A/N: Oct 27, 2012: Another edit... two more to go.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost World.

Chapter 18:

Roxton woke up the next morning, early. He hadn't slept very well and, yet, he couldn't continue to stay in bed. He kept replaying that kiss over and over again. He couldn't believe it. Malone and Marguerite? Marguerite and Malone? Together? It didn't make sense. Nonetheless, he'd seen it with his own eyes. It hurt.

"What did you expect, Roxton, that they'd put their lives on hold, indefinitely? They thought we were dead. They had no reason to believe that we were alive," he said to himself, desperately trying to rationalize the situation.

Entering the kitchen, he was surprised to see Marguerite awake and actually preparing breakfast. And it looked like she was preparing enough for every person on the Plateau. Roxton cringed, remembering she wasn't the greatest cook.

When Marguerite noticed his presence, they stood their staring at each other, she watching him with wonder, he, with love. And then, abruptly, she turned away busying herself with pots and pans.

"Good Morning, John," Marguerite said coolly.

"Morning, Marguerite," he replied, taking a seat at the table.

Neither of them said anything for a good five minutes and then all of the sudden they both blurted out, "We need to talk."

Smiling at each other, Roxton gestured for her to take the seat next to him. She took it, but the silence settled in again. Each of them seemed to be waiting for the other to speak up.

Finally, Roxton decided to go first. "Look, Marguerite, if being with Malone is what makes you happy, I won't stand in your way. All I want for you is to be happy. Is he the one who makes you happy?"

She let out a sigh. "Yes and no."

Roxton winced at her words.

"Listen, Roxton, when I thought you had died I was a mess. I didn't want to believe it. I was so depressed, I thought about… ending it. Malone helped me. He cared for me when I thought I had no one left in my life. He made me want to live again. And I think I helped him, as well. If it wasn't for him I don't know what I would have done."

It was a shock, hearing how bad things had gotten. How could she not come to care for Malone? He'd saved her life. "I understand," he said sadly.

"Do you?" she suddenly demanded, dropping a hand over his, squeezing. "Do you really? Don't you understand that I was ready to die for you? That I'd still die for you?"

The woman in front of him was Marguerite and yet she had changed. Nine months ago, she would have never bared any of her feelings to him. Was this also Malone's doing? If so, he was grateful to him. She was on the verge of telling him her true feelings.

Tears in her eyes, she went on. "Don't you see? I care about you… I—I love you! And if I ever lost you again, I'd surely die."

He quickly pulled her into his arms and she savored his touch.

"I—I didn't know. If I'd known I would have told you sooner. God, Marguerite… I would have told you how much I love you!" he proclaimed. "I've been fighting to get back to you. I promised myself that I'd tell you exactly how I felt. Look at me, Marguerite." She lifted her head and he looked into her beautiful eyes. "I love you with all my heart."

She was torn between telling him how much she loved him again and kissing him like there was no tomorrow.

"Roxton, I— "she started when she heard footsteps approaching.

Roxton followed her gaze and he found an embarrassed looking Malone standing there.

"Sorry, I'll just go—" he said, turning.

"No, no, that's all right," Marguerite said quickly, pulling herself out of Roxton's embrace. She wiped at her eyes. "Come, sit down, have some breakfast."

"All right," Malone said, hesitantly. He approached the table and cast a wary glance at Roxton. When it was apparent that he'd receive no objection from him, he sat down.

"Morning, Roxton," he greeted.

"Malone," Roxton replied.

"Here you go, you two," Marguerite said cheerfully, handing them two heaping plates of food.

Malone dug in right away, while Roxton looked from his plate to Marguerite, to Malone, hesitant to eat.

"This is really good, Marguerite. Thanks," Malone complimented between bites.

Seeing no adverse signs from Malone, Roxton slowly brought a bite to his mouth and tasted it. Surprisingly, it was good.

They continued eating in silence, Finishing, no one else had woken up, and now the silence had taken a turn for the awkward.

Marguerite gazed between the two. "Umm... There's something I have to do in my room. I'll be back in a few minutes," she said quickly, bailing out on the awkwardness.

The two men watched, incredulously, as she flew out of the room. The silence finally became unbearable and so Malone broke it.

"Look, Roxton, I want you to know that Marguerite and I have decided to be just friends. She loves you too much to give you up. And I care about Veronica, a lot."

"Thanks Malone, I think Marguerite and I have settled everything. You don't have to worry," Roxton assured, smiling as he patted Malone on the shoulder.

"Good. I hope we're still friends," Malone stated.

"Of course, I know you all went through a lot. And I understand. I just hope everything goes well between you and Veronica," Roxton replied.

At the mention of her name, Veronica walked into the room, now dressed in her old jungle outfit.

"What about me?" she asked.

Hope you enjoyed!