Disclaimer: As I said before, I don't own any of these characters.

Marguerite's Struggle

Chapter 4

"Marguerite!"

Summerlee ran over to Marguerite and saw her unconscious body lying in a pool of her own blood. He checked for a pulse and let out a sigh of relief when he found one. It was very weak, but at least she was alive. He tried to wake her up but he had no luck. She was hurt this entire time? Why didn't she say something? She needed help and didn't tell us! My God! How could I not have known! She took such good care of me and Challenger and this is how she is repaid! She is left to slowly bleed to death and no one notices! How could I have let this happen! Quick, pull yourself together man! She needs your help! "ROXTON! HURRY, I NEED HELP IN HERE!"

Roxton heard Summerlee's cry and ran over to Challenger's room as quick as he could expecting Challenger's condition to be worse, not Marguerite's. "What is it! What's happened...!" As soon as he walked in and saw Marguerite on the floor, he stopped talking. She looked even worse than when he had seen her this morning. He quickly regained his senses. "What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to carry her to her room so I can help her." Roxton scooped her up and carried her to her room with Summerlee following behind. As Summerlee walked through the kitchen, he saw Veronica and Malone. "Veronica, Malone, I am going to need more supplies and bandages for Marguerite, and HURRY! She already has a high fever and is bleeding. I fear she has lost a lot of blood and developed an infection. I just hope we aren't too late to help her!"

Roxton, still oblivious to how badly Marguerite was hurt, laid her down on the bed and felt something warm on his arms. He looked down and saw that they were covered in Marguerite's blood. "Where the hell is this blood coming from!" He turned Marguerite onto her back and realized that the entire backside of her clothes were soaked through with blood from wounds of her own. Wounds that he never saw because she had never let him see her back. "Damn stubborn woman! Why the hell didn't she say something!" The reality of the situation quickly struck Roxton, along with worry and guilt, and he silently cursed at the stupidity of the woman lying before him.

Summerlee quickly washed his hands in the basin and made his way over to the bed. "She wanted to make sure Challenger was ok before we even considered looking at her. She knew he needed help and didn't want to distract us. When she makes a promise, she keeps it, even at the cost of her own life." The last bit was a whisper and Roxton barely heard the words leave his mouth. He felt just as badly as Summerlee for not realizing how hurt she was. After all she went through, she still managed to protect Challenger. Not just from one raptor attack, but TWO! And then she lied and said she wasn't hurt and watched OUR backs while we got him back to the Treehouse. She went through so much, and with all that pain! She suffered so much and did it all alone. She should have told us! We would have helped her! We joke around with her like we did the other morning, but she knows we would help her, right? No matter how she acts, none of us would leave another person to die, even her.

While Roxton was thinking about Marguerite and how he underestimated her, Summerlee was trying to help her. "Quick, there's no time to lose! Help me get her clothes off." Roxton hesitated. "This is no time for modesty, John. She's DYING!" With those two words, Roxton helped Summerlee take off what was left of her camisole and pants. The sight the two were met with was not encouraging. The entire back side of her body was covered in blood. The little care Marguerite gave to her wounds was not enough. Her wounds were still bleeding and her condition was rapidly declining. Infection had already set into her wounds and her fever was raging. Summerlee was shocked at how bad her condition was. "Look at this infection! She is worse off than Challenger!"

Veronica and Malone ran in with all the things Summerlee asked for and stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Marguerite. After the initial shock was over, Veronica spoke up first. "What happened to her?"

Summerlee explained, "She was also attacked by the raptors and didn't tell us."

"You mean she dragged him all those miles by herself with those wounds? How did she do it?" Veronica was shocked that she didn't leave him there to die and care for her own wounds instead of helping Challenger first. "By the look of those wounds, she lost enough blood to have passed out hours ago."

Summerlee was slowly losing his self-control. "Her determination alone was what got her here. She promised to protect him and she did it. She used all of the supplies on George, including the poultice, which would explain her infection. Since her injuries were on the backside of her body, she couldn't reach them. She couldn't clean them, stitch them, or even properly bandage them. Challenger was unconscious so he couldn't help her. She tended to all of his wounds before her own. The only thing she did for herself was tie up the rest of her blouse as a make-shift bandage. She ignored her own pain and got him back to the Treehouse like she said she would! Then, she still didn't ask for help and stood right in front of our eyes slowly dying! Does that answer your questions!"

Everyone was shocked at his tone and realized how concerned he was for Marguerite. They all stopped talking and set to work trying to help the one person who really needed it and the one they all doubted.

"I guess I was completely wrong about her" Veronica mumbled.

Roxton heard her and answered, "We all were." He turned to Summerlee, "What else can we do?"

"We can talk later. Right now, we have to keep her wounds free of infection. Malone, can you go make some Willow Bark Tea? Roxton, keep a cold compress on her forehead. Her fever is still dangerously high. Veronica, you and I have to clean and stitch the worst of her wounds first. And don't forget the poultice."

As everyone set to work, Roxton was again turned to Summerlee. "Do you think she'll make it?"

Summerlee shook his head. "I don't know, I hope so. I truly hope so."

After several hours, all of Marguerite's wounds had stopped bleeding and were properly cleaned and bandaged. The only problem left was her fever and the fact that she was still unconscious.

"What do you think, Summerlee? Is she going to pull through?" Roxton asked.

"She might, she is on of the strongest woman I've ever seen. If anyone can survive this, she can. All we can do now is to keep her wounds clean and make sure she's comfortable. She needs a lot of rest."

"But what about her fever?" Veronica asked.

"It's not as high as it was last night. It's a good thing we caught the signs of dehydration and got fluids into her. Right now, the fever is showing that her body is fighting off the infection, it's a good thing. We'll worry if it starts to go back up."

CRASH!

Everyone heard the crash but Malone spoke up first. "What was that! Sounded like it came from Challenger's room."

Everyone got up and ran to Challenger's room. Veronica got there first and saw a broken pitcher next to the bed along with Challenger. "What happened? Challenger? You're awake! Are you ok?"

Everyone else came running in and saw that Challenger was awake and in the first stages of recovery. Everyone let out a sigh of relief to see Challenger had finally regained consciousness. Roxton and Veronica helped Challenger get back into bed while Summerlee checked his bandages to make sure he didn't break open his stitches.

"Are you sure you're ok, Challenger?" asked Malone as he handed Challenger a cup of water.

"I'm in a considerable amount of pain, but at least I'm alive, thanks to Marguerite."

Veronica was still skeptical that Marguerite would help Challenger when it wasn't in her best interest. "How did you two get attacked? We never really heard the whole story from Marguerite."

"Well, we were about a day's journey away from the Treehouse. We had traveled 6 miles before it was midday. We were making excellent time because Marguerite was excited to find this new mineral after I told her I could use it to get us off the plateau..."

Malone interrupted, "That sounds like Marguerite." That got a little laugh until they remembered her condition.

Summerlee cleared his throat and let Challenger continue. "Yes, well, I fell a little behind, I'm not as young as I used to be. As I was catching up to Marguerite, a raptor jumped out onto the trail and attacked me. Before I knew what happened, it was digging its claws into my chest and I thought I was going to die. I heard Marguerite shout my name, then a shot, and then nothing. I remember regaining consciousness a couple times. One time was near sunset when Marguerite was cleaning my wounds, and then another time it was dark and all I could see was moving trees, but I don't really remember, I wasn't really oriented at the time."

Summerlee started shooing everyone out of the room so Challenger could rest. "Well, now that you're safe, we will leave you to rest."

Challenger noticed that out of everyone in his room, that one person he really wanted to see was not there. "Where's Marguerite? I wanted to thank her."

Summerlee spoke up before anyone could say anything about her condition. "She's sleeping. She's exhausted from dragging your foolish hide all over the plateau. You need to rest. Let's leave him to it." They all wished Challenger well and left him to rest.

Malone's curiosity was peaked and he was ready to burst. "Why didn't you tell him about Marguerite?"

"He lost consciousness before Marguerite got hurt, so he doesn't know. There's no point in worrying him when we are not sure about her condition. The only thing we can do now is pray for Marguerite's recovery."

After a couple of days, Challenger was better and was well enough to leave his room. The first thing he did was go see Marguerite. After a while, he began to get suspicious about Marguerite's absence and they were forced to tell him. It had been three days since Marguerite got both of them to the Treehouse and she still hadn't regained consciousness. She was slowly regaining her color and her fever had broken two days ago. Her body was still exhausted from the long journey and the blood loss.

Everyone, except Challenger, was in the kitchen and getting ready for breakfast. Malone sat down at the table and asked, "Where's Challenger?"

Veronica walked over and joined him. "He's sitting with Marguerite. He feels guilty that she got hurt saving him and that it was his idea to go on the trip to begin with. He wants to be there when she wakes up so he can thank her."

Everyone felt guilty about how they treated Marguerite but Roxton put it into words. "I think we owe her an apology when she wakes up. She went above and beyond our expectations of her."

Summerlee heard their conversation and started to get angry. "I think you owe her more than that. She went through all of that and you still doubted her! She's saved our lives many times since we were stranded here and yet you still didn't believe in her! She had to go through all of this to prove to you that she wouldn't betray us! Not at the cost of her life! Do you have any idea of what she had to go through to get her and Challenger home alive! Do you! How much pain she had to have been in! How much she had to have been suffering! She didn't give a damn about herself, only Challenger! She gave up on herself and just concentrated on keeping her stupid promise!"

They were all in shock at Summerlee's tone and even more surprised when he broke down and started crying. They could see how much he had grown to care for Marguerite and how bad he felt that Marguerite got hurt.

"She traveled through the night in the jungle all by herself. She faced raptors twice, all by herself. All of this while she was bleeding to death! We didn't even notice! I didn't notice! We left her to slowly die in front of our eyes and let her think we don't care!"

Veronica tried to console Summerlee. "She knows you care, none of this was your fault. We needed to help Challenger and she knew it. You know once Marguerite makes up her mind about something, you can't change it. This is what she wanted. Besides, it all worked out in the end. She's going to be fine, ok?" Summerlee slowly regained his composure and everyone sat down to breakfast forgetting Summerlee's earlier outburst.

"SUMMERLEE! SUMMERLEE! HURRY, SHE'S WAKING UP!"

Everyone dropped everything when they heard Challenger's shouts and ran over to Marguerite's room.

Marguerite's eyes fluttered opened and she slowly regained her senses. The first thing she realized was she was in a lot of pain. She stifled a scream that came out as a low groan. She could barely keep her eyes open because she was so tired. She knew there were people in her room but couldn't make out their faces because her vision was fuzzy. She grew suspicious that no one was saying anything. Why are they so quiet? Why aren't they saying anything? Oh my God, Challenger! I must not have gotten him back in time. But Summerlee said he was going to be ok! Damn it! I tried so hard! That's why they aren't talking to me! They blame me for Challenger's death! They think I let him die! "I tried to get him back here as fast I could. I did the best I could but I'm not Summerlee! Honestly, I didn't leave him there to die! I'm sorry Challenger, I should have tried harder!" Marguerite moved to get up but screamed in pain. Challenger was next to her and tried to calm her down.

"Marguerite! Marguerite! I'm here, I'm fine! Look, I'm alive! And I have you to thank for it! They told me how you saved me and how much great care you gave me and all you went through to get us back. I wanted to be here when you woke to tell you how much I appreciate it, I'm eternally grateful."

Marguerite was still in shock to find out Challenger was indeed alive, and not to mention pain, and couldn't speak.

Roxton decided to lighten the mood, "What's the matter, Marguerite? Cat got your tongue? We all thought you would be milking this for all it's worth."

Marguerite looked up and saw the huge grin plastered on Roxton's face. Marguerite's face grew a similar smile. "Of course, what did you expect? No good deed goes unrewarded. As long as I'm stuck in bed, I expect to be waited on hand and foot."

Malone chuckled, "As you wish, your Majesty. I'm glad to see you're ok, Marguerite. I'm going to make sure all of this goes in my journal for my readers back home! You're a hero!"

Marguerite's smile immediately faded. "Now I don't know about that Malone. It's really not a big deal. No need to go through all that trouble."

"Don't be ridiculous. The infamous Miss Krux playing hero is something my readers will want to read about. I think I'm going to get started right now. Again, it's great to see you're feeling better. Get some rest."

"Thanks, Malone." Malone smiled and walked out.

Veronica handed Marguerite a cup of waterwith a warm smile. "Yeah, we're glad to see you're back and feeling better. If you need anything, let me know. We'll just leave you to rest." Veronica and Roxton got up to walk out. "Yeah, now you actually have an excuse to stay in bed all day."

"I heard that Roxton!" Roxton chuckled and lef with Veronica leaving Summerlee to take care of his patient.

Summerlee handed Marguerite a cup of tea. "Here Marguerite. Drink this."

As she was drinking the tea, she looked up and saw there were tears in his eyes and tried to cheer him up. "Looks like we've switched places Arthur. You make a much better Florence Nightingale than I do."

A tear escaped Summerlee's eyes. "Don't you ever do that again! You gave me quite a scare. What were you thinking? You almost died! Why didn't you take better care of yourself? Why didn't you tell me how badly you were hurt?"

"Challenger's wounds were worse than mine. I knew I had to get us back. Who else was going to do it! I did what I had to do!" Marguerite winced in pain. "Besides, I made a promise."

"But not at the cost of your life!"

"What? You would rather me have left Challenger to die? There was no other way. Besides, you put so much faith in me, I didn't want to disappoint you."

"You could never disappoint me, my dear. In fact, I'm very proud of you." Summerlee wiped away another tear and got up. "You need to rest. You should go to sleep."

"Thank you, Arthur."

In another week, Marguerite had almost fully recovered. She was finally allowed to leave her room but couldn't walk because her wounds hadn't completely healed yet. If she needed to go someplace, Malone or Roxton were her modes of transportation.

Marguerite was sitting on the sofa reading a book when Veronica came in with a cup of tea. "Here's your tea Marguerite."

"Thank you, Veronica."

"Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry again for doubting you. I'm glad you proved me wrong."

Marguerite was uncomfortable with this unusual show of affection so she quickly changed the mood. "You bet I did! I'm always right, and don't you forget it!" Veronica flashed a knowing smile and walked away. Marguerite heard someone laugh and looked over her shoulder to see Roxton.

"Glad to see you haven't lost your sense of humor, Marguerite. Is there anything our resident heroine needs?" Marguerite shook her head. "Well, how would you like to join me on the balcony?" Marguerite considered the gesture which was out of character for Roxton and then agreed. Roxton picked her up and placed her down on the chair next to his on the balcony. She looked up and saw him staring at her. "What?"

"Nothing. It's just, since we have arrived here, you have yet to cease to amaze me. First I saw a strong woman with ambition and a strong desire for jewels, then Iwas proved wrong with Summerlee. It's obvious he cares for you. Challenger said he might not have made it if it wasn't for your care. Whatever you said to him, helped him get through the pain. Then all of this happens. I was right when I said you were a woman of fire and steel. Any other person wouldn't have been able to go through all of that and still survive and get Challenger and yourself back alive. Only you, Marguerite. My admiration for you keeps growing. I wonder just how much more there is about you that will surprise me."

"Looks like it's my job to keep the 'Great White Hunter' on his toes. Wouldn't want your reflexes to get rusty."

"I'm sure you'll relish the opportunity to shock me and be really good at it. So how is Challenger planning to pay you back for this unusual selfless act?"

"I told him he didn't have to do anything but he insisted. So the next time we go out to get his mineral, we're going to stay an extra day so I can look at this new rock formation for gems. It looks very promising."

Roxton smiled at Marguerite's predictability. "Maybe I'll come with you." Marguerite looked up with a quizzical look on her face. "You know, for protection. Who's going to watch your back if you're too busy watching Challenger's? Wouldn't want our expedition's benefactress to meet an untimely demise."

Marguerite was angry because she believed that Roxton thought that if he didn't come along, recent events would repeat themselves. "Believe it or not, but I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Lord Roxton."

Roxton saw where this conversation was headed and stopped it before it got out of hand. "I know, I know. I think you already proved you can handle anything this plateau throws at you. But we're all in this together. We all have to stick together. You don't have to be alone. You can trust us. One of us will always be there to watch your back, just like we know you would for us."

Marguerite looked at Roxton and saw the sincerity of his words, but didn't answer. She let all this new information sink in and turned back around to stare into the jungle and finish her tea.

THE END

A/N: What did ya think? Reviews are always welcomed! I need reviews! Thanks to everyone who read my story and a great big thanks to everyone who reviewed!