It Don't Mean a Thing

By Lerie

Disclaimer: I am sadden to say, I don't own any of the LOST WORLD members... I sure wish I did though...

Chapter 1: At the Beginning

The sunlight was just starting to glisten in the winter sky. He stared out the window at the snow-covered grounds. His eyes glazed over as he tumbled deeper and deeper into his thoughts. A loud noise behind him startled him out of his reverie. One of the servants had dropped a vase of flowers.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," the old man mumbled over and over as he picked up the pieces.

Roxton sighed, "No big deal." He reached down to help pick up the fragments and the flowers. He absentmindedly handed them to the servant and walked away from the scene. The house was now alive with the hustle and bustle of everyday life and his 'alone' time was gone. As he walked through the manor, he was again consumed by his thoughts. So much, in fact, that he almost ran over his own mother.

"John!" She cried and swerved to avoid colliding with him in the hall. She didn't quite make it and struggled with her balance to stay standing. Roxton's hand shot out instinctively and caught her arm as she almost toppled over.

"Sorry mum."

"John, I am getting to old for this," she laughed.

Roxton just stared at her as though she had two heads.

"John, what is wrong?" Lady Elizabeth Roxton questioned with concern in her eyes.

"Huh? Nothing..." he started. "It is not nothing, John. Please tell me what's wrong. You have been in your own world for days now." She smiled at him, but inside she was worried. When he had first returned from that "Lost World", he was so happy and carefree despite everything that happened in the past, but little by little, each day, he grew more and more sullen and quiet.

"Nothing is wrong, just concentrating on the future." He offered her a slight smile, trying to set her mind at ease.

"Well, I suppose that would occupy my thoughts," she replied, not entirely convinced this was the real reason for his mood of late. "There is a lot yet to be planned in the next 4 months. Weddings don't plan themselves." She smiled and patted his arm as she walked past him and continued with her morning.

He stared after her... a frown growing on his face. He remembered the day he proposed, and although it was only 6 months ago, it seemed a lifetime ago in his mind. Everything had been so much simpler.

Marguerite arrived at the Roxton estate unannounced. As she rang the bell, she quickly ran her fingers through her long dark tresses and smoothed her clothes. She wanted to look presentable to her love. After all, she was finally going to be back with John after over 2 months. It had taken that long to sort out some of the more shady issues of her past. She had used every gem, resource and favor she had, but it was worth it. Everything for the most part was cleared away. There were still some issues left, but she was confident that everything would work out. After all that finessing, she had rushed back to London as fast as she could. Rushed back to the wonderful lord that stole her heart, not that she really minded. 'Only 4 more months,' she chuckled to herself as she looked at her beautiful, sparkling ring. 'I wish 4 days.' She knew however, that a proper English wedding took time to plan and the 'right' planning for nobility was all important. Her smile brightened as she thought back to the day John had proposed to her...