Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Author's Note: Thanks again for all those who reviewed, I appreciate it!

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Ned reclined on his bed, trying to decide what to do about Finn. Losing his temper only made him look like that bad guy. Veronica obviously couldn't see what was going on, and that seemed to just encourage Finn. So the trick was not to be the bad guy. He didn't know why she disliked him so but something about it seemed oddly familiar. He was still trying to figure out what was familiar about the situation when he fell asleep.

"Good morning, Finn," he said as he entered the room. Finn stopped short, threw him a look and then continued setting the table. "Can I help you with something?" he asked.

Finn threw him another look. "No, thanks," she replied as she set the last of the plates down.

As he walked around the table, Veronica entered with a platter of fruit and toast. Smiling, he pulled out a chair and motioned for her to take a seat. She flashed him a dazzling smile and sat down. He then moved to another chair and held it out for Finn. Finn, unsure of what to do, followed Veronica's example. Still smiling, Ned also sat down and breakfast began. The rest of the day continued without incident. At dinner, he made small talk with the girls. They talked about what Challenger and the others must be doing and when they thought they would be back. After dinner, Ned offered to clear the table and do the dishes. The girls let him and he finished them with more enthusiasm than ever had before. He hummed to himself as he washed up. So far, it seemed his plan was going smoothly.

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"What are you doing here John?" Jessie asked, pleasantly surprised by his appearance in the front parlor.

Roxton smiled as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I'm here to pick up Marguerite. We never got to finish our conversation last night," Roxton explained, a slightly uneasy tone in his voice.

"Well, I thought that was the plan, but when she left this morning she told me that she was going to meet you," Jessie explained, her smile coming strained.

"You mean she's not here?!" he exclaimed. His expression was one of fear and anger.

"No, but she'll probably be home soon," Jessie said trying to soothe him.

He began angrily pacing the room, muttering to himself. Stopping, he turned to "Why would she leave? What was she thinking?! Where...." He threw his hands up in the air and began a laundry list of complaints against Marguerite

Jessie watched as Roxton stomp around her front parlor, loudly questioning his beloved's intelligence, sanity, and thoughtlessness. "Well, I may have a theory," she said hesitantly during a pause in his ranting.

"What?"

Jessie told John about the party last night and how upset it made Marguerite. "She kept telling me that she still had some things to deal with. Things to do before any more of her past caught up with her."

"How many bloody times do I have to go through this with her?" John asked to no one in particular. "I thought I'd convinced her to trust me. That I loved her...." He shook his head, looking thoroughly disgusted and fed up by the whole situation.

Jessie put a hand on his arm. "She knows you love her it's clear to anyone. But you of all people should know that Marguerite would not willing put those she loves in danger. She has to do this on her own, to break ties with her past. Now, settle down and I'll go get some tea for us both."

Roxton sighed exasperatedly but could think of nothing else to do. He could go after her but he had no idea where she'd gone. Waiting around for her to come back didn't seem like a very appealing option either. Unsure of his next move, he dropped down on the couch to think.