Previously: The two Roxton and the two Malone children, after popping out of the misty portal, noticed that their world had changed. When they couldn't find Summer anywhere around the meadow, they decided to get to the treehouse so that their parents could help in the search, and explain the strange things they had seen. Meanwhile, Summer, after a traumatic encounter with raptors, is rescued by her "daddy and grandpa", who have no idea who she is.

Author's note: I suddenly realized just how scary and traumatizing it would be for the children to meet up with people who look like their parents but who do not recognize them or love them. So I gave the children a little more power of deductive reasoning then perhaps their ages warrant, in the hope that they could prepare themselves mentally and emotionally for the above possibility. I couldn't stand to upset the kiddies too much.

1.1 Chapter 3 – Realizations and Revelations

The little band of children made their way slowly through the dense jungle foliage, the path they remembered as being clear, and wide enough for two people to easily walk side by side, was so overgrown that they had to walk single-file. Edward was in the lead with Will following on his heels. Victoria came next, practically dragging poor Alice behind her. The boys used their staffs to beat at the vines and branches that blocked their progress. It was slow going and the children were getting more and more anxious to get home. Their glum mood was occasionally lightened when they noticed signs that someone had been on the path before them. They hoped with all their hearts that it had been Summer.

They had reached a small clearing where rounded, moss covered rocks littered the ground when Edward stopped and waited for the other to catch up.

"We can go down this other path," he said, pointing to the right. "It's a shortcut to my treehouse"

"You can't be serious, Edward," Victoria exclaimed. "There is hardly a path at all, that way."

"That's all right, Tori," Will reassured her. "Edward and I could find our way through there blindfolded. We just follow the stream."

Victoria rolled her eyes, but in reality she was getting desperate to turn the responsibility of the children over to the grownups.

"Very well, Edward," she said emphasizing who she was trusting. "If you think it will be faster. I'm afraid that little Alice is just about ready to collapse." She pulled Alice against her side and patted her on the head.

Alice didn't know what "collapse" meant, but she was annoyed at being called "little", so she jerked away from Victoria. Then, looking up at her older friend's face and seeing the slight tremble of her bottom lip, she relented and took hold of her hand again.

Meanwhile, Will and Edward were discussing just how far into the forest they needed to walk before they would find the small stream that ran through these woods and came out by the treehouse. First, Will would say something like "we walk straight ahead and then turn right" and then Edward would argue and move his hands around like rudders on a boat, first pointing this way and then that way.

Victoria's patience was at an end. Pulling Alice along, she strode past the boys.

"Oh, for Lord's sake," she huffed. "We'll find the stupid stream. How hard can it be?"

It was a little harder than they thought. The undergrowth was so dense that the stream was invisible. It wasn't until they had tripped and stumbled and gotten thoroughly scratched that they finally heard water rushing over rocks. They pushing through a large, reddish bush and came to the longed for water source.

The going was a bit easier beside the stream and they started making good time. The children didn't realize just how lucky they were to be traveling through the jungle, outside of the protection of the electrified fence, unmolested by the terrible dinosaurs that lived in these very woods. They could not know that all of the carnivores, both large and small, were over near the "castle" feasting and fighting over the two dead raptors.

Edward, who was in the lead again, slowed down and turned around to speak to his friends.

"You know," he began, "I've been thinking…"

"Well," Victoria drawled, "another strange happening to add to the list.".

"What about?" Will asked, ignoring his sister.

"My Dad is always telling me stories about the plateau and he sometimes calls it a "place out of time", Edward continued excitedly. "He explained that everything here seems to move back and forth through time. So, I was thinking that maybe WE moved back in time and that's why everything seems so different…"

He trailed off when he saw the skeptical look on the faces of the Roxton children.

Alice came to his defense.

"That's right," she said. "He even told us a story about some of our parents going into the future and finding everything on the plateau different. Well, everything is different for us, too. Right? And he told us about some people who appear here for a few days and then they disappear for a whole year before they return…"

Her voice wound down when the implications of what they were hypothesizing sank in. The other children came to the same realization.

Will voiced all of their concerns. "If all that is true, then what if…what if our parents aren't on the plateau in this time?"

The children stood silently for a minute.

"Well, my parents told me stories about their early days on the plateau and they described it just like this, so I think they are here…just earlier," announced Victoria.

Edward, who was a very studious and observant, just like his father, spoke up, his thoughts stumbling over each other as they occurred to him.

"I agree with Tori that we did move back in time, mainly because of how everything looks so overgrown like it would before the trails and roads were built, and, if we did move back in time, then our parents would be young, wouldn't they?" He took a deep breath and continued thoughtfully. "And maybe…maybe, here, we haven't even been born yet!"

Alice laughed. "Of course we've been born, Edward. I can see you all and you can see me."

They all smiled at the little girl's literalness.

"So, Edward," Victoria said thoughtfully, "if our parents are young and we haven't been born yet…they won't know who we are, will they?"

"What do you mean, they won't know who we are?" wailed Alice.

Edward came over and put his arm around Alice's shoulder. "It's won't be their fault, Alice. They won't be our real parents, they'll just be our future parents," he explained to his little sister.

Will sniggered, "Won't they be in for a shock when they see us? Especially when they meet Victoria!" he drawled out her name in a high pitched, dignified voice.

Victoria took a swipe at him, which he easily avoided.

Alice was still shaken up by the thought that her mom and dad wouldn't know her, even if they weren't her parents yet. She really needed her parents right now. She had had a very upsetting day and she was truly worried about Summer.

Will, too, was having a hard time accepting what the two older children were saying. He was very attached to his parents, especially his father, whom he worshipped. But, as usual, he put on a brave face.

"Well, we aren't going to find out what happened by standing here yakking about it. Let's go." He turned and started walking at a fast pace beside the ever-widening stream.

In her usual show of empathy, Alice ran after him and took his hand in hers. He let her.

Edward and Victoria followed. They, too, were apprehensive.

They trudged along in silence and soon came to the edge of the woods. Their relief and excitement knew no bounds when they came out of the woods and found the electric fence right in front of them.

"I know this place," yelled Edward. "The treehouse is right around those rocks! They are here! They are here!"

They all started running along beside the fence until Victoria called for them to stop.

"Come here, everyone." She took their hands in hers. "We have to be prepared for anything. We all have to be brave. If we have gone back in time, we'll need help getting back to our own time. And if anyone can help us, it will be those people who will one day be our parents. You know how smart and brave they are?" As the children nodded, she continued. "Well, they'll be just as smart and brave now. They'll help us get back to our right time and to our real parents, I just know they will."

They walked more slowly now. They had much to think about.

The wind blew hard here, out in the open. It whipped their hair and clothes around their bodies. They were too focused to notice the high winds and gray sky. They held hands as they came around the rocks and got their first look at their destination. The treehouse was there. Way up high in the tall, tall tree. The electric fence surrounded it.

"It looks just like the pictures Grandpa Challenger has on his wall," whispered Will in awe.

"Wow," exclaimed Will in a hushed voice. "Look how close the fence is to the treehouse."

"I'm scared," whimpered Alice. She looked worriedly up at Victoria. "What if they don't like us?"

"They'll like us, Alice." Victoria reassured her. "After all, what's not to like?"

She lifted her chin and shook her hair out of her face. Then, all four children still holding hands, she led them through the gate and up to the elevator shaft at the base of the tree.

**

Not too long before the four children stood at the bottom of the treehouse calling up for the elevator, Roxton and Challenger had returned with their little bundle slung, sleeping soundly, over Roxton's shoulder.

Challenger and Roxton talked in low tones so as not to wake their mysterious visitor.

"Well, John," Challenger questioned, his curiosity aroused. "Where do you suppose this little one came from?"

"Beats me, George," Roxton whispered. "I can't help thinking though, if she thinks I'm her father, who does she think is her mother?" Roxton's eyes twinkled with the thought of who he wanted it to be.

He looked down at his tiny passenger. "Well, one things for sure. She's a brave youngster. It must have been terrifying being trapped by those raptors." He thought for a moment. "Do you suppose, Challenger, that the trauma of that experience has upset the balance of her mind and that's why she thinks she knows us?"

"Too soon to tell, I'd say, old man. Perhaps she's just temporarily confused. We'll have to wait and see what she has to say when she wakes up."

They continued the rest of the way in silence. At last they reached their jungle home and they stepped through the gate. The elevator made the slow trip up to the treehouse.

As Challenger and Roxton stepped off of the elevator, the other occupants of the treehouse turned to greet them. Ned Malone's mouth quirked up on one side as he saw Roxton's burden.

Marguerite, who was sitting at the table having a cup of tea, leaned languidly back.

"Really, Roxton," she drawled. "If you're going to hunt for our dinner, you might try to find something a little bigger."

"Very funny, Marguerite," Roxton smirked. He suspected that she would be in for a big surprise when the little girl awakened. "I'll just put her in your bed to finish her nap."

Marguerite jumped up.

"Not on your life, Roxton. She's filthy. Put her in your own bed."

"Very well, Your Highness," he agreed. "I know how loath you are to share your bed with anyone." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Ned had gotten around behind Roxton so that he could get a good look at the small girl so peacefully sleeping on his shoulder.

"Where did she come from, John?" he asked, his curiosity aroused. "She looks familiar. Is she from the Zanga village?"

"No. No, Ned. We found her on the trail. We'll tell you all about it once we get her settled."

Challenger had gone ahead to John's room to turn down the bed. John carried his grimy little bundle into his room and slowly lowered her onto the soft mattress. He gently took off her shoes and pulled the covers up to her shoulders. He stood there a minute, smiling down at her.

She really was a cute little thing, he thought. He wondered why she had called him daddy. I guess I must look something like him, he thought.

"Sleep tight, little one," he whispered.

He returned to the living area and was happy to see that Ned had set out tea for himself and Challenger. Ned sat down with them, anxious to hear about their adventure. Marguerite had returned to her chair and tea.

Marguerite, while pretending to have no interest in the tale, was really quite intrigued to see Roxton with a small child. He looked so comfortable with her. Very paternal. She would never admit to it, but she, too, had a soft spot in her heart for little children. Since she was a little girl, she had built so many walls around her feelings that those who did not know her well thought she had no feelings at all. Only one person on the plateau knew her well enough to see behind her walls, and that was Lord John Roxton. It thrilled her that he knew her so well and it also terrified her.

Roxton took a sip of his tea and leaned back in his chair.

"You aren't going to believe this," he started. He told them the whole tale of the rescue. When he got to the part where the child called him Daddy, he hesitated. Challenger took up the tale.

"Now this is the interesting part," he said. "Once Roxton got her to stop crying, she called him Daddy. Can you believe that…Daddy."

"Now don't forget that she called you Grandpa," shot back Roxton.

Ned threw back his head and laughed. "Grandpa George," he chuckled. "It has a nice ring to it."

"Why in the world would she call you Daddy, Roxton?" Marguerite mused. "It couldn't be that you've been holding out on us, could it?" She tilted her head back to look up at the ceiling, her finger tapping her chin. "Let's see…a beautiful jungle girl. A night of wild passion. And then!" her head snapped down. Her gray eyes locked with his. "The pay back! She sends you the result of your carnal indulgence."

"Oh, for God's sake, Marguerite," Roxton growled, standing up to pace. "Is everything a joke to you? Where is your sympathy? A little girl, alone in the jungle, pursued by ferocious beasts. Surely, even you can understand how frightening that would be!"

"What do you mean, even me!" Marguerite, rising along with her temper. "You're one to talk. How many times have I been in danger and you've made fun of my terror?"

They were standing toe to toe. Their faces, inches apart. They breathed at each other through gritted teeth.

Ned and Challenger looked over at each other and sighed. The hunter and the heiress were fighting more and more often, lately. If they didn't do something soon about resolving their feelings for each other, then the other occupants of the treehouse would have to take steps. Like shoving them in a cave and closing off the entrance with a cave-in.

But right now, they needed to restore the peace, once again.

Ned jumped up and went to Marguerite, putting a hand on her arm.

"Now, Marguerite, you know that Roxton would be devastated if anything happened to you. Come on, sit down and let's have another cup of tea. I think there's some honey left."

He led her back to her chair at the table where she sat with her arms crossed over her chest.

Challenger had managed to get John to sit down too. John tried to get his breathing under control while all the time sneaking little glances at the infuriating woman sitting across the table from him.

The two peacekeepers had just sighed a well-earned sigh of relief, when they heard a small voice calling from far below.

They all looked at each other and then jumped up, ran to the balcony and looked over.

At the base of the treehouse, standing side by side and holding hands, were four young children. Two boys and two girls. The tallest, a girl, was yelling up to them.

"Lower the elevator, please. We want to come up."

The four adults looked at each other in confusion. They weren't sure what to do. Five children alone on the plateau. Was it a trick of some sort? Things were getting out of hand, fast.

"I'll go down and see what they want," volunteered Ned.

Without waiting for anyone to reply, Ned jumped into the elevator and slowly descended.

The children heard the elevator coming down. They gripped each other more tightly. They tried to prepare themselves for what was to come, but when the elevator reached the ground and Ned stepped off, Edward and Alice raced to him and flung themselves into his arms.

Ned had stooped down when he saw the children running towards him and instinctively held out his arms. The children threw their arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. They stayed that way, clinging together, for a frozen moment. Then Alice opened her eyes and met the eyes of her brother looking at her across Ned's shoulders.

"He's not our now-father, is he Edward?"

Edward clamped his lips together and sadly shook his head.

"No. He's not.

The two Malone children slowly disentangled themselves from Ned and stood back.

"We're sorry, sir," Edward apologized. "We thought for a minute that you were someone else."

Ned stood up. He felt strangely shaken.

"That's quite all right." He paused. "Would you like to come up to the treehouse?"

"Yes, please," the oldest girl answered politely.

Ned stood back and motioned with his arm for the children to enter the elevator. When they had all crowded in, he stepped in with them and the elevator rose.

The three adults stepped back from the balcony and looked at each other. Feelings of confusion, curiosity, and awkwardness rolled over them in equal measure. As the elevator reached the top, awkwardness was the predominate feeling, so they quickly sat at the table and self-consciously fiddled with their teacups.

Ned was the first out of the elevator.

"Look everyone. We've got visitors," he exclaimed in a falsely hardy voice.

He stood aside and the four children stepped forward and, joining hands, again, unconsciously formed a row in front of the adults.

At the sight of Roxton and Marguerite, Victoria and Will couldn't help taking a step towards them. Alice and Edward gently tugged them back.

Awkwardness was now felt by each group. The adults were forming a pretty good idea of who these children thought they were, not only because of the little girls reaction to Roxton, but also because the of reception that Ned had gotten from the small girl and boy.

The children were tongue-tied and a little heartbroken to be with these adults that they knew so well but who didn't know them.

The silence was broken by a sleepy, little voice calling from the other room.

"Where is everybody? I'm hungry."

Summer came stumbling into the room, rubbing her eyes with one hand and her nose with the other. She didn't look any cleaner than she had earlier; in fact she looked like a wild thing. Her face was smudged and streaky and her dark, brown hair was standing up in the back of her head like feathers on some exotic bird.

Catching sight of the adults around the table, she slowly lowered her hands to her sides. Her eyes locked with Marguerite's and her lopsided smile tilted up in a knowing smirk. Marguerite gulped.

As the little tease started forward, Alice, who had been rendered speechless by Summer's sudden appearance, let out a bloodcurdling shriek.

"Summer!"

Summer's eyes left her prey and she let out a scream to match her friend's. She rushed past the adult's, sitting spellbound at the table, and threw herself into the arms of her comrades.

The children hugged her and kissed her dirty, chubby cheeks. Victoria knelt down and took her little sister into a big bear hug. As she held her close, she whispered in her ear, "Summer, these people aren't…"

Summer, wise beyond her years, leaned back and put a finger to Victoria's lips.

"I know, Tori," she whispered back. "They're not ours, are they?"

Tears stood in Victoria's eyes. "No, they're not, sweetheart."

Summer patted her cheek and looked around at all her friends. "Don't worry, they're nice. They'll help us."

The children nodded, fighting tears.

Summer pulled Victoria to her feet. Brought Will's and Victoria's hands together. Wiggled in between Will and Alice. Took each of their hands in hers. Looked down the row to see that Edward was holding Alice's other hand. Fixed her gaze on Challenger and nodded her head at him.

George, whose mouth had been hanging open, snapped it shut. The other adults stirred as if coming out of a trance.

"Er, ahh, yes, indeed," he coughed and said, " I think it's time for some introductions. I, uh, will start with myself."

He stood up from the table and gave a little bow as he said, "I am George Edward Challenger, a professor by trade and an explorer by necessity."

He pointed around the table, introducing the others.

"Lord John Richard Roxton; Miss Marguerite Krux; Ned Malone. Our hostess, Miss Veronica Layton, is, uh, not with us at the moment."

He looked at Victoria, who appeared to be the eldest of the group.

"And, now, may we know who we have the honor of meeting?"

Victoria stood up straighter. Still holding Will's hand tightly, she gave a little curtsy as she returned the courtesy.

"We must apologize for intruding on you all. We had a little trouble this morning and seem to have become…lost."

"In time!" piped up Edward. He subsided quickly under a glare from Victoria.

"Anyway, I think you should know who we are and then decide if you want to help us or not." She glanced down the line and licked her lips. "I am Victoria Grace Roxton. This is my brother, William Richard Roxton and my sister, Summer Leigh Roxton. We are the children of John and Marguerite Roxton."

Marguerite leaned over to growl throatily at Roxton. "Three children, John? What? Are you trying to kill me?"

Victoria glanced over at her mother to be, then looked down the row of children and continued.

"Alice Layton Malone and her brother, Edward Arthur Malone are the children of Ned and Veronica Malone."

Then she turned to face Marguerite and said in a sweet voice but with thunder in her eyes, "Actually, Miss Krux, there are four of us. The baby, Margaret Rose, is home with our mother."

Marguerite paled. "Well, how…wonderful," she croaked.

Roxton smirked. Then he beamed at "his" children. "Yes, yes, quite wonderful. We are so pleased to meet you. And, of course, as far as helping you, we are at your service. Right, Malone?"

Ned was staring at the beautiful, blond children that would some day be his. His and Veronica's. That fact in itself was cause for celebration.

"It is wonderful," Ned exclaimed. "But, you said that you traveled in time?"

Challenger stepped forward and put out his hand.

"Now, Ned, I'm sure we'll hear all about that, but first things first. The children must be tired and hungry. Let's see what we can find them to eat, before we hear their tale."

The adults jumped up and there was a lot of shuffling around and table setting and "Do you care for this?" and "Would you like some of that?"

The children, who were indeed very tired and hungry, were soon seated at the table as the adults plied them with every delicacy the treehouse had to offer.

As soon as the children were served, the adults pulled up chairs and stools and sat next to the children. They asked the usual questions adults ask children. "How old are you?" "What's your favorite thing to do?" The children answered between bites.

Ned sat between "his" two youngsters. He couldn't believe that he would be the father, future father, that is, of these two fantastic children. Roxton was sitting between Victoria and Will. Will was almost overcome with pride when he told Roxton how he was learning to shoot with a rifle and Roxton remarked, "Good man!" Victoria was very relieved to share the burden of the other children with these adults, even if they weren't the "right" adults.

Summer had waved Marguerite over to sit next to her. Marguerite sat down wearily. There was something about this child that made her distinctly uneasy. It was if the little girl could see right into her soul. But the most disconcerting thing was that she seemed to find it very amusing. At first, Marguerite didn't know what to say to the child, but after a few minutes she found it easier. Summer pulled her Dolly out of her dress pocket and set the dilapidated but much loved doll on the table. Now, dolls were something that Marguerite remembered from her childhood. She picked up the doll and exclaimed at the tear in her dress.

Summer gave an exasperated sigh, "That Dolly gives me gray hairs. She's so very careless. That naughty girl caught her best dress on a thorn bush and now it's ruined. I have a good mind to dress her in boy's clothes to teach her a lesson." Summer clamped her lips together and screwed up her little face at all the trouble that doll caused her.

Marguerite hid a smile behind her hand. This child was so amusing. She looked exactly like Roxton but sounded exactly like her. Before she realized it, she was offering to make Dolly a new dress out of one of her favorite scarves. Summer was delighted.

The whole time that Marguerite was talking to Summer, she and Victoria were exchanging covert glances with each other. That child fascinated her. She looked so much like she did at that age. She just hoped that this child was having a much better childhood.

Victoria glanced over at her "future" mother and found it hard to reconcile this cold, sarcastic woman with the loving, kind-hearted person who was her mother. Yes, her mother was strict but never harsh. She and Victoria had always gotten on very well together. They shared the same tastes and opinions. Her father called them "two peas in a pod" and sometimes the "twin sisters of mischief". Her father didn't understand them, as he was the first to admit. They didn't deliberately get up to "mischief", they just made plans to get what they needed and sometimes these plans got them into trouble.

Challenger was listening with half an ear to the hubbub around the table. He was also listening for Veronica. She had gone to visit Assai in the Zanga village, but she was usually home by this time.

The meal was nearing its end, when, with a nod from Roxton, Challenger cleared his throat and stated, "Well, now, I think it's time we all heard what these youngsters' have to tell us about their adventure in getting here."

There was silence around the table. Summer looked at Alice and giggled. Alice giggled back. Victoria frowned at them.

"Well, I guess Summer and Alice will start."

"Okay," agreed Summer. And she started telling them about the rock furniture and Tori sitting on Dolly.

For gosh sakes, Summer," Will said with disgust. "They don't what to hear about your Dolly. Tell them about how we went to the meadow to shoot at the targets and how I hit it just about every time and I would have beat Tori but I got something in my eye, so I missed. But…"

"Quiet, Will," Victoria interrupted. "You wouldn't have beat me, anyway! I'm a much better shot then you are. Right, Edward?"

Edward looked between his two friends. "Well," he ventured. "You're both good shots, but I think they want to hear about the blue mist."

"Blue mist?" Roxton said encouragingly.

"Yes, Sir," Edward continued. "It was the blue mist that brought us here.

Slowly the story was told. The adults appeared mesmerized as each child interrupted the other with corrections or additions from his or her point of view. At last they wound down.

Challenger stroked his beard, his curiosity thoroughly peaked, "Amazing! We'll have to find that meadow and look in to this blue mist, time portal, swirling fog thing. I'm sure Veronica can tell us where the meadow is. By the way, shouldn't she be home by now?"

"Oh, I'm sure she'll be here soon," Roxton reassured him. He motioned with his head not to say anything that would upset the children. "I expect she and Assai had a lot to talk about."

"I know where the meadow is, sir. If Mom...Veronica decides to stay in the Zanga village, then I can show you the way tomorrow," Edward volunteered.

"Thank you, my boy. I'm sure you can," Challenger answered. "However, the jungle is not a safe place for children. I think it would be wise for the adults to investigate this phenomenon first. I tell you what, we'll make our plans in the morning and you can tell us the way to the meadow then."

The children looked very disappointed. They were used to being able to ramble safely over a very wide area. The electrified fence protected many acres, in their time-line. Although they were being taught jungle survival skills, in reality, they had never been in real danger and it was hard for them to imagine that their acres of playground were now off limits to them.

Ned looked around at Challenger, Marguerite and Roxton. "Hey, guys, we'll find you a way home. We promise." He grinned and put his hand on Edward's shoulder.

Edward gave him a small grin in return.

The children had been eating juicy, mango-like fruit for dessert. One look at their dripping chins and juice stained fingers, and the adults realized that this group needed tidying up before they could go to bed.

Roxton assigned Ned and Challenger to prepare two tubs of warm, soapy water and he sent Marguerite to find something clean for the girls to wear. He went to find something for the boys.

Marguerite grumbled a little but went about the job willingly enough. She searched through her rapidly diminishing wardrobe and came up with three silk chemises, ones she had been saving for a special occasion. She smiled to herself. If these children were a portent of what her future would be, she wouldn't need these enticing garments to catch the attention of a certain English Lord.

When she got back to the kitchen, she could hear Roxton and Ned in the shower room bathing the two boys. From the sound of it, all four of them were getting a soaking. Challenger, who was sitting at the table, pointed towards the balcony, where a sheet had been hastily hung up to give the girls some privacy for their bath.

Marguerite walked up to the curtain and sang out, "Yoohoo, it's just me." She pulled back the curtain just far enough to slip inside.

Summer and Alice were sitting in a big laundry tub, bubbles and water overflowing as they splashed and squealed. Victoria was leaning over the tub scrubbing Summer's hair and from the smell, she was using Marguerite's last bottle of French shampoo!

"I found these for you to wear." Marguerite held up the chemises.

"Oooh, those are pretty," Alice said admiringly. "I'll wear the blue one."

"Pink, pink," shouted out Summer just as Victoria poured a pitcher of clear water over her head.

"Spppink, sppink," she continued to sputter as the water flooded her face.

"Okay, Summer, we get it. You want the pink one." Victoria said as she pulled Summer out of the tub and wrapped her in towel. She began to dry her vigorously.

Marguerite hung the clothes over the balcony rail. "I'll help," she offered.

Victoria didn't bother to look up at her. "We doing fine by ourselves, thank you," she said in a clipped voice.

"You can help me," Alice piped up. She was out of the tub and trying to dry her hair, but it was so long and thick that she was having a hard time of it.

Marguerite looked down at Victoria and shrugged.

"Sure, Alice, I'll be glad to. My, you have such beautiful, long hair. Why don't I go get my brush and I'll get the tangles out for you."

Alice nodded happily.

As Marguerite slipped out of the curtain to go to her room for the brush, she heard Victoria hiss, "I'll brush out your hair, Alice. We don't need her help."

"She's nice, Tori. Why don't you like her? She's just like your mother."

"She is not! She's nothing like my mother. She's mean and she doesn't like me." Victoria's voice was thick with emotion.

"She is too, nice, Tori," little Summer spoke up. "She's going to make my Dolly a new dress. Maybe she'll brush out my hair, too."

Victoria was suddenly outraged by their lack of loyalty. "Fine, here are your fine nightgowns. Now, go. Let her brush out your hair. I don't want you here anyway. I want my bath in peace and privacy. Go, go!" And she shooed them through the curtain

Victoria let the tears run down her face as the tiredness and worry of the day finally overcame her. She stripped out of her filthy clothes and stepped into the soapy water. She had seen what was going on at the dinner table. The little children were easily won over by a little kindness, but Victoria was too old to be taken in. She didn't want to be happy here. She didn't want to like these people. She wanted to go back to her own parents, in her own time, and she didn't know how to do it. Maybe these people, who were not really like her real parents, would get to like them so much that they wouldn't help them find a way home. Maybe she and the other children would be stuck here forever! Emotionally exhausted, Victoria put a washcloth up to her face and cried as quietly as she could.

Five minutes later, Victoria's tears had stopped. Her inner strength was rising to the surface. She would find the way home, she decided. And she'd do it soon, before everyone became too comfortable with each other. She'd ask Grandpa…Professor Challenger to help her. He was very smart. Once he put his mind to the problem, it wouldn't take him long to find them a way home.

With this plan made, Victoria finished her bath, dried herself and her hair as best she could. She put on the white chemise (it might be "that" woman's, but she didn't have anything else to wear). Then she dumped all of the girls' dirty clothes in the tub to soak, hung her towel over the balcony rail, and stepped out from behind the curtain.

The scene that met her eyes was one of domestic bliss and tranquillity. She could almost believe she was home. Ned was sitting on a bench with Edward and Alice on either side of him. He was showing them a picture album that they had, of course, seen before, but it was still nice to hear the stories again. Marguerite was sitting in a chair with Summer backed up between her knees. She was brushing her hair very slowly so as not to pull it. Summer was smiling and humming a little tune as she made her Dolly dance around, much to Marguerite's amusement. Roxton and Will were sitting at the table talking about rifles.

Roxton was the first to spy Victoria standing in front of the balcony curtain.

"Ah," he called out, "Just the girl we've been waiting for. Now that everyone is here, we're all very curious to hear more about your life on the plateau." He patted the seat next to him invitingly.

Victoria looked around and then, quite deliberately, took a chair on the other side of the table from Roxton. She sat down and folded her hands on the table.

Roxton shrugged. "Sit wherever it suits you," he said amiably.

"You know, John, it might not be a good thing for us to know about our future. I've been thinking about it and I'm very much afraid that knowing what lies in store for us, might tempt us to change something. He looked around at the happy, well mostly happy, family scene before him and rubbed his knuckle on his mustache, "And if we do, we might inadvertently--change it."

"I perfectly well understand your trepidation, Challenger, but…" Roxton began, when the sound of the elevator rising stopped him.

Everyone turned to look towards the opening. The elevator got to the top and out stepped their missing hostess.

"Ah, Veronica, home at last. We have quite a surprise for you," Challenger beamed at her.

Veronica stood just inside the treehouse, shocked to see all of the children sitting around, appearing to be very much at home. She was about to ask what was going on, when Edward and Alice jumped up.

They looked at Veronica, puzzlement evident on their faces.

Little Alice turned to Ned and said with a tremble in her voice, "But, Daddy Ned, she doesn't look anything like our mother!"

TO BE CONTINUED. Chapter 4 will be posted soon.