The Grand Illusion - Twop
(Disclaimer: Characters from The Lost World belong respectively to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Telescene, et al. This is for entertainment purposes only. Any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used without permission.)p
iLord John Roxton's Manor../ipBR
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As it turned out, Roxton, by dint of his natural charm and of course his position, was discharged from the hospital. Summerlee and Ned accompanied him to his home where they were greeted by yet another surprise - or rather two surprises. pBR
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Roxton's manservant, Marcus, greeted the trio at the door and happily let them inside.BR
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"M'lord! We had feared the worst when we heard of the fire. The hospital had called and informed us of your heroism."BR
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Roxton smiled slightly. "As you can see, Marcus, it takes a lot to take me down."BR
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"Will Mr. Malone and Mr. Summerlee be staying, m'lord?" Marcus asked. BR
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"Yes. We'll take some drinks in the parlor.." BR
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Summerlee raised a brow. "Roxton, it's ten in the morning!" BR
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"After what we've been through, Professor, I could use a drink.."BR
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"Lord Roxton.." Marcus interrupted. "You do have other guests.."BR
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Ned looked at Roxton. "You don't think - ?" BR
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Roxton had the feeling that Malone was thinking the exact same thing he was thinking.BR
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"Are they - a young lady and an older gentleman?" Summerlee asked.BR
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Roxton grinned. Summerlee was sharper than Challenger ever gave him credit for.BR
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"Yes, Mr. Summerlee. A Miss Krux and Mr. Challenger from the Historical Society."BR
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"Knew it!" Roxton smiled broadly as he clapped Marcus on the back. This startled the manservant who had never seen Lord Roxton so - familar in his actions. BR
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"Lead the way, Marcus. I suppose the lady and the gent were taken care of?"BR
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Marcus took their coats and led them from the foyer. BR
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"Yes, Lord Roxton. As a matter of fact they came last night, the lady brought in by a rather disreputable couple She was very insistent that she knew you. As she was injured - " BR
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Roxton interrupted him. "Injured?" BR
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It did seem that his Lordship did know of the lady - although to be honest he knew many of them. Still the fact that he was quite concerned..BR
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"She had quite a lump on her head, Lord Roxton, but she seems to be fine now. She has been rather - " BR
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"Impatient?" Roxton raised a brow.BR
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"That's 'Rite.." Ned smiled.BR
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"What about Professor Challenger?" Summerlee asked. BR
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"He arrived this morning. He has been rather impatient as well. He said he tried to see you last night but was prevented from doing so." BR
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"Hm.." Roxton said thoughtfully. BR
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"He's never been patient, John.." Summerlee chuckled.BR
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"Uh - there hasn't been anyone else that showed up here last night? A striking blond woman? Name's Veronica."BR
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"No, Mr. Malone, I'm afraid not." Marcus said as they reached the double doors of the immense parlor.BR
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Ned shook his head. He knew that it had probably had been foolish for him to ask but he had to. Somehow he couldn't believe that Veronica had been a figment of his imagination. BR
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"Ned.." Roxton put a hand on his shoulder. "If we're here then she is somewhere too."BR
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"Back - there.." Ned sighed softly. BR
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Before Marcus could open the door, it was opened for him by Challenger, a sooty, rumpled Challenger, but Challenger none the less.BR
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"THERE you are.." Challenger gave them all a baleful look.BR
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"It's about time.." A female voice said in the background. BR
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It was Marguerite and she was quite comfortable in an overstuffed Windsor chair, eating daintily from a plate that held the remains of breakfast.BR
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"I see you've made yourself at home.." Roxton wryly said to Marguerite.BR
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"Is it MY fault you're so well-off?" she smiled slightly at him. BR
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Challenger rolled his eyes. BR
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"Shall we get down to business?" he asked, his voice a tad acidic.BR
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"Marcus, bring me my usual. Summerlee, Ned? Challenger?" BR
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"And what about the LADY in the room?" Marguerite raised a dark brow.BR
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"What lady?" Roxton asked. BR
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"VERY funny, LORD Roxton. Never mind. I have fresh squeezed orange juice.." She raised the half-filled glass in mock salute.BR
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"The nectar of the gods, my dear." Summerlee smiled. "I think I shall have that as well, Marcus, thank you."BR
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"Nothing for me." Malone said, moodily looking into the fireplace.BR
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"Same here." Challenger said briskly. "Everyone have a seat. We have much to discuss."BR
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Roxton didn't know how the hell it happened, but Challenger had taken the lead, just as he had during their expedition.BR
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What expedition? Evidently it had never happened. So why did he have such memories of a place that he hadn't been to? Had it been Challenger's speech that had prompted him to dream of it?BR
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Moments later, Marcus came with the drinks, and then left, closing the door behind him. BR
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Challenger looked at them all and said, "I think we all know what we are here to discuss.."BR
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"Don't beat around the proverbial bush, George.." p
Summerlee took off his glasses to clean them and then put them back on - a tell tale sign that he too was agitated. BR
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Challenger gave his rival a raised brow. He didn't look too upset.BR
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"You always did have a way of interrupting me, Summerlee. Now as I was saying.."BR
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"We're here to discuss our lost world.." Marguerite said simply.BR
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"Precisely." Challenger said. "So, do you all have the same memories that I do?"BR
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One by one they nodded, Marguerite being the last..BR
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***********BR
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It was quite amazing to Veronica that the way out had been almost under their noses the whole time. Her father had discovered the cave quite by accident when he and the other men had been fighting a small marauding band of ape-men who had been on the hunt for game. One of their guides, Phillip had slipped and fell down a rocky incline and although he wasn't badly hurt, had yelled for help. Her father had rescued him but not before Phillip had discovered a small passage that led to somewhere. When they were at leisure, it was then that the passage was discovered, marked by strange signs and symbols, some familar,some not.BR
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But although it had been easy to find the passage and the way out, it would take time. They had lost quite a few of their orginal party - some to raptors, some to ape-men and still others to disease. Veronica could not remember the planning they had made before her "illness" but evidently her father was as through with their plans to leave as he had in designing the tree house. The trick would not be leaving, but in surviving the Amazon once they arrived on the other side. BR
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Her mother told her not to be worry, for she feared that Veronica would have a relapse, but Veronica was still used to being on her own..BR
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No, evidently she had not been alone..BR
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But it had been so vivid!BR
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"Veronica.." her mother said, interrupting her thoughts.BR
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"Hm?" BR
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"You're very pensive. Are you all right?" Her mother put her hands on her shoulders.BR
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"Yes.." Veronica smiled a little sadly. "I'm alright. I guess I am a little - scared."BR
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Her mother looked at her and said, '"I know. I am too to be honest. It won't be an easy trip back."BR
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"No, it won't." Veronica ran her fingers through her hair and then remembered that it was tied back, something she wasn't used to.BR
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Her mother smiled. "It will be a whole new world for you, Veronica. Perhaps a new world for your father and I too." p
She looked down at the breeches and shirt that Veronica was wearing - almost in unconscious imitation of Marguerite - and smiled. p
"I daresay, that fashion has changed since our departure. BR
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Veronica smiled, thinking that her normal apparel would indeed be shocking. p

She remembered trying to look for it, but she could not find it.p

Her mother excused herself to do some last minute checks, leaving Veronica alone momentarily.p

Veronica frowned, thinking how real everything had been - how it still seemed to be. p

Had her friends been mere fevered imaginings? She did not believe so.p

She did know for a fact that Professor Summerlee and Challenger WERE real. She had asked her father and yes, he did know of them, but by reputation only. If Summerlee and Challenger existed, then surely Ned, Marguerite, and Roxton did as well.p

Veronica knew that if they survived the trip back through the Amazon and made it to London, she would look them up and just see if they remembered her at all.p

"Ronnie?" p

Veronica turned to see her father, sturdy and tall, his blond hair turning white at the temples. He was obviously ready to depart.p

"Are you ready?" Her father smiled down at her.p

"As ready as I'll ever be, father.." Veronica got up and gave her father a peck on the cheek.p

"That's my Ronnie.." He tweaked her hat brim affectionately and then adjusted his. His face became serious as he looked at her again. p

"Stay close to us, Veronica and keep your gun handy. We may have found a 'easy' way out but - " p

"I know, father.." Veronica grasped his hand. "I trust you to lead us out of here." p

She suddenly hugged him, tears starting to run down her face. A strong wave of emotion swept over her. They had been lost for years and now - no! They had never been lost, she just couldn't remember, that was all. p

"Honey, are you all right?" Her father hugged her back.p

"I - I just so - glad to - to.." Veronica couldn't speak. p

Her mother had been alarmed earlier when she had done the same to her. She had thought Veronica was having a relapse.p

"Go home? I admit I am too." Her father said. "Although.."p

Veronica heard the wistfulness in his voice. He too, felt like this was his home as well.p

Veronica let go and composed herself quickly, wiping the tears from her face. p

"Are you going to be all right?" He asked. p

"Yes." Veronica said with a faint smile.p

Her mother came in that point with a small bag.p

"Ah, there is my jungle queen.." her father quipped. p

"Oh, Tom.." her mother smiled back. "Here, eat something. I swear you two would forget to eat if you had the chance." p

They reached into the bag and they brought out some redberries - Veronica's favorite.p

She took a bite and instantly the sweet taste of the berry filled her mouth. p

"Not so much, Veronica..you'll get sick!" p

Veronica blinked. Was it her or did her mother's hair look - different? Less - gray?p

No. It was her imagination. She had been ill after all.p

"NOW are we ready to leave?" Her father asked.p

"We certainly are." her mother took the bag full of berries back from Veronica.p

"Then let's go.." He guided Veronica and her mother to the elevator...
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