Author's note: This is my first TLW fic, so be brutally honest. Don't
worry I can take it. Reviews are appreciated. This is set after season
three, with Malone and Finn.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, to my great disappointment.
Legacy: Marguerite's Turn Chapter 1: The Question by: TheChosenOne
'Another day, the same question. Could this be the day? I suppose I'll never know for sure. After the thing with the oroborrus, I know I'll never know. How is it that I am the one with the most past, but the least of a history? Really it's not a fair trade off. Veronica had wonderful, loving parents. At least for a little while. Finn had a family, for even less time. Malone and Roxton both had very nurturing childhoods. I'm not so sure about Challenger, but he has spoken of fond childhood memories. The only legacy I have is a locket with an inscription and a bloody birthmark! I will be the first to admit that I have done some horrible things in my life, but do I really deserve to not have a history, a legacy, a name? Three things that EVERYONE has. And one more thing everyone has that I seem to not have, a birthday.' Marguerite finished her self-pitying journal entry and got up and dressed.
In the three years she had been on the plateau, her morning journal entries are usually the same. She always starts off her day wondering whether or not that day was her birthday, how old she actually was, where her parents are/were, who they are/were, and so on. But today was different. Once a year, always May 17, Marguerite fell into a depression. The nuns had found her on May 17, and thus named it her birthday. Marguerite always felt this to be a day of torment, not celebration. Why celebrate the day you were abandoned and left in Hell. Which, ironically, was what Marguerite called the convent.
She joined her comrades in the kitchen. They all greeted her cheerily, too cheerily for her taste. She gave them a half-smile of acknowledgment and went straight for the coffee pot. After pouring herself a cup Marguerite sat down between Roxton and Challenger. Her friends were discussing today's upcoming activities.
"I think we need to go do some maintenance work on the windmill. That last storm really hit hard." Challenger said while eating some eggs.
"I'll go stand watch while you, Roxton, and Malone do whatever it is that you have to do." Finn, eager as always at the opportunity to use her crossbow, volunteered.
"Marguerite and I will stay here and man the fort, so to speak." Veronica seemed impressed with herself at her little joke.
"Is that all right with you Marguerite?" Roxton seemed a bit concerned that Marguerite had not complained or said anything at all this morning.
"Yeah, sure." Marguerite's dull tone and lack of blinking made it clear that she had no idea what she had just agreed to.
"So you won't mind doing all the chores of the treehouse by yourself for a week while we go on vacation to the Inland Sea?" Malone asked as casually as he could without laughing out loud.
"Yeah, sure... What?! All the chores. myself. for a week?! Are you people mad?"
"Calm down Marguerite. Malone was just trying to get your attention." The fact that Marguerite almost agreed to doing the chores had Challenger worried. 'Maybe she is getting ill.'
"Marguerite you should have seen your face! At first you were off in La La Land and then before we could blink I thought your head was going to explode!" Finn burst out with a fresh set of giggles. Malone and Veronica were trying hard not to laugh out loud as well, but they couldn't suppress their smiles. Roxton and Challenger exchanged a glance, something was up with Marguerite.
"What we really said was, while the others go out to work on the windmill, you and I will stay here. Okay?" Veronica was no longer amused by Marguerite. She was annoyed at the woman's lack of interest, but deep down she was a little worried. 'Marguerite is acting really odd. By now she would have complained about something, anything!'
"Great I'll go get my crossbow while you boys gather your equipment." Finn was off before anyone could respond. Malone was about to go about his preparations when he noticed neither Roxton nor Challenger seemed to be moving.
"Out with it Marguerite. What is wrong with you?" Veronica knew that the only way to get anything out of her would be a strong frontal assault. 'She will either skirt around the subject or get angry. If she just skirts around the subject then I will be able to get something out of her, otherwise I will leave it to Roxton.'
"What are you people talking about I'm perfectly fine." Marguerite was a little taken aback at the four pairs of eyes concentrated on her. 'When did all four of them get to know me so well. I expected this from Roxton. I'm not surprised by Veronica's insight. But I never would have guessed that Challenger and Malone knew me so well. Challenger has always been preoccupied with his science and Malone, well, has a knack for not seeing the obvious, much less the not obvious. At least Finn can't see through me.'
"Hey Marguerite what were you crying about so late last night? I was getting a drink of water and heard the strangest noise coming from your room. So I went to investigate and there you were, in the dark, just staring out of the window and crying." Finn's timing was perfect as always.
'That girl has absolutely no tact! I swear she has been taking lessons from Malone!' Marguerite thought to herself while avoiding the concerned and curious expressions of those around her. The urge to run was almost overpowering, but she stayed and considered each one of her friends.
First there was the newest member of their little family: Finn. The girl certainly had a lot of energy. Where on Earth she got it all, Marguerite dared not guess. Marguerite believed that, like Veronica, she had a lot more in common with the girl from the future than was apparent. 'Hey wait a minute.we have never found out when Finn's birthday is. Hmm. I wonder if she knows her own birthday, or if she has happy birthday memories like the rest of them.' Marguerite made a mental note to check into that.
Next was little brother Ned. And that is exactly what he was, her little brother, whether she liked it or not. And she had her moments with both. On the one hand, he was innocent, optimistic, and enthusiastic. Everything Marguerite was not. Which proved to be quite a learning experience, for the both of them. On the other hand, he was ever the reporter. He was always looking for the next story. And in the beginning, Marguerite's mysterious, secretive manner proved to be just what he was looking for. She had missed him while he was on vacation in the Spirit World and worried about him while on his journey of self-discovery. She had to admit, Ned Malone was no longer the boy he started out as. Somewhere along the line he became a brave, strong, and capable man.
Ah. Professor George Challenger. Now there is a most interesting person. He truly is a genius, and he'll be the first to admit it. He was a valuable part of not just his expedition, but also their family. He, like Summerlee, took on a paternal role for Marguerite. A role that she was not too familiar with, fortunately for her Challenger was not familiar with such a role either. They were learning together. She knew that Challenger thought of all five of his younger companions as his children, but she also knew that he gave slight favor to the three women. It wasn't that he didn't see Roxton and Malone as his sons; he just knew that they didn't need a father figure like the girls did. They both had strong paternal influences growing up. Leading a very vulnerable and innocent child had been a fear that he had shared with Marguerite while they gazed out looking at the stars on the balcony of the treehouse. It was an activity that Marguerite enjoyed sharing with Challenger. She suspected it was easier for him to take over the role of a father to a group of younger individuals who have already come a long way down their own paths. Challenger didn't lead so much as guide them. She needed Challenger's guidance more than any of them, until Finn came along that is. Challenger is the only father Marguerite has ever known, and one of four men she had ever truly trusted.
The blond jungle born Veronica had the diciest relationship with Marguerite. In the beginning, Marguerite could not stand to be around Veronica, and it was no secret that the feelings were mutual. Somewhere along the line Veronica became a friend, a best friend, and then a sister. That is what their current status is. When Veronica took that joyride in the balloon, Marguerite stayed up late into the nights hoping to hear the elevator rise. It was even worse when she left on her quest for her parents. Marguerite's little world on the plateau had just taken a very unexpected and unwelcome turn. Veronica's abrupt leaving confirmed in her mind that they were all furious with her and things would never be the same again. When her little sister returned with at least a few questions answered, she was very happy for her, and a little jealous. 'At least one of us will get our answers. I'm glad its her, she deserves it.'
Last, but far from least, was Lord John Richard Roxton. Where to start? He is undeniably the most stubborn, infuriating, arrogant, pig- headed, gentle, understanding, kind, and sweet man she had ever met. And that enraged, thrilled, frustrated, and intoxicated Marguerite to no end. The fact that she had actually fallen in love, with Roxton no less, was almost laughable. Yet maybe it was so outrageous because it was so perfect. No man had ever even come close to thawing that icy wall Marguerite had built, not that any man really tried, and here Roxton had done it totally and completely. He had endless patience with her temper, secrets, and most of all her insecurities. He always teased her by saying 'patience has its own rewards.' Usually he would be talking to one of their housemates, but he always made sure she could hear his words and see that smug smirk on his face. When Marguerite first admitted to herself that she was in love with him, she felt a failure. She had done what she swore she would never do, let a man conquer her emotions. It took Roxton along time to convince her, though he wasn't aware he was doing it at the time, that she wasn't conquered. She had just finally learned to trust someone with her most guarded treasure: her heart. After Roxton, the others found their way into her heart and soul as well, where they will stay for eternity.
Looking down at her hands she knew there would be no running away. It was time trust them as a whole. Something she had yet to do. Trusting them with her life was easy; it was the rest of her that she had a hard time releasing. They had all proven themselves time and again; she knew they would not desert her. They would help her.
"Challenger do not worry, I am not ill. Finn to answer your question, this time of year is always hard for me. It is especially hard this year, because it is getting a lot more difficult for me to hide these things from you people." Marguerite knew that tears would be spilled, by her.
"Marguerite you know you don't have to hide anything from us." Roxton said placing his hand on Marguerite's, under the table of course. It had been a mutual agreement to keep their relationship private, for now at least. Little did they know that nothing in the treehouse was private, least of all the obvious love between Roxton and Marguerite.
"Yes I know that. But this isn't so much a secret as it is a sort of melancholy that I don't want to infect you all with."
"Is melancholy a bad disease or something?" Finn asked innocently.
"Yes Finn, melancholy starts out with just one person feeling depressed and before you know it you have a treehouse full of people infected with a state of despondency." Marguerite explained, not looking anywhere but at her hands. She had meant to use her sarcastic mocking voice, but it just came out as dejected and sad.
"Marguerite just looking at you right now is making us depressed." Veronica said soothingly.
"Finn do you have a birthday?" Marguerite asked as nonchalantly as possible.
"Huh? A birthday? Of course it's June 4. Doesn't everyone have a birthday?" Finn knew that her birthday wasn't really what Marguerite wanted to discuss. Her suspicions were confirmed by the way Veronica, Challenger, Malone, and Roxton shared a nervous glance.
"No, not everyone has a birthday. That's why I came here. To find my birthday, my real name, my parents, my heritage. You see Finn, like you and Veronica, I have lived my life alone since I was young. But unlike you and Veronica, I was too young to remember my parents when they left me. Do you people know what it's like to grow up with no past. And with no past, how can you hope to have a future?" Marguerite was losing the battle to hold back her tears, but she would be damned if she let her friends see her weakness.
No one knew what to say. Marguerite was right, they had no idea how it felt not to have some sort of a past. When they were up at night, they all had their childhood memories to hold on to. Marguerite didn't. Marguerite looked at the stunned looks on Malone and Finn's faces. She had forgot that they weren't there when she had lost her last chance to find out who she was. She then glanced at Challenger, Veronica, and Roxton's faces and found concern, sympathy, and love shining in all three of their faces. No one felt like having breakfast anymore.
"Don't any of you dare think of pitying me." Marguerite warned. The last thing she needed or wanted from these people was pity.
"Pity is the last thing we would offer you Marguerite. Sympathy, yes, but not pity." Challenger said gruffly. 'Of all of my children, Marguerite has always been the most independent, but needs the most help'
"Marguerite we can't pretend to know what it is like to grow up never having at least experienced a loving environment. We can however offer you support in saying that we know that you are not alone in this anymore. You don't have to stay up at night crying your heart out, when there are five other people here whose shoulder you can cry on." Roxton offered soothingly rubbing Marguerite's back. This action, while tender, was making it harder for Marguerite to control the emotions raging inside of her.
All of a sudden Veronica's expression changed, from a look of compassion to a look of realization. Something had just struck her memory. The scene Finn had described, Veronica had seen as well. Twice in fact, once a year ago and the other a year before that. All of a sudden the dots seemed to connect right in front of her eyes.
"Today's your birthday isn't it Marguerite? Or at least the birthday they gave you in the convent." All eyes went from Veronica, to Marguerite. Marguerite looked at Veronica with a look of surprise and confusion on her face.
"I remembered that I have seen you in your room crying late at night. Once a year since you arrived on the plateau. The first time I saw you crying I was in utter shock. Then, the following year, the shock was gone." Veronica explained. 'I will never forget the look of forlorn and quiet despair that she wore on her face that night. That was the night I truly began to see who Marguerite was and how much she has changed and is changing.'
"Oh, I didn't know you saw that. Yes, today is my alleged birthday. But I decided long ago, around the age of three, that I would never celebrate a birthday other than my true birthday. When I told the nuns that my birthday was never to be mentioned again they were only too happy to comply. They found it tiresome to keep me around, I think. Now you know, but I will ask of you the same thing I asked of the nuns. Do not mention my birthday, ever. Until I find out the exact day I was born, I don't want to celebrate my birth." With that Marguerite stood up, and walked to her room with as much grace and dignity as she could. When Marguerite was gone on one knew quite what to say. The afternoon chores had been long forgotten. Veronica got up and cleared the dishes, if she didn't do something to keep herself busy, she would be overwhelmed by the pain and sorrow that she saw in Marguerite that she had never seen before. The rest just looked at Roxton, knowing he would be the one to know what to do. He looked at his cup of tea, and then towards Marguerite's room.
"Damn stubborn woman." He gulped down the rest of his tea, got up, and walked towards Marguerite's room. The others just watched him. Malone couldn't help but think, 'Dead man walking.'
"Marguerite, may I come in?"
"Look John, I appreciate your concern but I really want to be alone right now. I have always preferred to spend this day alone. Just because I told you all why I like to spend it alone does not change the fact that I want to be alone."
"No you don't." Roxton knew he was treading dangerous ground, but it was a risk he had to take.
"Excuse me? Don't presume to tell me what I do and do not want Lord Roxton." Marguerite knew her words held a little more bitterness than she intended. She couldn't help it. It was one of the most annoying things Roxton did to her, stirred her passions.
"Marguerite, I know you better than anyone else ever has, or so you've said. Believe me when I say you don't want to be alone. You are upset, confused, hurt, and lonely. The last thing you want is to be alone. But alone is the only way you ever knew to deal with these emotions. Marguerite, I know that you bearing your soul like that to all of us was probably one of the hardest things you have ever done. I know that you have never let anyone help you carry all that emotional baggage that you are weighed down with. And I know that no one has ever really offered their help in the first place. But you have five people here who are willing to help you in any way they can, but you have to let them help you first."
Marguerite just stared at him with tears in her eyes. He was right. He was absolutely right, about everything. And that scared her. She never imagined that anyone would know her so well, even Roxton. This was one of the few times Marguerite Krux was stunned into silence. She continued to stare until a solitary tear made its way down her cheek.
It took a lot to make Marguerite so much as shed a tear. Seeing her in this much pain was tearing Roxton apart. He reached up and gently caressed her cheek, wiping all evidence of the tear from existence. That small gentle gesture was more than Marguerite could take. She began to let the tears flow more rapidly, until she could not control the sobs rising in her chest.
Marguerite's lack of control surprised Roxton a little, but did not stop him from pulling Marguerite into his arms. She did not fight him, she didn't have the strength. Roxton knew it could be a while until Marguerite regained control and he was not planning on leaving her until he was sure she was fine. Instead he gently sat down in a chair she had facing her window and drew her into his lap. He let her cry there for a while until her breathing slowed and she got the sleep she had missed out on the night before. As gently as he could, Roxton scooped Marguerite up and placed her on her bed.
"Sleep well, my love, you deserve it." Roxton gently kissed her on her forehead and went to join the rest of their family.
TBC
Well what do you think? I know, kind of lengthy, but what can I say, once I start I just can't stop. More to come?.Depends on you, review! Get it that rhymes. You, review. Never mind. Happy reading!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, to my great disappointment.
Legacy: Marguerite's Turn Chapter 1: The Question by: TheChosenOne
'Another day, the same question. Could this be the day? I suppose I'll never know for sure. After the thing with the oroborrus, I know I'll never know. How is it that I am the one with the most past, but the least of a history? Really it's not a fair trade off. Veronica had wonderful, loving parents. At least for a little while. Finn had a family, for even less time. Malone and Roxton both had very nurturing childhoods. I'm not so sure about Challenger, but he has spoken of fond childhood memories. The only legacy I have is a locket with an inscription and a bloody birthmark! I will be the first to admit that I have done some horrible things in my life, but do I really deserve to not have a history, a legacy, a name? Three things that EVERYONE has. And one more thing everyone has that I seem to not have, a birthday.' Marguerite finished her self-pitying journal entry and got up and dressed.
In the three years she had been on the plateau, her morning journal entries are usually the same. She always starts off her day wondering whether or not that day was her birthday, how old she actually was, where her parents are/were, who they are/were, and so on. But today was different. Once a year, always May 17, Marguerite fell into a depression. The nuns had found her on May 17, and thus named it her birthday. Marguerite always felt this to be a day of torment, not celebration. Why celebrate the day you were abandoned and left in Hell. Which, ironically, was what Marguerite called the convent.
She joined her comrades in the kitchen. They all greeted her cheerily, too cheerily for her taste. She gave them a half-smile of acknowledgment and went straight for the coffee pot. After pouring herself a cup Marguerite sat down between Roxton and Challenger. Her friends were discussing today's upcoming activities.
"I think we need to go do some maintenance work on the windmill. That last storm really hit hard." Challenger said while eating some eggs.
"I'll go stand watch while you, Roxton, and Malone do whatever it is that you have to do." Finn, eager as always at the opportunity to use her crossbow, volunteered.
"Marguerite and I will stay here and man the fort, so to speak." Veronica seemed impressed with herself at her little joke.
"Is that all right with you Marguerite?" Roxton seemed a bit concerned that Marguerite had not complained or said anything at all this morning.
"Yeah, sure." Marguerite's dull tone and lack of blinking made it clear that she had no idea what she had just agreed to.
"So you won't mind doing all the chores of the treehouse by yourself for a week while we go on vacation to the Inland Sea?" Malone asked as casually as he could without laughing out loud.
"Yeah, sure... What?! All the chores. myself. for a week?! Are you people mad?"
"Calm down Marguerite. Malone was just trying to get your attention." The fact that Marguerite almost agreed to doing the chores had Challenger worried. 'Maybe she is getting ill.'
"Marguerite you should have seen your face! At first you were off in La La Land and then before we could blink I thought your head was going to explode!" Finn burst out with a fresh set of giggles. Malone and Veronica were trying hard not to laugh out loud as well, but they couldn't suppress their smiles. Roxton and Challenger exchanged a glance, something was up with Marguerite.
"What we really said was, while the others go out to work on the windmill, you and I will stay here. Okay?" Veronica was no longer amused by Marguerite. She was annoyed at the woman's lack of interest, but deep down she was a little worried. 'Marguerite is acting really odd. By now she would have complained about something, anything!'
"Great I'll go get my crossbow while you boys gather your equipment." Finn was off before anyone could respond. Malone was about to go about his preparations when he noticed neither Roxton nor Challenger seemed to be moving.
"Out with it Marguerite. What is wrong with you?" Veronica knew that the only way to get anything out of her would be a strong frontal assault. 'She will either skirt around the subject or get angry. If she just skirts around the subject then I will be able to get something out of her, otherwise I will leave it to Roxton.'
"What are you people talking about I'm perfectly fine." Marguerite was a little taken aback at the four pairs of eyes concentrated on her. 'When did all four of them get to know me so well. I expected this from Roxton. I'm not surprised by Veronica's insight. But I never would have guessed that Challenger and Malone knew me so well. Challenger has always been preoccupied with his science and Malone, well, has a knack for not seeing the obvious, much less the not obvious. At least Finn can't see through me.'
"Hey Marguerite what were you crying about so late last night? I was getting a drink of water and heard the strangest noise coming from your room. So I went to investigate and there you were, in the dark, just staring out of the window and crying." Finn's timing was perfect as always.
'That girl has absolutely no tact! I swear she has been taking lessons from Malone!' Marguerite thought to herself while avoiding the concerned and curious expressions of those around her. The urge to run was almost overpowering, but she stayed and considered each one of her friends.
First there was the newest member of their little family: Finn. The girl certainly had a lot of energy. Where on Earth she got it all, Marguerite dared not guess. Marguerite believed that, like Veronica, she had a lot more in common with the girl from the future than was apparent. 'Hey wait a minute.we have never found out when Finn's birthday is. Hmm. I wonder if she knows her own birthday, or if she has happy birthday memories like the rest of them.' Marguerite made a mental note to check into that.
Next was little brother Ned. And that is exactly what he was, her little brother, whether she liked it or not. And she had her moments with both. On the one hand, he was innocent, optimistic, and enthusiastic. Everything Marguerite was not. Which proved to be quite a learning experience, for the both of them. On the other hand, he was ever the reporter. He was always looking for the next story. And in the beginning, Marguerite's mysterious, secretive manner proved to be just what he was looking for. She had missed him while he was on vacation in the Spirit World and worried about him while on his journey of self-discovery. She had to admit, Ned Malone was no longer the boy he started out as. Somewhere along the line he became a brave, strong, and capable man.
Ah. Professor George Challenger. Now there is a most interesting person. He truly is a genius, and he'll be the first to admit it. He was a valuable part of not just his expedition, but also their family. He, like Summerlee, took on a paternal role for Marguerite. A role that she was not too familiar with, fortunately for her Challenger was not familiar with such a role either. They were learning together. She knew that Challenger thought of all five of his younger companions as his children, but she also knew that he gave slight favor to the three women. It wasn't that he didn't see Roxton and Malone as his sons; he just knew that they didn't need a father figure like the girls did. They both had strong paternal influences growing up. Leading a very vulnerable and innocent child had been a fear that he had shared with Marguerite while they gazed out looking at the stars on the balcony of the treehouse. It was an activity that Marguerite enjoyed sharing with Challenger. She suspected it was easier for him to take over the role of a father to a group of younger individuals who have already come a long way down their own paths. Challenger didn't lead so much as guide them. She needed Challenger's guidance more than any of them, until Finn came along that is. Challenger is the only father Marguerite has ever known, and one of four men she had ever truly trusted.
The blond jungle born Veronica had the diciest relationship with Marguerite. In the beginning, Marguerite could not stand to be around Veronica, and it was no secret that the feelings were mutual. Somewhere along the line Veronica became a friend, a best friend, and then a sister. That is what their current status is. When Veronica took that joyride in the balloon, Marguerite stayed up late into the nights hoping to hear the elevator rise. It was even worse when she left on her quest for her parents. Marguerite's little world on the plateau had just taken a very unexpected and unwelcome turn. Veronica's abrupt leaving confirmed in her mind that they were all furious with her and things would never be the same again. When her little sister returned with at least a few questions answered, she was very happy for her, and a little jealous. 'At least one of us will get our answers. I'm glad its her, she deserves it.'
Last, but far from least, was Lord John Richard Roxton. Where to start? He is undeniably the most stubborn, infuriating, arrogant, pig- headed, gentle, understanding, kind, and sweet man she had ever met. And that enraged, thrilled, frustrated, and intoxicated Marguerite to no end. The fact that she had actually fallen in love, with Roxton no less, was almost laughable. Yet maybe it was so outrageous because it was so perfect. No man had ever even come close to thawing that icy wall Marguerite had built, not that any man really tried, and here Roxton had done it totally and completely. He had endless patience with her temper, secrets, and most of all her insecurities. He always teased her by saying 'patience has its own rewards.' Usually he would be talking to one of their housemates, but he always made sure she could hear his words and see that smug smirk on his face. When Marguerite first admitted to herself that she was in love with him, she felt a failure. She had done what she swore she would never do, let a man conquer her emotions. It took Roxton along time to convince her, though he wasn't aware he was doing it at the time, that she wasn't conquered. She had just finally learned to trust someone with her most guarded treasure: her heart. After Roxton, the others found their way into her heart and soul as well, where they will stay for eternity.
Looking down at her hands she knew there would be no running away. It was time trust them as a whole. Something she had yet to do. Trusting them with her life was easy; it was the rest of her that she had a hard time releasing. They had all proven themselves time and again; she knew they would not desert her. They would help her.
"Challenger do not worry, I am not ill. Finn to answer your question, this time of year is always hard for me. It is especially hard this year, because it is getting a lot more difficult for me to hide these things from you people." Marguerite knew that tears would be spilled, by her.
"Marguerite you know you don't have to hide anything from us." Roxton said placing his hand on Marguerite's, under the table of course. It had been a mutual agreement to keep their relationship private, for now at least. Little did they know that nothing in the treehouse was private, least of all the obvious love between Roxton and Marguerite.
"Yes I know that. But this isn't so much a secret as it is a sort of melancholy that I don't want to infect you all with."
"Is melancholy a bad disease or something?" Finn asked innocently.
"Yes Finn, melancholy starts out with just one person feeling depressed and before you know it you have a treehouse full of people infected with a state of despondency." Marguerite explained, not looking anywhere but at her hands. She had meant to use her sarcastic mocking voice, but it just came out as dejected and sad.
"Marguerite just looking at you right now is making us depressed." Veronica said soothingly.
"Finn do you have a birthday?" Marguerite asked as nonchalantly as possible.
"Huh? A birthday? Of course it's June 4. Doesn't everyone have a birthday?" Finn knew that her birthday wasn't really what Marguerite wanted to discuss. Her suspicions were confirmed by the way Veronica, Challenger, Malone, and Roxton shared a nervous glance.
"No, not everyone has a birthday. That's why I came here. To find my birthday, my real name, my parents, my heritage. You see Finn, like you and Veronica, I have lived my life alone since I was young. But unlike you and Veronica, I was too young to remember my parents when they left me. Do you people know what it's like to grow up with no past. And with no past, how can you hope to have a future?" Marguerite was losing the battle to hold back her tears, but she would be damned if she let her friends see her weakness.
No one knew what to say. Marguerite was right, they had no idea how it felt not to have some sort of a past. When they were up at night, they all had their childhood memories to hold on to. Marguerite didn't. Marguerite looked at the stunned looks on Malone and Finn's faces. She had forgot that they weren't there when she had lost her last chance to find out who she was. She then glanced at Challenger, Veronica, and Roxton's faces and found concern, sympathy, and love shining in all three of their faces. No one felt like having breakfast anymore.
"Don't any of you dare think of pitying me." Marguerite warned. The last thing she needed or wanted from these people was pity.
"Pity is the last thing we would offer you Marguerite. Sympathy, yes, but not pity." Challenger said gruffly. 'Of all of my children, Marguerite has always been the most independent, but needs the most help'
"Marguerite we can't pretend to know what it is like to grow up never having at least experienced a loving environment. We can however offer you support in saying that we know that you are not alone in this anymore. You don't have to stay up at night crying your heart out, when there are five other people here whose shoulder you can cry on." Roxton offered soothingly rubbing Marguerite's back. This action, while tender, was making it harder for Marguerite to control the emotions raging inside of her.
All of a sudden Veronica's expression changed, from a look of compassion to a look of realization. Something had just struck her memory. The scene Finn had described, Veronica had seen as well. Twice in fact, once a year ago and the other a year before that. All of a sudden the dots seemed to connect right in front of her eyes.
"Today's your birthday isn't it Marguerite? Or at least the birthday they gave you in the convent." All eyes went from Veronica, to Marguerite. Marguerite looked at Veronica with a look of surprise and confusion on her face.
"I remembered that I have seen you in your room crying late at night. Once a year since you arrived on the plateau. The first time I saw you crying I was in utter shock. Then, the following year, the shock was gone." Veronica explained. 'I will never forget the look of forlorn and quiet despair that she wore on her face that night. That was the night I truly began to see who Marguerite was and how much she has changed and is changing.'
"Oh, I didn't know you saw that. Yes, today is my alleged birthday. But I decided long ago, around the age of three, that I would never celebrate a birthday other than my true birthday. When I told the nuns that my birthday was never to be mentioned again they were only too happy to comply. They found it tiresome to keep me around, I think. Now you know, but I will ask of you the same thing I asked of the nuns. Do not mention my birthday, ever. Until I find out the exact day I was born, I don't want to celebrate my birth." With that Marguerite stood up, and walked to her room with as much grace and dignity as she could. When Marguerite was gone on one knew quite what to say. The afternoon chores had been long forgotten. Veronica got up and cleared the dishes, if she didn't do something to keep herself busy, she would be overwhelmed by the pain and sorrow that she saw in Marguerite that she had never seen before. The rest just looked at Roxton, knowing he would be the one to know what to do. He looked at his cup of tea, and then towards Marguerite's room.
"Damn stubborn woman." He gulped down the rest of his tea, got up, and walked towards Marguerite's room. The others just watched him. Malone couldn't help but think, 'Dead man walking.'
"Marguerite, may I come in?"
"Look John, I appreciate your concern but I really want to be alone right now. I have always preferred to spend this day alone. Just because I told you all why I like to spend it alone does not change the fact that I want to be alone."
"No you don't." Roxton knew he was treading dangerous ground, but it was a risk he had to take.
"Excuse me? Don't presume to tell me what I do and do not want Lord Roxton." Marguerite knew her words held a little more bitterness than she intended. She couldn't help it. It was one of the most annoying things Roxton did to her, stirred her passions.
"Marguerite, I know you better than anyone else ever has, or so you've said. Believe me when I say you don't want to be alone. You are upset, confused, hurt, and lonely. The last thing you want is to be alone. But alone is the only way you ever knew to deal with these emotions. Marguerite, I know that you bearing your soul like that to all of us was probably one of the hardest things you have ever done. I know that you have never let anyone help you carry all that emotional baggage that you are weighed down with. And I know that no one has ever really offered their help in the first place. But you have five people here who are willing to help you in any way they can, but you have to let them help you first."
Marguerite just stared at him with tears in her eyes. He was right. He was absolutely right, about everything. And that scared her. She never imagined that anyone would know her so well, even Roxton. This was one of the few times Marguerite Krux was stunned into silence. She continued to stare until a solitary tear made its way down her cheek.
It took a lot to make Marguerite so much as shed a tear. Seeing her in this much pain was tearing Roxton apart. He reached up and gently caressed her cheek, wiping all evidence of the tear from existence. That small gentle gesture was more than Marguerite could take. She began to let the tears flow more rapidly, until she could not control the sobs rising in her chest.
Marguerite's lack of control surprised Roxton a little, but did not stop him from pulling Marguerite into his arms. She did not fight him, she didn't have the strength. Roxton knew it could be a while until Marguerite regained control and he was not planning on leaving her until he was sure she was fine. Instead he gently sat down in a chair she had facing her window and drew her into his lap. He let her cry there for a while until her breathing slowed and she got the sleep she had missed out on the night before. As gently as he could, Roxton scooped Marguerite up and placed her on her bed.
"Sleep well, my love, you deserve it." Roxton gently kissed her on her forehead and went to join the rest of their family.
TBC
Well what do you think? I know, kind of lengthy, but what can I say, once I start I just can't stop. More to come?.Depends on you, review! Get it that rhymes. You, review. Never mind. Happy reading!
