Title: A Trip Home

Author: Arscapi

Spoilers: None, although it's set after season 3.

Author's Note: A special thanks to Tris, without whom you'd have to suffer though horrific grammar and an unfinished story. Oh! When you see these marks it's a scene change with the same characters and means scene change to different characters. Sorry they're so similar but fanfic won't accept anything else.

Rating: PG for language

Disclaimer: Lost World does not belong to me. If it did it'd still be on the air. ( I'm just borrowing the characters for a while to ... well read the story and find out.)

Now on with the show.

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Chapter 1
"It's bittersweet coming home without Malone and Summerlee," Marguerite remarked as she stood on the deck of the ship.

"I know what you mean. All these crowds celebrating our return, and they're not here to share it with," Roxton said, putting an arm around her.

"We'll get back to them as soon as we can," Challenger said, looking out at the crowds that lined the harbor.

The ship was slowly moving toward Plymouth. From the deck they could make out thousands of people lining the shoreline, something Challenger had often dreamed of while on the Plateau. The people began cheering as the ship closed on the harbor. Challenger began to scan the crowds impatiently.

"Well George, ready to rewrite the history books?" Roxton asked as the ship docked.

"Without a doubt," Challenger said, shouldering the bag that had been at his feet. Roxton and Marguerite shared a smile. The bag held the most conclusive evidence that they had found the plateau. Together, the three of them stepped off the ship and were greeted by a huge roar from the crowd. The reporters were the first to rush them but the explorers refused to make any comments. Challenger, falling into his familiar lecture mode, started speaking but the others reminded him they owed the Herald-Tribune the exclusive they'd promised Ned that they would. At the end of the harbor they were meet by members of the Zoological Society, as well as Jessie Challenger and the Lady Roxton. As Challenger swept Jessie into an embrace, Lady Roxton approached her son.

"John it's good to see you," Lady Roxton said, embracing her son.

"Mother, it has been a long time," Roxton said, a little embarrassed by his absence.

Sensing her son's discomfort, Lady Roxton quickly changed the subject. "John, where are your manners? Aren't you going to introduce me to the lovely lady?"

John smiled and automatically turned to Marguerite. "Mother, allow me to introduce Miss Marguerite Krux. Marguerite, my mother, the Lady Roxton," he said.

"A pleasure to meet you," Marguerite said with a small curtsey.

"You too my dear. We must get together very soon so you can tell me how my son behaved," Lady Roxton said with a smile.

"Mother, please," Roxton said, rolling his eyes.

"Excuse me," their host from the Zoological Society spoke up. "If we could possible get in the cars and be on our way."

"Of course, of course," Challenger said, his arm still around Jessie. "Everyone into the cars," he ordered.

"We're all very excited to hear about your discoveries," their host said once the car had started. "Yes, well, as soon as we get a chance to freshen up after our trip." Marguerite cut Challenger off before he could agree.

"Well, naturally," their host replied looking a little chagrined.

They were almost finished freshening up when a there was a small knock on the door. "These people really need to learn some patience," Marguerite said as she continued to sort plant samples.

"It could be important," Roxton said, opening the door.

"Lord Roxton," a female voice said.

"Yes, and you are," Roxton questioned stepping forward.

"My name is Gladys, and I must speak with Edward Malone immediately," the young blond answered.

"I'm sorry but Ned isn't with us," Roxton explained as Challenger and Marguerite abandoned their work to examine the new arrival.

Gladys' eyes widened in shock. "Poor Neddy isn't...I mean, he hasn't...met with an unfortunate accident, has he?" she asked breathlessly, looking very pale.

"Oh no, nothing of the sort," Challenger hastily reassured her as he and Roxton led the faint-looking woman to a nearby chair. Marguerite simply snorted in disgust at the show, folding her arms across her chest.

"Oh, I'm so relieved. I would have felt terrible if something had happened to him," Gladys confided, flashing the men a coy smile. Seconds later, her face fell as the information sank in. "But if he's not here, how can I tell him?"

"We'd be happy to pass along any message you might have for Ned," Roxton gallantly offered, which earned him a huff of impatience from Marguerite. She rolled her eyes as the men continued to fawn over Gladys. Who, now that she had met her, didn't seem as bright, charming, witty, or wonderful, as Ned had attempted to make her sound when they first arrived on the plateau.

Gladys frowned prettily, and then nodded her head as if making up her mind. "I suppose that would work. Very well. Please tell him I'm very sorry I couldn't tell him in person, but I'm married now and I don't want him to carry any false hope for the future." Mistaking the trio's silence and not-so-covert glances for shock, she continued. "You see, Ned and I had spoken of engagement, but nothing very serious."

"Apparently only to you," Marguerite murmured, her temper starting to rise. Roxton made an abortive hand gesture, which earned him a scowl. Gladys however, was too wrapped up in her narrative to notice.

"Ned was so in love with me, and he wanted to prove himself worthy. That's the reason he went on your expedition. He's not really an man of action," she confided, completely missing Marguerite's indignant expression.

Challenger, knowing the dangers of letting Marguerite's temper loose, quickly interceded. "I can assure you madam, that Ned had long ago realized that he was not destined to share his future with you."

"Thank God," Marguerite ground out as Roxton walked towards her with a warning look.

Gladys, focusing on Challenger, smiled brightly. "Oh, I feel so much better now. Poor Ned, I never really did feel the way about him that he felt about me. I'm so glad he came to his senses."

"So are we," Marguerite said with false cheer. Challenger and Roxton both recognized that tone and cringed. "If you don't mind my asking, who did you marry?"

"Sir Robin Ashcroft," she answered with a sigh and a smile. Demurely looking at the floor, she missed the looks of amazement and amusement that Roxton and Marguerite shared. Roxton coughed to hide his snicker as Marguerite's smile turned into a full-fledged grin.

"You married Sir Robin Ashcroft? Well then, congratulations are in order. If any two people were better suited to each other, I've never met them," Marguerite said sweetly. Challenger looked alarmed at the rapid change in her tone, which, from his experience, was never a good thing. "I'm sure the two of you will be very happy."

"Yes, thank you." Gladys looked confused at Marguerite's 'sudden' leap into the conversation. She rose to her feet. "Now that we've gotten that all cleared up...."

Marguerite gave her a charming smile and started ushering to the door. "Everyone can move on from here. I will personally give Ned your message the moment I set eyes upon him," she assured her. "Now if you'll excuse us, we simply must finish preparing for Professor Challenger's lecture."

"Oh, of course. Forgive me for intruding," Gladys stammered, unsure exactly what was going on.

"Congratulations again," Marguerite said as she opened the door and shooed Gladys out.

Gladys turned to respond when the door abruptly closed.

Marguerite was valiantly trying to hold in her laughter. Failing miserably, she sagged against the door, shaking with laughter. Roxton joined in a moment later, leaning against a chair for support.

"Really Marguerite," Challenger said, looking at the two of them like they were misbehaving children.

"I waited until after she left," Marguerite protested as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Besides, you're just upset that you don't get the joke."

"Well, if one of you two would be so kind as to explain it to me," Challenger huffed as he settled himself back into his chair and gathered up his notes.

Roxton cleared his throat as he returned to his seat. "The joke George, is that Sir Robin Ashcroft is, well, to put it as politely as possible-"

"Is a blustering, incompetent, boorish idiot," Marguerite helpfully supplied as she settled on the arm of his chair.

"Not quite the way I would have put it, but accurate enough."

Challenger looked at the two of them thoughtfully. "I suppose this whole turn of events has worked out favorably then."

"Are you kidding? This is fantastic! As if that vapid little twit deserved Ned!" Marguerite said disappearing into the next room to freshen up.

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