AN: Okay this is a short chapter compared with the rest of them but bear with me here.

Destiny Calls

Chapter 3: To Sleep or not to Sleep

By: TheChosenOne3

He stared at the stars taking advantage of the shelter the night offered, a shelter from the commotion that his friends had been wreaking. It had been an hour since they had all awoken from the same dream. He had escaped to the balcony when he could no longer take Finn's singing, but he wasn't the only one.

"Finn if you don't stop singing that ridiculous song I'm going to go get my rifle and stop you myself!" Marguerite yelled at the young blonde who was happily bouncing around the room.

When Finn showed no intention of ceasing Veronica added, "And we won't stop her!" Finn looked from the woman who was both sister and mentor to her other sister and by far her most interesting companion, the looks on their faces told Finn that neither was joking. She flashed them a quick smile and left the room whistling her new theme song. Marguerite and Veronica looked at each other and rolled their eyes.

He didn't need to turn around to know the look that Marguerite and Veronica had just exchanged. He shook his head bemusedly. He continued his vigil over the quiet jungle. He was as eager to embark on their journey as all of his younger companions, but they still had a few hours of night left before first light.

Suddenly an icy gust of wind swept by Challenger, but the foliage that always seemed to be everywhere did not rustle with the air's movement. The leaves remained motionless even as a second blast of air rushed through him. He silently observed how the once peaceful jungle was no longer so tranquil, but was now eerie. Yet a third torrent of cold wind drove Challenger back into the warmth of the treehouse.

He went over what had just happened in his head before deciding that his mind was just playing tricks on him. 'Nothing a little more rest wouldn't cure.'

"I'm off to bed. And I suggest that all of you do the same. You won't have the opportunity to sleep in your own beds for at least a week and probably more."

"Oh George we couldn't sleep if we wanted to. We'll be fine." Marguerite assured him, but her body betrayed her once again with another yawn.

"Marguerite you more than anyone should know what happens without enough sleep." He walked up to her and put his hand to her forehead. In all of the confusion and excitement, he had completely forgotten to make sure that her fever was gone. "Marguerite you need rest more than any of us. Your fever is broken, but if you don't take care of yourself it could easily return." Challenger's diagnosis convinced Roxton that sleep might not be so impossible after all.

"I agree with Challenger. This trip is going to be hard enough; we don't need to tempt fate by not getting all of the sleep we need. There is no need to pack everything tonight; we will have plenty of time in the morning." One by one the others released reluctant sighs and got to their feet.

Marguerite got up with a withering look to both Challenger and Roxton and stomped off to her room. Without a second thought Roxton sprang to life and followed her. The others sat there stunned for a moment. Marguerite was a lot more alert than she had been yesterday; there was no way she was going to allow Roxton in her room again.

"Roxton is going to get it! Marguerite is not going to be happy about him following her to her room." Finn said with obvious excitement. The most entertaining thing on the whole plateau was Roxton and Marguerite, especially when they were bickering.

"No way! Roxton has Marguerite wrapped around his finger. He knows what he's doing." Malone stated with total confidence. It never ceased to amaze him how thoroughly Roxton could control Marguerite.

"Care to put your money where your mouth is reporter-boy? I bet you one week's chores that Marguerite kicks Roxton out of her room in less than five minutes." Finn challenged, thrusting her hand towards Malone.

"Alright you're on. Roxton will have her eating out of his hand, just watch." Malone grasped Finn's hand and shook it.

"It is morally irresponsible that you two should gamble on Marguerite and Roxton's relationship. Besides, judging by the look she gave to Roxton and me I wouldn't expect her to be accepting company tonight." Challenger put his two-cents in while giving Finn and Malone reproachful glances.

"I know enough to say that nothing will happen that Marguerite does not want to happen, but then again I will not underestimate Roxton. So your guess is as good as mine." Veronica said diplomatically. Predicting a victor in a battle of wills between Roxton and Marguerite was like trying to predict the next curveball the plateau will throw at them.

*************

"Just what do you think you are doing Lord Roxton?"

"Oh I'm going to get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us you know." Roxton was cocky. That was his downfall.

"Why John I do believe you must be tired. You should get some rest." Marguerite walked up to him, in that bewitching way of hers. He was sitting on her bed. She startled his legs and leaned in towards his ear and whispered, "In your own room, in your own bed." She stood up and stepped back. He hung his head and stood up and walked out of the room.

Usually he would not give up so easily. But to push Marguerite now would simply prompt her to start throwing things at him. 'Yup.Marguerite is definitely feeling better.'

On his way to his own room he distinctly heard Finn exclaim, "Ha! I told you Marguerite would win. Now what am I going to do with my week off?" He heard Finn and Veronica start laughing and a male voice, obviously Malone, groan in reply. 'It seems that our housemates were doing a little gambling. Marguerite and I are going to have fun teaching them that it's not nice to eavesdrop.' He thought as he continued on his way to his room.

Within an hour, they had all settled into a very light sleep. It was about one-thirty in the morning and the sun didn't rise for another four hours.

Roxton suddenly sat straight up. Something wasn't right, he could feel it. He looked around his room searching for the source of his unease. His room was in perfect order. Nothing was out of place. He sat there for a minute, using his finely honed instincts to lock on to what was unnerving him. His eyes widened when he realized that this sensation was not being caused by something in his room, but the room next to his.Marguerite's.

Roxton threw off his blankets and walked quickly but quietly into the room adjacent to his. In his haste he forgot that he was dressed in nothing but his long johns. When he reached the entrance to Marguerite's room he was surprised to find her asleep. He had expected.well he didn't know what he expected, but he certainly expected something.

There was something in her room though. He couldn't see it, but he could sense it. With every step he took into Marguerite's room, he could feel the entity back away. When he reached her bed, it was gone all together. The hunter stood there for a second, not sure of what to do. He decided that he could not leave her alone. Roxton knew that something was there that night, and he was not about to give it a chance to come back. He sat in the chair that Marguerite had in a corner of her room. He stayed there for the rest of the night, and kept watch over his Marguerite.

"John. John! Wake up! What are you doing here? And hardly dressed?!" Marguerite was standing over him. She was wearing her night gown and robe. Roxton could not tell if she was more concerned or angry. He blinked at her, trying to remember what did bring him into her room last night.

"Oh well.I wanted to make sure you didn't have another nightmare, so I just slept here." He gave her his best smile, instantly her anger was gone.

"Did you really think it was necessary to watch over me in your long john's?" The tone that Marguerite used told Roxton that she didn't buy it, but she was going to let it go.this time. He blushed and smiled, but left the room before he was forced to answer her question.

Marguerite smiled at Roxton's obvious care and concern for her. It was nice to have someone who cared so much about her for a change, although at times she just wanted to throw him off a cliff. Marguerite continued thinking about her handsome hunter all while she dressed and packed. 'If only my "friends" back in London could see me now. Giggling like a schoolgirl over Lord Roxton. I suppose that would be one way of dealing with my demons.letting them die of shock.'

**********

"Damn that overprotective ogre and his blasted gifts. With him there I could not even get near the Chosen One! I was told that he did not know of his role in their destiny yet. Now there is no way to stop the Destined Ones from reaching Avalon! No matter. If I can't stop them from getting there, I can at least make the trip a living nightmare." Tempest grinned at his own cunning and began to plan how best to torture the Destined Ones.

Thank you to those of loyal people who have been reviewing my stories.

Hopeless romantic2at: Thanks for listening to me sort out my ideas. I'll never forget you man.

Spirita: Thank you for reading my version of events in the fourth season. It is fun comparing ideas with your story.

Pam: You are such a great friend! Thank you for the reviews and the criticism. They are both very much appreciated. Hope you had fun on your trips.

Taya7: I'm glad you liked my first story. This one is harder because it's longer, more complicated, and not as emotional (yet). But I will try to keep up the tradition.

Angel LeeAnn: It really doesn't matter if you read my first story or not, you can still keep up. The first one was just a very basic introduction to the whole destiny thing. It focused mainly on Marguerite and her "issues."