After what seemed like hours, but couldn't have been more than a few seconds, Malone opened his eyes and saw Marguerite beside him near tears. "Now don't go getting all emotional on me, Marguerite. I've had enough surprises already this week, I don't think I could handle anymore!"
She helped him push Douglas off and heard Hannah start screaming. She was shaking her head in disbelief and ran out of the cave before Marguerite could stop her. The sound of the struggle had brought the raptors closer and the explorers heard one more scream before the sounds of the raptors tearing apart their latest meal drowned out everything else.
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They made it back to the treehouse by dawn. Marguerite hesitated at the base of the tall tree and looked at her friends. She flung herself into Malone's arms and hugged him. Malone gently smoothed down her unruly hair as she clung to him and asked, "What is this for?"
Instead of answering, she went to Summerlee and gave him a kiss on his wooly cheek. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Thanks for your help. It was nice to see you in action Ned. If I find a way off the plateau, I'll be in touch."
"What are you talking—"
"Don't worry about her, go let the others know you're back," Roxton ordered from the shadows.
"Really, John, you have to stop doing that. You're going to give this old man a heart attack one of these days," Summerlee complained good-naturedly as he started moving to the elevator. It's about time he had a talk with her!
Malone looked uneasy at the idea of leaving before he was sure Marguerite would come back to the treehouse. But one look at his dark friend assured him that Marguerite would be sleeping in her own bed even if Roxton had to carry her up himself and tie her to it.
He joined Summerlee in the elevator and was delighted to see Veronica sleeping on the couch. As he moved into the room, she stirred and jumped up into his arms. "Thank God she didn't hurt you. I wanted to look for you but they thought it was too dangerous and wouldn't let me go until the morning!"
Confused at her statement, Malone asked, "Thank God who didn't hurt me?"
"Did you get hit in the head again? Marguerite of course!"
Summerlee looked at the pair of young people and smiled blissfully as he thought to himself, This is truly a night for love! He kept the thought to himself as he went to find his friend. After all, Challenger would think he was a romantic fool if he voiced his thoughts.
Ned looked at Veronica, "Oh ye of little faith! Marguerite saved both Summerlee and myself."
Veronica's pretty mouth formed an astonished "O" and she said, "You mean she didn't kidnap you?"
"No, we went together to save Summerlee."
"Then I guess I owe Marguerite an apology—"
"I owe her my life."
Veronica made a move to go find Marguerite and try to explain that she hadn't really been herself since she heard how close she had been to losing Ned. I'm sure that if the positions were reversed and it was Roxton's life that was threatened she would have reacted the same way. Not that it excuses the way I've acted, but I'm sure she can forgive me . . .
"It can wait Veronica," he said, stopping her exit with a hand on her arm, " I'd like to just be with you for a while . . ."
Malone offered her his hand and led her out to the balcony. They heard voices and looked down in time to see Roxton kiss Marguerite thoroughly. Then, he picked her up and gently tossed her over his shoulder and got in the elevator as a stream of curses and a shower of vicious kicks rained over him.
It's nice to see things are back to normal, was the last thing Ned thought before he leaned in to kiss Veronica softly. Better than normal actually . . .