"You would not believe the commotion out there," Lady Roxton announced as she entered the Challenger's cabin where the second Challenger Expedition had gathered to go over the finer points of their itinerary. "It is a good thing you decided to leave now, before anyone else finds out. Though I will miss you all terribly." She sat down near her son, enjoying his cheerful expression. She had not seen him this happy and relaxed in quite some time.

"You could always come with us Mother," Roxton offered.

"Oh no, dear. I am afraid I am far too accustomed to modern society to go trekking through the jungle and live on your plateau. Besides, the last thing you newlyweds need is me tagging along."

"We would love to have you with us," Marguerite quickly countered. "But perhaps more than anyone here, I understand needing the creature comforts of home."

Roxton snickered but was silenced by his bride's elbow. "I don't know what you're laughing at, Lord Roxton. You're the one who's carrying those necessities back to the treehouse for me," she informed him.

The ship's horn blasted, reminding visitors that the ship was departing soon.

"Goodbye, my dears," Lady Roxton said, hugging each member of the party. "Be sure to tell that Mr. Malone what excitement and sensation his journals caused. I wish I could have met him as well."

"The next time we come home, we'll bring the whole family with us," Challenger promised as the final call for visitors was announced.

Roxton accompanied her to the gangplank and hugged her again, paying no attention to the small group of reporters and curious onlookers that had gathered on the dock. "Goodbye Mother," he whispered as he held her tightly.

"Goodbye Johnny," she whispered back as she released him. Taking a good look at him, she brushed a lock of unruly hair off his brow before gently kissing his cheek. "Take care of yourself and my new daughter."

"Always," he vowed, a familiar grin on his face. "We'll be back before you know it."

"I expect a grandchild soon, John. I'm quite tired of listening to the stories told by other ladies. I feel that I'm entitled to do some bragging of my own," Lady Roxton teased, trying to lighten the mood. To her amusement, John blushed and cleared his throat before stammering out, "Uh, umm, well...."

With a satisfied smile, Lady Roxton turned and walked down the gangplank, leaving a very flustered son in her wake.

"It's so beautiful here," Jessie commented as the explorers walked back to the tree house. She leaned over to get a better view of some orchids that lined the path, absently brushing the pistol now holstered at her waist. The others had explained how it was a necessity, and John and Marguerite had taken turns on the long trip up the Amazon instructing her until they felt she was no longer a danger to herself and others. Marguerite, Roxton, and George all made sure to keep Jessie safely ensconced between them at all times.

Roxton and Marguerite exchanged smiles and took a look around the place they now called home. "Be careful," Roxton cautioned, making sure it wasn't a mimic flower Jessie was admiring. "Many of the beautiful things here have a habit of attacking us."

Jessie took him seriously and quickly caught up with the group. "We're nearly there," Challenger called to his wife, a grin splitting his face.

"It's about time. I, for one, cannot stand to spend another night sleeping on the ground," Marguerite complained as she wiped her face on her sleeve. Looking at her sleeves and then at her hands, she sighed in disgust. "Oh well, we're almost there." She brightened and turned to face her husband. "Just think, we can shower once we get there."

"Yes, my queen. Your every wish will be attended to," Roxton teased, remembering the last time he hear Marguerite singing in the shower.

They arrived at the tree house nearly an hour later, all the while pointing out important landmarks and locations of past events to Jessie.

As they approached the electric fence, Roxton cupped his hands around his mouth and called up to the tree house. "Hello? Anybody home?"

Veronica and Finn both froze as they heard the familiar, welcomed voice call from below. "Is that...." Veronica trailed off as she put down her paintbrush and headed out onto the balcony. Finn hopped down out of the rafters and followed. "Roxton?!"

"Who else," he called up with a laugh. The small group paused only for a moment to wave at them. "We'll be up in a minute."

Veronica nodded and turned towards the elevator when Finn tapped her on the shoulder. "Ummm...Vee, is it just me or did they come back with an extra person?"

It seemed like an eternity until the elevator crept into view. Both girls waited until it creaked to a stop and their friends climbed out before squealing in delight and rushing the group. The next few minutes were a flurry of hugs, questions, and conversations. After about five minutes, the commotion calmed down enough for Jessie to be introduced to the girls and the girls to be introduced to Jessie.

"It is a pleasure to meet you finally," Jessie said as she happily studied them. Early in his return, she and George had spent many hours discussing his plateau family and the life they lived there. He had told her that while the girls were 'unorthodox', she would happily have had any one of them as a daughter. He was right. They were exactly they way she had pictured the children she and George should have had. "I've heard so much about you."

"We've heard a lot about you too," Veronica said, enjoying having her family back. She glanced over at Finn, who was rocking back and forth on her heels and biting her bottom lip. She looked about ready to crawl out of her skin. "We've got a surprise for you."

"Really? We have a surprise for you too," John said with a smile as he slipped his hand into Marguerite's. She beamed at him, and nearly laughed at the look on Finn's face. Before they could get any further they heard crashing outside.

"VERONICA! FINN! I could use a little help!" Ned's cries filtered up from below. A series of familiar chittering snarls grew louder.

Marguerite was the first to the balcony, saw Ned throw himself through the gate and slam it closed again. Without thinking, she drew her pistol and began firing at the raptors that were chasing him. She quickly dropped one of trio as the leader slammed into the electric fence.

Roxton, Challenger and Veronica joined in, killing the remaining raptors quickly. From the base of the tree house Ned looked up and waved. "Thanks, my gun jammed," he yelled, looking rather sheepish.

"Maybe you should clean your weapon more often Neddy-boy," Roxton called back. "Didn't I tell you to check them regularly?"

"Roxton! You're back," Ned said excitedly and disappeared from sight. A few moments later the heard the elevator start to climb.

Everyone in the tree house turned to watch the elevator ascend. Ned rushed off before it came to a complete stop.

As soon as they laid eyes on each other, Marguerite and Ned joyous called out "You're home!" As one, the group rushed each other and for a moment they stood in one giant group hug.

Jessie watched as the group pulled the young man, who could only be the now infamous Edward Malone, into a huge hug. She smiled as they bombarded each other with questions about their travels. She waited patiently for the group to once again recognize her presence.

"Jessie, I would like you to meet our wandering reporter, Ned Malone," Roxton said with a smile.

Ned look chagrined for a moment, then smiled back at them and stepped forward to shake Jessie's hand. Jessie liked him instantly, and pulled him into an embrace.

When they were finished Finn walked over and punched Ned lightly in the arm.

"Oww!" Ned exclaimed dramatically. "What was that for?"

"For spoiling our surprise!"

"Oh, I apologize. Next time, I'll just stay out there and be raptor food," he quipped, giving her an evil little grin. "Then you can explain to Veronica what happened to me and see what happens to you."

Finn stuck her tongue out at him, and turned to look at Roxton. "Hey that reminds me, you two said you had a surprise for us."

"We do," Roxton assured her with a smug grin. To Finn's irritation, he turned to Ned and began asking questions about the jammed gun.

"Well?" Finn demanded impatiently, hands on hips as she realized that Roxton was teasing her.

Roxton exchanged a mischievous grin with Marguerite. He made a large production of taking her hand, slowly leaning forward, dropping a gallant kiss on her hand, and adoringly watching the dazzling smile cross her face. Out of the corner of his eye, he waited several seconds, until Finn looked like she was going to explode, before finally saying, "I'd like to introduce to you Lady Marguerite Roxton."

It took the information a minute to sink in and then Ned, Veronica and Finn all started talking at once. Somewhere in the middle of the conversation, dinner was served and a bottle of champagne was opened.

They sat around the table telling stories of their adventures long into the night. Jessie woke early the next morning and took advantage of her time alone to explore her new environment. She could see traces of each of the houseguests as she walked the tree house. Finally, she walked out onto the balcony and gazed at the Plateau that had brought this family together. Turning she went to start breakfast and begin her life in the Lost World.