When they entered the guestroom they found Kayla, William, and Challenger talking and laughing. Kayla, noticing Malone and Veronica holding hands, motioned for them to all come in and said, "Well, looks like two of you have already made up your minds." Smiling at Ned then back at Kayla, Veronica nodded and said, "Ned and I are staying here to continue the search for my parents." " And I am staying to help," Roxton added. "What about Marguerite?" William asked. Veronica threw him a " Why did you have to ask that?" look as Malone, eyes wide, frantically shook his head from side to side. Roxton didn't let on like it phased him as he softly replied, "She has yet to decide." Turning to Challenger, Roxton asked, "What about you, George? Will you be going back to become rich and famous?" Challenger looked up at the three expectant faces and smiled. "How could I leave the three of you here alone? You would never survive without me," he said winking at Veronica. "Besides, Who says the caves are the ONLY way off the plateau? And why on earth would I want to go home if I could never come back and prove to others that I have found living prehistoric animals and vegetation? No, I think I will stay here. With my new family," he finished. Roxton, Veronica, and Malone all smiled and started laughing and clapping. Challenger stood up and walked over to them and they all exchanged hugs and hand shakes. " One big happy family," Kayla said smiling at William as he smiled back at her.
The commotion was enough to bring Marguerite running. "What is it? What's wrong?" she asked as she ran into the room. Seeing her, Roxton stopped smiling and looked away. Noticing this, Marguerite's heart started to ache. "We have all decided to stay," exclaimed Challenger. "Will you be staying with us?" Veronica asked looking form Marguerite back to Roxton. "Um...I.... I would like to sleep on it.... I think," was her reply as she turned, glanced over her should at Roxton, then walked out of the room. Veronica followed her. When they were far enough from the door that no one could hear Veronica asked, " He told you he loved you, didn't he?" Still facing away from Veronica, Marguerite let out a small sigh. "Yes." "And he asked you to stay?" Veronica continued. "Yes," replied Marguerite as she continued walking to her bedroom. As they reached the door, Veronica took hold of Marguerite's arm and turned her to face her. "So why didn't you tell him how YOU feel?" Veronica inquired. "How long do you think you can push him away before he gives up for good?" "Veronica, you don't understand," Marguerite said as she turned and entered her room. Veronica followed her inside and turned her around again. "Explain it to me," she said sternly. Marguerite sat down on her bed and began to cry as she began to try and explain. "You don't know the things I've done. None of you do. How could I ever expect a Lord to love me if he ever found out about my past? I'm not a good person. I tried to sell you, Veronica. I tried to sell you to the Zanga chief for a few lousy stones. You should hate me! And believe me, I've done much worse than that. If John ever found out he would hate me for certain." She sat there with tears streaming down her cheeks as Veronica sat down beside her. Putting her arm around Marguerite's shoulders she said, "I forgave you a long time ago for that. You are the closest thing I have ever had to a sister. Although I could kill you sometimes, I do care about you. And John will understand. He loves you. Not for who you were but for who you are now." Marguerite looked up and smiled a little. Veronica continued, " Sure, your values are lacking and your judgment is sometimes misplaced but you have a good heart. We have all seen that side of you. I mean you have gotten us out of trouble by being unselfish more times than you have gotten us into trouble." "Well, it is about time I got credit for that," Marguerite laughed. Veronica smiled and nodded her head. " John knows you aren't perfect. But none of us here are. He loves you Marguerite and you can't just throw that away." Veronica took Marguerite's hand in hers. "You are not a bad person and John can see that, sometimes better than the rest of us." She paused for a moment and then continued, "He doesn't care what you did in the past, he has fallen in love with the woman you are now, here. Maybe that's why he doesn't want to go back to London. He is afraid he would loose you there." As Marguerite stared back at her with tears still streaming, Veronica motioned toward the door and begged, "Please, Marguerite, go talk to him. Tell him how you really feel. At least so he can know the truth before you leave tomorrow." She hugged her then got up and headed for the door. " Veronica," cried Marguerite. Veronica turned to face her. "Thank you. Thank you so much for being here," Marguerite said. With tears in her eyes, Veronica nodded her head and said, "Anytime Marguerite, anytime." Then she turned and left the room.
Marguerite sat there looking around the room that she had came to call home for the past two years. " I will miss this place," she said to herself. What could she possible say to John that would let him understand her feelings for him? She had told him so many times before, in her own little ways, only to take it back at the first sign anything was going to happen. Would he believe her this time? She at there for a while trying to figure out what to say to him. Trying to find the right words to say. Finally she stood up and headed for the door.
As she crossed the living area, she realized that everyone had gone to bed. She almost turned around but something inside her made her continue. She knocked gently on the doorframe of Roxton's room. When he didn't answer she peeked inside. It was dark except for the moonlight and she had to let her eyes adjust. After a moment she could see John lying shirtless on his bed with his back to the door. She started to turn and walk away but she willed herself to stay. She told herself she had to do this now. She crept quietly over to his bed and sat down on the edge. She gently touched his arm and he jumped and turned to face her. Reaching for his shirt he looked at her concerned. "What is it? Is everything all right?" She shook her head and placed her finger to his lips. "It's ok. I just needed to see you. That's all." She smiled down at him. He smiled back and asked, "You've changed your mind? You are going to stay?" She didn't know what to say. She still wasn't sure if she would stay or go. "Um..." she cleared her throat. "I don't know if I will stay or not, John. But I do know how I feel about you." He started to interrupt but she silenced him with her hand on his lips. "Please," she begged, "Please let me finish." He took her hand away from his lips and held it as he nodded for her to continue. " John, I do love you. More than you will ever know. But...I can't let you love me." She began to cry. " I'm not the person you think I am. I have done some very bad things in my past." She pulled her hand away from him. " I don't deserve to be a lady." She stood up and started for the door but he grabbed her and pulled her back down to him. "You tell me you love me and expect me to let you leave?" he asked. "Didn't you hear what I said?" she asked looking deep into his eyes. "I don't care what you did in the past. Do you think I am free of sin? I'm no angel, Marguerite." Pulling her closer to him, he continued, "Stay here with me, please. Here nothing else matters but us. It doesn't matter who you were just who you are and what we do now." Before she could answer he kissed her passionately. She tried to pull away but finally surrendered to her heart and kissed him back.
Marguerite woke the next morning and for the first time in a long time she woke up happy. She was in the arms of the man she loved. And he loved her. She turned to face him and realized he was already awake. "Good morning," he smiled. She smiled back and kissed him. Malone burst into the room saying, "Roxton, Marguerite is gone..." Seeing them in bed together, he threw his hands up to cover his eyes and apologized. "I um...I'm sorry. I didn't know......" Roxton chuckled, "It's ok Malone. We are dressed." Malone put his hands down and smiled an embarrassed smile at them. "I found her," he shouted over his shoulder. Roxton sat up and reached for his shirt. As Marguerite stood up and smoothed her clothes, Veronica came running into the room followed closely by Challenger. "Oh how nice. An audience" quipped Marguerite smiling at Roxton. Noting the looks on their faces, Veronica said, "I see you took my advice, Marguerite." Roxton threw Marguerite a glance then turned to Veronica and said, "Yeah, but she almost chickened out a couple of times before she even got to the bed." As he began to laugh, Marguerite protested, "I did not!" Then throwing a pillow at him she whined, " You were awake??? You weasel!" Roxton caught the pillow and threw it back at her. Then grabbing her wrist he pulled her to him and kissed her gently. Malone and Veronica, hand in hand, smiled at each other as Challenger looked on smiling to himself. A little embarrassed, Marguerite pulled away and attempted to change the subject. "So, whose turn is it to make breakfast?" "Oh, umm.... I have a paper to finish for Kayla," was Challengers reply as he quickly stepped out of the room. Malone started shuffling for the door. "I have to gather some of my journals together. Kayla and William are taking them back to London," he said and then he was gone. "Oh yes. I promised them I would find one of the plants we named after Summerlee to send home to him," Veronica said as she backed out of them room. Marguerite turned to look at Roxton. "Um, I ...I need to clean my rifles. They haven't been cleaned in a few days and after that...I promised Challenger I would help him with...something," he said kissing her on the nose then half-walking and half running out of the room. Marguerite sighed. "So, this is going to be my life?" she asked herself. Then as she looked around the room, she smiled to herself as every little thing there reminded her of John. "This is my life," she said as she headed for the kitchen with a huge smile on her face.
The End.
