Chapter Three

The next day Roxton and Challanger, while waiting for Marguerite in the elevator as she searched for something in her room, listened outside the heavy rain as it beat down against the treehouse. Water cascaded from the roof and dripped over the edge like an imitation waterfall. Richard watched them from the kitchen. He had been quiet ever since the talk they had the day before after deciding it would be better for him to keep his mouth shut until the explorers had adapted to him being around.

It wasn't working and half the group still wanted him to leave, Malone was on the fence over the while situation.

"Challanger, what do you think of Richard?"

The Scientist turned to Roxton as he answered his question. "I can't really pass judgement on him until I've spoken to him...We don't seem to speak much he spends so much of his time with Marguerite or alone in his room" he may have been too taken with his work lately to actively participate in many conversations but he still saw what happened around him.

"You would think he'd try and get to know us if he's going to be living here" Roxton pointed out and watched as Richard walked through the kitchen and into the bedroom. He wanted to be a fly on the wall during this conversation. Challenger sent him a warning glance though and he remained where he was, in the elevator and still waiting for Marguerite.

"I don't like it here."

Marguerite, who was used to his blunt comments by now didn't turn around to face him while she answered in a frank tone. "You just have to get used to it."

"Mmm I don't want to get used to it this place is so crowded not what I'm used to at all" he sounded like a moaning child preparing to have a tantrum.

She continued to busy herself around the room until she found what she was looking for. "Feel free to leave at any time."

His false smile rapidly disappeared and a scowl came in its place. "If I go anywhere I would expect you to go with me."

"I'm sure you'll do fine on your own."

"Remember what happened the last time you tried to leave me?" he asked pointedly.

She nodded slowly but didn't turn around. "That won't happen again" the last time had been four years before she left for the Plateau. They had had an argument in which Marguerite had announced she was leaving, knowing that if that happened he wouldn't see one penny of her money ever again he had threatened to inform the police of some of her little business arrangements. She had called his bluff and things had turned sour quickly. Marguerite had not forgotten.

"I know, because next time I might aim the gun somewhere else..."

She spun around. "You hurt any of them and you won't get away with it!" Marguerite took a step forward but without a weapon of any kind in her hand he merely laughed, angering her further.

"Let's just continue to play the happy couple shall we and we'll see what happens from there" Richard was smug. Marguerite only wanted the opportunity to wipe it clean from his face.

She pushed passed him and strode over to where Roxton and Challanger awaited her. Veronica intercepted her. "Marguerite? I heard what he said...He doesn't need to stay here" Veronica, now more than ever wanted to be rid of Richard. She and Marguerite didn't always see eye to eye but she drew the line at the arrogant man's behaviour. She did not know if he was a man of his word but judging from how he had a tendency to act Veronica was not willing to take that chance. And now the rest of the explorers might be in trouble. The jungle native was seriously contemplating throwing him to the dinosaurs.

"If he leaves on his own we'll always be looking over our shoulder...before I met you and Roxton, Malone, Challanger I only had to worry about myself..."

Roxton and Challanger listened to their conversation and decided now would be a good time to butt in. "What are you saying?" Roxton question, frowning in worry. He didn't like where this was going.

Marguerite spoke directly to Roxton; he needed to know this. "I can't stay here it isn't safe...for you most of all –"she began, regretfully.

Richard coughed and interrupted them. "If we are leaving then you should pack..." he did not worry over what the explorers might do. They would be furious but they would never shoot him in cold blood, which they would have to do if it meant keeping him from Marguerite. She left the room, seething but unable to do anything.

"Don't speak to my wife again" Richard's seldom seen cocky attitude reared its ugly head again.

"You remember what I said? I meant it" Roxton took a step forward and Challenger pulled him back. The hunter might not shoot Richard, but by the time Roxton was finished with him the other man would wish for that end.

"It doesn't matter now if you meant it or not as of now you won't ever see her again!" he gloated.

Marguerite took her time getting her things together but the time to go came fast anyway and before long she found herselfin the elevatorsaying goodbye, Richard waited, hovering close-by. He was satisfied, he had what he wanted and his happiness showed on his face. "We'll still have to trade with the Zanga if you need to contact me leave a message with Assai..."

"You don't have to leave" Veronica repeated what she had said before but knew Marguerite would not, could not change her mind.

"Yeah, who'll remind Roxton to roast the beans for coffee?" Malone added in, livening the drab mood, the air was tense.

"Malone, don't ever stop writing in your journals..." she stopped in front of Challenger. "You find a way off the plateau give me a call" the chances were slim but she wouldn't give up hope of getting back home just yet. She mentally scolded herself, feeling stupid for becoming so sentimental. It wasn't like her.

"I wouldn't leave without you" Roxton softly told her. But she knew that already.

"None of us would" Challenger came forward and gave her a quick hug.

"You'll always be welcome here" Veronica looked across at Richard and glared at him. The imagine in her mind of him being chased by a hungry T-Rex made her smile.

"John, forget about --."

Richard shouted to her from his vantage point in the living area. "Darling, do hurry up!" She reluctantly waited for Richard to join her in the elevator; Marguerite took one last look around the treehouse as the elevator descended, for the last time for her...down below an interested Tribune was hidden amongst the trees he watched as they left without a backward glance.

They had walked for hours through the Plateau while Marguerite navigated the way through trees and bushes. She knew the spot to go for a while; it was a cave the explorers had used sometimes on their way to the Zanga village, for rest. Richard had accused her of trying to exhaust him, going so far as to say she was bringing him this far out only to leave him lost in the middle of the jungle. Marguerite didn't admit to him that the thought had crossed her mind. But now, she was simply biding her time until the right moment presented itself for her to do something.

That night Richard was half-asleep as he kept watch over Marguerite, who had stayed near the mouth of the caveHe still did not trust her not to run away.

"Cheer up Marguerite those people were too boring for you anyway."

"You got along fine without me for three years, why do you need me now?" she knew the answer herself really.

"I always needed you" he admitted in a tone that could have passed as sincere.

She shot him a look that said she did not believe his admission. "I'll need to get supplies from the Zanga tomorrow; you can come along or you can stay here it doesn't really matter which."

"Then I'll stay here turn this place into home" he cheerfully remarked as he bedded down for night.

"It'll never be home" Marguerite whispered out of earshot, a nearby cricket the only thing to hear her, and he wouldn't be much help.