A/N: If you're still reading this, thank you! I know I tend to appear and disappear randomly. Time constraints have been terrible. But, I received an e-mail request to continue, and things are calming down a bit. So, I'm going to try very hard to do a chapter a week. I know its not a lot, but hopefully, the story will be worth it. I've had it planned out for some time now, and I'm too caught up in it to abandon it. Hope you enjoy!!
Veronica's eyes slowly peeled open, and a smile spread across her face. She had two reasons for her happy demeanor this morning. The first was being reunited with her mother. Veronica had dreamt of that moment since she was eleven years old. And when she saw her mother again, it was like no time had passed. Being with her again offered a comfort that Veronica hadn't felt since she was a child.
The second reason for Veronica's happiness was Ned. She had missed him so much while he was away, and now things were better than ever since they had admitted their feelings for each other. Last night had been wonderful, though it hadn't been a late night as both were exhausted from traveling. They had shared many soft, sweet kisses before Ned tucked her into bed and went back across the hall to his own room. Part of Veronica wished that he had stayed in her room, but there was another part that loved him more for wanting to take their relationship one step at a time.
Still lost in thought, Veronica rose from her bed and began to dress. Then, she proceeded to the courtyard to meet her mother for breakfast. As she stepped outside, she noticed her mother and Shonto in conversation. Instead of the billowing gown of the night before, her mother was dressed in Avatar garb, just as she was on the day that she left Veronica as a child. Veronica noticed that her mother and Shonto were both smiling. Upon seeing Veronica approaching, Shonto briefly took Abby's hand into his, kissed her cheek and left.
"Good morning, darling," Abby said, hugging her daughter.
"Good morning, Mom," Veronica replied.
Abby looked a little apprehensive as she led Veronica over to the gazebo in the center of the courtyard. There was a large spread of fruits on the table, as well as tea and juice. As the ladies sat down, Abby said, "I suppose you saw the exchange between Shonto and me just now," she said.
"Yes," Veronica replied. "I sensed last night that there was something going on between you."
Abby cast her eyes down. "Is it that obvious?"
"Yes," Veronica replied, smiling. "And I want you to know that I'm happy for you."
Abby looked up, happily surprised. "Oh Veronica, really?"
"Of course, Mother. I mean, all I ever wanted was to have you and Daddy back in my life again. You seem to know what has been going on with me since you left, so I'm guessing that you know that until recently, I didn't remember what happened the day you left. I thought that you and Daddy went out to collect samples. I blocked out the memories of Daddy's death." Both Veronica and Abby had tears in their eyes as Veronica continued. "But now that I remember what happened, and I know that Daddy has been gone for years, all I want is for you to move on with your life and be happy. And I know Daddy would want you to be happy too."
"I'm so glad that you understand. Your father was a wonderful man, and no one could ever replace him. For a long time, I didn't think I would ever be able to love anyone again. Shonto has been my trusted friend and advisor for years. But recently, within the last year, things began to change between us. It's an amazing feeling to wake up one morning and realize that you're in love with your best friend."
Veronica couldn't help but smile. "I know exactly what you mean," she said.
"Yes," Abby replied, "I can tell that things are going well between you and Ned. Tell me about him."
"He's wonderful, Mom. I only wish it hadn't taken me so long to realize it. When the Challenger Expedition first came to the Plateau, I felt something between Ned and me, but things always seemed to get in our way. He had a girl back home who was more interested in being with an adventurer. After awhile, I think he accepted that she wouldn't wait for him. But at that point, my first priority was searching for you and Daddy, and I think I guarded my heart against him. So, his head started being turned by other women that we met on our travels. I struggled with my feelings for so long. Finally, I told him we could only be friends. But, when he went away to travel the Plateau, I realized that I was in love with him. Recently, we admitted our feelings to each other, and things are starting to look up. I have to admit though, I'm still scared. Not of Ned, but of this quest you're sending us on. If I fail, you said I have to stay on the Plateau. And if I stay here, I lose Ned. He's not like Daddy, Mom. He wouldn't be content here. Even if he did stay at first, he would eventually become miserable and he would have to go back to his world. And I'm torn, Mom. If I do succeed on this quest, I can go to London with Ned. But I'll have to leave you just when I've found you again."
"Oh Veronica! I'm so sorry you're in this position. I wish I didn't have to send you on this quest. But it's your destiny. . . our destiny. I'm going to do everything I can to see that you succeed on it. And as for what happens afterwards, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. However, if you do succeed on your quest, I would advise you to go on with your life and go to London with Ned. I would never want you to give up your happiness with him to stay here with me. Besides, if this quest is successful, you will be able to come and go from the Plateau when and if you please." Abby could see the mixture of hope and fear in Veronica's eyes. "But enough about that. There will be plenty of time for talk of the quest at lunch with the others. I want to hear more about you. It's true that I know some things about your life since we've been apart, but not nearly as much as I'd like to." So, Veronica proceeded to tell her mother about her childhood with Assai and Danu as playmates, her close ties with the Zanga and the Amazon over the years, and all of the many adventures that had occurred when the Challenger Expedition found its way onto the Plateau. When Veronica began to talk about Summerlee, she noticed a strange look pass over her mother's face. She was about to question it, when they were interrupted by one of the Avatar's, who needed to call Abby away. "Veronica, dear, I'm sorry. I need to take care of a few matters this morning, but I will be back here for lunch in a few hours, and we will discuss the quest that you and your friends will embark on." She paused, looked at Veronica, and smiled. "Thank you for sharing your memories. It means so much to me to know what it was like for you growing up." Veronica wordlessly stood up and hugged her mother. "I'll see you soon, darling," Abby said, as she started to walk with the Avatar warrior. "Bye, Mom," Veronica replied. She sat down again and continued to drink her juice.
Meanwhile, back in the palace, Marguerite lazily rolled over to avoid the sunlight that was streaming into the window. When she reached for a pillow, she was startled to find Lord John Roxton on the other side of the bed.
"Roxton! What are you still doing here?" she loudly whispered, shaking him.
Roxton awoke abruptly, confused by the heiress's behavior. "What do you mean what am I doing here? Don't you remember what went on last night?"
A smile played on Marguerite's lips as she thought back to the events of the previous night. "Of course I remember. What I meant was, I thought you would go back to your own room before daybreak, so that no one would catch us here like this."
"Oh surely you're not getting modest on me now. It's not in your nature." Roxton said, pulling her in for a kiss.
Marguerite returned his kiss, then pulled away. "You're right. Modesty isn't in my nature. But neither is disrespect, and I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, and I certainly do not want Veronica's mother to know what we've been doing in her house."
Roxton nodded. Marguerite was right. And for his part, he hadn't been acting like much of a gentleman lately. But he couldn't help it. The heiress had a maddening way of making him forget himself. He rose, put on his robe, and leaned down to the bed for one more kiss. "Want to take a walk around the grounds before lunch?" he asked.
Marguerite nodded. "Meet me downstairs in half an hour."
Finn was just stepping out of her room, when she heard Marguerite's door open. She stepped back into her room, and peaked through the doorway to see Roxton, clad in a robe, exiting the room. Finn stifled a giggle as he crept soundlessly into his own room.
A/N: The next chapter will be the meeting about the quest!!
Veronica's eyes slowly peeled open, and a smile spread across her face. She had two reasons for her happy demeanor this morning. The first was being reunited with her mother. Veronica had dreamt of that moment since she was eleven years old. And when she saw her mother again, it was like no time had passed. Being with her again offered a comfort that Veronica hadn't felt since she was a child.
The second reason for Veronica's happiness was Ned. She had missed him so much while he was away, and now things were better than ever since they had admitted their feelings for each other. Last night had been wonderful, though it hadn't been a late night as both were exhausted from traveling. They had shared many soft, sweet kisses before Ned tucked her into bed and went back across the hall to his own room. Part of Veronica wished that he had stayed in her room, but there was another part that loved him more for wanting to take their relationship one step at a time.
Still lost in thought, Veronica rose from her bed and began to dress. Then, she proceeded to the courtyard to meet her mother for breakfast. As she stepped outside, she noticed her mother and Shonto in conversation. Instead of the billowing gown of the night before, her mother was dressed in Avatar garb, just as she was on the day that she left Veronica as a child. Veronica noticed that her mother and Shonto were both smiling. Upon seeing Veronica approaching, Shonto briefly took Abby's hand into his, kissed her cheek and left.
"Good morning, darling," Abby said, hugging her daughter.
"Good morning, Mom," Veronica replied.
Abby looked a little apprehensive as she led Veronica over to the gazebo in the center of the courtyard. There was a large spread of fruits on the table, as well as tea and juice. As the ladies sat down, Abby said, "I suppose you saw the exchange between Shonto and me just now," she said.
"Yes," Veronica replied. "I sensed last night that there was something going on between you."
Abby cast her eyes down. "Is it that obvious?"
"Yes," Veronica replied, smiling. "And I want you to know that I'm happy for you."
Abby looked up, happily surprised. "Oh Veronica, really?"
"Of course, Mother. I mean, all I ever wanted was to have you and Daddy back in my life again. You seem to know what has been going on with me since you left, so I'm guessing that you know that until recently, I didn't remember what happened the day you left. I thought that you and Daddy went out to collect samples. I blocked out the memories of Daddy's death." Both Veronica and Abby had tears in their eyes as Veronica continued. "But now that I remember what happened, and I know that Daddy has been gone for years, all I want is for you to move on with your life and be happy. And I know Daddy would want you to be happy too."
"I'm so glad that you understand. Your father was a wonderful man, and no one could ever replace him. For a long time, I didn't think I would ever be able to love anyone again. Shonto has been my trusted friend and advisor for years. But recently, within the last year, things began to change between us. It's an amazing feeling to wake up one morning and realize that you're in love with your best friend."
Veronica couldn't help but smile. "I know exactly what you mean," she said.
"Yes," Abby replied, "I can tell that things are going well between you and Ned. Tell me about him."
"He's wonderful, Mom. I only wish it hadn't taken me so long to realize it. When the Challenger Expedition first came to the Plateau, I felt something between Ned and me, but things always seemed to get in our way. He had a girl back home who was more interested in being with an adventurer. After awhile, I think he accepted that she wouldn't wait for him. But at that point, my first priority was searching for you and Daddy, and I think I guarded my heart against him. So, his head started being turned by other women that we met on our travels. I struggled with my feelings for so long. Finally, I told him we could only be friends. But, when he went away to travel the Plateau, I realized that I was in love with him. Recently, we admitted our feelings to each other, and things are starting to look up. I have to admit though, I'm still scared. Not of Ned, but of this quest you're sending us on. If I fail, you said I have to stay on the Plateau. And if I stay here, I lose Ned. He's not like Daddy, Mom. He wouldn't be content here. Even if he did stay at first, he would eventually become miserable and he would have to go back to his world. And I'm torn, Mom. If I do succeed on this quest, I can go to London with Ned. But I'll have to leave you just when I've found you again."
"Oh Veronica! I'm so sorry you're in this position. I wish I didn't have to send you on this quest. But it's your destiny. . . our destiny. I'm going to do everything I can to see that you succeed on it. And as for what happens afterwards, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. However, if you do succeed on your quest, I would advise you to go on with your life and go to London with Ned. I would never want you to give up your happiness with him to stay here with me. Besides, if this quest is successful, you will be able to come and go from the Plateau when and if you please." Abby could see the mixture of hope and fear in Veronica's eyes. "But enough about that. There will be plenty of time for talk of the quest at lunch with the others. I want to hear more about you. It's true that I know some things about your life since we've been apart, but not nearly as much as I'd like to." So, Veronica proceeded to tell her mother about her childhood with Assai and Danu as playmates, her close ties with the Zanga and the Amazon over the years, and all of the many adventures that had occurred when the Challenger Expedition found its way onto the Plateau. When Veronica began to talk about Summerlee, she noticed a strange look pass over her mother's face. She was about to question it, when they were interrupted by one of the Avatar's, who needed to call Abby away. "Veronica, dear, I'm sorry. I need to take care of a few matters this morning, but I will be back here for lunch in a few hours, and we will discuss the quest that you and your friends will embark on." She paused, looked at Veronica, and smiled. "Thank you for sharing your memories. It means so much to me to know what it was like for you growing up." Veronica wordlessly stood up and hugged her mother. "I'll see you soon, darling," Abby said, as she started to walk with the Avatar warrior. "Bye, Mom," Veronica replied. She sat down again and continued to drink her juice.
Meanwhile, back in the palace, Marguerite lazily rolled over to avoid the sunlight that was streaming into the window. When she reached for a pillow, she was startled to find Lord John Roxton on the other side of the bed.
"Roxton! What are you still doing here?" she loudly whispered, shaking him.
Roxton awoke abruptly, confused by the heiress's behavior. "What do you mean what am I doing here? Don't you remember what went on last night?"
A smile played on Marguerite's lips as she thought back to the events of the previous night. "Of course I remember. What I meant was, I thought you would go back to your own room before daybreak, so that no one would catch us here like this."
"Oh surely you're not getting modest on me now. It's not in your nature." Roxton said, pulling her in for a kiss.
Marguerite returned his kiss, then pulled away. "You're right. Modesty isn't in my nature. But neither is disrespect, and I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, and I certainly do not want Veronica's mother to know what we've been doing in her house."
Roxton nodded. Marguerite was right. And for his part, he hadn't been acting like much of a gentleman lately. But he couldn't help it. The heiress had a maddening way of making him forget himself. He rose, put on his robe, and leaned down to the bed for one more kiss. "Want to take a walk around the grounds before lunch?" he asked.
Marguerite nodded. "Meet me downstairs in half an hour."
Finn was just stepping out of her room, when she heard Marguerite's door open. She stepped back into her room, and peaked through the doorway to see Roxton, clad in a robe, exiting the room. Finn stifled a giggle as he crept soundlessly into his own room.
A/N: The next chapter will be the meeting about the quest!!