IF EVERYTHING HAD BEEN DIFFERENT – Chapter 2
AUTHOR: Lady F., Lady K, TowandaBR
DISCLAIMER: All of the characters of the show "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World" are property of John Landis, Telescene, Coote/Hayes, DirecTV, New Line Television, Space, Action Adventure Network, Goodman/Rosen Productions, and Richmel Productions.
SPOILERS: OUT OF TIME
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Note: This is a completed Fic.
English is not our first language so please be nice and review.
Also in Portuguese: "Se Tudo Fosse Diferente".
They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.
Khalil Gibran – 'The Prophet'
It's the dawn of a new day in the plateau. The typical climate of harmony and renewal among the explorers doesn't seem so obvious this morning.
Veronica, despite the adverse opinions about her attitude, installed Tommy, the newest member of the Treehouse, in her room, removing some things that had not been used for a long time, making room for an improvised basket, the same one she had used before for the ape-baby.
Using her imagination, she increased "Tommy's place" as she called it, using her childhood mementos that she kept with a lot of affection. There were some toys that were still well conserved and some also from when she was a baby, besides the lion Edward that she adored and that was her companion when she was 10 years old and her parents disappeared. She wanted just to leave the essential part of her own things.
For two days, Roxton privately observed his friend to arrange everything carefully. Even Malone avoided entering there. It was as if that place had transformed into a refuge of mother and son.
Even when she thought she was not being observed, John noticed as the routine, mainly the morning routine, had changed after the baby's arrival. Veronica had now nocturne's habits. She often had to come in and out of her room, sometimes with a small bottle of hot milk for the baby and other times with cloths and hot water. No matter how long she was the awake, and she often was awaken all night, she didn't get tired, her dedication to the baby was admirable, and this was something that Summerllee noticed very well. But other notable thing was related to the baby's crying that a lot of the times were turning their nights into days. They were restless and the nights badly slept due to the baby's noise only made the climate tenser.
Nobody commented anything, not even a word that could be considered a complaint. Well, it was not really necessary, since it was only a matter to pay attention to the shadows around the eyes of Challenger, or Arthur's tired eyes, or even the bad mood more evident than ever in Marguerite.
Roxton was in the room alone and it was still dawn. He was sleepless and decided to browse a book for maybe bring back his peace. He was leaning in a chair, his long legs crossed, a hand in the back of his head and the other holding the book, when he glanced to Veronica.
"It's late and I can't sleep. I try to read, but I can't concentrate. Veronica woke up and didn't see me here. She went to the kitchen and prepared the food for the child. A side of my mind says that I should be a gentleman and help her. But something inhibits me and I am here, observing her efforts without knowing what I should do".
And during those two days Roxton disappeared for hours and nobody knew where he was.
"Veronica is and is not alone, at the same time. I cannot remain cross-armed just observing this all. She and the baby need my support. They need help... but on the other hand... Dammit! She only wanted to help, it was a human attitude. She risked her life so many times for us and we hardly ever rewarded her with the gratefulness she deserves. Can't we understand that she may wish to save other lives, besides ours? She saved the baby's life and she didn't wait for anything from us, her friends. However, she had a terrible reception from all of us. No exceptions. Even I judged her, but only in the first moment. Now I see that nothing is what seems to be when you look through the eyes of the body and not through the eyes of the heart. It was not the right thing to do, however I am not against her. And I shall never be... And there she comes, for the decimal or twentieth time, leaving the bedroom and returning to the kitchen. Her glance is so lost and so concentrated that she hadn't noticed me once more. I listen to the baby's cry. Really, her dedication is captivating..."
He even tried to prevent Marguerite to accompany him.
At dusk on the third day Roxton appeared with a cradle that he had been doing hidden in the forest. Veronica and the others couldn't see him at the moment, so he entered the bedroom substituting the little basket for the craft cradle where he arranged carefully some linings that would serve as mattress. It was a discreet and affectionate form of showing his support to his friend and to little Tommy. He left a pinned note without signature in the cradle and when Veronica read it she was really touched. The jungle girl was strong, but to be alone with the baby was something different in her life. And knowing that somebody supported her was wonderful, even if it was only one person. And when passing for Roxton she gave him a sad smile in gratitude and the hunter responded with a light nodding of his head.
Only after some days, when entering Veronica's bedroom, Marguerite found out the new cradle and mentioned about it during dinner.
"Hum... It seems that The Red Cross came to the plateau..." She commented bitterly while taking one more sip of wine.
The others looked at her not understanding the situation. John noticed the tone of cynicism in Marguerite's voice and he suspected she had discovered the cradle.
"What?" – Veronica asked.
"Come on, Veronica, don't you know?" - She faced her with a little smile and Veronica just stared back.
"Tell us, Marguerite..." Malone said.
She stared at him and smiled. "It seems that a good soul... That seems to have a name and a last name, gave a cradle for the baby monkey... It is at Veronica's room, and whoever this benefactor was, I will discover him...."
Challenger stopped eating and exchanged glances among Veronica and Marguerite.
Veronica got up and was ready to confront Marguerite, but Malone held her for an arm that she pulled loosening.
"I lost my appetite..." She said going to her bedroom.
Before Veronica closed the door, Marguerite teased. "You forgot the banana for the little monster...." She shook her head and gave a mischievous smile. The door beat with violence.
"Marguerite, couldn't you wait until Veronica finished her dinner?" Challenger faced her and continued to eat.
"Finish?" John was irritate - "What do you mean? That she could tease Veronica if it was after dinner? Is that what you meant, Challenger?!."
Malone faced Marguerite with rage and also left the table.
"How could you say that, Marguerite?" John got up and she looked into his eyes.
"I didn't do anything, Roxton. And mind your own business...."
"You should take care of your own business!... You are the most repugnant person that I've ever met, Marguerite..." He stood back, but turned for her again. "Congratulations, you made all of us loose the appetite..." And he went to his bedroom.
"I think we discovered the good soul...." She arched her left brow and drank a little more wine.
When noticing Summerlee observing her, she stopped eating. "What? Will you also criticize me? Will you combat me?." She crossed her arms over her chest.
Summerlee only shook his head. "I am very disappointed with you, Marguerite... You should never have said that, especially in front of Veronica..." He daintily moved away the plate and got up, also going to his bedroom.
Then, he turned again. "Remember that the worst thing for a human being is the rejection, my dear... More than anybody, you should know that."
Marguerite turned slowly for the table to find Challenger just finishing his dinner, without saying a word.
"Good night, Marguerite..." He rose, but Marguerite didn't listen what he said. The botanist's words still echoed in her ears, making her remind not very pleasant or beautiful things from her childhood.
Veronica was seating besides the cradle with her hands under her chin and her eyes almost closing, showing visible signs of fatigue. Her body was completely sore. But she was happy. Despite everything and everybody, she was happy. She knew that somebody was by her side: a cradle was not an easy thing to do. She looked with love at the baby that slept peacefully. "If Tommy is calm, I am also calm..." She smiled to herself.
Two light knocks on the door brought her back to reality.
"Who is it?."
"It's me, Ned... May I come in?."
She rose and opened the door. "Sure..."
He entered and slowly and went towards the cradle. "How is he?"
"He is better now, his belly-ache is gone..."
Malone observed the boy, but soon he stood back. "Veronica, if you want some help to take care of him, I can...."
"No Ned, everything is fine... I am fine...."
He sighed and looked to the baby once again. "Are you sure?."
She nodded her head. "Yes, no problem... But thank you..."
"Well... Then, if you need me..."
"I will call, I promise..."
He smiled discretely and left the room. Veronica followed him to the door before coming back and sitting down besides the cradle again.
She closed her eyes and breathed heavily. She caught the boy in her arms and reclined on her bed observing him sleeping.
"... I think the others won't accept you, Tommy..." She thought "They are very busy with their own problems... They don't have time for you, my love... But you can be sure... I will always be here, taking care of and protecting you... from anything or anybody who even think to try to do something evil to you... They will see that we are stronger than them all together, my little one... They will see...."
She repeated for herself while caressing the baby's head and finally lying down herself by his side and falling sleep deeply.
John walked through the forest. He was very thoughtful and the last events in the treehouse were leaving the hunter stunned. Not in a bad sense, but because he wanted to help.
"They were never so segregated like this before... What is happening?... It is not that difficult to accept a baby... for me he is a baby as any other, but... I don't know how to deal with that...."
Slowly, he approached the river, stopped down and refreshed himself a little. He drank fresh water. He removed his hat and fanned himself. "It is so hot today..." He looked around verifying his safety. Everything was calm. "I think all the animals are refreshing, taking the day off..."
The day was unbearable hot, very stuffy.
In the Treehouse, Challenger was in his laboratory. Malone and Summerlee were talking in low voice at the balcony, while Marguerite verified some stones she had found close to a waterfall and was studying them better as per Challenger's request.
She balanced her blouse a little. "That's enough, I will take another bath..." She got up and went to the bathroom. It was closed. "Ah, that is good...." She lifted the hands and leaned to the side, waiting impatient.
She heard laughter. Laughter came from inside - Veronica's laughter. She thought she was delirious because of the intense heat, but then she heard again, allowing herself to relax wrapped by the sounds that came there from within.
She got her ear carefully closer to the door.
On the other side, Veronica was bathing Tommy.
He was seating in a great wood basin that was used to wash clothes. Now, it was Tommy's bathtub.
He shook his tinny legs and water splashed everywhere. Veronica had fun either and for each glance of her the baby smiled back at her and shook his legs again, wetting everything.
The bath had finished and Tommy complained for having left the water. Veronica smiled, rolling him up in a towel and left the bathroom.
She still could see somebody moving away, and she recognized the person as being Marguerite.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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