Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, I'm just borrowing for this story. It's all for fun. Enjoy!

Marguerite's Struggle

Chapter 1

Another day began in the tree house with plans being made for the day. Everyone was willing to do more than their fair share, well almost everyone.

"Marguerite, you and I must go because Arthur is still recovering from that bee sting and Veronica is staying behind to take care of him. And Roxton and Malone are going to trade for supplies at a nearby village. Besides, I need your knowledge of gemology on this excursion. I'm looking for some plants and a certain mineral that is vital in my newest experiment."

"Come on, Challenger! The last thing I want to do is go traipsing about in the jungle looking at bloody rocks all day! If you want those plants and rocks, you can go by yourself!" Marguerite shouted as she turned and stomped off.

Roxton stopped polishing his guns and made his way over to the fuming heiress with a stern look on his face and finger pointing. "Now listen here, Marguerite. We are not sending Challenger out into the jungle alone for two days by himself. You are going to go with him. Those are the plans for today and that's FINAL! No more arguments! I suggest you stop complaining because it won't do you any good and use your time to get ready. After all, you have a long journey ahead of you."

Malone finished packing his bag and decided to take his turn at playing peacekeeper. "Besides Marguerite, someone needs to watch Challenger's back, right? You don't want to kill our best chance of getting off the plateau do you?" Malone asked. He figured that appealing to her strong desire to get off the plateau would get her to go along without much of an argument.

Veronica stepped out of the kitchen and laughed. "You want Marguerite to watch Challenger's back? You might as well feed him to the raptors now. Marguerite doesn't look out for anyone but herself." Obviously Veronica had not forgotten the incident when Marguerite bartered her to Jacoba for a way off the plateau.

Summerlee, who was still tired and recovering from his nearly fatal experience, made his way over to Marguerite. He had grown particularly fond of the cunning heiress while she was nursing him back to health. She was very comforting to him when he was very near death. He would never forget how kind she was to him. If it wasn't for her care, he probably wouldn't have lasted long enough for the others to get the cure for him. Not to mention her sacrifice of her underwear for Challenger's electric fence and her standing guard and protecting him while he built it. If that fence hadn't gotten built and he didn't die from the bee sting, the apemen would have killed him. He appreciated that she let him see her caring and maternal side. Marguerite was truly one of the most complex and remarkable women he had ever met. Too bad he was the only one who noticed and appreciated her and he was more than willing to defend her character to his other housemates. "Now hold on a second, Veronica. You know Marguerite would never turn her back on Challenger or any other member of this expedition. I think you are all being rather unfair to her."

Marguerite looked into Summerlee's eyes and saw a look of tenderness and appreciation. She was truly touched that he had that much faith in her but she wouldn't let anyone else know how much their opinions truly mattered to her. Instead, she gave him the faintest smile and a slight nod before she quickly made sure he didn't start overexerting himself now that he was cured. "Now hold it right there, Arthur. You are still recovering and you need to be resting. Sit back down and relax or I'll drag you back to bed myself."

Seeing the look of determination on her face, Summerlee relented and let her help him back to his seat. "I wouldn't dream of worrying you, my dear."

Marguerite dreaded to disappoint Summerlee after he had just defended her, so she decided to give in, just this once, and to go with Challenger. "Fine, I'll accompany you on this little excursion of yours, George. But only because I need you to get us off of this Godforsaken plateau. I can't have you running off and getting devoured by a T-Rex. Besides, that would be a complete waste of all the money I spent funding this expedition" Marguerite replied with a huff.

Roxton smiled and stepped into the elevator and waited for Malone. "Driven by self-preservation and a love of money. I wouldn't expect anything less of you Marguerite."

Marguerite returned the smile and replied sarcastically, "I wouldn't want to disappoint you, Lord Roxton."

Malone stepped into the elevator and as it began its descent, Roxton gave out some last second advice. "Watch out for each other out there, you two. Be careful. The same goes for you, Veronica. The electric fence is still in the experimental stage." As the elevator was slipping out of view, Roxton cried, "See you tomorrow!" and Malone, with the sweetest smile plastered on his face, said goodbye to Veronica.

Veronica smiled and walked back into the kitchen to make some tea for Summerlee leaving Challenger and Marguerite to prepare for their own journey.

"Come along, Marguerite. We better set out now; we have a lot of ground to cover in two days. I hope to be back tomorrow afternoon." Challenger eagerly grabbed his pack and rifle and headed toward the elevator.

Marguerite picked up her own pack and hat and somberly got on the elevator. "Just exactly where are we going Challenger?"

The elevator stopped and the two explorers stepped out and began their long trek through the jungle. "Well, Marguerite, we are heading towards the mountains bordering the clearing on the west side of the plateau. There are some plants there I want to add to the medicine cabinet along with that mineral I need your expertise to find. You see, I need it to..."

"I don't need an explanation, Challenger. However, it's nice to know that my vast knowledge of gemology is finally being appreciated around here" Marguerite replied with a grin and a slight hint of annoyance.

"Indeed. This mineral is vital in a chemical reaction I am trying to produce in my latest experiment. If we can find it and my experiment is successful, I may be able to get us off the plateau!"

Marguerite abruptly stopped walking and turned around to face Challenger with a heightened interest in the conversation. "Really? You really think you can get us out of here?! Well, don't just stand there, let's get going! Those mountains aren't getting any closer!" With one of the biggest smiles on her face, Marguerite set a fast pace, practically running ahead of Challenger. "Come on George! Keep up!"

"I'm right behind you, Marguerite. The mountains will still be there when---AAAAAHH!!"

Marguerite stopped and turned and was shocked with the sight before her eyes. She shouted "Challenger!" and took off running.