Anyala came running as well. "Oh! What happened?"

"Nothing," Roxton said. "He's fine."

"I can help," she said.

"No, that's alright, it's nothing." Roxton took her elbow and steered her away. "It's late; why don't you go to bed?" He succeeded in convincing her to go to Veronica's room, then returned to the others. Marguerite was just tucking the blankets around Malone.

"Do you still think she's innocent?" he asked Marguerite as Challenger wrung out a cloth and put it on Malone's forehead.

"Yes!" Marguerite said. "What reason would she have to hurt Malone?"

"The treehouse would make a very desirable fortress," Roxton answered. "And she can't be sure we'd protect her here."

"What are you two talking about?" Challenger asked. Roxton repeated the whole story again.

"That doesn't sound promising," Challenger said when he was done.

"You don't seriously believe she's capable of that?" Marguerite said, a little shrilly.

"Shh!" Roxton glanced around the doorframe. "Don't let her hear you!"

"There are many ways she could willfully transmit disease, Marguerite," Challenger answered in a hushed tone.

"That's not what I mean."

"What has she done to capture your heart?" Roxton asked sarcastically.

"I can't explain it. I just don't think she could do the things her sister accused her of." Marguerite crossed her arms and gave him her signature infuriated blink.

"Woman's intuition, huh? Well Marguerite, since you seem to like her so much, you can keep her away from Malone tomorrow, or she might finish him off."

"Why tomorrow?"

"Challenger and I are going to Valana and bringing her back to fetch Anyala. We'll let her sister and her village deal with her."

Challenger cut off Marguerite's enraged squawk. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Challenger said. "We said we wouldn't hurt her. And the villagers probably shouldn't know where the treehouse is, in case they're hostile."

"We have the electric fence to protect us," Roxton said, brushing off the warning. "She's not staying." He stalked out.

000

Despite Marguerite's voluble arguments, Roxton and Challenger left the next morning and went to find Valana before Anyala woke up.

"Remember, Marguerite," Roxton told her as they stepped into the elevator, "don't let her near Malone."

"And don't let her touch you with her hands," Challenger added. Marguerite glowered at them.

In a few minutes, Anyala appeared in the main room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Where is everyone?" she asked.

"Hunting. Again," Marguerite answered.

Anyala sat down at the table and smiled lightly at her. "You don't seem too happy about that."

Marguerite opened and shut her mouth. "Well, I wish they wouldn't go off and leave us here alone with Malone. Challenger should be watching him."

Anyala moved to stand up. "I could watch him. I was the healer for my village."

"No, no!" Marguerite said, a little too quickly. Anyala frowned. "He's sleeping," Marguerite covered. "Wouldn't want to wake him!" She smiled cheerfully. Anyala didn't look convinced.

000

This time when Roxton and Challenger entered the village, the guards didn't stop them. One of them went to Valana's house, and soon Valana came out to meet them.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Valana asked, a pleasant smile on her face.

"We have your sister," Roxton said without preamble. Valana's smile faded. "She's in our treehouse. We were hoping you could come… collect her?"

Valana nodded. "Of course." She called one of the guards over, and soon they had four men with spears ready. "Lead on," she said to Roxton.

"You're coming?" he asked, a little surprised.

"Of course," she answered calmly. "You see, my sister is very powerful. If we desires, in times of great trouble she can turn her powers into pure energy. That is a weapon you have no defense against. But I have learned to block her. I will accompany you."

"Alright, then. We'd best get going," Challenger said. They set off into the forest.

000

Anyala spent most of the morning in Challenger's lab, reading through his library. Marguerite stayed near the door, out of sight, where she could make sure Anyala didn't leave the room without her knowing. She went to check on Malone after awhile.

His fever was still high, and he had tossed and turned enough to pull most of the blankets off the bed. Marguerite tucked him in again. "Where are you, Challenger?" she said under her breath.

A sound out in the corridor stopped her, and she stilled her movements to listen. Someone was coming. Anyala.

There were no weapons in the room, so Marguerite grabbed the first thing she could find—a wooden bowl. The one next to it was filled with water and the cloth from last night. If nothing else, she could hit Anyala in the back of the head with it. But she still didn't think Anyala was guilty of all the things her sister had accused her of. In a moment, she had slipped behind the curtains that sealed the room off from the morning sunlight. Behind a potted palm, she peeked out and waited.

She hadn't long to wait. Anyala slipped silently in the room and approached Malone. Marguerite tensed. Anyala hadn't seen her; if she went to touch Malone, Marguerite could hit her with the bowl…

But Anyala picked up the cloth and dipped it in the bowl of water. Sitting carefully on the edge of the bed, she laid the cloth gently over Malone's forehead. Marguerite's eyes grew wide. She couldn't possibly be meaning to kill him, not if she tried to make him comfortable! Marguerite relaxed a little, watching the scene play out. After a moment, Anyala reached forward to touch his cheek…

"Hey!" Marguerite and Anyala both jumped. Anyala snatched her hand back.

Roxton stood in the doorway.

AN: Sorry it's been so long since an update. Thanks for reminding me, leener!

I have realized that this story is not nearly as well-written as it could be. But since it's basically the outline of a TV episode, I guess it doesn't have to be Shakespeare… :) But sorry for the low quality, anyway.