Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own The Lost World or any of its
characters. I do, however, own Tempest (he's so cool) and Richard and
Emily Laurence. I don't get any money from this, I do it for my sick
amusement and the sick amusement of you fine people.
Author's Note: I do believe that this is the last chapter. Thank you to these faithful readers who have reviewed my story once or twice: A.Windsor, Cara, Adina, Ani, KatAnn, Michi, and Lisa. Your support means the world to me. Without it I would have lost faith in my story a long time ago. This is for you.
Legacy: Marguerite's Turn Chapter 5: All For One And One For All by: TheChosenOne
She finally had her answers, the ones she had been in search of since the nuns at the convent; less than gently, told her she had no parents and no one who really cared about her at all. But now she had all of that, she had what she what she was looking for. So why did she feel so. lost? Marguerite was no fool; she had never expected to find her parents and reunite as one big happy family, but to actually see their last moments, had been a lot to take in. To actually hear that their last words were to her, a woman nobody loves because she doesn't know how to love anybody, has always had people who love her. It was that thought that really scared, enraged, and reassured Marguerite.
"You know I have always felt angry and bitter towards myself because I assumed that my parents abandoned me for some extraordinary flaw they saw in me." Marguerite was still staring out without seeing. She gave a humorless laugh to fight the crack in her voice. "I figured that they knew I was an evil child and left me in 'God's house' so that I can earn redemption for myself. I used to sit alone in that cold dark cell that the nuns kept me in and berated myself for driving everyone away. When I grew older I expanded my bitterness to include everyone I had ever met and especially everyone I should have met but never did. I tried to convince myself that there was nothing wrong with me, that it was the rest of the world who had the problem. But I never succeeded in truly convincing myself that I was not a naturally bad person. So I pushed people away on purpose, so they would never have the chance to leave on their own, like my parents did. And in this afternoon everything that I have been taught about the world and everything I believe to be true has been flipped upside down. I don't want to be confused anymore. I don't want to be alone anymore. They left me. Willingly or not they left me. But I can't hate them, that would be too easy. No they left because it was the only way to protect me. I can't do this anymore, I don't have the strength to do this anymore." She sank to the ground and trembled.
To see Marguerite so out of control really brought reality crashing down upon all of the explorers. No matter what she did, Marguerite was ALWAYS filled with fire and spirit. Now as she sat on the ground, arms wrapped around herself, rocking back and forth, and staring at nothing, they saw no passion in her eyes. The flame of determination that always burned in her eyes had gone out. It scared them, all of them. No one had ever imagined that there was anything in this world that could break the spirit of Marguerite Krux.er.Laurence.
With a glance towards his companions, Roxton stepped forward and sat beside Marguerite. He didn't know what to do or say so he just did what came naturally and put his arms around her. At first there was no change, Marguerite still sat and stared but her trembling ceased. So far she had not so much as allowed tears to come to her eyes. She gave her friends no indication that she was actually dealing with everything that had just happened, and that is what worried them.
"Marguerite you can't keep this locked up inside of you. Believe me, I know what pent up emotions can do and so do you. It will consume you, then rip you apart if you let it. Don't let it Marguerite, you are stronger than that." Roxton kept his eyes focused solely on Marguerite, at the moment nothing else mattered. He silently willed her to cry, scream, or blink, but she did none of that.
"No Roxton, I'm not strong enough. I've had to be strong my whole life and I don't want to anymore. I'm just too tired Roxton. I just want to go home. Can't we just go home?" Marguerite sounded like a lost little girl who just wanted her parents to take her home.
"You may go home. But I must warn you that no one can escape their destiny. Not the Chosen One, not the Protector, not even I can escape my fate. It will prove much easier if you do not fight the inevitable." Morrigan began to walk away when Ned spoke.
"How will we know the way to Avalon?"
"You will know the way when the time comes. Good luck my young friends, and good-bye Marguerite. I am sorry." Morrigan walked away and disappeared into thin air. Along with her, the force field vanished.
"Look the sun is in the same place it was when we first entered the standing stones! It's like we were taken out of the reach of time for the while we were here." Challenger exclaimed, scientific curiosity taking over once more.
"Fascinating. Lets just go home." Veronica said taking the lead. Ned and Finn quickly followed her. Then came Challenger and Roxton and finally Marguerite. The walk back to the treehouse was made in complete silence. There was no encounter with raptors, head hunters, or T-rexes and for that everyone was grateful.
It was not long before they reached the treehouse. Marguerite practically ran off of the elevator and straight to her room. She knew that the others were worried about her and wanted her to react in some way, any way. What they didn't understand was that if she let one tear escape, they would all get out and she didn't want them to see her like that. She didn't want anyone to see her like that. Marguerite decided along time ago that she would show weakness to no one. She was already upset about that little breakdown she had at the standing stones. She didn't need their pity. She didn't need anything from anyone.
"Where is Marguerite?" Veronica asked as she, Finn, and Malone stepped off of the elevator.
"She bolted straight to her room. She isn't handling this well." Challenger commented to the others as they gathered in the common room.
"Challenger she's not dealing with this at all. She is going to revert to the whole pushing us away thing again." Malone said as he sat down in a chair.
"Why would she do that? She knows that we are all here for her." 'All of this caring about other people thing is harder than it looks.' Finn thought to herself.
"You heard what she said Finn. I believe that in order to regain some control over everything, she will revert to what has always worked for her: doing everything alone and keeping people as far away as possible." Challenger theorized.
"Challenger you make it sound as if she is one of your bloody experiments. She has come too far to backslide now. And we have worked too hard to lose her. Because I guarantee that if she does indeed go back to her old ways, we will lose her." Roxton's eyes stared at Marguerite's door. He knew that she was in a tremendous amount of pain and shock. And it was killing him that he was not where she was, that she was choosing to go through this alone, but he knew that going in there now would be one step backwards. And they were all too close to the edge of their limits as a family for anyone to be taking steps backward.
"Well if anyone has any ideas about how to work through the turmoil our whole family will surely be going through, I'm open to suggestions." Veronica said with false, almost sarcastic, cheerfulness in her voice.
"Whoa Veronica that almost sounded sarcastic. I think you've picked up a thing or two from our dear Marguerite." Malone was amused to see Veronica's stunned expression.
"The only way we are going to get Marguerite to let go of everything she's holding inside, is to give her an outlet for those emotions." Challenger had his trademark 'I've-got-a-plan' ponderous look.
"Uh you'll have to give us a little more detail Challenger." Finn knew this look, this look always caused her to either become extremely curious or extremely worried. She wasn't sure which one it was this time.
"Challenger you aren't thinking what I think you're thinking." Roxton didn't like what Challenger was suggesting.
"Yes Roxton that is exactly what I am proposing. It will be harsh but effective." The others were about to murder Roxton and Challenger.
"Well would you two condescend to explain your theory to those of us who haven't been graced with your level of intelligence." Veronica snapped. The others just looked at her, like she was growing another head. "Oh God I am turning into Marguerite. We have to fix her now." she said.
"I think I may have an idea, but I'll have to sleep on it. Good night everyone." Roxton stood up and began to make his way towards his room.
"But John you haven't eaten dinner yet." Veronica called to his retreating back.
"I'm not hungry." He said without even turning around.
The others did not feel much hungry themselves so they just had some fruit and nuts and made their way to their respective rooms.
The next morning started out as most of their mornings did. Veronica woke up a little before the sun. She began cooking breakfast, pancakes, Marguerite's favorite. Next was Roxton who mumbled a 'morning' to Veronica and then poured himself a cup of tea. Finn arose with the sun and gave her friends a cheery 'hello', her cheery disposition helped to break the somber silence that had settled upon the two early birds. Finally Challenger came out of his room and greeted his young companions, rather unenthusiastically. Malone smiled at the three sitting around the table, silently eating. He gave Veronica a slightly more wholehearted greeting when he went into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee.
When Veronica was done cooking she joined the others at the kitchen table. They all ate in silence. No one really knew what to say, everyone knew that overnight the happiness of their little family was in serious jeopardy. 'It's funny how all of our lives have intertwined to the point that if one of us should be suffering, the rest of the house feels the pain. And who would have thought that it would be Marguerite's happiness that determines the future of our happy jungle home, she was the one that made the first few months on the plateau more difficult than they had to be.' Malone thought as he finished his second cup of coffee. The others were having similar thoughts. Finn was really worried about what happened from here, this after all was her first family and she didn't want to lose it. Challenger was musing how this must be the hardest part of this father role that he had assumed, watching his children suffer and struggle with the weight of the world without being able to ease their burdens. Veronica was bouncing between extreme concern over Marguerite, shock that, had things had turned out differently, she and Marguerite would have been raised together, and anxiety over the delicate balance of their lives that has suddenly been horribly disrupted. Roxton' thoughts focused solely on Marguerite and what she must be going through.
Nobody even took notice that the object of their concern had just entered the room and was now helping herself to some pancakes. She looked around at her friends. She was sort of surprised that no one was looking at her strangely or asking her if she was okay. Continuing her inspection she found that their eyes were all gazed over and they were each lost in his or her own thoughts. She cleared her throat to see if she could wake anyone up, but to no avail. She turned towards the person next to her, who happened to be Roxton, and nearly yelled, "Morning!" He jumped and almost fell out of his chair. The others were startled out of their reveries as well.
"Good morning everyone. I trust you slept well." Marguerite got up to pour herself a cup of coffee and to give her friends a chance to get themselves together. They all looked at each other, stunned at Marguerite's sudden appearance, but even more so at her calm and cheerful mood. They had been expecting any attitude but a happy one.
"Marguerite are you feeling all right?" Veronica asked cautiously.
"Of course Veronica, but then again I was not the one sitting at the table absolutely oblivious to everything that was going on around me." No one really noticed the slight edge to her words, no one but Roxton that is.
"Some one woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. And here I was hoping that this peace and quiet would last." Roxton tried not to meet anyone in the eye. Challenger was the only one who was not gaping at his comment. Any other morning the others would simply roll their eyes and prepare themselves for the upcoming verbal battle that the couple so often waged on one another. But they had not expected Roxton to participate in it today. He, more than anyone else, must have known what Marguerite was going through.
"Well Roxton sorry to disappoint you. I think I'll take my breakfast out on the balcony." She picked up her plate and cup and stomped off. Roxton did not miss the deeply hurt look on her face.
"What ever you say, your highness." Roxton responded, again avoiding the expressions of his friends. When Marguerite was gone, Veronica smacked Roxton in the back of the head and exclaimed, "What the hell do you think you're doing?! Marguerite is in pain Roxton, and probably denial, were you intentionally rubbing salt into her wound?"
"Yes." Veronica, Finn, and Malone had all expected Roxton to act as if he had no idea that what he was doing to Marguerite or to at least act sorry for his actions. "Yes" was certainly the last answer they expected.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing." Roxton said curtly and went to the balcony with Marguerite.
Roxton's approach to the balcony brought the faint sounds of quiet sobbing and Roxton felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest. He knew he did not really cause the tears; he only put a crack in the dam that was holding them in. He continued his slow advance towards the woman who had captured and captivated him so completely. He stood behind her, so far unnoticed, and gently laid his hand upon her shoulders. She did not jump as he had expected she would. He looked down at her and could not find any evidence of the tears that he had heard.
"You know Lord Roxton you must be losing your touch." she said in an amused and cheery voice, seeing his surprise and confusion. He knew, he could see right through her façade and he knew that she wanted him to.
"Stop it Marguerite. Just stop it." he said quietly, but with a fierceness that caught her off guard. Her smile faltered momentarily, but she plastered it back on and responded, "What are you talking about John? Stop what?"
"Stop this game you're playing with yourself. Stop trying to convince yourself that what you saw yesterday isn't true. But most of all stop shutting us out, stop shutting me out." They stared at each other in a silent battle of wills. In the end it was Marguerite who looked away first. She didn't want to do this anymore, she didn't want to feel anything anymore. She looked down at her feet and then up at Roxton defiantly.
"Don't go there John. Just drop it and forget about it." She picked up her dishes and marched back into the treehouse. 'That's right Marguerite, get angry.' he thought as he pursued her.
"No Marguerite I will not drop it. If this is hurting you then it is hurting the rest of us too. Don't you see that? Don't you see that you are not alone anymore? I thought you figured that out." Roxton really did sound more angry than he felt, but he knew that Marguerite could no more resist a match of tempers than a match of wits. By now the other treehouse members were looking at the couple with interest. Normally the clashes between Marguerite and Roxton always sent their friends out on chores or errands, but they knew that this time was different. This time it concerned everyone in that room, without really concerning anyone but Marguerite, but that's what made them a family. All for one and one for all.
"There is nothing to talk about Roxton. I'm fine, everything is fine." Marguerite's voice no longer sounded happy and cheerful. Now it was very obviously controlled and calm. She was facing Roxton but they could all see that her hands were balled into fists and she was shaking with the effort it took to keep herself under control.
"Marguerite you just saw the parents you never met die to protect you right in front of your eyes. Don't tell me everything is fine because I know that it's not!" Roxton knew that this was really hard on Marguerite, but he also knew that the only way to get Marguerite to respond was the hard way.
"What do you want me to so Roxton? Start hysterically crying and screaming things at the top of my lungs that don't even really make sense? Do you want me to start throwing objects across the room?" Marguerite knew that she was beginning to lose her grip. She could feel the lump in her throat rising and her stomach constricting.
"Yes that's exactly what I want you to do! I want you to do whatever you have to do to get rid of what's inside you before it consumes you." Roxton knew that this was working. He knew that Marguerite was cracking. She was shaking her head as he spoke, willing him to shut up. 'One more push ought to do it.' "I can't believe that you are doing it again. You are running away just like you always have and probably always will. Your parents did not give their lives' for you so you could run away from them, from their memory."
The room was eerily silent. Everyone knew that Roxton had just struck a major chord. The treehouse inhabitants waited with bated breath, watching Marguerite carefully for any signs of what was to come. She just stood there, staring at Roxton as if he had just slapped her across the face. Marguerite then closed her eyes and hung her head.
"You're right. You are absolutely right Roxton. Is that what you want me to say? Are you happy now? The great Lord John Roxton has made a breakthrough. What would we do without him? Yes John I'm running away! I'm running away from everything I have been searching for. It's just that I have been running for so long I'm afraid that if I stop I will never be able to get up again. Can you all understand that? I don't know how to stop running." Finally the dam crumbled, and Marguerite along with it. She sat on the couch, pulled her knees up to her chin, and buried her head in her hands. The sobs that racked her body shook her entire frame.
A canvas of emotions ranged across the faces of the onlookers. From relief to compassion to empathy, they didn't know what to say or do. Figuring that Marguerite did not want them to see her breakdown like that, Challenger, Malone, Veronica, and Finn got up to leave the room and let Roxton pick up the pieces. Suddenly Marguerite's head shot up and the sobs abruptly stopped.
"Please you guys, don't leave. You are the only family I have left and I need all of you. You are the ones who told me that family sticks together in the good time, but especially the bad. I am having a bad time, won't you stick with me?" Marguerite's eyes were bright with unshed tears, but she managed a watery smile. The others broke out into big grins, they knew how much courage it took for Marguerite to ask for help, and they all felt their respect for the heiress grow immensely.
"Of course we will stick with you Marguerite." Malone said as he and the rest made their way to the common room to sit with Marguerite.
"We'll stick with you to hell and back, right Roxton?" Challenger said mocking his companion while Roxton merely smiled and nodded his head. Roxton sat down next to Marguerite and pulled her still slightly quivering form close to him. Veronica and Malone sat on the couch opposite the older couple. Challenger sat in a chair situated between Marguerite and Veronica while Finn took the chair situated between Roxton and Malone.
Another awkward pause settled over the group. They all sort of sat around and glanced at each other.
"Don't tell me I have to be the one to break the ice again! Really you people have no backbone." Finn stated throwing her hands in the air in mock exasperation. That did it. The group was laughing at the youngest member's strange antics.
"So when do you think that we will find Avalon?" Malone's curiosity was tickled with the idea of visiting the place that gave birth to both Veronica and Marguerite. He wanted to know what this grand destiny was that they were all supposed to fulfill, but more specifically, he wanted to know what part he played in it.
"It will be soon. I can feel it, something's going to happen soon." Veronica stated on a far-off voice that almost didn't belong to her.
"Yes the time is fast approaching, I only hope that we are ready when the time comes." Marguerite said in the same voice. The others stared at the two who were staring straight at each other and yet neither really seemed to see the other. They both quickly snapped out of it. Neither really looked up to answering the questions that they knew the others must have so everyone just dropped it.
"So Ms. Laurence how does it feel to have an identity?" Roxton asked the woman in his arms.
"You have no idea what power there is in a name. And when we get to Avalon I intend on learning everything I can about my heritage. Although I will miss being Marguerite Krux. But maybe now it will be easier to put my past behind me." Marguerite looked up at Roxton with a smile that reflected the thoughts that were passing through both of their minds, they now had a real chance at a real future.
"I don't want to break the companionable atmosphere that is beginning to settle, but Marguerite are you sure that you are dealing with.well.everything and not just pushing it to the back of your mind?" Challenger was not about to let anyone get distracted from the fact that Marguerite has yet to actually work through what has happened and how it changes her entire life up until this point.
"Yeah Marguerite. I know that after I finally remembered the real fate of my parents, I wanted to push it out of my mind and simply believe that what I saw was some trick of my mind. I mean, I found out that everything I knew was wrong. It changed everything, but it also gave me a tremendous sense of closure. I found the truth that I was searching for. My father is only a short walk from here and I am so close to finding my mother. It's a terrifying feeling, knowing that everything you based your world on was not true at all. But the sooner you accept it, the sooner you will find peace with it." At one point in her speech, Veronica reached across the table and took Marguerite's hands in her own.
"I just wish I knew what they were like. I wish I knew how they met and fell in love and how they were when they were children. I will never know who I get my temper from or whether I am more like my mother or my father. I mean, did either of them have this gift with languages that I have? Have they been looking down on me my whole life? And if so, do they regret that they gave their lives so that I could do the things I have done?" They sat there aghast. How could Marguerite think that her parents were anything but proud of her? Marguerite looked at their stunned faces and couldn't figure out what to make of it. If it weren't for Roxton's strong arms wrapped around her, she would have run to her room in fear of what their answer would be.
Roxton's arms tightened their hold on the precious treasure they were now trying to comfort. Whatever Marguerite was holding in, he didn't expect it to be that. "Marguerite your parents loved you, that is why they sacrificed themselves for you. There is nothing you could do to stop them from loving you. You are an amazing person who has made mistakes, but who hasn't. They do not regret what they did for you and they never will." Marguerite looked into Roxton's eyes and Roxton saw a very vulnerable little girl staring back at him. He swallowed the knot in his throat and kissed Marguerite on the forehead.
Marguerite felt the honesty and conviction in his words and the reassurance and security in his embrace. She looked around at the other members of her family and saw that they agreed with Roxton wholeheartedly. She glanced down at her hands still grasped with Veronica's and a wave of emotions overcame her. She was flooded with gratitude, love, and most of all peace. She had no doubt that they were wrong. For the first time in her life, Marguerite Krux trusted people without a single question or doubt. For the first time in her life Marguerite did not feel like the cold, selfish Ms. Krux. She felt like Marguerite Laurence, a woman with her whole life ahead of her and nothing holding her back.
The rest of the day was spent sitting there, in the common room. All six members of the treehouse family sat together swapping stories and memories. They contemplated their futures, both on and off the plateau. They talked about Avalon and finally meeting Veronica's mother. That day there were no barriers between the explorers. There were no secrets or ominous missions. That day was spent rebuilding and strengthening their bonds as a family. There wasn't really any talk about the upcoming journey to fulfill their destiny. Although Veronica and Marguerite felt it looming somewhere in the near future, they were not going to let it spoil the day.
They laughed all day and well into the night. Some time after midnight the explorers one by one drifted off to their respective bedrooms. Each completely content with the world and people around them. The number continued to dwindle until Marguerite remained alone on the balcony.
She sat there watching the stars and imaging that her parents were up there, shining down on her. She smiled. She may have never known them, but they were there now. She felt their presence with her, and realized they had always been there. Marguerite was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't hear Roxton approach until his arms were around her and his chin was on her shoulder.
"Aren't you going to go to bed? It's been along day." He whispered in her ear. The feel of his warm breath on her cool skin sent shivers throughout her entire body. She twisted in his arms and gazed deeply into his eyes.
"Thank you John. Thank you for knowing me well enough to know how to get me to open up like that. It was so liberating to just let everything pour out. I think that I have finally found the meaning of the word family and it is all thanks to you that I have found my place in ours." A single tear made its way down her cheek. Roxton lifted his hand to wipe it away. Marguerite stopped him by taking his hand in hers and said, "Don't. I'm not ashamed of having emotions anymore. Besides it's a tear of joy. I have finally been able to grant my mother her final wish. I'm happy John. I am finally happy. No matter what happens I know that I have you, Veronica, Challenger, Malone, and Finn. We are all going to be alright." Roxton leaned down and kissed Marguerite with a new found passion. This new passion stemmed from his overwhelming pride in this woman.
As Marguerite and John remained on the balcony talking, kissing, and simply taking comfort in the other's arms, two stars were watching the couple from their heavenly position and shined their brilliance down on the pair. They shined so brightly that for that night at least, the moon was content to let them brighten the night sky.
AN: Thanks again for sticking with me. I know that I at least had fun. If you people express enough interest, I might write a sequel. Who knows what the future will bring. Hopefully it will bring some more TLW episodes and a cheeseburger, I'm hungry. Well until we meet again.
Author's Note: I do believe that this is the last chapter. Thank you to these faithful readers who have reviewed my story once or twice: A.Windsor, Cara, Adina, Ani, KatAnn, Michi, and Lisa. Your support means the world to me. Without it I would have lost faith in my story a long time ago. This is for you.
Legacy: Marguerite's Turn Chapter 5: All For One And One For All by: TheChosenOne
She finally had her answers, the ones she had been in search of since the nuns at the convent; less than gently, told her she had no parents and no one who really cared about her at all. But now she had all of that, she had what she what she was looking for. So why did she feel so. lost? Marguerite was no fool; she had never expected to find her parents and reunite as one big happy family, but to actually see their last moments, had been a lot to take in. To actually hear that their last words were to her, a woman nobody loves because she doesn't know how to love anybody, has always had people who love her. It was that thought that really scared, enraged, and reassured Marguerite.
"You know I have always felt angry and bitter towards myself because I assumed that my parents abandoned me for some extraordinary flaw they saw in me." Marguerite was still staring out without seeing. She gave a humorless laugh to fight the crack in her voice. "I figured that they knew I was an evil child and left me in 'God's house' so that I can earn redemption for myself. I used to sit alone in that cold dark cell that the nuns kept me in and berated myself for driving everyone away. When I grew older I expanded my bitterness to include everyone I had ever met and especially everyone I should have met but never did. I tried to convince myself that there was nothing wrong with me, that it was the rest of the world who had the problem. But I never succeeded in truly convincing myself that I was not a naturally bad person. So I pushed people away on purpose, so they would never have the chance to leave on their own, like my parents did. And in this afternoon everything that I have been taught about the world and everything I believe to be true has been flipped upside down. I don't want to be confused anymore. I don't want to be alone anymore. They left me. Willingly or not they left me. But I can't hate them, that would be too easy. No they left because it was the only way to protect me. I can't do this anymore, I don't have the strength to do this anymore." She sank to the ground and trembled.
To see Marguerite so out of control really brought reality crashing down upon all of the explorers. No matter what she did, Marguerite was ALWAYS filled with fire and spirit. Now as she sat on the ground, arms wrapped around herself, rocking back and forth, and staring at nothing, they saw no passion in her eyes. The flame of determination that always burned in her eyes had gone out. It scared them, all of them. No one had ever imagined that there was anything in this world that could break the spirit of Marguerite Krux.er.Laurence.
With a glance towards his companions, Roxton stepped forward and sat beside Marguerite. He didn't know what to do or say so he just did what came naturally and put his arms around her. At first there was no change, Marguerite still sat and stared but her trembling ceased. So far she had not so much as allowed tears to come to her eyes. She gave her friends no indication that she was actually dealing with everything that had just happened, and that is what worried them.
"Marguerite you can't keep this locked up inside of you. Believe me, I know what pent up emotions can do and so do you. It will consume you, then rip you apart if you let it. Don't let it Marguerite, you are stronger than that." Roxton kept his eyes focused solely on Marguerite, at the moment nothing else mattered. He silently willed her to cry, scream, or blink, but she did none of that.
"No Roxton, I'm not strong enough. I've had to be strong my whole life and I don't want to anymore. I'm just too tired Roxton. I just want to go home. Can't we just go home?" Marguerite sounded like a lost little girl who just wanted her parents to take her home.
"You may go home. But I must warn you that no one can escape their destiny. Not the Chosen One, not the Protector, not even I can escape my fate. It will prove much easier if you do not fight the inevitable." Morrigan began to walk away when Ned spoke.
"How will we know the way to Avalon?"
"You will know the way when the time comes. Good luck my young friends, and good-bye Marguerite. I am sorry." Morrigan walked away and disappeared into thin air. Along with her, the force field vanished.
"Look the sun is in the same place it was when we first entered the standing stones! It's like we were taken out of the reach of time for the while we were here." Challenger exclaimed, scientific curiosity taking over once more.
"Fascinating. Lets just go home." Veronica said taking the lead. Ned and Finn quickly followed her. Then came Challenger and Roxton and finally Marguerite. The walk back to the treehouse was made in complete silence. There was no encounter with raptors, head hunters, or T-rexes and for that everyone was grateful.
It was not long before they reached the treehouse. Marguerite practically ran off of the elevator and straight to her room. She knew that the others were worried about her and wanted her to react in some way, any way. What they didn't understand was that if she let one tear escape, they would all get out and she didn't want them to see her like that. She didn't want anyone to see her like that. Marguerite decided along time ago that she would show weakness to no one. She was already upset about that little breakdown she had at the standing stones. She didn't need their pity. She didn't need anything from anyone.
"Where is Marguerite?" Veronica asked as she, Finn, and Malone stepped off of the elevator.
"She bolted straight to her room. She isn't handling this well." Challenger commented to the others as they gathered in the common room.
"Challenger she's not dealing with this at all. She is going to revert to the whole pushing us away thing again." Malone said as he sat down in a chair.
"Why would she do that? She knows that we are all here for her." 'All of this caring about other people thing is harder than it looks.' Finn thought to herself.
"You heard what she said Finn. I believe that in order to regain some control over everything, she will revert to what has always worked for her: doing everything alone and keeping people as far away as possible." Challenger theorized.
"Challenger you make it sound as if she is one of your bloody experiments. She has come too far to backslide now. And we have worked too hard to lose her. Because I guarantee that if she does indeed go back to her old ways, we will lose her." Roxton's eyes stared at Marguerite's door. He knew that she was in a tremendous amount of pain and shock. And it was killing him that he was not where she was, that she was choosing to go through this alone, but he knew that going in there now would be one step backwards. And they were all too close to the edge of their limits as a family for anyone to be taking steps backward.
"Well if anyone has any ideas about how to work through the turmoil our whole family will surely be going through, I'm open to suggestions." Veronica said with false, almost sarcastic, cheerfulness in her voice.
"Whoa Veronica that almost sounded sarcastic. I think you've picked up a thing or two from our dear Marguerite." Malone was amused to see Veronica's stunned expression.
"The only way we are going to get Marguerite to let go of everything she's holding inside, is to give her an outlet for those emotions." Challenger had his trademark 'I've-got-a-plan' ponderous look.
"Uh you'll have to give us a little more detail Challenger." Finn knew this look, this look always caused her to either become extremely curious or extremely worried. She wasn't sure which one it was this time.
"Challenger you aren't thinking what I think you're thinking." Roxton didn't like what Challenger was suggesting.
"Yes Roxton that is exactly what I am proposing. It will be harsh but effective." The others were about to murder Roxton and Challenger.
"Well would you two condescend to explain your theory to those of us who haven't been graced with your level of intelligence." Veronica snapped. The others just looked at her, like she was growing another head. "Oh God I am turning into Marguerite. We have to fix her now." she said.
"I think I may have an idea, but I'll have to sleep on it. Good night everyone." Roxton stood up and began to make his way towards his room.
"But John you haven't eaten dinner yet." Veronica called to his retreating back.
"I'm not hungry." He said without even turning around.
The others did not feel much hungry themselves so they just had some fruit and nuts and made their way to their respective rooms.
The next morning started out as most of their mornings did. Veronica woke up a little before the sun. She began cooking breakfast, pancakes, Marguerite's favorite. Next was Roxton who mumbled a 'morning' to Veronica and then poured himself a cup of tea. Finn arose with the sun and gave her friends a cheery 'hello', her cheery disposition helped to break the somber silence that had settled upon the two early birds. Finally Challenger came out of his room and greeted his young companions, rather unenthusiastically. Malone smiled at the three sitting around the table, silently eating. He gave Veronica a slightly more wholehearted greeting when he went into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee.
When Veronica was done cooking she joined the others at the kitchen table. They all ate in silence. No one really knew what to say, everyone knew that overnight the happiness of their little family was in serious jeopardy. 'It's funny how all of our lives have intertwined to the point that if one of us should be suffering, the rest of the house feels the pain. And who would have thought that it would be Marguerite's happiness that determines the future of our happy jungle home, she was the one that made the first few months on the plateau more difficult than they had to be.' Malone thought as he finished his second cup of coffee. The others were having similar thoughts. Finn was really worried about what happened from here, this after all was her first family and she didn't want to lose it. Challenger was musing how this must be the hardest part of this father role that he had assumed, watching his children suffer and struggle with the weight of the world without being able to ease their burdens. Veronica was bouncing between extreme concern over Marguerite, shock that, had things had turned out differently, she and Marguerite would have been raised together, and anxiety over the delicate balance of their lives that has suddenly been horribly disrupted. Roxton' thoughts focused solely on Marguerite and what she must be going through.
Nobody even took notice that the object of their concern had just entered the room and was now helping herself to some pancakes. She looked around at her friends. She was sort of surprised that no one was looking at her strangely or asking her if she was okay. Continuing her inspection she found that their eyes were all gazed over and they were each lost in his or her own thoughts. She cleared her throat to see if she could wake anyone up, but to no avail. She turned towards the person next to her, who happened to be Roxton, and nearly yelled, "Morning!" He jumped and almost fell out of his chair. The others were startled out of their reveries as well.
"Good morning everyone. I trust you slept well." Marguerite got up to pour herself a cup of coffee and to give her friends a chance to get themselves together. They all looked at each other, stunned at Marguerite's sudden appearance, but even more so at her calm and cheerful mood. They had been expecting any attitude but a happy one.
"Marguerite are you feeling all right?" Veronica asked cautiously.
"Of course Veronica, but then again I was not the one sitting at the table absolutely oblivious to everything that was going on around me." No one really noticed the slight edge to her words, no one but Roxton that is.
"Some one woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. And here I was hoping that this peace and quiet would last." Roxton tried not to meet anyone in the eye. Challenger was the only one who was not gaping at his comment. Any other morning the others would simply roll their eyes and prepare themselves for the upcoming verbal battle that the couple so often waged on one another. But they had not expected Roxton to participate in it today. He, more than anyone else, must have known what Marguerite was going through.
"Well Roxton sorry to disappoint you. I think I'll take my breakfast out on the balcony." She picked up her plate and cup and stomped off. Roxton did not miss the deeply hurt look on her face.
"What ever you say, your highness." Roxton responded, again avoiding the expressions of his friends. When Marguerite was gone, Veronica smacked Roxton in the back of the head and exclaimed, "What the hell do you think you're doing?! Marguerite is in pain Roxton, and probably denial, were you intentionally rubbing salt into her wound?"
"Yes." Veronica, Finn, and Malone had all expected Roxton to act as if he had no idea that what he was doing to Marguerite or to at least act sorry for his actions. "Yes" was certainly the last answer they expected.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing." Roxton said curtly and went to the balcony with Marguerite.
Roxton's approach to the balcony brought the faint sounds of quiet sobbing and Roxton felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest. He knew he did not really cause the tears; he only put a crack in the dam that was holding them in. He continued his slow advance towards the woman who had captured and captivated him so completely. He stood behind her, so far unnoticed, and gently laid his hand upon her shoulders. She did not jump as he had expected she would. He looked down at her and could not find any evidence of the tears that he had heard.
"You know Lord Roxton you must be losing your touch." she said in an amused and cheery voice, seeing his surprise and confusion. He knew, he could see right through her façade and he knew that she wanted him to.
"Stop it Marguerite. Just stop it." he said quietly, but with a fierceness that caught her off guard. Her smile faltered momentarily, but she plastered it back on and responded, "What are you talking about John? Stop what?"
"Stop this game you're playing with yourself. Stop trying to convince yourself that what you saw yesterday isn't true. But most of all stop shutting us out, stop shutting me out." They stared at each other in a silent battle of wills. In the end it was Marguerite who looked away first. She didn't want to do this anymore, she didn't want to feel anything anymore. She looked down at her feet and then up at Roxton defiantly.
"Don't go there John. Just drop it and forget about it." She picked up her dishes and marched back into the treehouse. 'That's right Marguerite, get angry.' he thought as he pursued her.
"No Marguerite I will not drop it. If this is hurting you then it is hurting the rest of us too. Don't you see that? Don't you see that you are not alone anymore? I thought you figured that out." Roxton really did sound more angry than he felt, but he knew that Marguerite could no more resist a match of tempers than a match of wits. By now the other treehouse members were looking at the couple with interest. Normally the clashes between Marguerite and Roxton always sent their friends out on chores or errands, but they knew that this time was different. This time it concerned everyone in that room, without really concerning anyone but Marguerite, but that's what made them a family. All for one and one for all.
"There is nothing to talk about Roxton. I'm fine, everything is fine." Marguerite's voice no longer sounded happy and cheerful. Now it was very obviously controlled and calm. She was facing Roxton but they could all see that her hands were balled into fists and she was shaking with the effort it took to keep herself under control.
"Marguerite you just saw the parents you never met die to protect you right in front of your eyes. Don't tell me everything is fine because I know that it's not!" Roxton knew that this was really hard on Marguerite, but he also knew that the only way to get Marguerite to respond was the hard way.
"What do you want me to so Roxton? Start hysterically crying and screaming things at the top of my lungs that don't even really make sense? Do you want me to start throwing objects across the room?" Marguerite knew that she was beginning to lose her grip. She could feel the lump in her throat rising and her stomach constricting.
"Yes that's exactly what I want you to do! I want you to do whatever you have to do to get rid of what's inside you before it consumes you." Roxton knew that this was working. He knew that Marguerite was cracking. She was shaking her head as he spoke, willing him to shut up. 'One more push ought to do it.' "I can't believe that you are doing it again. You are running away just like you always have and probably always will. Your parents did not give their lives' for you so you could run away from them, from their memory."
The room was eerily silent. Everyone knew that Roxton had just struck a major chord. The treehouse inhabitants waited with bated breath, watching Marguerite carefully for any signs of what was to come. She just stood there, staring at Roxton as if he had just slapped her across the face. Marguerite then closed her eyes and hung her head.
"You're right. You are absolutely right Roxton. Is that what you want me to say? Are you happy now? The great Lord John Roxton has made a breakthrough. What would we do without him? Yes John I'm running away! I'm running away from everything I have been searching for. It's just that I have been running for so long I'm afraid that if I stop I will never be able to get up again. Can you all understand that? I don't know how to stop running." Finally the dam crumbled, and Marguerite along with it. She sat on the couch, pulled her knees up to her chin, and buried her head in her hands. The sobs that racked her body shook her entire frame.
A canvas of emotions ranged across the faces of the onlookers. From relief to compassion to empathy, they didn't know what to say or do. Figuring that Marguerite did not want them to see her breakdown like that, Challenger, Malone, Veronica, and Finn got up to leave the room and let Roxton pick up the pieces. Suddenly Marguerite's head shot up and the sobs abruptly stopped.
"Please you guys, don't leave. You are the only family I have left and I need all of you. You are the ones who told me that family sticks together in the good time, but especially the bad. I am having a bad time, won't you stick with me?" Marguerite's eyes were bright with unshed tears, but she managed a watery smile. The others broke out into big grins, they knew how much courage it took for Marguerite to ask for help, and they all felt their respect for the heiress grow immensely.
"Of course we will stick with you Marguerite." Malone said as he and the rest made their way to the common room to sit with Marguerite.
"We'll stick with you to hell and back, right Roxton?" Challenger said mocking his companion while Roxton merely smiled and nodded his head. Roxton sat down next to Marguerite and pulled her still slightly quivering form close to him. Veronica and Malone sat on the couch opposite the older couple. Challenger sat in a chair situated between Marguerite and Veronica while Finn took the chair situated between Roxton and Malone.
Another awkward pause settled over the group. They all sort of sat around and glanced at each other.
"Don't tell me I have to be the one to break the ice again! Really you people have no backbone." Finn stated throwing her hands in the air in mock exasperation. That did it. The group was laughing at the youngest member's strange antics.
"So when do you think that we will find Avalon?" Malone's curiosity was tickled with the idea of visiting the place that gave birth to both Veronica and Marguerite. He wanted to know what this grand destiny was that they were all supposed to fulfill, but more specifically, he wanted to know what part he played in it.
"It will be soon. I can feel it, something's going to happen soon." Veronica stated on a far-off voice that almost didn't belong to her.
"Yes the time is fast approaching, I only hope that we are ready when the time comes." Marguerite said in the same voice. The others stared at the two who were staring straight at each other and yet neither really seemed to see the other. They both quickly snapped out of it. Neither really looked up to answering the questions that they knew the others must have so everyone just dropped it.
"So Ms. Laurence how does it feel to have an identity?" Roxton asked the woman in his arms.
"You have no idea what power there is in a name. And when we get to Avalon I intend on learning everything I can about my heritage. Although I will miss being Marguerite Krux. But maybe now it will be easier to put my past behind me." Marguerite looked up at Roxton with a smile that reflected the thoughts that were passing through both of their minds, they now had a real chance at a real future.
"I don't want to break the companionable atmosphere that is beginning to settle, but Marguerite are you sure that you are dealing with.well.everything and not just pushing it to the back of your mind?" Challenger was not about to let anyone get distracted from the fact that Marguerite has yet to actually work through what has happened and how it changes her entire life up until this point.
"Yeah Marguerite. I know that after I finally remembered the real fate of my parents, I wanted to push it out of my mind and simply believe that what I saw was some trick of my mind. I mean, I found out that everything I knew was wrong. It changed everything, but it also gave me a tremendous sense of closure. I found the truth that I was searching for. My father is only a short walk from here and I am so close to finding my mother. It's a terrifying feeling, knowing that everything you based your world on was not true at all. But the sooner you accept it, the sooner you will find peace with it." At one point in her speech, Veronica reached across the table and took Marguerite's hands in her own.
"I just wish I knew what they were like. I wish I knew how they met and fell in love and how they were when they were children. I will never know who I get my temper from or whether I am more like my mother or my father. I mean, did either of them have this gift with languages that I have? Have they been looking down on me my whole life? And if so, do they regret that they gave their lives so that I could do the things I have done?" They sat there aghast. How could Marguerite think that her parents were anything but proud of her? Marguerite looked at their stunned faces and couldn't figure out what to make of it. If it weren't for Roxton's strong arms wrapped around her, she would have run to her room in fear of what their answer would be.
Roxton's arms tightened their hold on the precious treasure they were now trying to comfort. Whatever Marguerite was holding in, he didn't expect it to be that. "Marguerite your parents loved you, that is why they sacrificed themselves for you. There is nothing you could do to stop them from loving you. You are an amazing person who has made mistakes, but who hasn't. They do not regret what they did for you and they never will." Marguerite looked into Roxton's eyes and Roxton saw a very vulnerable little girl staring back at him. He swallowed the knot in his throat and kissed Marguerite on the forehead.
Marguerite felt the honesty and conviction in his words and the reassurance and security in his embrace. She looked around at the other members of her family and saw that they agreed with Roxton wholeheartedly. She glanced down at her hands still grasped with Veronica's and a wave of emotions overcame her. She was flooded with gratitude, love, and most of all peace. She had no doubt that they were wrong. For the first time in her life, Marguerite Krux trusted people without a single question or doubt. For the first time in her life Marguerite did not feel like the cold, selfish Ms. Krux. She felt like Marguerite Laurence, a woman with her whole life ahead of her and nothing holding her back.
The rest of the day was spent sitting there, in the common room. All six members of the treehouse family sat together swapping stories and memories. They contemplated their futures, both on and off the plateau. They talked about Avalon and finally meeting Veronica's mother. That day there were no barriers between the explorers. There were no secrets or ominous missions. That day was spent rebuilding and strengthening their bonds as a family. There wasn't really any talk about the upcoming journey to fulfill their destiny. Although Veronica and Marguerite felt it looming somewhere in the near future, they were not going to let it spoil the day.
They laughed all day and well into the night. Some time after midnight the explorers one by one drifted off to their respective bedrooms. Each completely content with the world and people around them. The number continued to dwindle until Marguerite remained alone on the balcony.
She sat there watching the stars and imaging that her parents were up there, shining down on her. She smiled. She may have never known them, but they were there now. She felt their presence with her, and realized they had always been there. Marguerite was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't hear Roxton approach until his arms were around her and his chin was on her shoulder.
"Aren't you going to go to bed? It's been along day." He whispered in her ear. The feel of his warm breath on her cool skin sent shivers throughout her entire body. She twisted in his arms and gazed deeply into his eyes.
"Thank you John. Thank you for knowing me well enough to know how to get me to open up like that. It was so liberating to just let everything pour out. I think that I have finally found the meaning of the word family and it is all thanks to you that I have found my place in ours." A single tear made its way down her cheek. Roxton lifted his hand to wipe it away. Marguerite stopped him by taking his hand in hers and said, "Don't. I'm not ashamed of having emotions anymore. Besides it's a tear of joy. I have finally been able to grant my mother her final wish. I'm happy John. I am finally happy. No matter what happens I know that I have you, Veronica, Challenger, Malone, and Finn. We are all going to be alright." Roxton leaned down and kissed Marguerite with a new found passion. This new passion stemmed from his overwhelming pride in this woman.
As Marguerite and John remained on the balcony talking, kissing, and simply taking comfort in the other's arms, two stars were watching the couple from their heavenly position and shined their brilliance down on the pair. They shined so brightly that for that night at least, the moon was content to let them brighten the night sky.
AN: Thanks again for sticking with me. I know that I at least had fun. If you people express enough interest, I might write a sequel. Who knows what the future will bring. Hopefully it will bring some more TLW episodes and a cheeseburger, I'm hungry. Well until we meet again.
