moral French young woman again. And be Mangani. And be mine despite what I did."

"May God bless and guide you and her that she may feel that way for you son."

"No matter how she feels about me I can't rest until I find her. My British heritage will help me there in Dar es Salaam in an emergency. I will be a citizen. We rule there."

Tarzan cautioned, "But there is much resentment by the Germans. Your British nobility could make you a target. You must watch yourself at all times. The more low key you are the better son."

"Oh. OK. You're right, Dad."

"And you must be careful flying over thousands of kilometers over the jungle. If your plane does go down, none of our current jungle friends can help you there. You will be just another animal fighting for your own existence. You must be vigilant as a lone human."

"Not just an animal, Dad. A predator. And I am the top of the food chain. I am Korak."

Jane gave Tarzan a frightened look, but he just sighed, "You'll need a bigger knife, son. Not every jungle animal believes that. Leopards sure don't and there are plenty of them in the central African jungles."

"I have the knife you gave me long ago and I have the crossbow from our ancestors. That will be more than enough."

"No it won't. You'll need some help from the family, son," Tarzan noted.

"What are you saying Dad? You just said there will be no help in the central and eastern jungle from family. The Mangani are only in Nigeria."

Jane stopped the line of thought Tarzan was taking Jack. She held his arm, "No, Tarzan. You can't promise Jack that. He won't help Jack. He's dangerous. Mother Kala said so. He could kill Jack."

"I have to, Jane. It's time he knows. And what if he finds Jack first?"

"Whatever are you talking about, Dad and Mom? Who is this person you don't want to tell me about?"

Tarzan sighed despite the glare from Jane, "Son, there is help in the east. Not human help. Mangani kind of help."

"Ohmigosh… Who, Father? No one I know left the family to go east."

Jane stated, "Grandmother Kala's brother left for the eastern jungles long before any of us were born."

"Mangani in the east? In the mountains? Whoa…"

Tarzan explained, "This is something Kala shared with me son, and only your mother and I know. We have a lot of family secrets, son. This one more than any other. To protect the eastern gorillas. Kala's brother's name is Akut."

"Is Akut bad, Mom and Dad?"

Jane pursed her lips and sat silently.

Tarzan explained, "He could be. Well, mostly could be. Akut was a member of the family for many years, but battled my father Kerchak for control of the tribe. He lost. Your Grandmother Kala told us he was always so hot-headed. He did not take the loss well. There was only room for one Silverback. It did not settle well with him to be just a blackback male in the family."

"So what happened?"

"Some of the young females loyal to him left toward the eastern jungle and the family never heard from them again but by rumor and legend. It was so long ago that only Grandmother Kala remembers."

"And where does the legend say they went?"

"East of Garua as far east as the mountains just west of what they call Lake Tanganyika. A jungle that is also known as 'Leopard Territory'. You can't get through the mountains without passing through where it is said he lives. Or lived. We have no idea. He could be dead. He's older than Grandmother Kala. Your plane will fly over them so you should not have to bother with Akut or leopards. Unless you chose to get their help in Jeanne's rescue. Perhaps your fate and Akut's will intertwine for the good, son."

"I will consider it father. I will have time to think. Thank you for the warning."

"When will we see you again, dear?" Jane asked sadly.

"My goal is to go as fast as possible, Mom. I pray it will be only six to nine months there in Dar es Salaam and back by the plane if the search goes well with few dead ends. But Mom and Dad, you have to understand. I will stay there until I find her, and won't return until I come back with my mate Jeanne. Yes, I do know she could be married to someone else, or not even want to come back. I might not find her at all. I am prepared for that, I assure you. So… it could be a year or longer. I just don't know."

He looked dejectedly at the ground, and his voice broke with the words, "And if they have killed her, then I will find and kneel at her grave and pray, return alone, keep her memory alongside Eleanor's, and take my place in the family again, ready to be the new Count…" his voice became a ragged whisper," and find another…"

Jane and Jack both started to cry and she rushed to hug him, though he was taller than her now like his father. She looked into his moist eyes, and said, "You are so brave and grown up, dear. Please promise me something?"

"Yes Mother. What do you want?"

Jane got a little steadier in her words, "Jack, dear. I do truly think God is going to bless you with everything you've been praying for for years with her. I think she's remained strong specifically for you. And that will lead to you both wanting to marry while you are gone. Your father and I were wed and mated in the jungle by our own hands. Your Grandfather Porter did the Christian marriage ceremony for us in our old treehouse. You are young, but you have our permission to be married the same way if you still love each other and accept all the ways you've both changed. You have waited so long. We will not make you wait longer. Josephine and Armand feel the same way about this. You are of marriageable age now. We know you have loved her every day since you lost her. Even when you were in love with Eleanor."

"Thank you Mother."

"But if you do marry, please dear son, come back to Scotland, and have at least a small traditional ceremony in Castle Greystoke so that we and her parents can celebrate your union and return."

"Of course we will Mother."

"Jack, no matter what happens I want more than your body to return. I want all of you to return. Your heart, your mind, and your smile. I want that happy little boy in there to return."

"That little boy is gone forever, Mother, ever since Kamina, but Jeanne will heal me when we are together."

There was nothing more to be said by Jane. Tarzan and Jane knew there was no convincing Jack otherwise. They didn't expect him to. They just wanted to warn him of all the pitfalls ahead. He was still young and deeply still in love with Jeanne. But his mind was not clouded and he was well prepared for every possibility.

"I need say goodbye to Lily now. The morning will come fast."

It was really late and the twins were in bed.

"Of course, Jack."

Jack entered his bedroom and knocked on the doorway between his and Lily's bedroom that was always open.

"Come in, Jack. I was hoping you'd see me before you left."

It was dark in her room, since she was ready for sleep, but hoping Jack would see her before turning in himself. He could see the flicker of flames from the fireplace. It was chilly in the castle today. She was tucked in her bed, wearing a flannel full length nightgown and knee length fuzzy socks. He sat on the covers of her bed next to her, and put his arm on her shoulder. She smiled.

Jack felt compelled to compliment her, "Lily, it really is amazing how beautiful you are becoming."

"Oh Jack, you're just saying that because you're my brother."

"No seriously, sis, if you get any more beautiful, I'm going to have to sit down with Okpara and have a very serious brother-to-future-brother-in-law chat. Again. It won't be pretty…"

She blushed.

"Jack, you know how much he respects me."

"Well, if he doesn't sis, I have my blade to remind him."

"You forget that I carry one too. And I know how to use it."

They laughed. "So sis, I'm leaving in the morning."

She replied sadly, "I know… "

"You're a man, Jack. Like Dad. You're not a little boy any more. She'll love you the second she sees you again. Jack, but please do like Mom and Dad told us. Wait until you marry her. Be a good example for me and Okpara and the twins. I want you to do that. Not like… umm… before…"

She couldn't say it – how Jack and Eleanor had premarital relations and paid the consequences.

"Of course, Lily. That won't ever happen again."

They hugged awhile, savoring the close-knit brother/sister relationship that they shared. He kissed her cheek.

She sighed happily, "We always have the best conversations, Jack."

"It's always been that way," he agreed.

She sighed, and her voice cracked, "Jack… you're… you're leaving me and the family for a long time."

"Yes I am. To fulfill my promise to Jeanne. If at all possible, to return with her as my wife."

It won't be the same while you are gone and when you come back. We won't ever have these nice talks again. My strong, protective, smart big brother. From now on it will always be you and her with me and not just you and me. We won't have these special times. Jack, I cherish you as my brother."

"Same here, Lily."

They held hands a little tighter and smiled sadly at each other.

"But yes, Lily we will have this. I'll make sure Jeanne is fully aware of how close you and I are. You and I need our brother/sister time together like tonight. She won't mind. You're my sister. She will love you too. I'll bet you'll go do big sister/little sister stuff and ditch me."

She grinned at her ever optimistic and fun brother, "I hope so. You've never left me before. Except for Kamina and that one time you tried to leave all of us forever."

"Yes Lily, but thanks to you and Jeanne I am still here."

"You've always there for me ever since. I want you to stand for me when I marry Okpara."

"I promise…"

"You're going to be different when you come back. I know you'll find her, you'll work everything out again, and marry in the jungle. I know she could be pregnant when you come back. Then I'll have a cute little niece or nephew to dote on constantly."

He laughed. He would be just fine with that actually, though a good long time alone as a couple would be even better.

"That's the fairy tale ending and it's probably going be a lot harder than that. Especially with what I have to confess to her."

"I just know she'll understand. The whole family understands what happened. But what if it is longer and harder to find her, Jack? What if you have to chase her and the bad men who took her to the ends of the earth? Hawaii you said?"

"Samoa, Lil. But yes. I will follow her wherever they take her until I find her and bring her back."

"What if she's changed? What if she doesn't want you? What if you don't want her or even like what she's become?"

"I already told Mom and Dad that I if that was the case, I'd fulfill my promise to bring her back to her parents. And then end it."

"What then?" she genuinely worried for his heartache.

"I… I don't know, sis. There might be other girls…"

Picking up on that immediately she asked, "You know Ndidi loves you, right?"

"Yeah. I kind of found that out by accident, even though she told me she doesn't. But I don't feel the same way. We're just friends. I don't feel the same way about Ndidi as I did about Eleanor. But if Jeanne doesn't want me, well… anything is possible I guess. I think I've had enough of falling in love with girls who aren't Jeanne."

"You'll miss her coming with the family when Abassi visits the King and addresses Parliament."

"That would something to see. Abassi never met a podium stand he didn't like."

They laughed.

"Yes, but I know I will miss her being here. It can't be helped. Plans changed. Me being gone while Ndidi visits London and the Castle is an answer in itself."

"Yes Jack. I'm sure she'll see it that way and understand."

"It seems the people I care for best are always being hurt by me in some way by accidentally or on purpose, Lil."

"Don't say that Jack. Everyone makes their own choices. She'll figure it out. She's a big girl now. She's the Chief's daughter."

"Hope she doesn't have Chief Abassi declare war on England because I don't desire her romantically."

They chuckled.

"Well big brother, you'll always have this little sister's heart. Even before you saved me from that awful snake. When you were nine and you were afraid of her being lost forever coming back from Kamina, we always comforted each other. It always made me feel important to hold you, and I felt like I was helping you not to miss her so much because I missed my big sister too. These seven years apart from her is just as upsetting for me too, Jack. The kidnappers hurt all of us who love her by doing this. I was so naïve living in our beautiful family. I didn't really know how much evil outlander men can make. You and Dad are my heroes. And other nice men and boys like Colonel Jacot and Okpara. I fear there are only a few nice men in this world."

"I hate to say this but you are right, Lil. You're an amazingly strong young woman. You got me through a lot. You'll have Okpara while I'm gone."

"Yeah, I know, but you're so much older and wiser,"she said respectfully.

"He will be too. He's just as smart as his father Abassi. He just needs more experience. I know how much you guys love each other."

"We really do, Jack. It's sort of like you and Jeanne."

He was a little melancholy, "Except you two did get to grow up together."

She was very sad for him, "I know, Jack. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

Jack cautioned, "It's all right sis. That's just the way it is. But listen to me Lil. Please be careful when you're alone together with him. Or better yet, never be alone together ever, please. You know what happened to Eleanor and me. We had too much alone time and we abused that freedom. I won't be here to remind you two to keep your wits about you. Even good boys and girls lose their way about right and wrong with those they love. Eleanor and I were good people and even we completely blew it."

She understood exactly what he meant.

"I will be good, big brother, I promise. An early baby won't happen again in this family. I don't want to disappoint Mom and Dad."

"What are you going to do when Okpara goes home?"

"Cry a lot, Jack. I will miss him so. I miss him terribly in all these months apart already. Talking him over the Marconi just isn't the same as him being here."

"What if he asks you to go back with him?"

"Are you kidding? I'll beg Mom and Dad to let me go back with them."

"And if he pops the question?"

"I'll say yes even faster. I know he'll ask. But I promise, big brother, that we will wait. Just being engaged to each other will be enough until we are adults. I am not going to get married to Okpara before you and Jeanne are married."

"That's good Lily. Jeanne and I will be 17 or 18. Or not at all. It depends..."

Lily shook her head, "She'll say 'yes', you big lunk. She can't resist you."

"I hope so, Lil, I sure hope so…You may be four years younger than me but you think like a grown woman, Lily. I'm gonna miss these sessions."

They had not let go of each other's hands for one moment.

"Jack, it's not me and Okpara I want to talk about. It's you and me. Brother and sister forever. Jack…"

"Yes, Lily?"

"When you go… I'm afraid of you being lost forever. What if your plane goes down? Those things are dangerous."

"Lily, don't say that. I'll be back. I like you annoying me."

"I'll be the oldest while you're gone. I'm frightened of that. It's so much responsibility. Like I just said, I don't know how you handle it. You're the Viscount. You carry the title. What if I have to go to all those socialite things? I'm no girly girl. 'Lady Lily' just isn't me, Jack."

"You'll do fine."

"It's all just a big act. I admire everything about you, big brother. You're my favorite big brother."

"I'm your only big brother, Lil."

They had a good hearty chuckle.

"You're a pretty good actor then, Lily. I'm the one who feels awkward in social settings. You should have seen the party with Eleanor. I was really the doofus at a girls' party."

It was beginning to hurt less telling people stories about Eleanor. Lily blushed at his compliment.

"Tonight… Jack… don't leave me… don't go back to your room, OK? Pretend we're in the family nest. Or like the times when we really hurt in the treehouse and we comfort each other. Because I really hurt inside right now, Jack, with you leaving."

"OK. I love you, Lil."

"'Love you too, big bruver."

"Do you want to pray together about all this, Lily?"

"Yes Jack of course. I love it when you pray with me. You pray better than Mom or Dad."

Lily got out of her warm bed and they intertwined hands and knelt toward the cross on her wall and prayed for strength, and safety, the blessings of them being brother and sister, and for the swift return and rekindled love between Jack and Jeanne, and for a forgiving heart by Jeanne about Eleanor.

Lily got a great idea, "Hey Jack, I got a better idea than you holding me in my bed. You know this shag rug is nice and soft like a nest, How about we just snuggle right here in front of this awesome fire I made?"

"Perfect, Lily."

They lay down beside each other just like being in their family's Mangani nest with their parents and other siblings, she snuggled into his protective arms, they gave each other a sweet brother/sister goodnight kiss, and slept on the shaggy carpet before the fire. Like the Mangani family nestlings they were. Lily was right. She had never known a time since she was born that Jack wasn't right there in the Mangani nest snuggling with her and their parents or that their beds weren't in sight of each other.

"Good night, big brother."

"Good night, little sister."

She asked while snuggling with her brother, "Jack, when you and Jeanne are married and mates and nesting with the family, can I nest with you guys once and awhile?"

"Of course, sis. Everyone can."

Lily smiled, blushed, giving him one last peck on his cheek, and said, "You're so sweet, big brother. That's why I love you so much."

"'Love you too, Lily."

Hearing the sounds of their deep conversation together, Tarzan and Jane peeked in on them later. Both were snuggling soundly before the fire that was reduced to embers. It surprised them a bit that they were nesting as Mangani in front of the fire, but it was always OK to do that. They all missed the closeness of the nest.

"They'll miss each other terribly, won't they dear? They have really never been apart for long except for Kamina."

Tarzan shrugged off the worry, "By plane, this rescue won't take that long. Out. Back again. Then just like that, Jack's home with Jeanne. The family's back together in a hurry. Armand had a great idea."

"And then right after the reunion Jack and Lily will be arguing and at each other's throats again!"

They both laughed and concluded, "These two are special. I think they are emotionally closer than the twins."

"They were the first two growing up in a very different world together. She's adored him ever since being saved from the snake. Like you've said many times Jane, 'We make beautiful children together'."

Jane asked suggestively, "How about making another tonight? The twins are asleep, so are Jack and Lily, and so is the whole household staff. I know we're ready for this… this last one."

Tarzan was very interested, "Hmmm. Interesting proposition. Convince me further, Jane, dear."

She teased, "OK. How about this: it's exactly the right time of the month to make our baby. And you can have me the way you like best."

Tarzan got very interested in her offer, but shook his head, "I never will understand how you know that."

"I just do, dear. And after our troubles conceiving Jack, we never had trouble since."

The pair walked hand in hand to their master bedroom and the door made a click behind them.

Elisabeth would find their master bedroom in a shambles and clothes everywhere in the morning. Just like old times.

…

Disturbed only slightly by their parents' conversation and the door click, in their sweet, gentle siblings' embrace, brother and sister snuggled as close as fraternal twins in a womb.

...

Authors Notes: We'll learn more about Akut, a Burroughs Tarzan canon character, with a direct connection with Korak soon...