A/N: Oct 28, 2012: Edited. Here's the second to last chapter. And after re-reading this one, I've got to say, I love this chapter. Hope you enjoy, too!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost World.
Chapter 19:
"Veronica, hi… good morning… uh how are you?" Malone stuttered, when he saw her approach.
Even though she was supposed to be mad at him, she still couldn't help the smile that came to her face when she saw him sitting there, looking all nervous to see her.
"Morning Malone," she greeted. She turned her smile on the other occupant in the room. "Good morning, Roxton."
"Good morning, Veronica. Sleep well?" Roxton asked, since Malone was still to flustered to speak.
Taking the chair next to Roxton, she answered, "Very, thank you for asking. So who made breakfast?"
She began to pick at the array of food on the table. And just as she was about to pop a piece into her mouth, Malone replied, "Marguerite did."
"Oh," she said, shuddering a little; she put the food down.
Roxton gave her a grin. "That was my reaction, exactly. But, it seems like Marguerite took some cooking lessons while we were gone…"
Veronica eyed him warily, as she tentatively popped some hash browns into her mouth. "Mmm..." she murmured, chewing a bit. "This is… it's actually quite good."
"What's good?" Lex asked as he walked into the room.
"Breakfast," Veronica replied, smiling at the man.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" the man asked, pulling a chair up to sit right next to Veronica.
Malone glared at the man. Who did he think he was, attempting to move in on Veronica, just like that? Lex blatantly ignored him.
"I thought Roxton could show Clark and I around this place. I'd like to see the dinosaurs. Of course, you'd have to come, too, Veronica, we need your protection."
She giggled at his words.
Malone couldn't believe it, she actually giggled. This was not good. He had to say something.
"Actually, Lana and Chloe were saying they were interested in seeing some of the civilizations here on the Plateau. I thought maybe you could take them to see the Zanga," Malone suggested. "Since Assai doesn't know you're back yet."
"Oh my God. You're right, Ned," Veronica exclaimed. She turned back to Lex. "Sorry, Lex, but you'll have to do without my protection for today."
"That's all right, but if I die it's your fault," he joked with her.
Malone didn't miss the evil eye that was sent his way.
He ignored the hunter and went back to considering Veronica. He needed to talk to her and soon. But, when they'd have a moment alone, he had no idea. It seemed he'd have to create one.
"Veronica, do you mind if we go down to the ground? I'd like to um...talk to you alone, if that's all right with you?" he asked quickly.
"Sure," she replied slowly, having an idea of what this was about.
They stood up and left the room quickly.
Once they were gone, Lex spoke up, "What was that all about?"
"That, my friend, is something that you should definitely not mess with," Roxton replied knowingly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" the younger man asked, confused.
"It means that those two are meant to be," Roxton answered. "And you won't be getting anywhere with Veronica."
Lex sullenly began to eat his breakfast, silence falling at the table. They sat that way for a few minutes until Pietro and Rogue stepped into the room together. They exchanged pleasantries before getting down to business.
"So, who will you be joining today? Lex, Clark and I are going to explore. While the girls are going down to a local village," Roxton told them.
The married couple exchanged a glance before Rogue said, as if it were obvious, "We thought we'd just stay here."
"Challenger seems to be a very intelligent man; we'd like to see what he's been up to," Pietro added.
"Suit yourselves. That just leaves Marguerite and Malone unaccounted for," Roxton commented, leaving him to wonder just what they would get up to that day.
Once they reached the ground, Malone and Veronica walked together in silence, stopping once they'd gone around the tree twice. The moment felt awkward, nothing like the semi-intimate moments they used to share. Their gazes seemed to look everywhere but at each other.
After a few minutes of this, Veronica finally blurted out, "Oh for God's sake, this is ridiculous."
Malone finally met her gaze, letting out a sigh. "I know what you mean. This shouldn't be so hard. I mean, we do care for each other, don't we?"
She nodded her head emphatically. "Tell me how you really feel about me," Veronica urged.
Malone turned away, staring off into the distance. "You know how I feel. You've known ever since I met you."
"But, I want to hear the words," she lamented, irrational tears forming in her eyes. "I want to hear you say it."
He turned to face her; she was shocked at the intensity of his gaze. "From the moment I first saw you, I knew I was in love," he said wholeheartedly. She gasped in surprise. "I've always loved you and I've never, ever, stopped loving you."
Malone took one of her hands in his; he looked into her eyes, waiting for her response.
A tear slipped down her cheek as she broke her gaze from his. "But… but what about Marguerite?" She needed to know. "From the way you two explained things, your relationship sounded serious…."
He shook his head. "Veronica, Marguerite and I are over. We were over the second you two returned. We care for each other, but we care for you two so much more!" He ran a shaky hand through his hair. "We would never have happened if you and Roxton had never fallen off the cliff."
Veronica continued to eye him warily until he declared, "Marguerite loves Roxton too much to give him up. And I, I love you so much. I'd choose you every time."
He looked into her eyes; he could still see the hint of hesitation there, so he added, "You don't have to worry about me and Marguerite, but maybe I need to worry about you not picking me…When you have someone like Lex going after you, how could I compare?"
"Me and Lex?" she replied incredulously. "Don't be ridiculous, Ned. I just met him and though he's a nice guy, he's just one big flirt."
Looking sheepish, he said, "Oh."
"Besides," she began slowly, taking a step towards him. She took his other hand in her free one, pulling him closer. "There's only one person I have ever loved and could ever love…" Malone lifted his eyes to hers, hopeful. "And that's you."
Words weren't needed just then. In fact, in a moment like this a gesture could convey a thousand words. He did what he'd been craving to do since the moment she'd walked off that elevator. He pulled on their entwined hands, bringing her into his embrace, and he kissed her. A kiss that said everything.
Soon after Veronica and Malone had descended from the tree house, Lex excused himself from the breakfast table. "I think I'll go get some things together before we leave. And maybe I'll wake those other lazy bones up, too."
"You do that," Roxton replied, content to just sit there and wait.
As it were, he didn't have to wait long. As Lex stood up to leave, Marguerite reentered the room.
"Thanks for breakfast, Marguerite," Lex complimented as he passed her on the way.
She smiled in reply and then took a seat next to Roxton.
"I never knew you were such a good cook," Roxton commented.
"I learned," she replied, vaguely. "So um... where did Malone go?"
"He's outside, speaking with Veronica," he said. He eyed her carefully, looking to see what reaction those words would receive.
"Good," she exclaimed, surprising Roxton. "I hope they work everything out and finally admit that they belong together."
Roxton nodded his head. He couldn't agree more.
In light of this new information he suggested, "You know, we should really finish our talk."
"What else is there to say?" she asked quizzically.
He stared at her with wide eyes, exclaiming exasperatedly, "Don't tell me you've forgotten everything we've said to each other already? You told me you loved me and I told you the same."
She gave him a small smile. "Of course I haven't forgotten. I do love you and now we can be together," she said, calmly. "What more is there to it?"
Flustered by her practical-ness, he stuttered out, "I ...I want you to be mine and only mine."
"Done," she replied with an air of serenity.
"I don't want you out of my sight, not ever," he said adamantly.
"Done."
"And you must come back to England and marry me," he blurted out. That put a smug smile on his face when he saw he'd actually shocked her.
"What?" she exclaimed.
"Marry me, Marguerite," he pleaded, taking her hands into his. "We can spend the rest of our lives together side by side."
"But, but you're already married," she replied, trying to process what he just said.
"That will be taken care of as soon as we get back to London," Roxton assured, smiling at her. If that was her only objection, then he was about to hear what he'd always wanted to hear.
She went quiet for a second before she whispered the word, "Yes."
"What?" Roxton asked, needing to make sure he'd heard right.
"Yes, I'll marry you," she spoke up, her response completely heartfelt.
Wide grins overtook both of them before they laughed out their happiness.
Roxton quickly took her into his arms and kissed her for all he was worth. After a minute of 'celebrating', they heard the sound of someone clearing their throat; reluctantly, they released.
"Hello, you two," Veronica greeted, smiling happily at them.
"Hello," Roxton replied, grinning. "Veronica, do you mind if we get a divorce? There's someone else I'm dying to marry."
"Not in the least, Roxton," Veronica replied, taking Ned's hand.
That's it for this one. Hope you'll let me know what you think. Thanks!