Chapter Three

Back to the Plateau

Part One

Marguerite watched as Roxton packed his bags.  Anger rolled around in the pit of her stomach, making her nauseous.  How dare he go through with this?  Rage blinding her, she shoved the Victorian lamp off the nightstand.  "Damn it," she cried.  "Why are you doing this?  Dr. Burns's claims aren't based on anything!"

Roxton calmly took his wife into his arms and guided her away from the shards of glass.  "I have to do this, Marguerite.  If there were only a one-percent chance of a thousand that this would work, I would still do it.  We're talking about bringing Adam back to us," he pleadingly hissed, begging for her to understand.

Marguerite shoved his hands away and marched over to the large window.  Gazing out into the foggy night she felt a sense of foreboding cling to her bosom.  "John," she murmured.  "How can you even believe that this'll work?  You can't bring someone back from the dead.  It just can't be done.  Not even on the plateau."

"We've seen much stranger things, Marguerite."  He zipped up the last of his luggage and peered around the room that now seemed so barren.  "I just can't pass it up based on the slightest of chances that it may bloody well work."  He hesitantly approached her like a wrongful child would to a parent.  "I know you don't want to go back there."

She whirled on him, her eyes flashing.  "That isn't what this is about, but, you're right, I don't want to go back to the damn plateau.  But I would without a moment's breath if I truly believed that I could get my baby back.  But I don't believe it.  It's inconceivable that Dr. Burns can do what he claims."

"Inconceivable, but not necessarily impossible," Roxton whispered.

Marguerite sighed, turning her back to him once more.  Her bags were already packed and waiting for her done in the foyer.  She cringed at the mere thought of returning to the plateau, but knew that she had no choice.  She couldn't possibly let Roxton go alone.  And, if she was honest with herself, she didn't want to take the risk that Burns could do what he said and that she wouldn't be there for when her son woke up.

Part Two

They barely spoke a word to each other on the plane, both swimming through their own sea of emotions and fears.  When they landed, Burns guided them to a camp where he dropped them off at their sleeping quarters with the promise of returning in a few hours after they settled in.

Marguerite didn't bother unpacking.  She was determined to leave as little evidence of herself here as possible; and if for some reason she would be staying longer than expected, she had every intention of going to the tree house she had lived in for the five years she was imprisoned here.  In actuality, she wanted to venture up that way regardless as to how this expedition turned out.  It would be good to see Veronica and Malone again.

When they had finally discovered the doorway off the plateau, Malone had struggled with his conflicting emotions for a matter of seconds before declaring to the rest of the group that he wanted to stay here with Veronica, who had no interest in disturbing her way of life.  It was difficult to leave the two behind, never knowing if they would ever meet up again.  But, miraculously, the doorway they had found was a permanent one and on special occasions, Ned and Veronica Malone would come for visits.

The last time she had seen them was at Adam's funeral.  Challenger had sent them a message a couple days before the funeral and the two had arrived as quickly as they could, sneaking into the church an hour into the service.  It was weird having the entire gang of explorers back together and she could only have wished that it were under better circumstances.  Yet, she was comforted by their presences, even Finn's (who lived with Challenger as his unofficial adopted daughter).

Burns popped his head into the tent flap.  "Dinner is ready, Lord and Lady Roxton.  I suggest, Lord Roxton, that you eat a bountiful meal.  Tomorrow we begin our procedure.  I will explain it in more detail after we eat."  His head disappeared from view not waiting for acknowledgement; only assuming his announcement didn't fall on deaf ears.

Roxton glanced at Marguerite, his eyes softening into an emotion she had never seen before.  "Well, Marguerite, whatever it is, it must be better than anything you cook up."  He slipped from the tent before she could respond.

End Chapter Three

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