A/N: Oct 21, 2012: I am on a roll with this editing... Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost World.

Chapter 15:

As soon as Rogue had Roxton's wound bandaged, the large group continued their journey at his insistence. He felt well enough to go on. Marguerite and Veronica led the way, each helping Roxton along. On the way, Veronica and Roxton introduced Marguerite to their traveling companions. And soon the conversation switched to more important matters.

"How are Challenger and Ned? Are they all right?" Veronica eagerly asked.

"George is fine, in his lab every single day," Marguerite said, smiling as she thought of her friend and how happy he was about to be.

"And Ned?" Roxton urged.

The smile faded from her face. She couldn't help but remember all of the times they'd shared together in Veronica and Roxton's absence. They'd gotten more than close.

She knew that she should tell them something of what had gone on between her and Ned. Not the whole story, of course, this wasn't the time, or the place for that discussion. But, she needed to say something.

However, the thought of complicating things while in the midst of such a happy moment didn't sit well with her.

"Marguerite? Ned is all right, isn't he?" Veronica asked, growing concerned at her silence.

Making a decision, she answered quickly, "Oh, yes, of course. You know Ned, writing in his journal all the time every chance he can get."

Her friends continued to eye her suspiciously, but at least Veronica looked relieved.

"Thank goodness," Veronica said.

"Good old Neddy boy," Roxton exclaimed. "He must let us read his journals so we can see what you've all been up to."

Marguerite tensed at the thought. "Well you know how Ned is. He likes to keep his thoughts private."

"Then you'll just have to tell us every detail," he replied.

Marguerite knew that he meant it good-naturedly, but it didn't stop the sick feeling she got in the pit of her stomach.

"We will," she assured quickly. "What about you two, what happened?"

"Let's save that tale for when we're all back together," Veronica replied, eager to get to the only place she called home.

Reaching the tree house, it was decided that Marguerite, Roxton, and Veronica would all go up while the others waited down below. They'd come get them once they were all reacquainted.

Marguerite turned to her two friends, joy coming over her at the sight of them in the elevator with her. "Before you two get off the elevator, let me prepare them. It's going to be quite a shock."

The minute they reached the top, Marguerite stepped off the elevator into the main room, to be instantly embraced by Malone.

"Marguerite!" he exclaimed, worriedly. "You scared the hell out of me when I went down to check on you and you weren't there. I came back up to get my gun; I was going to search for you. What happened?"

"I'm sorry," she said guiltily. She really hadn't meant to frighten him. "I went for a walk and I need to tell you something."

"It's all right. I'm just glad you're safe," he replied, ignoring the last bit of her statement. "If anything were to ever happen to you, I don't know what I would do…"

She stared at him tenderly. He really did care about her. She touched his face gently, ready to claim that she was fine and that she could take care of herself, but he had other plans. His lips were on hers quickly, kissing her hungrily.

"What the hell!" a voice yelled from behind them.

Marguerite pushed away from Malone quickly. Malone turned to face the intruder and got the shock of a lifetime.

There, standing within reaching distance, were Roxton and Veronica. Both looked alive and well, but angry and confused.

"Oh my God," Malone breathed out. "You're alive!"

"Yes, we're alive," Veronica answered tersely. Marguerite could see her anger. The young woman was obviously hurt. "Did you even notice we were gone?" she added cuttingly.

Before either Malone or Marguerite could answer, Challenger was rushing up from his lab. "What's all the commotion?"

Seeing the sight before him, Challenger stood stalk still, blinking a couple of times to see if his eyes were playing tricks on him. When they didn't disappear he said wondrously, "My God! John, Veronica is it really you?"

Momentarily forgetting his anger, Roxton answered, "It's us, Challenger."

Challenger walked the few short steps towards them, pausing before engulfing each one in a hearty hug.

"I can't believe this," their friend said laughingly. "How?"

"We'll explain that in a bit, but first we have some companions that would like to come up," Roxton stated.

"I'll get them, you two just sit and relax," Challenger said eagerly.

He headed towards the elevator, turning back to look at them again, as if to make sure they really were there. And with a big grin he disappeared into the elevator.

Once he was out of sight, it didn't take long for an awkward silence to ensue.

"We missed you," Malone said, tentatively moving to hug Veronica.

Anger and hurt were still prominent in her mind, but she couldn't resist his hug, not when she'd waited so long to feel his arms around her.

"So much," he added, pulling back to look her in the eye.

She believed him. But what, exactly, had they walked in on.

Roxton held back, looking from Malone to the woman he loved, suspiciously. "What happened between you two while we were gone?" Roxton asked.

Marguerite shook her head sadly. She took a step closer to him; when he backed up a step, she looked at him with hurt eyes.

"We'll explain everything, soon. Challenger's coming up with the others. Let's get them settled in and then we'll have time to talk," Marguerite assured. "You'll hear our story and we'll hear yours."

Roxton nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. He glanced at Veronica, noticing that she shared his wary look.

"Are those wedding rings on your fingers?" Malone demanded, surprising them out of their worried thoughts.

Veronica and Roxton looked at each other, sharing an embarrassed look.

"I see we're not the only ones who'll have to do some explaining," Marguerite said, scowling fiercely.

Hope you enjoyed and that you'll let me know what you think!