-The only characters I own are Henry Avigdon, Daniel, Gerard Dupree and Danubis, the rest belong to J&G, Newline, etc.
- To everyone who has read and reviewed my earlier fics, thank you. This is my first Veronica centered story, please be nice, send a review my way.
Choices
"You look beautiful" Veronica gazed into the mirror, for a second not believing that it was her and not some other woman.
"I don't know, Marguerite".
"Ned's eyes are going to pop out when he sees you". Veronica's hair had been pulled off her face, the silver blue dress enhancing her blue eyes and sun kissed skin.
"What is Roxton going say when he sees you?" Veronica teased.
"Lord Roxton has seen more of me that I ever wished" Veronica just rolled her eyes.
Since returning from the cave, Marguerite and Roxton's relationship had intensified. It was a general joke around the tree house that when they went hunting, the rest of the group knew that the trip would last all day and possibly all night. Their engagement once they returned the civilized world was expected, Marguerite glowing about the huge diamond on her left hand.
"Miss Krux, Lord Roxton and Mr. Malone have arrived" Marguerite's butler quietly knocked.
"Thank you, Daniel".
Ned's return to the tree house was an unexpected joy for all the inhabitants, especially Veronica. Compared to Marguerite and Roxton, their courtship had been slow and steady, each day getting a little closer. He had even gone to her mother to ask for permission, despite Veronica's protest that it was unnecessary. Abigail just smiled and gave her permission, knowing that this man was the one for her daughter.
"Miss Krux".
"Lord Roxton".
"Wow, Veronica".
"Put your eyes back in your head, Ned Malone".
"You look beautiful".
"Thank you".
"Your carriage is waiting, Lord Roxton".
"Thank you, Daniel".
"Good night Miss Krux, Miss Layton".
"Good night, Daniel" the door was closed behind them.
"Marguerite, Veronica, you both look lovely" George and Jessie arrived a few moments earlier.
"Thank you, George".
"Champagne?" They were offered.
"Thank you".
They were instantly surrounded by well wishers.
"Mr. Malone" Ned was greeted by Henry Avigdon, the publisher of the London Tribune.
"Mr. Avigdon".
"I read your accounts, absolutely fascinating".
"Thank you sir. Have you met Veronica Layton?".
"The jungle princess? Your even lovelier than the picture in the paper".
"Actually, Veronica was born here, in London. She was an infant when her parents left for the Amazon".
Veronica lightly squeezed his hand. She would let Mr. Avigdon think what he wanted about her, they knew the truth.
"Neddy!"
Gladys approached him, ignoring both Veronica and her father.
"My dear, have you met Miss Layton, Edward's betrothed?".
"I've heard all about Miss Layton" Gladys's smile revealed her true feelings.
"Actually, we are not quite at that point, but perhaps one day soon" London was a different jungle than the plateau, but even here, her instincts were sharp. Gladys was not going to make her time in London easy.
"Darling, they're you are".
"Neddy, this is my fiancé, Gerard Dupree. Gerard, this Edward Malone and Victoria Layton". Gerard Dupree was a Frenchman in his mid 40's with salt and pepper hair.
"Veronica".
"It's a pleasure. Mr. Malone, I've had the pleasure of reading your work. I'm a publisher with several contacts all over the continent. My contacts have read samples of your work and are very eager to meet with you".
"But he must first publish with the London Tribune" Henry countered back.
"I promise you both a chance to publish, excuse us".
Hours later, Roxton's car stood in front of Marguerite's house. Veronica had already said good night to Ned, but Roxton and Marguerite stayed behind.
"Good night, John".
"Marguerite" he growled as he pounced.
"Good night, Lord Roxton" she gently broke the kiss.
"Soon, my love" he reluctantly watched her go.
Inside, Veronica was getting ready for bed.
"Will there be anything else, Miss Layton?" Mary, the young maid assigned to Veronica asked.
"No thank you, Mary, sleep well".
"You too, Miss" the girl quietly left the room.
"What were you and Roxton doing?" Veronica couldn't help but tease the older brunette.
"Something that you and Ned should have been doing long ago".
"Ned's not like that".
"Veronica, I love you dearly, but your jungle naiveté will not work in London".
Veronica rolled her eyes.
"Gladys was not happy that Ned's arm never left yours".
"Her fiancé didn't care".
"He was more interested in publishing Ned's book" Veronica felt a yawn pass through her.
"Good night".
"Good night".
As she got into bed, her mind traveled to the last conversation with her mother. A portal had been found in an unexplored region of the plateau. Now the explorers stood before the Protector, waiting for her permission to start their journey. Finn had chosen to stay behind, only Veronica was unsure. London sounded exciting and different, but the plateau was all she knew.
"Mother, are you sure? What if something happens?" she anxiously questioned.
The Protector hesitated; she knew the danger of Veronica's absence from the plateau. She also remembered fondly her time with Tom in London; they had been her crutch since his death. Furthermore, she knew that Veronica was not alone and there was a way home if necessary.
"I want you to go, Veronica, everything will be fine. You know how to come home if you need to" Abigail assured her daughter.
"What about the tree-house? Challenger's lab will need to be restocked, it will be need to kept clean...".
"I'll be there, Vee. I'll take care of everything".
"Finn, what about London?" Challenger balked. When everyone else would scatter, Finn was eager to assist him, often making his experiments enjoyable and much more interesting.
"Knowing my future, I'd rather enjoy the past".
"Fine, I'll go".
Veronica felt her eyes close as she felt asleep. She knew she would return to the plateau, but for now, London was a strange new world that she was eager to explore.
Back on the plateau, a sudden noise woke Finn.
"Whose there?" she called out, crossbow aimed in the darkness.
There was no one, just the empty tree-house and the sounds of the jungle at night. Convinced that she had gotten too used to living with the others, she fell back asleep. In Avalon, Abigail was preparing for bed as her captain of the guards knocked.
"Everything is secure, milady".
"Thank you, Captain, sleep well".
"Same to you, milady".
All seemed peaceful as the night cloaked the jungle. But all was not peaceful, a dark force was gathering, much darker and more dangerous than anyone would expect.