A/N: Here it is. As I promised. Wow. Not even a week and I'm throwing out another chapter at you guys! Aren't you proud? No? well, that's okey. :) But yes. I haven't actually gotten far as to plot-wise. but common ppl, I assume that you've read the other chapters and by now realize that I'm not a plot oriented writer. as one way cool chick said "Say it Loud say it proud!!FILLER CHAPTER!!!" BUT. this chapter does have the first meeting b/w Veronica and Marguerite. common. That's gotta be worth something. ;) anywho. Onto my thank yous.

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Alanna: You have been so amazingly faithful in reviewing!!! Thank you so much for your encouragement. As for the m/r shipperiness. I do apologize but you'll have to be patient for that. :) hope this chapter tides you over till I get to writing that.

Rollie (or Rollypolly. uh. I'm sure you know who you are): Thank you so much!!! :) And I'm definitely not just a m/r shipper. I'll admit that they are definitely my fave characters. but n/v are just so cute together. how can you not like those two together as well? I know that they may seem a little uhm. strange in my fic. but that's how my muse is making them. and how can I refuse? ;) I was gonna say how can I refuse my muse.. But that rhymes and sounds funny. :) Anywho. I regret to say that "Hidden World" will remain in hiatus. Once I'm finished this fic I MAY go back to it if my muse allows me. But thank you for reading that fic as well.

CrimsonCat: lol! Ff.net also had a problem where it would say there's an updated chapter but no one can actually read it.. Sigh. make me wait and everything. ;) I know I'm evil for not giving you ppls your m/r shipperiness. but yes. patience, young jedi. uhm.???? Well, ya know what I mean. Here's hoping that everything works okey dokeys so that I can post this when I want to.

Pam: I was actually worried when I first included Finn into the story. her character is kinda taking on a life of its own. so I decided to keep her in. :) anywho. the reunion will be in another chapter (at least I think so) but I'm kinda worried that I've built it up too much and that it will disappoint. blah. Anywho. I'll worry about that later. Thank you again for your review.

Master Story Reviewer: Very cryptic sounding review! :) But thank you for enjoying the fic.

Maggie: Hee hee. me, a writer? *blushes* ;) I'm not too sure about it. but thank you for the compliment. Here's chapter 8. hope you like it.

EIE: what can I say? You are THE queen of long reviews!!! ;) aww. I'm getting all giddy thinking about your review. you always make me laugh. (that's a good thing, btw) As for your rant, I totally agree with you. They just CAN'T leave things the way they did. I mean. if you're going to cancel the show at least give us closure!!!! Mind if I rant? STUPID DARK ANGEL WRITER/PRODUCER/WHOEVER THERE IS TO BLAME!!!! It's the same thing. all these loose ends and cliffies. EVIL! Alright back to your review. It's true tho, they were starting to tie things up. like m/r and v's parents. but there's still so much they haven't done. like bringing malone back!!!!! And getting off the blasted plateau!!! Oh. Official site is http://www.lostworldtv.net/ hope that helps. As for Veronica and Marguerite fighting all the time. They're so sisterly like. they have to squabble!! ;) I know Finn is not that useful on the show and everything. but for some reason her character in this fic is just . well. taking on a life of its own.. I was only planning for her to make an appearance.. and now she won't go away! Lol! ;) as for your fic. I know it's been a while. and I'm hounding you bout that. but seriously, don't worry. Writer's block and all sorts of other stuff get in the way. so don't rush it. let everything come to you. (cuz it will!) I'm sure it'll be great no matter what, tho!

Robin2409: Thanx for the review! I know I'm very unoriginal in my thank you. but still, it meant a lot that you took the time to review!

Beka: Glad you find it hilarious. ;) sometimes I find things funny when they really aren't that funny and then I look weird comes I'm laughing and other ppl aren't. well.. not really. but it could happen. Anywho. thanx for dropping a note

Lanneg: someone did mention something about tlwfix.com . maybe. I'm just very lazy and having to update in two different places. blah. (yah, I'm extremely lazy) anywho. as I said before. m/r-ness will cometh soon.

Michi: thank you for bestowing your compliments on my l'il ol' fic. ;) you're making this l'il writer feel special! ;)

Also a note to Steph and Beth. thanx for you're interest that you mailed me about the last chapter. I was so surprised, no. make that blown away by your request. Thanx for making this writer a little happier. ;)

Okey. that's TWO WHOLE PAGES of author notes. am I insane? Most likely. But. now that I'm finally done rambling off my thank yous. here is chapter 8. FINALLY. Member. all bloopers/flubs and such are not my fault.. I'm pleading the uhm. whatever amendment I should be pleading in order for me to not be responsible. Kay?



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"I still can't believe you talked me into going." Marguerite said in disbelief as they got out of the car.

"Hey, I can be pretty persuasive when I have to." Finn smiled back. "Where is Ned and Veronica?"

"Veronica said that Ned had a business meeting that ran later than scheduled. So, they'll be coming a little later. She said she didn't want to make us wait." They walked to the front doors of the school. As Finn opened the door she noticed Marguerite hesitate for a second. Marguerite's mind drifted off as images from her past flashed in her head.

flashback

Five new schools in only a matter of two years. Marguerite sighed as she stared at the front entrance of her new school. Another school where she would be forgotten as if she never existed in the first place. Not that it mattered, though. She never stayed long enough to make close friends. And Marguerite was sure that this school would not be the exception. Her father's job required the family to move constantly. And if everything went accordingly, Marguerite would be in a new school in less than a year. She wandered into the school hallways trying to find the main office.

Not entirely aware of her surroundings, she felt a big shove as she slammed into the lockers.

"Nice catch, Johnny!"

"Yeah, good job buddy! Way to show us how NOT to catch a football!!!"

Marguerite groaned in pain and slowly rubbed her newly acquired sore arm.

"Sorry about that." She was about to say something in return when she noticed that he wasn't even looking at her. Instead, he had already turned to throw the football down the hall.

"Oh yeah? Let's see you catch this!!!" Totally ignoring the fact that he had ran into her and knocked her down, he ran to catch up with his friends.

*What on earth was that?* She muttered to herself.

"I saw what happened. Are you okay?" Looking up, she was greeted with a smiling face. "Here, let me help you up." He offered her a hand.

"Thanks." She said as she slowly stood to her feet.

"You look kinda lost."

"Is it that obvious? Actually, I'm new here. Could you tell me where the main office is?"

"I can do better than that. How about I walk you there?"

"I'd really like that."

"By the way, the name's Edward Malone. But most people call me Ned or Malone. Either one's fine." He looked at her expectantly.

"Marguerite Krux." She smiled.

~~~~~

Veronica looked at the clock on the wall. *Hurry up!* She screamed in her head. Her stomach was grumbling. *What a day to pick to miss breakfast! Of all the days to actually sleep in!* Maybe the clock was wrong. Was it just her or did it seem like the second hand was moving in the wrong direction? That wasn't possible! She sneered silently and attempted to pay attention to the teacher.

Time didn't seem to go any faster but lunch did eventually come around. "Alright, class dismissed."

Veronica didn't waste any time. She grabbed her belongings and ran out of the room to her locker.

~~~~~

"So how was your first day so far?" Ned asked as he took a bite of his sandwich.

"Not too bad. Math class was how it usually is for me. boring. But I loved French class."

"French? I'm not too good at French. I mean, there's so many different conjugations and verbs to memorize."

"Really? I always found that class to be a cinch. If you ever need help in French or any other language course, I can help."

"English is the only language class that I seem to ace." He laughed. "But when the French tests start rolling in, I hold you to that offer." ~~~~~

Veronica rushed to her locker and practically threw her books in. If she didn't hurry, a line would form in the cafeteria. Being as hungry as she was, Veronica was liable to hurt someone if she didn't get food in her stomach soon.

Monday's special. Tuna Surprise. She groaned in disgust. What was in the Tuna Surprise that made it so. surprising? Thinking it better not to question, she opted for a safer choice, poutine. Now how could you go wrong with poutine? That is, unless the cheese was moldy or the gravy was lumpy. She grabbed a coke and handed the cashier a $5 bill.

Walking out she looked towards the usual table that she sat at. Ned was already sitting there with his lunch. She smiled at her best friend since kindergarten. But suddenly she noticed something different. Something wasn't right. Her smile faded as she realized what was causing her uneasiness. Sitting across from Ned was a brunette. Veronica was sure that she didn't recognize the face that was beaming at Ned. She could begin to feel her face heating up and trying to stay calm she took a couple of deep breaths. Why was she reacting like this for? Ned was allowed to have other friends. Even if they were very attractive female friends. She put on her best front and walked towards them.

"Ned, I know I'm overly paranoid but that girl seems to be headed straight towards us and she looks pretty mad."

"Mad? You're probably seeing thing. Besides, it's most likely to be Veronica."

"But you said she was a cheerful, happy spirited person. This one looks like she wants to pound someone."

"Are you sure? Veronica wouldn't hurt a fly." He turned around and lo and behold, there was Veronica who seemed to be fuming. Confused he said, "That's weird. I've never seen her like that before." He shrugged his shoulders.

As she approached the table she remained standing, towering above the two confused people. She just continued to stare at them. Feeling rather guilty for doing something she wasn't completely sure what she did, Marguerite looked to Ned for help. But he was just as confused as her and couldn't offer any enlightenment. It was Marguerite who finally broke the silence.

Attempting to relieve the tension she smiled, "Veronica, right? Ned has told me so much about you!"

"That's funny. He's never mentioned you." She practically sneered. It was pretty funny. Veronica didn't even know who this person was but she felt compelled to be unpleasant to the stranger.

"Oh, that's because I'm new here. I'm Marguerite."

But Veronica blocked out whatever was coming from the stranger's mouth and ignored her. "Whatever." And she turned to walk away. Ned stared at her retreating form with his mouth gaped wide open and a look of horror on his face. What on earth was wrong with Veronica? How could she treat a complete stranger like that? Veronica wasn't usually rude.

Marguerite narrowed her eyes as it suddenly dawned on her. She stood up, "Excuse me, Ned. There's something I have to do."

Running out of the cafeteria she called out, "Veronica! Hold on!"

Veronica walked out of the cafeteria quite ashamed at her behaviour. She had acted like a bratty kid. Silently berating herself for being a complete moron, she was surprised to hear someone call her name. Slowly turning around, she saw the brunette running towards her. *Alright, you deserve whatever punishment she gives you. You were totally unfair.* Marguerite walked to her and opened her mouth to speak. Veronica closed her eyes and prepared herself for the verbal onslaught.

"You like him." Not a question but a statement.

Veronica's eyes snapped open. "Wh. wha..what do you mean?"

"Ned." Marguerite smiled at the blonde. It was so obvious now, that Marguerite found it rather amusing. She now had Veronica's undivided attention and continued, "Look, I'm not trying to move in on your uhm. territory or anything. I'm new to the school. He helped me up after I was slammed into a locker and walked me to my class. That's all. You have absolutely nothing to worry about."

Dumbfounded, Veronica stared at her.

"Why don't we start from the beginning. I'm Marguerite." She extended her hand.

*Wow. After the scene I made in the cafeteria, she's still willing to be nice?* Veronica felt even more embarrassed now but accepted the offered hand and shook it. "I'm Veronica."

They both turned and headed back to the cafeteria and to where Ned was still sitting utterly bewildered.

"So, you ever going to tell him?" Marguerite chuckled lightly and nudged Veronica in the side.

"You say one word about this and."

"You're secret is safe with me."

end of flashback

"What's wrong?" Marguerite snapped back to reality at the sound of her concerned friend's voice.

"Huh?"

"Stop scaring me. You blanked out on me for a while."

"Oh. I was just remembering the first time I walked through these doors. Who knew that that day would end up changing my life?"

"What do you mean?"

"That first day I became friends with both Ned and Veronica."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I gotta ask. What about."

"Roxton?"

Finn nodded and looked at her expectantly.

"Let me just say, we didn't get off to the greatest start."

"You know Marguerite, that doesn't mean it has to end that way. That apology note that he left you, he sounds sincerely sorry for whatever he did. I've seen you reading that letter over and over. Even when you don't think I'm looking. Obviously, you don't want to keep things the way they are. Now is your chance to make amends."

"I wouldn't even know what to say. I mean, the last time I saw him, I decked him in the face."

"Well. We'll just have to make sure the next time you deck him in the face, it's with your lips."

Marguerite stopped walking and her mouth dropped to the ground. The expression on Marguerite's face was definitely a "Kodak" moment. She laughed whole-heartedly. "Gee, Marguerite. You could sweep the floor with that thing. I was only joking. Common." She grabbed the temporarily paralysed Marguerite and they walked through the doors. Marguerite's last thought as she was unceremoniously pulled into the school was, "What have I gotten myself into?"

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Alrighties. The next chapter is the one you've all been waiting for. well. maybe not.. but hey, I can dream. Anywho. a little incentive to review. next one has the reunion and hmm.. Can it be??? The secret as to what Roxton did will be revealed? Hmm. clicky on the button . speak your mind and you shall see when I post the next chapter. ;) hint hint nudge nudge.