The Grand Illusion - TenpBR
(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
"Veronica!" Ned rushed through the crowd after the departing figure.BR
BR
Although her stride was hindered by the unfamiliar long skirts, Ned had a hard time keeping up with her - especially when she purposely zig-zagged around everyone. BR
BR
~I had to fall in love with woman who could run circles around me..~ Ned groaned inwardly as he nearly collided with a wandering waiter. BR
BR
Finally by dint of his determination and the fact that Veronica lost one of her shoes, Ned caught up to her, grabbing her arm. BR
BR
"Let go." Veronica jerked her arm and Ned recognized the angry look on her face. If looks could kill, he would have been dead on the floor.BR
BR
"No, I want you to listen to me." Ned's gaze was steady and resolute. BR
BR
"Why should I? I know what the explanation will be. Just like with that woman at the lake. I don't HAVE to listen to you!" BR
BR
Oh she was furious, he could tell.BR
BR
"Yes you do! Veronica, I love you." Ned looked ernestly into her furious face. BR
BR
"Tell it to that girl - what's her name? Oh Gladys, your true love." Veronica's mouth twisted bitterly and her eyes showed her hurt. BR
BR
"If she was my true love, I'd be with her and not chasing YOU." BR
BR
Veronica looked a little surprised and Ned took this time to draw her a little closer.BR
BR
"Veronica. You are the most stubborn, independent, beautiful woman I've ever known. I know I've made mistakes - mistakes I can't take back no matter how I want to. I can't erase what I've done but I can make up for them by learning from my mistakes. Gladys - I did love her once but that was before the plateau and you. I don't care if it was some dream we've all seem to have shared, it was damn real to me. I want to be with you. I don't want to see you alone ever again. You've made me believe in something other than the story and I - " BR
BR
Veronica placed a finger on his lips, and a smile crossed her face. BR
BR
"I've always thought you talked a lot." Veronica said in a soft voice. She sensed that Ned meant what he said.BR
BR
"There's only one way to shut me up.." Ned smiled into her eyes. BR
BR
"Oh?" Veronica asked. Why did she feel this sense of odd deja'vu and why were they talking as if the events of the plateau really happened?BR
BR
"Um hm. Care to kiss a muckraking Yank?" BR
BR
Veronica didn't answer him. Instead she leaned forward and they kissed...BR
BR
****BR
BR
"Looks like Ned and Veronica made up.." Marguerite cast a glance over at the two. BR
BR
Roxton and Marguerite had witnessed the chase through the ballroom and the subsequent kiss.BR
BR
"Yes they did." Roxton continued to dance with his lady.BR
BR
"Is it me or have they been playing the same waltz for the past fifteen minutes or so?" Marguerite's face turned into one of puzzlement. BR
BR
"Why, are you tired of dancing with me?" Roxton joked. BR
BR
"No, I mean listen! The music hasn't stopped - has it?" Marguerite strained her ears to hear the music over the crowd, who now seemed to be murmuring louder and louder.BR
BR
"Marguerite, I'm sure you - " Roxton suddenly stood stock still and his face turned into that of a wary hunter. BR
BR
"What?" Marguerite knew that look and trusted Roxton's instincts. BR
BR
"Drums?" He cocked his head. BR
BR
"I - hear them too!" Marguerite drew her arm away, reaching for a non-existent gun. Instead what was in her hand was a rough piece of rope.BR
BR
"Wha - ?" Her eyes looked startled as she looked at the rope and then looked at her wrists, which had burn marks upon them. BR
BR
"What in the blazes is going on here?" Roxton gritted his teeth as the familar outlines of the ballroom seemed to waver.BR
BR
Suddenly someone gripped his arm. It was Challenger. Roxton could see Summerlee headed in the direction where Veronica and Ned were.BR
BR
"That's what we're trying to find out. I don't think we're in London at all!" BR
BR