Chapter Eleven

Coming Clean

Part One

When Roxton returned home, he was irritable and solemn, dumping the Kimiwi on Challenger's counter and walking stiffly up to the main living area of the tree house.  He didn't dare look in Marguerite's direction, but instead ambled straight into their bedroom and didn't desert the room until dinner.

Roxton slid into his seat at the one end of the table without his usual air of merriment.  Marguerite was to his left, Malone at his right with Veronica beside the journalist, and Challenger directly across from him at the head of the table.  Roxton kept his eyes trained on the food, ignoring those around him.  Marguerite in turn pretended he didn't exist, never looking his way, which was fine with him.

The other three members of the makeshift family ate with unease, their eyes flickering between the two lovers.  Finally Challenger cleared his throat, setting down his fork.  "Roxton?  Marguerite?  Is everything all right?"

"Oh, just fine, George," Roxton stated casually.  He risked a glance at Marguerite who refused to look his way.  "At least it's nothing you need to concern yourself with.  Marguerite and I won't involve the three of you."

"So, it's entirely a personal matter?"  Challenger appeared unconvinced.  "One that can and will be solved without our intervention?"

"All in due course, George."

"Ha," Marguerite interjected, twirling her fork through her food.  "Speak for yourself."

"Ok, fine, Marguerite," he slammed his fork down and leaned back, crossing his arms across his broad chest.  "What is it that you have to say?  That you and I will continue on with this absurdity until someone breaks down all together?"

"No, that maybe you and I won't continue on at all!"

Roxton grew stone cold, his eyes turning into slits, his eyebrows knitting worriedly together.  "What are you implying, Marguerite?"

"Nothing," she muttered.

"No, I think I deserve an answer.  Are you saying you want a divorce over this foolishness?"

"I'm not saying anything, John."

Roxton peered around him at the faces of his friends before standing up.  "Let's go, Marguerite.  I think we need to have a talk."

She rolled her eyes up at him and sighed, but got up nevertheless.  "Are you going to lead me off a cliff, Roxton?"

"Sometimes I wish I could," he said more harshly than he intended, "but then I realize I would end up jumping off after you.  So the whole damn thing would be bloody pointless."

"Would you really?"

"Without a moment's hesitation."

She gave him a faint smile before turning away and walking to the elevator.

Part Two

They sat side-by-side by the water's edge, their feet dangling in the river and their eyes fixed on the running water.  Roxton finally relented and gazed over at her, his heart swelling.  Despite how infuriating, demanding, and selfish she could be, he still loved her with all his soul.

"Marguerite, darling, this has gotten out of hand."  He twisted his body slightly so that he was facing her.  "I think we need to come completely clean with everything.  No more pranks.  No more lies."

She sighed, peering up at him through her dark eyes.  "I know."  She scooted closer.  She got between his legs, resting her back against his chest and felt content when he wrapped his arms around her waist.  "Did you manipulate the swing?"

"No."

"Then I'm sorry about what I did earlier in the field."

"You're forgiven.  Now I know you stole the buttons from my favorite shirt."

"Yes, but I wouldn't have if you hadn't placed the snake in my bed."

Roxton chuckled into her hair.  "But, darling, I didn't place the snake in your bed.  It must've crawled in on its own.  Yet, I did lie about it being poisonous, but you knew that already.  And I did that hoping it would frighten you because I didn't want you sleeping in there again."

"I wouldn't have gone and slept in there in the first place if you hadn't put mud in the shower system," she pointed out matter-of-factly.

"I wouldn't have done that if you hadn't placed the beetle in my drink."

Marguerite laughed, turning in his arms to wrap hers around his neck.  "John, I didn't put the beetle in your drink."

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."  She kissed him chastely.  "This whole mess could have been prevented if you had only believed me."

"Then how did it get there?"

"Who knows and who cares?"  She kissed him more soundly, her lips leaving a trail down his throat.

He moaned and fell back, taking her with him.  "So, darling," he softly bit the spot where her neck and shoulder met, "what do you say we formally make up and forget the whole bloody mess?"

"Of course," she pressed herself more firmly against him and rotated her hips causing him to growl with pleasure.  Stealing a passionate kiss, she pulled back, sitting up, and straddled him, gently rocking back and forth against his groin until the man underneath her became hard.  She smiled wickedly and leaned down to whisper against his ear, "But not out here."  She rolled off of him.

Roxton groaned with frustration.  "Darling, you will be the death of me!"

"No, having sex out here will be the death of you."  She crawled to her feet, looking around.  "Who knows what would sneak up on us?  I personally don't want to become some dinosaur's feast."

Roxton muttered obscenities under his breath as he got to his feet.  "You're lucky I find you so adoringly infuriating," he said, repeating his line from last week when they had made lunch together.

She laughed, taking his hand and guiding him back towards the tree house.  "I love you, John."

"Well, I love you too, Marguerite.  Just don't ask me why."

"John," she warned playfully.

"What?  I'm only being honest."

She stopped, turning back around to stare at him with amusement.  "Just shut up."

Roxton grinned like a fool.  At least we're back to normal.

End Chapter Eleven

End Story?  I don't know.  Anyway, thank you ever so kindly for the reviews!  If this is the end, which it most likely will be, you probably won't hear from me in awhile.  So, thank you so much for accepting me!  Anyway, this gives those of you who didn't get a chase to go ahead and read Trusting Danger and Unexpected Danger.  Due to a number of requests, I will most likely be making it into a trilogy.  The third installment will be started in late September and will be called Resisting Danger.  However, don't hold your breath for it.  It may never arrive.  It all depends on if I feel up to writing it.  Once again, thank you all so much!